Shanghai's heritage gem 'Nanxiangyunge' pavilion reborn in Huangpu

The historic Nanxiangyunge pavilion, an architectural treasure dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) days in the old city area of Shanghai's Huangpu district, has been resurrected through a groundbreaking preservation model that harmonizes heritage protection, community revitalization, and urban innovation.

The timber architecture's restoration came by fusing cutting-edge technology with ancestral craftsmanship. Using 3D laser scanning, the construction team created millimeter-precise digital archives for 386 wooden components. In a first-of-its-kind approach, the structure was disassembled, relocated for restoration, and meticulously rebuilt on-site, preserving 56 original elements.

"Every grey brick in Nanxiangyunge pavilion carries historical imprints," said a Huangpu district official, noting that as a "cultural living room," the pavilion will host public programs to bridge centuries-old wisdom with modern civic life.

As dusk falls on the restored pavilion, its latticed windows now glow with LED (light-emitting diode)-lit exhibitions — a symbol of how Shanghai continues to rewrite its urban narrative, one timber joint and solar tile at a time.

Anchored by the pavilion, the majestic Mansion redevelopment — a collaboration between Shanghai Nanfang Group and CR Land(China Resources Land Limited)— has emerged as a blueprint for heritage-sensitive urban renewal. The project preserves 10 historical building clusters and five original alleyways that have witnessed 700 years of Shanghai's commercial vibrancy and cultural fusion.

Strategically located near the Bund and the Yuyuan Garden, and within the Huangpu River's "World Living Room" zone, majestic Mansion exemplifies Shanghai's latest urban planning vision, said the official from Huangpu district.

The development's most impressive item lies in its 103 heritage-inspired villas, each telling a unique story of Shanghai's urban evolution through architectural details.

It has been learned that the project positions Shanghai's open, innovative spirit on the world stage, proving that heritage stewardship can drive cross-cultural innovation.