Chongming Town of Baozhen

Chongming Town of Baozhen

Baozhen is located on the southern central edge of Chongming Island, 23 kilometers from the county seat. It borders the southern channel of the Yangtze River to the south, faces Xianghua Town across Dugang to the east, neighbors Shuxin Town via Xiaoshu River’s Zhangzhanggang to the west, and adjoins Gangyan Town to the north. The administrative area of Baozhen covers 60.32 square kilometers, with a total population of 67,149, including 42,267 agricultural residents and 24,882 urban residents. It is the second largest town in Chongming, serving as the economic, cultural, and transportation hub of the island’s eastern half, and is one of the key towns in the “One City, Nine Towns” initiative.

Baozhen has a history of over 300 years. Legend has it that in the 13th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1659 AD), to defend against Japanese pirates invading Chongming, local residents built an earthen fort here for protection. Gradually, more people settled around the fort, and the town eventually took its name from it. Baozhen’s industrial development started early. Local nationalist capitalists Du Shaoru established the Datong and Fu’an Textile Mills in 1922 and 1933 respectively, along with other enterprises such as a towel factory, Da’an Iron Works, Dongming Electric Company, and a soy sauce factory. Commercial establishments included Dachengtang, Yuantai, Xiehe, Tongchangxiang, and Laodaofang. At one point, the town’s commerce and industry were unrivaled across the island. After liberation, both industries flourished comprehensively.

As one of Shanghai’s 15 key projects in the “One City, Nine Towns” initiative, Baozhen has received attention and support from both municipal and county governments. The planned 5.3-square-kilometer industrial zone in the western part of Baozhen Port and the 4.7-square-kilometer new urban residential area east of Shidao Road have been officially designated. Industrial planning is currently underway. Baozhen has initially developed pillar industries such as power generation, textiles, garments, and specialty rubber. Future development will focus on new, non-polluting, and high-tech industries.

The island’s main thoroughfare, Chenhai Highway, intersects with existing roads within the town such as Dadao Road, Baozhen Road, and Baogang Road. Baozhen Port runs north-south through the town, and there are passenger ferry routes from Baozhen to Wusong and a vehicle-passenger ferry route from Baozhen to Baoyang Road. Transportation both within and beyond the town is very convenient.

Transportation Guide: Passengers can take a ferry directly to Baozhen Port from Baoyang Road Pier in Baoshan District. Alternatively, take Line 1 (from Gonghexin Road at Zhongshan North Road to Chenjia Town) or Line 2 (from Shanghai Science and Technology Museum subway station to Chenjia Town) of the Shen-Chong express line, then transfer to the Bao-Chen line to reach Baozhen.

Driving Route: Take the Middle Ring Road → Xiangyin Road Tunnel → Wuzhou Avenue → G40 Shanghai–Shaanxi Expressway (Shanghai Yangtze River Tunnel and Bridge) → Chenhai Highway → Beilu Road of Baozhen → Baozhen.