Many old houses in Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town in the city's Qingpu District, will be converted into art workshops over the next few years, as part of an ambitious scheme to attract more tourists to the area by the time Shanghai hosts the World Expo in 2010.

The development plan also calls for the construction of a luxurious hotel along the banks of the Caogang River.

A large meeting will be held at the end of this month to introduce the scheme to outside investors.

Zhujiajiao was established 1,700 years ago, and many of its ancient buildings were home to distinguished scholars during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and the early years of the Republic of China.

The development plan will focus on culture, according to Yao Xiaogang, an official with the Zhujiajiao Investment and Development Company.

Painters, calligraphers, crystal designers and other artists will be encouraged to set up workshops in the town, and shows and exhibitions will be held on a regular basis.

At the meeting later this month, the investment and development company will promote 15 to 20 of the best structures in the town, selected from more than 200 historical sites.

An employee of the company's marketing department told Shanghai Daily the exteriors of the buildings will retain their current look in order to maintain the unique character of the town.

So far about 10 companies, mostly large commercial groups such as Citic Pacific Ltd Co and China Hongda Group, have expressed interest in investing in the project.

(Shanghai Daily September 9, 2005)