On June 1, the Google Cross-border E-commerce Acceleration Center announced its upcoming settlement in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, marking a significant step in building a world-class digital hub to support local enterprises in going global. This initiative will serve as a powerful engine for Hangzhou-based businesses to expand into global markets, according to the information office of Shangcheng District government.
Shangcheng District is a unique blend of time-honored cultural heritage and modern dynamism. Home to the ruins of the Southern Song imperial city, it has been the core of Hangzhou since the Sui and Tang dynasties, preserving Song-style culture for over 800 years. The local government has advanced the inheritance and promotion of Song-style culture by building an open-air museum and launching cultural tourism routes themed on Song aesthetics. Qinghefang Historical and Cultural Characteristic Block retains Ming and Qing architectural layouts, with timeless establishments like Hu Qing Yu Tang Chinese Pharmacy and Wang Xing Ji fan craftsmanship still thriving.
Scientific and technological innovation is the core driving force for Shangcheng's high-quality development. In 2025, the district launched the construction of a Central Innovation District (CID) covering 122 square kilometers, transforming from a traditional commercial center into an AI-powered innovation ecosystem. Shangcheng has set up a ten-billion-yuan industrial fund for artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence, providing financial support from R&D to commercialization. The district boasts over 50,000 college graduates under 35 and a total talent pool of 420,000, with its index for commercialization of scientific and technological achievements ranking among the top tier in Zhejiang Province.
Innovation platforms have flourished, such as the Xizi Smart Industrial Park, renovated from old industrial workshops. It now hosts over 30 humanoid robot enterprises, and the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Training Base was inaugurated there in early 2026, where robots are deployed in factories and daily scenarios, with breakthroughs in motion control and environmental perception.
The integration of culture and technology has also boosted international consumption. Hubin Pedestrian Street, adjacent to West Lake, attracts 40 million visits annually and houses over 1,200 brands. Digital applications create distinctive experiences, bringing technological fun to ordinary consumption. Sijiqing Fashion Street, one of China's most influential garment hubs, is transforming into an international tourist and consumption destination, with digital design and flexible manufacturing reshaping traditional supply chains.
"Rooted in history and culture, driven by scientific and technological innovation, and connected via international consumption, Shangcheng demonstrates how an eastern urban district strikes a balance between preservation and innovation," said an official of the district government.
