Another featured attraction in the park is the traditional garden called Shenyuan, or "Shanghai garden", which is twice as large as the iconic Yuyuan Garden located in the heart of the city. The new garden is holding a bonsai-and-stones exhibition and a lantern show to celebrate the opening of the park and the upcoming Spring Festival.

Xia says creating a traditional garden in the modern metropolis is a form of tribute to the Jiangnan culture of the Yangtze River Delta where water towns and private gardens have been built since ancient times.

The company has also designed a 400-meter boulevard in the park that showcases the industrial history of the area, as well as events from the 2010 World Expo.

"They are all parts of the city's memory," Xia says. "They show how our city has evolved for the better."

Contact the writer at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn