A plan to develop an eight-square-kilometer section of Hangzhou Bay into a beach resort has started in Fengxian District.

Three dams, covering 3.7 square kilometers, are being built along the beach and in the western part of Hangzhou Bay to filter the sea water.

Two pools will be made with the water in the swimming area receiving the most filtering. Another pool will be used for fishing and yachting.

A commercial convention hub with hotels and conference halls is also on the project's blueprint. It is expected to be ready for World Expo 2010.

"Our city is next to the sea, yet there is not one spot where the water is safe for swimming," said Chen Jianguo, top official involved in the project.

"Our plan will provide one that fulfills a wish of many Shanghai residents."

The area has been primarily used as a base for fish and poultry farms.

In recent years, the fish farms have been shifted to other provinces with comparatively cheaper labor costs.

A few years ago, the district redeveloped the eastern section of Hangzhou Bay. It turned a muddy shoreline into a promenade and built a museum that showcases Beijing Opera costumes.

At the same time, four windmills were built, each equipped with a 850-kilowatt generator.

In addition, trees were planted around Palm Beach Resort, a five star hotel - rates range from 988 yuan (US$119) to 1,680 yuan for a suite with a sea view.

Last year, the beach received about 600,000 visitors, a 60 percent increase year on year.

According to Fang Hui, office director of the tourist committee for Hangzhou Bay in Fengxian, tourism growth has been steady in the past few years.

However, redevelopment in this area is an experimental step in the beachfront plan.

According to Fang, the district wants a high quality beach to attract more visitors.

Some travel agencies have agreed with the high-end strategy.

"To make the beach area attractive, the district needs to develop a high-end tourist resort that is convenient to access, enabling visitors to get there within 40 minutes," said Zhang Jianquan, a staff member from Shanghai China International Travel Service Co Ltd.

The district is paving Puxin Road, which will connect the beach to a highway that reaches downtown.

Located in the southwest of Shanghai, Fengxian District boasts a coastline 31.6-kilometers-long.

(Source: www.sh.gov.cn )