Construction on the Guangfulin relic park in a key archeological site in Songjiang District has begun.

The park is expected to be finished by the end of next year, district government officials said yesterday.

The Guangfulin archeo-logical site, within the 60-hectare park, contains evidence of the city's nascent history.

About 4,000 years ago, Shanghai's earliest residents migrated from the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River to escape a flood, and settled in the Guangfulin Village in Songjiang District.

A relic museum will be built in the east of the park, with its most prominent exhibition hall underwater.

"Visitors will be able to visit the restored archeology site in a hall under the water," said Lou Jianyuan, deputy director of the commercial and travel commission of Songjiang District government.

Lou also revealed plans for the district's travel and shopping festival that will run from Saturday until October 8.

One of the city's seven fireworks shows will be held in the Sculpture Park in the district on National Day.

Pear picking on farms and tours of Sheshan Mountain will also be organized.

(Shanghai Daily September 3, 2009)