Riding Along the Huangpu River: Chancellor’s Discover China Series

On April 20, over 70 NYU Shanghai faculty and staff members joined Chancellor Tong Shijun for 2025 Eco Cycling, the second installment of the Chancellor’s Discover China Series, biking from the New Bund Campus to Pujiang Countryside Park.

Organized by the Staff Council’s Special Events Committee and Health and Wellness Committee, in collaboration with the Chancellor’s Office, the participants spent a sunny weekend day connecting with nature as they explored picturesque ecological spaces on two wheels along the Huangpu River. From left, Executive Director of Human Resources Guo Wei, Assistant Dean for Laboratory Operations, Arts and Sciences Xu Zhi, Chancellor Tong Shijun, and Chief Financial Officer Helen Hu posed for a photo before leaving NYU the campus.

“Spring is Shanghai’s most vibrant season. I hope everyone enjoys it while biking,” said Chancellor Tong Shijun. Noting the significance of April as the 35th anniversary of Pudong’s opening-up and development and NYU’s 194th anniversary, he added, “As a university based in Pudong and part of the NYU Global Network, we ride today to honor both milestones.”

Participants rode 30 kilometers through parks and along the Huangpu River. Laboratory Assistant of Arts and Sciences Ren Miao (left) and Clinical Assistant Professor of History Wen Shuang (right) cycled across a bridge.

“It’s one of my favorite annual events,” said Provost Joanna Waley-Cohen (left), who joined the ride with colleagues. “I love cycling around Shanghai. You get to see so much. I like going along the river the best and going through the park here is also great. Trees are so green in spring. It’s wonderful and very inspiring to see.” Chief of Staff to the Provost Yvonne Liu Jingyi on the right.

Executive Director of Human Resources Guo Wei (right) and Executive Associate Director of Human Resources Clare Chen cycled along a tree-lined path.

Assistant Arts Professor of IMB Noel Joyce (left) rode his award-winning adaptive mountain bike.

After the ride, participants stopped by the Qiqi National Intangible Cultural Heritage Bodiless Lacquerware Cultural Experience Center. National Representative Inheritor of Intangible Cultural Heritage Li Bosheng (right) explained the special technique of carving layers of lacquer to Chancellor Tong (right) and the group.

Specialist of Immigration and Relocation Services of Human Resources Fan Ceyu (left) and East Asian Studies Librarian and Coordinator of East Asian Academic Resources Yurong Yang Atwill posed for a photo after the ride. After the ride, Chair of Special Events of the Staff Council Zhang Zheng expressed her gratitude to everyone working together to make this event happen, as well as to the support from the Chancellor’s Office.