In an engineering marvel blending tradition and technology, Shanghai's 140-year-old Huayanli Shikumen complex has completed a 20-day journey back to its original location using 432 robotic walkers. The 7,500-tonne architectural treasure was temporarily relocated during the revitalization of the Zhangyuan cultural district, home to China's largest collection of Shikumen ('stone-gate') houses blending Eastern and Western design elements.
The operation saw robotic devices lift the 4,000-square-meter structure and move it at 10 meters per day – equivalent to the length of a city bus. This cutting-edge preservation method allowed workers to reinforce the original foundation while protecting the historic buildings from construction vibrations.
Shanghai's urban planners emphasize that such innovations demonstrate China's commitment to balancing urban development with cultural heritage protection. The successful relocation sets a precedent for preserving historical architecture in rapidly modernizing cities across Asia.
