The Yangshan Island Project, presently in the final planning stage is a major development of a monumental scale. Yangshan New City is to be developed on Da Yangshan Island 35 kilometers offshore from the Shanghai mainland. It lies next to the massive Shanghai Deepwater port undertaking at Xiao Yangshan estimated to cost US $12 billion over 20 years. The port is connected to the mainland by one of the world's longest bridges included in the first stage costing of US $2.4 billion.

Marina Ventures Ltd USA was appointed by the developers for the Master Planning design, engineering and implementation of all 3 marinas and associated facilities.

Burchill VDM was selected by Chinese authorities as one of five firms worthy of addressing the planning and urban form challenges of Yangshan New City. They and three other firms from Japan, Germany, Italy as well as a major Shanghai planning university, were engaged to prepare competing planning solutions.

In April 2004, the Chinese government authorities awarded their first choice of planning and urban design solutions to Burchill VDM.

In their winning plan for Yangshan New City, issues such as a harsh landscape and a long existing Chinese town had to be addressed. The Burchill VDM plan drew on their experience in creating facilities to encourage tourism and recreational boating, both deemed to be essential for the financial stability of a new city at such a remote location.

The plan delivered incentives to encourage visits by sea-going ferries and coach tours across the world's longest bridge. Restoration plans for the old city, with its traditional community watering facilities, temples, stone walls and pathways, were included in the plan. A desolate mountain in the centre of the island is destined to become a significant tourism focal point, with a funicular railway and mass tourism attractions.