Abstract: Using the methods of literature review, field investigation and case study, this paper takes the Shanghai rowing event as a case to study and analyze the process and experience of building Shanghai into a world famous sports city through large-scale sports events from the temporal-spatial dimension, and draws inspirations thereby. The research reviewed the rowing events in China and found that the development of rowing in China can be roughly divided into two stages: the initial stage (1852-1949) and the comprehensive development stage (1949 to present). In addition, the development of modern rowing in China has benefited from the combination of top-down policy support and bottom-up mass participation. The success of Shanghai rowing event has brought the following experience: (1) integration with urban landscape; (2) rational use of urban space; (3) integration of city (body) and sport (soul); (4) creation of new brands of the city; (5) panoramic three-dimensional new image of the city; (6) improvement of social benefits; (7) innovations and unique features in building Shanghai into a world famous sports city. On this basis, the research draws the following inspirations: first, provide sports events that people need to balance the contradiction between sports supply and demand; second, explore the development mode of sports events with local characteristics; third, establish sports events- "embedded" urban development mechanism; fourth, maintain the balance between time and space of large-scale events communication; fifth, make use of city-specific landscape to create new brands for city sports events.

Key words: large-scale sports events, famous sports city, Shanghai Rowing Open, sports indusity