Shanghai travel and living guide

Shanghai (上海 Shànghǎi), with a population of more than 18 million (and over 5.8 million migrants), is one of the most populous and most developed cities in the People's Republic of China.

Shanghai was the largest and most prosperous city in the Far East during the 1930s, and remained the most developed city in Communist China. In the 1990s Shanghai again became an attractive spot for tourists worldwide.

Districts

Shanghai is split in two by the Huangpu River (黄浦江 huángpǔ jiāng), with the older town on the west bank known as Puxi (浦西 pǔ xī) and the brash new development on the east side being Pudong (浦东 pǔdōng).

Areas within Puxi:

• The Bund (外滩 wàitān) - the colonial riverside of old (and reborn) Shanghai, including the Yuyuan Gardens (豫园 yùyuán)
• French Concession - the leafy district once knows as the Paris of the East, including the refurbished shikumen houses of Xintiandi
• Xujiahui - Southwest part of Shanghai
• Gubei - Close to the Hongqiao airport, a Carrefour, and with a large expat population
• Nanjing Road - China's most famous shopping street, leading to People's Park (人民公园 rénmín gōngyuán) and Jing'an (静安 jìng ān)
• Hongkou (虹口 hóngkǒu) - home of Fudan and Tongji university, plus a park and museum for famed writer Lu Xun.
• Yangpu (杨浦 yángpǔ) - contains the excellent and spacious gongqing forest park (共青森林公园 gòngqīng sēnlín gōngyuán)

and across the river:

• Pudong - the skyscraper-laden new financial and commercial district on the east bank of the river

Outlying districts:

• 嘉定 - Jiādìng
• 青浦 - Qīngpǔ
• 金山 - Jīnshān
• 南汇 - Nánnuì
• 松江 - Sōngjiāng
• 宝山 - Bǎoshān

Originally, Shanghai was a seaside fishing village and in time its gradual development led to it being granted County status on August 19th, 1291 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Hence this day became the anniversary of the founding of Shanghai. Today's Shanghai is a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Bubbling Shanghai shows off every aspect of her unique glamour.

Serving as the largest base of Chinese industrial technology, the important seaport and China's largest commercial and financial center, shanghai draws the attention of the whole world.

Modern Shanghai has three key areas of interest to the visitor. These comprise Sightseeing, Business and Shopping centered upon People's Square and along the Huangpu River. The city's Cultural Center with its public activities and community facilities and finally the main Entertainment and Holiday Tourism area is located at Mt. Sheshan, Chongming Island, Dingshan Lake and Shenshuigang Area.

Known as "the Oriental Paris", Shanghai is a shopper's paradise. One of the musts for tourists is Nanjing Road. Huaihai Road intrigues those with modern and fashionable tastes, while Sichuan North Road meets the demands of ordinary folk. In addition, Xujiahui Shopping Center, Yuyuan Shopping City, Jiali Sleepless City are thriving and popular destinations for those who are seeking to buy something special as a memento of their visit.

A wide variety of cuisines can be found in the City and today Shanghai offers a plethora of culinary delights focusing on the traditions of Beijing, Yangzhou, Sichuan, Guangzhou as well as its own local dishes. Shanghai's restaurants are among the finest to be found in China and they welcome diners from anywhere at any time.