Shanghai

Shanghai is the largest city in China in terms of population and one of the largest urban areas in the world, with over 20 million people in its extended metropolitan area. Located on China's central eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the city is administered as a municipality with province-level status.

Originally a fishing and textiles town, Shanghai grew to importance in the 19th century due to its favourable port location and as one of the cities opened to foreign trade by the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. The city flourished as a center of commerce between east and west, and became a multinational hub of finance and business by the 1930s. However, Shanghai's prosperity ended after the 1949 Communist takeover and the subsequent cessation of foreign investment. Economic reforms in 1990 have resulted in intense development and financing, and in 2005 Shanghai became the world's largest port.

Beautiful Scenic Spots

     Yuyuan Garden

            The Bund

   Shanghai Museum

Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. The garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.

The Bund, located on the west bank of Huangpu River, facing the dominating Oriental Pearl Tower, is reputed as "An Exhibition of International Buildings". Travelers could feel charm of the exotic old Shanghai, as well as witness the modern Shanghai over the river at the Bund.

Shanghai Museum, as a museum of ancient Chinese art, possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works of art. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is specially celebrated in the world. In 1992, the Shanghai municipal government allocated to the Museum a piece of land at the very center of the city, the People's Square, as its new site. Its unique architectural form of a round top with a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy that the square earth is under the round sky, is a distinguished architectural combination of traditional feature and modern spirit. The present Shanghai Museum has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls. It extends warm welcome to the visitors from all over the world.

Delicious Food

Shanghai food also named Hu Cai, is gradually evolved from standing dishes. Actually, Shanghai food is influenced by which of Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou. Shanghai food features heavy and highly flavored sauce. Another uniqueness of Shanghai food is the use of sugar, especially when used proportionally soy sauce, which makes the dish savory. Shanghai abounds in various kinds of seafood for its position at the mouth of Yangtze River and facing the East China Sea. So, seafood in Shanghai is very popular.

Accommodation

There are so many choices of hotel in Shanghai. Many International hotel brands can satisfy your demand for deluxe stay, such as Shangri-La, Sofitel, Hilton, Marriott and Crowne Plaza. Other old brands like Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou and Holiday Inn Shanghai Vista.  Also, many domestic hotels with local features are also recommended as your choices for relatively budget price.