Shanghai is the largest and most developed city in China, it is situated in central-eastern China, facing the East China Sea. Broadly, Shanghai is divided into two parts: Pudong (east of the Huangpu River) and Puxi (west of the Huangpu River). For visitors, most attractions are in Puxi while Pudong is the new development zone. Shanghai literally means "the City by the Sea". Now it"s one of Asia"s most important business centers with the main attractions like Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Museum, Jade Temple and Etc.

Shanghai is one of China's greatest cultural centers, and has a long history as a trading port and gateway for foreigners entering China. This municipality, under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government, is the largest economic and trade center in China.

Shanghai's gorgeous night scenery is one of the main highlights that will linger in visitors' minds after their Shanghai travel experience. As night descends, the entire city is lit up by dizzily colorful lights, joined occasionally by the bright moon hanging in the sky.

Shanghai is much more Hong Kong than Beijing; there are no dusty imperial palaces here. Instead, European-style cityscapes and tempting, tree-lined neighborhoods rub shoulders with the sci-fi skyline of Pudong. Shanghai was where China first met the West and it's still a frontier town, obsessed with the latest fads, fashions and technology. But tucked between the shopping malls and the eye-popping modern architecture is the old Shanghai, where temples nestle down alleys, along with street markets and classical Chinese gardens. Shanghai is a city of stunning contrasts, where visitors can go from sipping a cocktail in a designer bar overlooking the Bund, to eating dumplings at a street stall, or gazing at a 10th-century Buddhist monastery, in the space of a few hours. Summer is hot and humid, winter can get cold, but Shanghai never stops.

Today, Shanghai's goal is to develop into a world-class financial and economic center of China and Asia. In achieving this goal, Shanghai faces competition from Hong Kong, which has the advantage of a stronger legal system and greater banking and service expertise. Shanghai has stronger links to the Chinese interior and to the central government in addition to a stronger manufacturing and technology base. Since the return of Hong Kong to China, Shanghai has increased its role in finance, banking, and as a major destination for corporate headquarters, fueling demand for a highly educated and cosmopolitan workforce.

Shanghai is one of the least polluted major cities in China, although the degree of pollution might be more severe when using international comparisons. For this reason, coupled with a lesser degree of focus placed on national politics, visitors will find a much different experience than visiting Beijing making Shanghai a world unto its own a lot like Hong Kong, with the big difference being of course it's located on the Chinese mainland.

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Things To Do in Shanghai - Shanghai Attraction Guide

The Bund

Yuyuan Garden

Jade Buddha Temple

Shanghai Museum

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall