About Shanghai
Shanghai
With its 17 million inhabitants spread over 300 square kilometers, Shanghai is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. In contrast to the quite conservative China, Shanghai has always been a little bit more open, more dynamic and more oriented towards the western style of life. In Shanghai things are changing and developing at an incredible pace. The river of Huangpu flows through the middle of the city and divides it into two parts. During the day and even at nighttime people stroll up and down Bund street which is the most popular street of the town, known for its beautiful buildings from colonial times as well as for the breathtaking new skyline of the city. The most popular shopping street is the Nankin-street which is over five kilometers long. If you need a break from the ever-moving city, the “Volkspark” which lies right next to the Nankin-street, offers a great opportunity to relax or even to fly a kite. Contrary to the modern buildings and shopping areas there is also the old town with its typical houses and some Buddhist temples, which attract many tourists for a walk.
Shanghai is the largest city in China with a population of more than eighteen million. It is considered as the most prosperous city in the country since it is China’s industrial, financial, commercial, communications and cultural center. Shanghai is a modern Chinese city, it is more open to changes and it is more oriented to the Western lifestyle compared to other Chinese cities, however, it still remembers its many traditions. For the first half of the twentieth century Shanghai was popularly seen as the origin of everything modern in China. The first motor car was driven in its city streets and modern sewers and train tracks were first laid in Shanghai. It is the perfect place to learn to speak Chinese.
Shanghai was originally a seaside fishing village and over the centuries it has developed into a bustling metropolis with an amalgam of its traditional and modern Chinese appearance. Every aspect of Shanghai’s beauty is being shown in its recent ascent to its dazzling status. It draws the attention of the whole world being the largest base of Chinese industrial technology and the center of finance and commerce.
Shanghai is also known as Paris of the Orient being a shopper’s heaven with lots of big shops in the main shopping districts and little stores strewn on hidden alleys. Shopping and business are centered on the People’s Square and along the Huangpu River. The major shopping street frequented by tourists is Nanjing Road. It is located in the city center and it is the longest shopping street in the world with a length of about six kilometers and it is one of the busiest with over a million shoppers everyday. Guests and tourists spend various holidays such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year at Nanjing as some of the shopping malls and buildings host fireworks displays. Top designer brands from around the world can be found in another busy Shanghai street the Huaihai Road which is renowned for its elegance. Good but inexpensive merchandise can be found in the North Sichuan Road which is the choice destination of ordinary people. On Middle Tibet Road, tourism and food are well provided for its guests. For visitors who would like to shop something special like travel memorabilia ranging from antiques and local crafts from Shanghai, they can go to popular destinations such as the Yuyuan Shopping City, Jiali Sleepless City or the Xujiahui Shopping Center.
If you want to see some foliage in otherwise urban Shanghai, there is the famous classical garden the Yuyuan Garden. Yuyuan Garden is about four centuries old and it has been reconstructed and restored several times due to wear and tear and destruction from wars. Today it is open to the public and it has rockeries, pavilions, ponds, halls and cloisters each with unique characteristics. Several scenic spots can be found in the garden.
Pack your bags now and experience a wonderful mix of modern and traditional Shanghai!
