Shanghai, called "Hu" for short, is a bustling
metropolis located at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Connected with Jiangzu and
Zhejiang provinces in the west, the city is exposed to the East China Sea in the
east. With a total area of 6,341 square kilometers and a population of more than
13 million, Shanghai takes its place among the world's biggest, most booming
urban areas.
Because of its open to foreigners and its coastal location, Shanghai is
endowed with rich tourist attractions related to its long and complicated
history. Many buildings, constructed in various foreign styles, are well
preserved in the Bund area, and western tourists will feel a sense of
familiarity when strolling around the long street, which resembles those in
European cities. This blending of eastern and western styles has given the Bund
a reputation as a "World's Fair of Architecture." Many buildings from
the 1920s and 1930s have also survived in the Old City section of Shanghai. A
visit to the Old City is easily combined with a stop at Yuyuan Garden, a
well-restored Suzhou-style garden created during the Ming Dynasty. The garden is
immensely popular with local residents and visiting Chinese. In addition, Jade
Buddha Temple, located in northwest Shanghai, is the most popular Buddhist
temple in this city, drawing both worshippers and tourists. It is famous for two
jade Buddha statues, one of which is reclining and the other seated.
Shanghai is well known both at home and from abroad not only as prosperous
metropolis with rich cultural resources, but also for a number of new tourist
attractions that have been developed in recent years. Standing on a boat on the
Huangpu River, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the river and city skyline. The
river sparkles with giant ships sailing busily by; the banks are filled with
skyscrapers of different styles. On the modern Pudong side of the river, the
futuristic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with a giddy height of 468 meters, stands as
the world's third tallest TV tower.It has already come to symbolize Shanghai and
is honored as one of the ten best views in the city. The Jin Mao Mansion is
another famous building in the Pudong New Area. Because of its brightly
illuminated skyscrapers, Shanghai enjoys international fame as the "Pearl
of the Orient".
Shanghai is also a great destination for shoppers, and the best-known
shopping street in China - Nanjing Road - is located here. This exciting avenue
is lined with well-known shops and department stores selling clothing, food and
specialty goods. Shanghai is a paradise for gourmets, too. Here, visitors can
enjoy a taste of all the different kinds of food in the world. Shanghainese
cuisine, however, is a special hybrid. There are several famous old restaurants
in Shanghai that are not to be missed.
Shanghai also enjoys a delightful climate with four distinct seasons. Spring
and autumn, with their moderate temperate, are the best times to visit Shanghai.