Shanghai Travel Guide

Shanghai, with a population of more than 23 million, is the largest and most developed city in China.

Shanghai was the largest and most prosperous city in the Far East already during the 1930's, and has remained the most developed city in mainland China. In the past 20 years Shanghai has again become an attractive city for tourists from all over the world. The world once again had its eyes on the city when it hosted the 2010 World Expo, recording the greatest number of visitors in the event's history.

Shanghai is split in two by the Huangpu River. On the west bank is Puxi, the older city center, while the newer sky-rise development on the east side is called Pudong.

Shanghai is a fascinating mix of East and West. It has historic shikumen

While Shanghai has been around as a village since the Song Dynasty, it only rose to prominence towards the end of the Qing Dynasty, as many of the Western powers saw it as an ideal trade center. After losing several wars, Shanghai was divided between China and the Eight-nation Alliance consisting of Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. The granting of concessions to the various powers shaped Shanghai's cityscape significantly.... (more)

While Shanghai has been around as a village since the Song Dynasty, it only rose to prominence towards the end of the Qing Dynasty, as many of the Western powers saw it as an ideal trade center. After losing several wars, Shanghai was divided between China and the Eight-nation Alliance consisting of Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. The granting of concessions to the various powers shaped Shanghai's cityscape significantly. British-style buildings can still be seen on The Bund, while French-style buildings can still be seen in the former French Concession, and there are even traditional Chinese-style buildings that can be seen near the Yuyuan Gardens. Shanghai reached its zenith in 1920's-1930's and was at that point in time, the most prosperous city in East Asia. Despite the prosperity, much of the streets of Shanghai were ruled by the triads during that period, with the triads often battling for control over parts of Shanghai. That period has been greatly romanticised in many modern films and television serials, one of the most famous being The Bund, which was produced by Hong Kong's TVB in 1980. Shanghai also became the main center of Chinese entertainment during that period, with many films and songs produced in Shanghai.

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