Shanghai Overview

Basic Information

• Chinese Name: 上海
• English Name: Shanghai
• Administrative Category: Municipality
• Seat of Government: No. 200 Renmin Avenue
• Location: East China
• Area: About 6,340.5 square kilometers
• Population: 24,237,800(2018)
• Languages: Shanghai Dialect, Wu Dialect
• Main Airports: Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao International Airport 
• Top Universities: Fudan University, Tongji University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai Theatre Academy
• Important Festivals and Activities: Shanghai Peach Blossom Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, Shanghai Tourism Festival
• Railway Stations: Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai South Railway Station, Shanghai West Railway Station
• Famous Attractions: The Bund, Yu Garden, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Disney Park, The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Old City God Temple of Shanghai

Geography

The geography of Shanghai is characterized by its location on the Yangtze River Delta on China's east coast and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean via the East China Sea. The city is centered on the Huangpu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, and extends outwards in all directions, with the suburbs and satellite towns reaching east to the East China Sea, north and west to Jiangsu Province, and south to Zhejiang Province over Hangzhou Bay.

The vast majority of Shanghai's land area is flat, apart from a few hills in the southwest corner, due to its location on the alluvial plain of the Yangtze's River Delta. The city has many rivers and lakes and is known for its rich water resources, and its coastal, riverside location and warm climate ensures ice-free waters, which provides easy access to China's interior, resulting in Shanghai being the world's largest port.

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Climate

Shanghai Climate is mild and humid with short spring and autumn and long summer and winter. Shanghai enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, abundant sunshine and abundant rainfall. Winters are chilly and damp, with northwesterly winds from Siberia that can cause nighttime temperatures to drop below freezing, although most years there are only one or two days of snowfall. Summers are hot and humid, with an average of 8.7 days exceeding 35 °C (95 °F) annually. Occasional downpours or freak thunderstorms can be expected. The city is also susceptible to typhoons in summer and the beginning of autumn, none of which in recent years has caused considerable damage. The most pleasant seasons are spring, although changeable and often rainy, and autumn, generally sunny and dry.

Best Time to Visit

The spring(March-May) and autumn(October-November) are the best time to visit Shanghai.

Administrative Divisions

As of 2017, Shanghai has jurisdiction over 16 municipal districts, namely, Huangpu District(黄浦区), Xuhui District(徐汇区), Changning District(长宁区), Jing'an District(静安区), Putuo District(普陀区), Hongkou District(虹口区), Yangpu District(杨浦区), Baoshan District(宝山区), Minhang District(闵行区), Jiading District(嘉定区), Songjiang District(松江区), Qingpu District(青浦区), Fengxian District(奉贤区), Jinshan District(金山区), Pudong New Area(浦东新区), Chongming District(崇明区). The Shanghai Municipal People's Government is located at No. 200, Renmin Avenue, Huangpu District. 

History

Unlike many cities in China with long and varied histories, Shanghai's history is quite short. The British opened a concession in Shanghai after the first Opium War and ignited Shanghai's evolution. Once a small fishing village on the edge of the muddy Huang Pu River, has become one of the world's most modern and sophisticated cities.

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Culture

Shanghai is an immigrant city that reflects the blend of Eastern and Western culture. Shanghai-style culture is synonymous with Shanghai Culture. Diversification, openness and innovation are the main features of Shanghai-style culture, which is the essence of Shanghai culture. 

Being familiar with the new people and culture is one of the most exciting aspects of Shanghai Travel. With a population of more than 20 million, Shanghai is one of the world's biggest, most vibrant and most diverse cities. On one hand, getting to know and understand people in Shanghai will no doubt be an important source of Shanghai Tours. On the other hand, it will be interesting during the process. You can learn a lot, which is also a good chance to improve the ability to learn. What's more, Shanghainese are very friendly to foreigners, eager to share their culture and learn from yours.

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Transportation

Shanghai Transportation, to some extent, is strongly linked to Shanghai Tours. As the most developed city in China, Shanghai has the best transport network compared with other cities in China. At present, the main transportation methods in Shanghai consistes of airplane, trains, buses, ships and so on. What's more, Shanghai Port is an important hub in China.

Shanghai has an extensive public transport system, largely based on buses, trolley buses, taxis, and a rapidly expanding metro system. Shanghai has invested heavily in public transportation before and after the 2010 World Expo, including the construction of the Hongqiao Transportation Hub of high-speed rail, air, metro and bus routes. What's more, all public transport can be paid by Shanghai Public Transportation Card.

Note: Due to the large number of one-way streets, Shanghai buses tend to have different routes. If you are going to return on the same road, it is best to find out where the returning station is before getting off the bus.

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Things to Do

What to visit in Shanghai? What are the top attractions? What are the top things to do in Shanghai? Shanghai Attractions include many exciting sightseeing opportunities for travelers. Shanghai, known as the most developed city in China, offers quiet historical districts and attractions alongside its many new tourist sites. Shanghai provides opportunities for exploration by water along the Chinese coast and its inland waterways due to the special position-at the estuary of the Yangtze River.

The Bund in Shanghai

The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. The area centers on a section of Zhongshan Road(East No.1 Zhongshan Road) within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River in the eastern part of Huangpu District. The area along the river faces the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui in the Pudong District. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

Shanghai Museum

The Shanghai Museum is a museum of ancient Chinese art, situated on the People's Square in the Huangpu District of Shanghai, China. Rebuilt at its current location in 1996, it is considered one of China's first world-class modern museums.

Yuyuan Garden

Yuyuan Garden is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the Old City God Temple in the northeast of the Old City of Shanghai at Huangpu District. It abuts the Yuyuan Tourist Mart, the Huxinting Teahouse and the Yu Garden Bazaar. The garden is accessible by the Shanghai Metro's Line 10, and get off at Yuyuan Garden Station.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is a TV tower in Shanghai. Its location at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong New Area by the side of Huangpu River, opposite the Bund, makes it a distinct landmark in the area. Its principal designers were Jiang Huan Chen, Lin Benlin, and Zhang Xiulin. Construction began in 1991, and the tower was completed in 1994.

Nanjing Road

Nanjing Road is the main shopping street of Shanghai, China, and is one of the world's busiest shopping streets. The street is named after the city of Nanjing, capital of neighbouring province of Jiangsu. Today's Nanjing Road comprises two sections, East Nanjing Road and West Nanjing Road. In some contexts, "Nanjing Road" refers only to that built before 1945, namely today's East Nanjing Road.

• Top Shanghai Tourist Attractions and Things To Do Rated on TripAdvisor 
• Shanghai Attractions

Economy

Shanghai is mainland China’s commercial capital and most populous city. Alongside Beijing, Chongqing, and Tianjin, it is one of four municipalities directly under the central government. With a storied history of foreign economic and cultural exchange, Shanghai is known as mainland China’s most international city. Today, it boasts significant finance, trade, and shipping industries, including the world’s largest port by cargo throughput. In addition, Shanghai owns one of the two stock exchanges in mainland China – the Shanghai Stock Exchange – and is home to some of the country’s top universities, including Fudan University and Shanghai Jiaotong University.

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Natural Resources