Shangai

THE CITY OF SHANGHAI

Shanghai has a population of over 20 million people. This makes it the largest city in China and also one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Shanghai is situated on the central eastern coast of China central eastern coast. The city’s position at the mouth of the Yangtze River makes it a natural harbour city. Shanghai is administered as a municipality of the People's Republic of China and has the status of a province.

Originally Shanghai was a fishing and textiles town. However, it became a more important town during the 19th century because of its favourable port location. It was also one of the cities that were opened to foreign trade in 1842 by the Treaty of Nanking. Shanghai became a centre of trade and commerce between the east and the west and started to flourish. By the 1930’s it had become a multinational hub of finance and business. After 1949, however, the city’s prosperity was interrupted by the communist takeover and the subsequent cessation of foreign investment. In 2005 Shanghai became the world's largest cargo port because the economic reforms in 1990 had resulted in intense development and financing in Shanghai.

Shanghai is becoming more and more a well-visited tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as the Bund and Xintiandi, its modern and ever-expanding Pudong skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower, and its new reputation as a cosmopolitan centre of culture and design. Today, Shanghai is the largest center of commerce and finance in mainland China, and has been described as the "showpiece" of the world's fastest-growing economy.

THE PORT OF SHANGHAI

Shanghai, situated at the estuary of Yangtze River and midpoint of China's north-south coastline, is the world's third largest port and China's largest seaport. It is the only port in China connecting the country's shipping system of sea, river, and freshwater.

The Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal is located at the North Bund Area in Hongkou District near downtown, With the passenger port being in operation, Gaoyang International Passenger Transport Centre, the future parking of Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, is now serving as a temporary establishment to handle the business of international cruises. The port in use now has berths which can accommodate large passenger liners. Sailing from Shanghai, international cruises can reach Japan and South Korea.

After completion of the whole project, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal will have more international passenger liners to facilitate the needs of modern tourism.

A second cruise-ship terminal will open in April, 2010, enabling the city to cope with a boom of the industry. The new terminal will also include ferry services to downtown Shanghai as well as buses. More than 150,000 foreign and Chinese tourists arrived here on cruise ships in 2008, 17 percent more than in 2007.

TRANSPORT IN SHANGHAI

Shanghai has an extensive public transport system, largely based on buses, trolley buses, taxis, and a rapidly expanding metro system. All of these public transport tools can be accessed using the Shanghai Public Transportation Card, which uses radio frequencies so the card does not have to physically touch the scanner.

The Shanghai Metro is one of the fastest growing systems in the world. The Shanghai Metro rapid-transit system and elevated light rail has eight lines (numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9) at present and extends to every core urban district as well as neighbouring suburban districts such as Songjiang and Minhang.

Shanghai has the world's most extensive bus system with nearly one thousand bus lines, operated by numerous transportation companies. Not all of Shanghai's bus routes are numbered - some have names exclusively in Chinese.

Taxis in Shanghai are plentiful and government regulation has set taxi fares at an affordable rate for the average resident—¥11 for 5 km, ¥14 after 21:00.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN SHANGHAI

THE OLD TOWN

Renmin Lu and Zhonghua Lu lie on the site of the former city wall that was destroyed in 1912. This wall enclosed the Chinese City. This area is always frequented by the visiting tourists who wander along the crowded alleys of the bazaar with its small shops, restaurants and teahouses where a glimpse of daily life in Shanghai can be had.

The Bund – Since the 19^th century this waterfront has been Shanghai’s centre. On one side is a line of imposing European buildings from the 1930’s, while on the other is the Huangpu River. The Bund has recently undergone a face-lift, which included a rising of the breakwater level in order to prevent flooding by the water of the river. The historical landmarks of the city of Shanghai as well as new 21st century structures are all exposed along this 1 mile walk. On summer evenings the Shanghai residents stroll along this promenade. In the morning one can see them practice their Taijiquand and martial arts routines.

The Jade Buddha Temple is Shanghai’s most renowned temple. The name comes from the fact that the white jade Buddhas of the temple that were brought here in 1881 are carved from a single slab of Burmese jade. The statues are placed in separate houses and surrounded by beautiful jewels and precious stones. Other treasures of the Jade Buddha Temple include ancient carvings, paintings and precious Buddhist cultural relics.

The Shanghai Museum is seen by a lot of people to be the best museum in China. The Museum contains 11 galleries in which over 120,000 historic artifacts are displayed. Among the most interesting galleries are “The Stone Sculpture Gallery” and the “Bronze gallery”. Some of the collections on display go back until the 18^th century B.C.

The Xin Tian Di restaurant and bar district is one of  Shanghai’s most popular tourist districts and always packed with visitors and locals alike. It is divided into the North and South Blocks, the South Block being the more modern.. China’s first major shopping centres were founded as well as an array of small boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs. The Shikumen architecture is more typical for the North Block, providing a contrast to the modernity of the South Block.

In the center of Old Town lies the Yu Yuan Garden. It is situated just southwest of the Bund. The Garden offers an escape from the fast pace of the surrounding city. It was first established in 1559 by a mandarin named Pan. Laid out by a landscape artist, Zhang Nanyang, it has become one of the most renowned gardens in southern China. There are 30 pavilions and the surfaces streches over 5 acres. Of the many temples and halls, the Grand Rockery is the most popular. Two thousand tons of rare yellow stones are combined with rice glue to form a massive sculpture that stands 46 feet high. The five-ton porous Exquisite Jade Rock is one of the attractions: legend claims that when it was discovered some 900 years ago, it joined Emperor Huizong's collection of weird and grotesque rocks before finding a resting place in Yu Garden.

Nanjing Lu is a pedestrian mall between Xizang Lu and Henan Lu. East and west of the mall, it stretches for nearly ten kilometers (six miles) from the Bund to Jiangsu Lu. It is certainly the most popular shopping street in Shanghai.  Every day of the week large crowds fill the pedestrian street for shopping and sightseeing . Few of the original pre-war department stores buildings have changed since the 1930s except in name.

From the Jin Mao Tower in Pudong a great overview over Shanghai can be had. Here stands the Shanghai Hyatt hotel. Its  Cloud 9 restaurant and bar sits on the top floor and claims to the highest bar in the world.