In the 1990’s, Shanghai emerged as the center of China’s economic resurgence. A gathering of cultures, this was once a place where rich ‘taipans’ walked the same streets as gamblers, prostitutes, and beggars, and Europeans fleeing the Holocaust lived alongside Chinese intellectuals and revolutionaries. Resting on the Yangtze River delta, Shanghai marks the point where Asia’s longest and most important river completes its 3,400-mile journey to the Pacific. Until 1842 Shanghai’s location made it merely a small fishing village. After the first Opium War, the British named Shanghai a treaty port, forcing the city’s opening to foreign involvement.
Here listed are 8 things you must see and never miss out in Shanghai:
Yuyuan Garden is believed to be built in the Ming Dynasty more than 400 years ago. Built in traditional Chinese style with numerous rock and tree garden areas, ponds, dragon-lined walls and numerous doorways and zigzagging bridges separating the various garden areas and pavilions.
Jade Buddha Temple (Yu Fo Si) situated in the northwest near the intersection of Anyuan Lu and Jiangning Lu, the temple is an active one, attracting large numbers of visitors, both local and overseas Chinese tourists. It is one of Shanghai’s few Buddhist temples. The Temple was built between 1911 and 1918, housing 70 resident monks. Its exterior is easily identifiable by its bright saffron walls. Inside, the centerpiece is a two-meter-high white jade sitting Buddha encrusted with jewels. It is said the statue weighs 1,000kg. The sitting Buddha was installed in the temple when it was brought by monks from Burma to Zhejiang Province in 1882.
The Bund is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. “Bund” derives from an Anglo-Indian word for an embankment along a muddy waterfront and that is what it was in the beginning when the first British company opened a office there in 1846. It has been the epitome of elegance throughout its 100-year history. Now many attractions have been erected in addition. A 771-metre long retaining wall for flood control was built in a century. Atop the wall is a spacious walkway for sightseeing. Paved with colorful tiles and dotted with flower-beds and European-style garden lights. It is a good place for a leisurely stroll and a view of the Huangpu River.
Shanghai Museum has been famous for its large collection of rare cultural piece. The museum now houses over 120,000 pieces of cultural relics in twelve categories, including Chinese bronze, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy, and artifacts. As for the scholarly research, Shanghai Museum has published over 80 special museum catalogues. Nineteen research subjects of the cultural relic’s preservation have won awards.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui, Shanghai. The tower, surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, creates a picture of ‘twin dragons playing with pearls’. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors year-round.
Shanghai Maglev Train: Located in Shanghai, the Shanghai Maglev Train is a five-section commercial train and is the fastest commercial train in the world. Shanghai Maglev Train travels from the Shangha Lujiazui financial district to the Shanghai airport in just 7-8 minutes! Put into operation on December 31, 2001, the Shanghai Maglev Train has an average high speed of 430 km/hr (267mph) and a top speed of 501km/h (311mph)!
Zhujiajiao Water Town, established around 1,700 years ago, lies to the south of the Yangtze River and was created as a typical ancient water town. The ancient site is easy of access located as it is only one hour by bus to the west of downtown Shanghai。Zhujiajiao contains many feasts for the eyes such as well-preserved examples of Ming and Qing architecture, old stone bridges and picturesque streets. See our Shanghai day tour to Zhujiaojiao Water Town.
Shanghai Acrobatics is an interactive art form. Everyone, young or old, educated or not, can easily appreciate it while watching or seeing the acrobats perform. There is no language barrier and borders of culture do not limit it.
Xin Tian Di: Located in the center of Shanghai City south of Huaihai Zhong Lu, Shanghai Xin Tian Di has become an urban tourist attraction that holds the historical and cultural legacies of the city. It is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style. It is unique because of its concept of construction. It retains the antique walls, tiles and exterior of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery, bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into Xin Tian Di, you will get the taste both of Shanghai in the 1920’s and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century.
Nanjing Road (including East Nanjing Road and West Nanjing Road), one of the four streets, enjoys the reputation of No.1 Commercial Street in China. Developed from the beginning of the 20th century, Nanjing Road has clusters of a wide variety of shops from those that are century’s old, to special ones and modern malls. In these modern times, Nanjing Road is not out done by its numerous competitors but becomes more and more prosperous.
