ShanghaiChina

Shanghai, China’s largest city, is a vibrant cultural and commercial hub with a rich and fascinating history. Thanks to its location at the mouth of the Yangtze River, it became a key port serving international trade routes in the 19th century. The strong European influences led to its reputation as the “Paris of the Orient”, and to this day, you’ll discover a beautiful city that fuses the East and the West, full of unique attractions and entertainment.

Nothing demonstrates Shanghai’s dynamic development quite like a trip down the Huangpu River. On the West bank you’ll see The Bund, a fashionable promenade bordered by the opulent Baroque and Art Deco buildings of the city’s colonial past. Look to the East bank, and the cityscape consists entirely of the modern skyscrapers of the Pudong financial district. Look out for the distinctive silhouette of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the soaring Jin Mao Tower.

This combination of East and West, ancient and modern, is perfectly demonstrated in the Xintiandi district. Behind the carefully-preserved traditional Shikumen house façades you’ll find high-end boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Explore the French Concession close by, a former European enclave complete with colonial villas and tree-lined avenues that are now home to many restaurants, cafés and bars.

Life in Shanghai takes place at a frenetic pace, so you may want to seek out the peace and calm of the city’s parks. Century Park is the largest, and offers beautiful landscaped gardens arranged around lakes and streams. Alternatively, head to the Old Town to explore the traditional Yu Yuan Garden, a centuries-old oasis of tranquillity, completed with ornate pavilions and koi carp ponds.

Explore traditional culture and spirituality when you visit the city’s famous temples. At Jing’an Temple, you can admire the largest jade statue of Buddha that exists in China. Two other famous statues can be viewed at the Jade Buddha Temple, alongside other important artefacts.

Round off your day with a stroll along the Pudong Riverside Promenade and Park, to admire the spectacular view of the illuminations along the The Bund on the opposite bank.