View of Shanghai City at the bund with Oriental Pearl Tower and buildings
View from Above of Shanghai City
Intersection in Shanghai Jingan district with people crossing the crosswalk
High Rise Buildings in Shanghai
House in Shanghai Covered by Green Leaves
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Shanghai

上海 430
Type
Municipality
Weather
11.1°CWeather Icon
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A modern city buzzing with wealth and energy

Shanghai is one of the four China municipalities directly under the central government along with Beijing, Tianjin, and Chongqing. It often called “Magic City” by the Chinese. It sits on the eastern coast of China and serves as the country’s center for economy, finance, trade, shipping, and technology. It’s also a city where traditional and modern culture, Eastern and Western influences come together.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, countries like Britain, the United States, and France established concessions in Shanghai. Because of that, the city’s culture and way of life were shaped by both Chinese and Western elements, giving Shanghai a unique character in its cityscape and daily life.

Shanghai is a very dynamic city and one of the most developed in China. Life here moves at a fast pace, as it’s also a major center for finance and international trade. Many Chinese companies and foreign enterprises have their headquarters here, which draws a large number of young people to live and work in the city.

In history, well-known figures such as Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek once lived in Shanghai. Today, many of China’s wealthy businesspeople and celebrities choose to settle here as well, drawn by the country’s best education resources, modern infrastructure, top medical services, and a lifestyle full of luxury.

Destination Insights

  • In Shanghai's main business districts like Lujiazui, Jing'an, and the Bund, staff can speak some English.
  • Shanghai locals don’t like very spicy food and prefer sweet flavors. Local dishes here are lighter and smaller compared to other cities.
  • Shanghai’s culture blends traditional Chinese and modern Western influences, so besides Shanghai cuisine, Western food is also a good choice.
  • Shanghai is called 'Magic City,' a name inspired by Japanese writers' descriptions. It is both ancient and modern, bustling yet worn, with diverse cultures creating striking contrasts.

Information

Landmarks

  • The Bund
  • Shanghai Tower
  • Oriental Pearl Tower

Cost of Living

¥¥¥¥¥¥

Airports

  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
  • Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Train Stations

  • Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (上海虹桥站)
  • Shanghai Railway Station (上海站)
  • Shanghai South Railway Station (上海南站)
  • Shanghai West Railway Station (上海西站)

Public Transportations

Best Time to Visit

  • Shanghai has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The weather is mild and humid, making it suitable to visit year-round. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are especially comfortable, neither too hot nor too cold.

Location

Shanghai is a coastal city in eastern China, located at the center of the Yangtze River Delta, where the Yangtze River meets the sea. The Huangpu River, a tributary of the Yangtze, runs through Shanghai and divides the city into two parts: Pudong (east bank of the Huangpu) and Puxi (west bank of the Huangpu). Shanghai’s most famous landmark, the Bund, is located on the west bank of the Huangpu. On the east bank lies Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone, Shanghai’s international financial center, which is the only national-level development zone in China that is named with the words financial trade.

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