Shanghai
Shanghai City
State
Country
China
Continent
Asia
Size
6,341 KM2
Population
24,870,895
Spending Budget
$270 - $2,097
Famous For
- China's Largest and Richest City
- A Blend of Eastern and Western Cultures
- Shopping Paradise
- Colorful Nightlife
- Convenient Transportation
- 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Best Time to Visit
- January
- October
- November
History
The western part of modern-day Shanghai was inhabited 6000 years ago. During the Spring and Autumn period (approximately 771 to 476 BC), it belonged to the Kingdom of Wu, which was conquered by the Kingdom of Yue, which in turn was conquered by the Kingdom of Chu. During the Warring States period (475 BC), Shanghai was part of the fief of Lord Chunshen of Chu, one of the Four Lords of the Warring States. He ordered the excavation of the Huangpu River. Its former or poetic name, the Chunshen River, gave Shanghai its nickname of "Shēn". Fishermen living in the Shanghai area then created a fish tool called the hù, which lent its name to the outlet of Suzhou Creek north of the Old City and became a common nickname and abbreviation for the city.
During the Tang and Song dynasties, Qinglong Town in modern Qingpu District was a major trading port. Established in 746 (the fifth year of the Tang Tianbao era), it developed into what historically called a "giant town of the Southeast", with thirteen temples and seven pagodas. Mi Fu, a scholar and artist of the Song dynasty, served as its mayor. The port experienced thriving trade with provinces along the Yangtze and the Chinese coast, as well as with foreign countries such as Japan and Silla.
Present Day
As the industrial center of China with the most skilled industrial workers, Shanghai became a center for radical leftism during the 1950s and 1960s. The radical leftist Jiang Qing and her three allies, together the Gang of Four, were based in the city. During the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), Shanghai's society was severely damaged, with 310,000 wrongful convictions involving more than 1 million people. About 11,500 people were unjustly persecuted to death. Yet, even during the most tumultuous times of the revolution, Shanghai was able to maintain economic production with positive annual growth rate.
Since 1949, Shanghai has been a comparatively heavy contributor of tax revenue to the central government; in 1983, the city's contribution in tax revenue was greater than investment received in the past 33 years combined. Its importance to the fiscal well-being of the central government also denied it from economic liberalizations begun in 1978. In 1990, Deng Xiaoping finally permitted Shanghai to initiate economic reforms, which reintroduced foreign capital to the city and developed the Pudong district, resulting in the birth of Lujiazui. As of 2020, Shanghai is classified as an Alpha+ city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, making it one of the world's Top 10 major cities.
Future
n April 2018, the Shanghai municipal government issued an initiative to promote the city’s culture brands and talent in a comprehensive three-year action plan. This new policy for the development of the Shanghai urban culture puts forward the idea of firmly grasping the historical position and characteristics of the new era, centring around the “Shanghai Culture” brand to build an international cultural metropolis. In particular, the construction of well-known local product brands with outstanding Shanghai characteristics, building new advantages for Shanghai’s cultural development and improving urban cultural soft power.
This policy is not only a new expression of Shanghai urban culture development, but also an action plan to launch specific projects. There are more than 150 projects. After three years of implementation, these projects will greatly promote the construction of an international cultural metropolis and play a positive role in the new layout and new features of future Shanghai.
Over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, Shanghai has increased its international influence as a global city. However, in the global urban construction, how can we avoid the increasing tendency of gentrification in continuously updating and transforming urban space? The faster pace of life and the rising cost of living increase social segregation and class differentiation, inhibit innovative creativity, and eventually hinder the sustainable development of the city. These are the problems and challenges we have to face.
The key to solving this problem is to strike a balance between globality and locality in the construction of global cities. For Shanghai, whether perfecting its functional position as an international economic, financial, trade and shipping centre, or constructing an international cultural metropolis, expansion will bring the city fresher globality. On the one hand, globalisation can undoubtedly improve the internationalisation level and international influence of a city. On the other hand, in the course of its expansion, an increasing globality tends to dissolve a city’s locality.
Jade Buddha Temple
A famous Buddhist temple in Shanghai. These were a sitting Buddha and a smaller reclining Buddha representing Buddha\’s death. The Chamber of Four Heavenly Kings and Grand Hall are highlights in the temple.
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road shows you through several blocks of wide pedestrian streets lined with shops of all kinds famous world-famous brands.
Chenghuangmiao
The representative of the Old District of Shanghai. One can see many classic old buildings in Chinese style. Chenghuangmiao Snack Street and Yuyuan Garden are also nearby.
Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai’s landmark buildings. Visitors can board on the observation deck with 360 ° full transparent overlooking of the city, spectacular. You can also enjoy your meal alongside a fantastic night view in the highest revolving restaurant in Asia in the tower.
Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden near to Chenghuang Temple tourist area. It is a classical Chinese with a history of four hundred years. Although this garden is not big, it\’s design is exquisite and beautiful, with a very quiet environment. Pavilions, rockeries, ponds are classic factors.