Shanghai Introduction
With a population of more than 24 million (2018), Shanghai is the China's most populous metropolis, and one of the four provincial-level municipalities under the direct control of Central Government, which proclaims its unique importance in politics and economy.
Shanghai was first set up as a county by then government in 1292 (Yuan Dynasty). After 700+ years of development, it has grown into the most prosperous, dynamic city in this country. In history of Shanghai, two periods have to be mentioned: in 1910’s-1930’s Shanghai entered its first heyday. It was the richest city in East Asia, nicknamed as “Oriental Paris”, when European style buildings were widely constructed at city downtown, which can still be seen on the Bund and the former French Concession currently. From 1990’s to present, Shanghai got revived, and its economy was put back on the right track because of the lift of market restriction and opening up to the outside world. An unprecedented construction boom during the period made Pudong area a pride of Chinese people.
Maybe Shanghai can't match the epic history of Beijing or Xi'an's grander ancient sights, but it is the hotspot of modern China, even the birthplace of China’s Communist Party. There is a lot to see, experience and taste here, and it is one of the top tourist destinations in China that can never be missed out.
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Where is Shanghai
Strategically located at eastern end of Yangtze Delta in the mid of 18,000 km-long coastal line, Shanghai enjoys an advantageous position geographically and economically. It covers an area of 6340 km2 with longitude 120°52′-122°12′ E, latitude 30°40′-31°53′ N. Owing to its indispensable status in East China, Shanghai has become the focal point and leader of Yangtze Delta Economic Circle, neighboring other cities like Suzhou, Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou, etc. From Beijing to Shanghai, it only takes 4.5 hours by the fastest bullet train.
Shanghai History
Brief Ancient History of Shanghai - Why is It Called "Shen" or "Hu"?
The history of Shanghai can be traced back to about 6,000 years ago. The western part of Shanghai was already on land, and the eastern part had been on land for about 2,000 years. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was part of the eastern territory of the State of Wu. During the Warring States Period, it belonged to the State of Chu. It was once the fief of Huang Xie, the Chunshen Lord of Chu. Therefore, Shanghai is also known as "Shen". During the Jin Dynasty in the 4th and 5th centuries AD, residents who made a living by fishing created a bamboo fishing tool called "Hu". As the area where the river flows into the sea was called "Du" at that time, the area around the lower reaches of the Songjiang River was called "Hu Du". Later, "Hu" was changed to "Hu". "Shanghai" gets its name from the fact that it is located in "Shanghai Pu", a tributary of the lower reaches of the Songjiang River (Wusong River).
Huating County (Songjiang) was established in the middle of the Tang Dynasty. The Shanghai Town was established at the end of the Song Dynasty. Shanghai County was established in 1292 (Yuan Dynasty). During the Ming Dynasty, Shanghai was built in 1553 to resist the Japanese pirates and was placed under the jurisdiction of Songjiang Prefecture in the South Zhili Province. The territory of Songjiang Prefecture was one of the largest cotton spinning centers in the country and was known as "clothing and bedding for the world". During the Qing Dynasty, it followed the Ming system and was under the jurisdiction of Songjiang Prefecture, Jiangnan Province, with the Jianghai Pass established.
Shanghai Modern History
By the middle of the Ming Dynasty (the 16th century AD), Shanghai had become the national center of cotton textile handicrafts. After the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842, Shanghai became one of the five foreign trade ports, allowing the British to set up concessions in Shanghai. In 1843, the first British Consul in Shanghai, Barford, arrived in Shanghai, marking the official opening of the city as a port. Subsequently, the British, American and French concessions were established one after another, and Shanghai gradually became the most prosperous port and economic and financial center in the Far East.
In 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded and Shanghai was liberated. After that, there were 20 districts under the jurisdiction of Shanghai, namely Huangpu, Laozha, Yimiao, Penglai, Songshan, Luwan, Changshu, Xuhui, Changning, Putuo, Zhabei, Jing 'an, Xincheng, Jiangning, Beizhan, Hongkou, North Sichuan Road, Tilanqiao, Yangpu and Yulin, as well as 10 suburban districts, namely Xinshi, Jiangwan, Wusong, Dachang, Xinjing, Longhua, Yangjing, Zhenru and Gaoqiao.
Does Lujiazui have anything to do with the Luk surname?
An exquisite set of gold and jade headdress hoops was unearthed in 1969 at the Lu Shen family cemetery southeast of the Lujiazui ferry, which gave Lujiazui its name. The Lu family had been a prominent clan in the Jiangnan region since the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms period. By the early Ming Dynasty, one of its branches had moved to Pudong.
When Shanghai City was being built, Mrs. Mei, the wife of Lu Shen, financed the construction of Xiaodongmen and the Wanyun Bridge across the Fangbang, which is why Xiaodongmen is also known as “Lady's Gate”. This set of headwear fittings bears witness to the origin of Lujiazui and also reflects the vision and broad-mindedness of Shanghai women.
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Best places to explore Shanghai history:
The Archaeology Hall in the East Hall of the Shanghai Museum shows three important nodes of Shanghai's historical and cultural development, i.e., the development of Shanghai's prehistoric civilization represented by the Liangzhu culture period 5,000 years ago, the economic development of Shanghai as an important port during the Tang, Song and Yuan periods 1,000 years ago, and the development of Shanghai's townships and the cultural prosperity of the city during the Ming and Qing periods 500 years ago.
Top things to Do in Shanghai
Please allow ETC travel specialists to unveil the mystery of Shanghai in different facets, and help you plan a Shanghai tour.
New Shanghai of dynamic modernity
Shanghai Skyscrapers at Lujiazui of Pudong area. Four popular observation decks in the area: Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), Jinmao Tower and Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Shanghai Tower is the newest and tallest (the second highest in the world) with the highest public observation deck in the world, while SWFC has a 55-meter Skywalk 100 observation corridor spanning the top of the square gap at the summit of the building. With angled glass walls that make you feel as if you are leaning over the edge and see-through floor panels, it's a highly hallucinatory experience.
Stroll at the Bund: it is a 1.5 km long stretch of colonial buildings lining along Huangpu River on the west bank, famous for the waterfront view of skyscrapers at Lujiazui, the financial district across the river.
Maglev Train: The Shanghai Maglev Train (SMT) is the first commercial maglev line in the world. Operating between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Metro Station, it travels at a maximum speed of 430km/h at near flight speed. This is definitely a smooth but rapid 7 minutes of great experience that you should try in Shanghai.
Old Shanghai Where East Mingles with West
Yu Garden and City God Temple Market: First building in 1559, Yu Garden is a lovely garden in the old city quarter, dating back to Ming Dynasty. It features a unique design of traditional Chinese architectural style with perfect blending of halls, pavilions, pools, bridges and archways. Yu Garden has a shopping complex in front filled with shops, where you can buy Chinese souvenirs, and taste authentic Shanghai snacks.
Former French Concession: To get away from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, this is a nice escape. Tree-lined boulevards, hidden cafés, and dignified buildings make the area a unique atmosphere of French style. Visitors can explore the winding streets with the fusion of Chinese and European culture on foot and relax at a small restaurant sipping a cup of coffee.
Jade Buddha Temple: Still active among local Buddhists, this temple is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustle of Shanghai. It is famous for the 1.95-meter-high sitting jade Buddha carved out of one piece of jade from Burma under an amazing work of art.
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Others:
Located in the suburb of Shanghai, the 900-year-old Zhujiajiao Town is noted for zigzag waterways and ancient residential houses dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. A boat ride in this serene and beautiful small town offers you a great chance to see the traditional lifestyle in East China.
This is a pedestrian street, setting an exemplary model for Asia’s shopping scene. It’s about 6 km long and attracts over 1 million visitors daily, which makes it one of the famous shopping streets in China and the world’s longest shopping precinct.
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>> Related reading: 11 Best Free Things to Do in Shanghai
Ancient water towns near Shanghai
In China, a water town is a type of ancient scenic town known for its waterways. In the Yangtze Delta region, there are many old towns featured with cobwebbed waterways and well preserved traditional architecture, which are the perfect places to see the original lifestyle of Chinese people in East China. Recommended water towns near Shanghai: Tongli, Nanxun, Xitang and Wuzhen.
Shanghai Travel Tips for Different Types of Visitors
Travel in Shanghai with kids
In 2024, Lonely Planet named Shanghai as one of the top 5 most child-friendly cities in the world. Shanghai Disneyland, Shanghai Museum of Nature, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Tianzifang Lane Adventure and many more are perfect for families with children. If you're pushing a stroller, the metro “Love Passage”: Line 1/2/8 offers lifts. And the Shanghai Auto Museum is suitable for elementary school children.
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Shanghai Travel Tips for Senior Tourists
From the architecture of the Bund, to the Yuyuan Garden and the Zhujiajiao Water Village, Shanghai is a great place for senior travelers to take a slow trip to savor the city's history, culture and art. Some Shanghai attractions offer a 50% discount on admission for 65+ or 70+ seniors. Wheelchair rental is available at most Shanghai museums and attractions.
How to get to Shanghai
Shanghai has a complex multimodal transportation infrastructure, which serves as a regional, national and international hub for passenger and freight traffic. The system includes 2 international airports (Pudong and Hongqiao), 3 major train stations (Shanghai, Hongqiao and Shanghai South) and 2 international cruise terminals.
Pudong International Airport (PVD) connects 297 terminals of 47 countries in the world (2017). Both Pudong and Hongqiao airports provide great convenience to passengers from home and abroad who plan to travel into or out of Shanghai. 3 large train stations of Shanghai make the city easy access to all major tourist cities in China like Suzhou (0.5hr), Hangzhou (1hr), Nanjing (1.5hrs), Huangshan (2.5hrs), etc. thanks to the highly efficient railway network. Besides, Shanghai has the busiest cruise terminal in Asia – Wusong International Cruise Terminal, which can bring nearly 800,000 visitors a year to the city.
144-Hour Visa-Exemption Transit Policy
Sanctioned by the State Council, Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province adopt the 144-hour visa-exemption transit policy available to nationals from 53 countries. An eligible passenger can transfer via any of the following ports of entry including Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Railway Station, Nanjing Lukou International Airport and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and stay within the administrative precincts of Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province for 144 hours.
Travel beyond Shanghai, Extension to Nearby spots:
Merely 0.5hr away by bullet train, Suzhou is the closest tourist city to Shanghai. It is famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
1 hr away by bullet train, Hangzhou is another hot destination to the south of Shanghai. The highly eulogized West Lake (UNESCO World Heritage site) is a big draw for travelers. The famous Dragon Well green tea is also produced here.
Its most well-known spot is Yellow Mountain, one of the top scenic attractions in China. For international travelers, the neighboring villages like Hongcun, Xidi and Lucun, etc. are also worth a visit, a great place to feel the Chinese slow life.
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Good Times to Visit Shanghai
Shanghai has similar latitude like New Orleans, or Cairo with a humid subtropical climate. The travel season ranges from March to November. Based on our experience, we would recommend you not to come in July, August and the first week of October. During the period, it is over-packed with domestic tourists everywhere. Generally speaking, the best time to visit Shanghai is September and October (except the first week).
Shanghai Food
As the most populous and prosperous city in the country, Shanghai can never let you down on food. Here houses varieties of cuisines from all over the world. While traveling in Shanghai, you should try as native Shanghaiese eat every day. Also called Benbang cuisine, Shanghai cuisine is featured with thick red sauce and moderate saltiness, by retaining the food’s original flavor and mellow freshness. Broadly speaking, Chinese food in Shanghai tend to be sweeter and oilier than in other parts of China.
Xiaolongbao is the most celebrated snack in Shanghai, the dumplings are bought by the steamer basket and served with vinegar, easy, delicious and no annoying bones. For the intrepid travelers, you can venture yourself to the local food streets to savor all kinds of snacks at big or small restaurants or stalls. The well-known food streets in Shanghai include South Yunnan Road, Huanghe Road, Wujiang Road, Zapu Road, City God Temple food plaza, and Changli Road at Pudong.
Shanghai Nightlife
Shanghai is a heaven for all kinds of nightlife. It can be as simple as a stroll at the Bund to see the night view, or watch a show with your family.
Shanghai is home to several world class acrobatic shows at different venues. It is absolutely a good entertainment at night for family travelers.
Huangpu River night cruise
Despite some gripes of the pollution of the river, the overall experience of the night cruise is fantastic. It is the best way to appreciate Shanghai’s classic skyline views of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers along the river.
For those partiers, Shanghai is full of amazing nightlife from posh M1NT club and Bar Rouge to the reasonably priced ones. You can search online for more info before you go: Timeoutshanghai.com, Smartshanghai.com.
Shopping in Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet with shops and brands from all over the world. In Chinese mind, the city is a shopper’s paradise and fashion capital of the country. Since international travelers don’t have enough time here, we can deliver you some tips and guides for shopping in Shanghai to save your cost and avoid buying tourist junks.
Keep in mind that in the big department stores and high-end shops the prices are usually fixed and labeled, while at market stalls, smaller private shops discounts can be expected. Go ahead with your bargaining skills to save the cost!
The popular souvenirs and gifts you can bring back home from Shanghai include: silk/silk product, Chinese tea, jade or pearl ornament, local handicrafts like paper fans, embroidery toys, etc. There are limitless options beyond your imagination. Happy shopping!
Markets:
Shanghai A.P. Xinyang Fashion & Gifts Market, South Bund Soft Spinning Material Market, Qipu Road Clothing Market, Hongqiao International Pearl City, Shanghai Shiliu Pu Cloth Market, Tianshan Tea Market, etc.
Shopping streets and shopping zone
East/West Nanjing Road, Middle Huaihai Road, Xujiahui Commercial Zone, Yuyuan Market, Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Fuzhou Road (cultural street), etc.
Shanghainese and Dialect Culture
Shanghainese is part of Chinese language and the most prominent cultural symbol of Shanghai. It belongs to the Taihu dialect of the Wu language and has unique phonetic, lexical and grammatical features.
In order to protect and pass on Shanghainese, the Shanghai government have taken various measures, including using Shanghainese to announce stops in public transportation, offering Shanghainese courses in schools, and publishing Shanghainese dictionaries and input methods. Many traditional operas of the Shanghai area, such as Shanghai opera and burlesque, are performed in Shanghainese.
