Shanghai, the largest and most populated city in the most populated country in the world, harkens back to the beginning of the 2nd millennium. Through these thousand years the town, enriched by the Yangtze River delta, has grown into one of the main cities in China. Its rich and colourful past cannot be avoided by any visitor in to the crowded metropolis.
With an overwhelming number of locations, buildings and sights to remember, an ideal method to take in the city is a tour. You can opt for a guided city bus tour where sights and stops are introduced by recordings in several languages heard through headphones. For a more personal visit do your own research to create your own itinerary.
The wonderfully grand buildings of the French Concession look like the fairy tale Moller Villa. Offices of the first British traders were built along The Bund, a stretch of land following the Huangpu River. Previously a large international settlement, the European architecture and landscaping of these areas takes you back to the golden age of the 1930s. Note the Garden Bridge and the Customs House at the Bund. Nanjing Road is one of the premier shopping and dining centres of Shanghai, mostly dominated by brand names and elegantly lit up at night.
To experience several centuries past visit the Yuyuan Garden, which is more than 400 years old. Ornate temples of the Ming Dynasty style decorate the peaceful garden located at the heart of old Shanghai. Take a look at a nearby ancient wall marking previous city limits and walk down the old alleys to glimpse a bygone era. Study the history of the city and all of China in detail at the Shanghai Museum. See the beginnings of a cultural revolution at the site of the 1st National Congress of the Communist Party. The new Pudong district of skyscrapers and bright lights were farmland a few decades ago.
In one of the world’s most crowded cities, Boutique Hotel Shanghai present visitors a place of peace and rest. Business Hotel in Shanghai are great alternatives to conventional hotels in providing a feel of home for a longer stay. Located at the centre of a fashion and business hub, 89 Xintiandi Shanghai offers a gateway to discover all this ancient yet futuristic city has to show.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
