| Shanghai is a direct-controlled municipality of the People’s Republic of China, meaning that it is among the highest-ranked Chinese cities. Shanghai, the center of commerce and economic growth in China, is also known globally as a multinational business hub. This bustling city alone accounts for almost 10 percent of industrial output in China. Once a small, fishing village, Shanghai’s convenient location in the middle of the eastern coast of China and at the tip of the Yangtze River Delta contributed to its rapid transformation into a major international port city (the world’s largest cargo port for several years in a row).
Shanghai today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, boasting a fascinating combination of historical artifacts and impressive modern skyscrapers. One of Shanghai’s most popular attractions is the Bund, an area along the Huangpu River with a wide array of elegant historical buildings in different architectural styles. Across the river is the Pudong New Area, designated a New Open Economic Development Zone in China. Pudong is home to many of Shanghai’s most recognized symbols of economic prosperity, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Jin Mao Building.
Shanghai was recently the site of the 2010 World Expo. LEARN MORE: http://en.expo2010.cn/ Explore some of Shanghai's most popular attractions: Tour the city and housing through this photo slideshow: |