"Shanghai, China" a Shanghai Travel Page by meteorologist1

Many foreign visitors who come to Shanghai say that it is like China's New York City. Shanghai is indeed the country's most important financial and industrial center and one of the world's busiest ports. With its tall skyscrapers, large bridges, extensive public transportation system (in fact the world's most extensive with nearly one thousand bus lines), numerous businesses, and modern lifestyle, Shanghai is undoubtedly a 21st century city. Shanghai is not far from the coast of the East China Sea and is bisected by the Huangpu River. The western side of the river (Puxi) is the heart and original center of the city, while the eastern side (Pudong) is the city's new financial district. For visitors, you will be able to go to lots of historical sites as well as museums and fun attractions. You will also naturally indulge in the Shanghai lifestyle yourself with lots of excellent shopping opportunities and a true culinary experience with so many food and dining options. To truly experience Shanghai, you will have to stay in the heart of the city for at least several days.

There are many popular tourist spots in Shanghai. The Bund, the waterfront area of the Huangpu River, offers a beautiful view of the city's tall skyscrapers in Pudong as well as the magnificent historical architecture in Puxi. Also don't miss the Chenghuang Temple area for great food and souviner shopping as well as seeing the historic Yuyuan Garden. For more shopping and nightlife, you must go to the section of Nanjing Road which runs from the People's Square to the Bund. Xin Tian Di, a place where many foreigners hang out, also has a lot of bars and restaurants. Be sure to visit the Shanghai Museum, which has lots of neat exhibits about ancient China and the Chinese culture. In Pudong, take the elevator to the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower (Asia's tallest television tower) or the Jin Mao Tower (China's tallest building) to get a good view of all of Shanghai. Other large museums include the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, which offers lots of hands-on activities and demonstrations which should be fun for kids and the whole family.

Enjoy Shanghai!