Shanghai is China’s largest city and its most important financial, economic, commercial and communication center. Shanghai was originally a small fishing town until the beginning of the 20th century when it experienced a period of unprecedented development which transformed it into China’s most important city and the undisputed financial hub of the Asia Pacific. After the Chinese Communist Party takeover on the mainland in 1949, the city’s global influence declined. An intense re-development of the city began in the 1990s when the Chinese government implemented intense economic reforms. Now Shanghai is growing at a very rapid pace having regained its status.
The name "Shanghai" means "Upon-the-sea". The city is located in the Yangtze River Delta in East China.
Above: A night view of Shanghai.
Above: A night view of Shanghai.
Shanghai used to be a fishing settlement called Hudu, the name of a fish trap. It is often called Hu for short.
Above: Tourists in the Yuyuan Garden of Delight in Shanghai.
Above: Tourists in the Yuyuan Garden of Delight in Shanghai.
The city also has various nicknames in English, including "Pearl of the Orient" and "Paris of the East".
Above: Fast food sellers in the Old Town.
Above: Fast food sellers in the Old Town.
Downtown Shanghai is divided into two parts by the Huangpu River, a man-made tributary of the Yangtze that was created by order of Lord Chunsen during the Warring States Period. The Huangpu never freezes and is free of ice.
Above: A general view of a residential area in the Puxi district of Shanghai.
Above: A general view of a residential area in the Puxi district of Shanghai.
Shanghai is one of the four direct-controlled municipalities of the People’s Republic of China, with a population of more than 24 million. It is the largest Chinese city by population and the largest city by population in the world.
Above: A man walking with a dog in Shanghai.
Above: A man walking with a dog in Shanghai.
Like many Chinese regions, Shanghai has its own unique language. It is one of the 248 Chinese dialects. Shanghainese is a dialect of Wu, an ancient branch of Chinese that is distinct from Mandarin.
Above: People visit a park with blooming flowers during spring in Shanghai.
Above: People visit a park with blooming flowers during spring in Shanghai.
The city has many rivers, canals, streams and lakes and is known for its rich water resources as part of the Lake Tai drainage area.
Above: A barber shaves the face of a man along a street in Shanghai.
Above: A barber shaves the face of a man along a street in Shanghai.
Shanghai at night is a unique sight. The city rivals such Western cities as Paris or New York City with all its incredible bright and colorful lights and structures.
Above: A night view of Shanghai. Center: TV tower "Pearl of the Orient".
Above: A night view of Shanghai. Center: TV tower "Pearl of the Orient".
Shanghai also has the world's most extensive network of urban bus routes, with nearly one thousand bus lines, operated by numerous transportation companies. The system includes the world's oldest trolleybus system.
Above: A man and a child stand at a mother-and-child sculpture.
Above: A man and a child stand at a mother-and-child sculpture.
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© AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko
The city covers an area of 6,340.5 square kilometers, which extends about 120 kilometers from north to south and nearly 100 kilometers from east to west. Shanghai has an urban area of 2,643 square kilometers, land area of 6,219 square kilometers and water area of 122 square kilometers.
Above: A bride is blessed by neighbors as she parades in a street in Shanghai.
Above: A bride is blessed by neighbors as she parades in a street in Shanghai.
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© AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko
Shanghai is divided into 16 districts and 3 counties. There are 205 towns, 9 townships, 99 sub district committees, 3,278 neighborhood committees and 2,935 villagers' committees in the city.
Above: The Bund, one of the most popular tourist destinations in town, is crowded by holiday goers on the first day of the week-long National Day holidays in Shanghai.
Above: The Bund, one of the most popular tourist destinations in town, is crowded by holiday goers on the first day of the week-long National Day holidays in Shanghai.
In 1986, the committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress passed a resolution adopting the white magnolia as the city flower. The white magnolia is among the few spring flowers in the Shanghai area. The flower has large, white petals and its eye always looks towards the sky. The flower symbolizes the pioneering and enterprising spirit of the city.
Above: A couple shares the shade of an umbrella as they spend a day out to escape their hot, humid homes as temperatures soar in Shanghai.
Above: A couple shares the shade of an umbrella as they spend a day out to escape their hot, humid homes as temperatures soar in Shanghai.
Shanghai is an international city where different cultures from all around the world have melted. Shanghai’s culture is unique from traditional Chinese culture and has been greatly affected by Western culture. Therefore, it is known for its openness, creativeness and diversity.
Above: A man cycles as an airliner flies over head into Hongqiao International airport in Shanghai.
Above: A man cycles as an airliner flies over head into Hongqiao International airport in Shanghai.
Located at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai is the world's busiest container port.
Above: A Shanghai evening.
Above: A Shanghai evening.
From 1921 to 1965, Shanghai sank roughly 8 feet because of the draining of groundwater underneath it. Now parts of Shanghai are sinking at a rate of one centimeter a year, largely as a result of a massive building boom since the early-1990s.
Above: A man reads a book on his tricycle on a street in Shanghai.
Above: A man reads a book on his tricycle on a street in Shanghai.
Shanghai has a rich collection of buildings and structures of various architectural styles, from traditional Chinese style to modern architectural masterpieces of glass and steel.
Above: The Lupu Bridge in Shanghai.
Above: The Lupu Bridge in Shanghai.
Shanghai is a popular tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as The Bund, City God Temple and Yu Garden as well as the extensive Lujiazui skyline.
Above: A monument Charging Bull by Arturo Di Modica in Shanghai.
Above: A monument Charging Bull by Arturo Di Modica in Shanghai.
Shanghai also attracts tourists with a lot of museums which include the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Art Museum, the Shanghai Natural History Museum, and others.
Above: A view of Shanghai.
Above: A view of Shanghai.
