Oriental Pearl Shanghai

» Jiang Su

Shanghai Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Today's Shanghai weather forcast

Shanghai Seasons

Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate and experiences four distinct seasons.

Summer in Shanghai is hot and humid, with occasional downpours or freak thunderstorms. The city is also susceptible to typhoons, none of which in recent years has caused considerable damage.

In winter, cold northerly winds from Siberia can cause nighttime temperatures to drop below freezing, and although not usually associated with snow, the city can receive one or two days of snowfall per year.

Top 4 Shanghai Attractions

• 1 The Bund - One of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai.

• 2 Nanjing Road - A paradise of top-tier shopping, a major hotspot for travelers in Shanghai...

• 3 Yuyuan Garden - Meaning pleasing and satisfying, defining the feature of southern gardens of China...

• 4 Jade Buddha Temple - One of Shanghais few Buddhist temples. It's famour for its ancient sculptures, rare paintings and Buddhist scriptures...

Shanghai History

Shanghai was upgraded in status from a village to a market town in 1074, and in 1172 a second sea wall was built to stabilize the ocean coastline, supplementing an earlier dike. From the Yuan Dynasty until Shanghai officially became a city for the first time in 1927, the area was designated merely as a county administered by the Songjiang Prefecture.

Spring-Autumn Period

During the Spring-Autumn Period (770 BC), Shanghai belonged to the Wu State. Shanghai first belonged to Yue State , later to the Chu State. King Lie of Chu State appointed Huang Xie as his prime minister and bestowed him the title of Lord Chunshen. Shanghai was part of his feoff. The old name of Shanghai "Shen" was derived from this.

Shanghai did have another name, namely: "Hu". The name Hu originated from "Hu Du". Ancient fishermen in Shanghai invented a bamboo fishing device called "Hu". ("Du" in Chinese means "creek"). This area was therefore called "Hu Du" before it became know as Shanghai.

Song Dynasty

The actual name of "Shanghai" originated from the Song Dynasty (960-1276), when Shanghai was by that time becoming a new rising trade port. The mother river Huangpu River, floating across Shanghai into the Yangtse River, has 18 creeks. One of these creeks was called "Shanghai Creek" (close to nowadays "The Bund"). Therefore the town nearby was called Shanghai Town , and later on this whole area was named "Shanghai".

Yuan Dynasty

During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Shanghai Town had greatly developed and the city set up a shipping administration. After a while, the town was promoted to a county, which consisted of today's urban areas, and three other counties of Shanghai ; Qingpi, Nanhui, and Chuansha.

Ming Dynasty

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Shanghai was to become China's largest textile center. Shanghai's business was sharply on the rise! At the 24th year of the Qing Emperor Kangxi's reign (1685), the Qing Government set up a Customs Department in Shanghai. After that, during the reigns of Qing Emperor Qianlong and Qing Emperor Jiaqing, Shanghai gradually became China 's major trading port and water transportation center for gains.

After the Opium War

In 1843, after the Opium War, Shanghai was forced to become an open port by its colonialists. In 1845, Britain first set up its concession in Shanghai . In 1848, the United State set up its concession, followed by France in 1849. In 1863, the British and American concessions amalgamated into the International Settlement. Shanghai was actually partitioned into a Chinese Section, the International Settlement and the French Concession. In the following 100 years after 1843, Shanghai had become an important port for foreign colonialists to dump their goods, raw materials and money. Shanghai was thus known as "A paradise of the Adventurers". On July 7, 1927, Shanghai was proclaimed as a special municipality. In 1945, after the victory over the Japanese, the concessions were reclaimed.

Nowadays

On May 27 1949, Shanghai was really liberated...the era of Mao was awaiting the whole of China then. Through the continual and long-term reform and construction by the successive municipal governments and the people, Shanghai has become an important industrial and commercial base in new China. Today, Shanghai has been developing to be the center of economy, finance, science and technology, information and culture, an international modernized metropolis in China.

Shanghai Food

Shanghai Dishes

The following dishes are considered traditional dishes to Shanghai:

Da Zha Xie is a special type of fresh water crab that becomes mature in fall. The crabs are tied with ropes or strings, placed in bamboo containers, steamed and served with vinegar.

Drunken Shrimp - live shrimps are marinated in an alcohol-based marinade. They are a bit hard in your hands, but they are delicious.

Beggars Chicken - Seasoned chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and baked in a dough pastry.

Shanghai Snacks

[Shanghai's local snacks] (/china-guides/chinese-culture/shanghai-snacks/) should not be missed. You should try the famous Nanxiang steamed stuffed buns, crab-yellow pastry, fried stuffed buns, chop rice cake, vegetable stuffed buns, Leisha dumplings and wontons.

Featured Shanghai Restaurants

1221

Chic and quiet, 1221 is a favorite restaurant for romantic meals and large get-togethers. The heady orange and white interior sets the pace for unearthly dining.

Add 1221 Yan'an West Road
Tel 86-21-6213 6585
Hours 11am to 2pm, 5pm to 11am

Meilongzhen Restaurant

Meilongzhen is a favorite with both locals and guests. Prepare to be amazed by the guys who fill your teapot and sit back and enjoy a little old world Chinese style.

Add No. 22, Lane 1081, Nanjing West Road, Jing'an District
Tel 86-21-6253 5353
Hours 11am to 1:30pm, 4pm to 10pm

M on The Bund

The sprawling terrace offers unparalleled views of Pudong and [the Bund] (/china-guides/china-attractions/bund-shanghai/). The food has been described as "eclectic European", with great quality and presentation, and excellent selection of wines.

Add 7/F, 20 Guangdong Road, Huangpu District
Tel 86-21-6350 9988
Hours 11:30am to 2:30pm, 6:15pm to 12am

Shanghai Entertainment

Shopping

Clothes and Shoes - Nanjing Road or Huaihai Road for world renowned brand fashion items; Changle Road and Maoming Road for boutiques, especially [Qibao] (/china-guides/chinese-culture/cheongsam/) (Chinese Cheongsam).

[Silk] (/china-guides/chinese-culture/silk/) - Shanghai is close to Suzhou - home to the finest silk products in the world so it possible to find fine silk products at good prices.

[Porcelain] (/china-guides/chinese-culture/porcelain/) - [Shanghai Museum] (/china-guides/china-attractions/ shanghai-museum-shanghai/) has some of the best porcelain on offer. In some big department stores, you may find porcelain made in Jingdezhen.

Nightlife

[Xintiandi] (/china-guides/china-attractions/xintiandi-bar-street-shanghai/) and favorite bar street [Maoming Road] (/china-guides/china-attractions/maoming-south-road-bar-street-shanghai/) and [Julu Road] (/china-guides/china-attractions/julu-road-bar-street-shanghai/) are often packed into the dawn while the clubs continue thumping away throughout the early morning. [Tongren Road] (/china-guides/china-attractions/tongren-road-bar-street-shanghai/) and [Yandang Road] (/china-guides/china-attractions/yandang-road-bar-street-shanghai/) are hot bar streets for your night out in Shanghai.

Shanghai Map

Shanghai City Map

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Shanghai Attraction Map

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Shanghai Area Map

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Shanghai Transportation

Get In

Air - Shanghai has two airports: Hongqiao International and Pudong International, the latter of which has the third highest traffic in China, following Beijing Capital International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport.

Railway - Two railways intersect in Shanghai: Jinghu Railway (Beijing-Shanghai) Railway passing through Nanjing, and Huhang Railway (Shanghai-Hangzhou), fast, safe and convenient.

Waterway - There are boats from Shanghai along the Yangtze River up to Jiujiang, Wuhan and Chongqing, and boats between Shanghai and some of China's neighboring countries such as South Korea and Japan.

Express - More than six national expressways (prefixed with "G") from Beijing and from the region around Shanghai connect to the city.

Get Around

Public Bus

Shanghai has the world's most extensive bus system with nearly one thousand bus lines, operated by numerous transportation companies.

Fees 1RMB, 1.5RMB or 2RMB

Subway

The Shanghai Subway rapid-transit system and elevated light rail has eight lines (numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9) at present and extends to every core urban district as well as neighboring suburban districts such as Songjiang and Minhang.

Fees 1RMB, 2RMB or 5RMB

Taxi

Taxis in Shanghai are plentiful and government regulation has set taxi fares at an affordable rate for the average resident.

Fees 11 RMB per 3 km, 14 RMB after 23:00.

The Bund - It is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. With its name given to Shanghai's waterfront area, meaning literally 'muddy embankment' in Anglo-Indian, the Bund became the city's first foreign street.

Nanjing Road - As a major hotspot for travelers in Shanghai, it is a paradise of top-tier shopping, and renowned commercial center, one of the world's busiest shopping streets. Prior to 1949, the road's English name was rendered "Nanking Road."

Yuyuan Garden - It is a famous classical garden built in traditional Chinese style with numerous rock and tree garden areas, ponds, dragon-lined walls and numerous doorways and zigzagging bridges separating the various garden areas and pavilions.

Shanghai Highlights List

Natural Scene

• Huangpu River
• The Bund
• Port Wusongkou
• Shanghai Wild Animal Park

Historical Site

• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Town God Temple
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• Old Town of Xitang
• Zhujiajiao Old Town
• Former French Concession
• Qibaozhen Ancient Town
• The First National Congress of the Communist Party of China Shanghai Site
• Longhua Temple
• Former Residence of Sun Yat-sen

Cultural Site

• Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
• Shanghai World Financial Center
• Shanghai Museum
• Yuyuan Garden
• Shanghai History Museum
• Nanpu and Yangpu Bridges
• Guyi Garden

Nightlife

• Night Club Street on Hengshan Road
• Shanghai Concert Hall
• Shanghai Grand Theater
• Xintiandi Bar Street
• Maoming South Road Bar Street
• Tongren Road Bar Street
• Yandang Road Bar Street
• Sasha's Bar
• Bourbon Street Bar
• Julu Road Bar Street
• Mexican madness night at Zapata's Bar

Day Entertainment & Sports

• Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
• Sheshan Golf Club

Shopping & Leisure

• Nanjing Road
• Shopping Heaven on Xujiahui Street
• Dongtai Road Antique Market
• Shopping on Fuzhou Road
• Pudong New Area
• Yandang Road Bar Street
• Xintiandi Area

Shanghai Highlights

Yangtze River attraction highlights

The mighty Yangtze, or ChangJiang, is the third largest river in the world (The Nile is the longest, followed by the Amazon.). At 6,300 kilometers (3,900 miles), the Yangtze is closest in length to the Mississippi. Among the Chinese, the name Yangtze is rarely used. They prefer Chang Jiang simply, Long River.

• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Xiling Gorge
• Three Gorges Dam
• The First Bend of the Yangtze
• Small Three Gorges
• Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

city highlights

• Shanghai
• Chongqing
• Nanjing
• Yichang
• Danjiangkou
• Badong
• Jingzhou
• Wuhan

Cheongsam, Touch of elegance

Cheongsam (Qipao), the classic dress for Chinese women, combines the elaborate elegance of Chinese tradition with unique elements of style. The high-necked, closed-collar Cheongsam (Qipao) is buttoned on the right side with a loose chest, fitting waist, and the attractive slits up from the sides, is one of the most versatile costumes in the world.

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is a pearl in the treasure house of the traditional Chinese performing arts. Chinese acrobatics has a long and rich heritage. It is one of the art forms most popular among the Chinese people. In the past twenty some years, some acrobats in China have taken this folk art to a new height.

Shikumen - Stone Gate Houses in Shanghai

As the result of urban life, shikumen (literally "stone gate") is a style of housing in Shanghai, prevalent in the 1920's. The style once composed 80% of Shanghai's local residences, and bred the spirit of Shanghai's middle class. Even by the year of 2003, nearly 40% of Shanghai's residents still live in shikumen residences.

Early Chinese Cinema

Black and white, just like the theme of early Chinese films, always have a distinct division of good and bad. Colored, just like the colorful Chinese history - there is always something to talk about.

World Expo 2010 Shanghai attraction highlights

"Better City, Better Life" representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments. Expo 2010 Shanghai will be China's first full-scale World's Fair as well as the first registered World Exposition in a developing country.

• Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
• Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai Snacks attraction highlights

Shanghai owns varied and appetizing snacks. Some enjoys a long history and great reputation. The Shanghai snacks not only taste delicious but also look delicate. People who visit Shanghai should not miss the chances to try the famous snacks.

• Town God Temple

Shanghai FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. What should we need to know when visiting Shanghai in different seasons?
2. What's the best season for traveling there?

  Transportation

1. What about the transportation between Shanghai and its surrounding cities?

  Food

1. What's the specialty of Shanghai cuisine?
2. What are the must-eat Shanghai snacks? And what to notice?

  Shopping

1. Where is the most famous area for shopping here?
2. Where can we visit on our spare time?

  Travel

1. How about Shanghai's nightlife?

  Other Hints

1. How many airports do Shanghai have?
2. What is the city code of Shanghai?

• What should we need to know when visiting Shanghai in different seasons?

  The four seasons are easy to tell apart. The weather is pleasant, and the number of all kinds of products is large in Spring and Autumn.

  Every June and July is the mold rain season, so it is usually humid in hotel rooms. Umbrella is a necessary thing to bring with during the rainy weather.

  The coldest time is from late January to early February. Even though there is not much snow, warm clothes are still needed, because cold wind is always unendurable. Hotel rooms are equipped with air-conditions, so please stay warm in the room.

  It is usually super hot in July and August. Weather with higher than 35 C usually stays for about ten days, so that prevention from overheat is very necessary.

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• What's the best season for traveling there?

  After humid mold rain season and cold winter, there comes the Spring with blooming flowers, or the Autumn with falling red leaves, which are the best the seasons for trevaling.

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• What about the transportation between Shanghai and its surrounding cities?

  Travel line in the east China includes Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. It usually takes about 2C3 hours to travel between cities. Medicine that prevents car-sickness is necessary.

  Multi-city traveling usually requires travelers to put up each night in different cities. Please take care of your belongings when checking out.

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• What's the specialty of Shanghai cuisine?

  Shanghai cuisine is a mixture of five different cuisines and western food. Apart from its local food, it also has Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Guangdong cuisine, Hunan cuisine, Yangzhou cuisine, Chaozhou Cuisine, Anhui Cuisine and vegetarian cuisine, etc.

  Of course, Italian food, Russian food, French food, Vietnamese food, Korean food and Japanese food can also be found in Shanghai.

  Local people like food with light seasoning and light sweetness. Rice is their main food. People that like strong seasoning can prepare their own seasonings.

  Travelers with special needs please give us notice before hand, so we can prepare for you earlier according to your requirements.

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• What are the must-eat Shanghai snacks? And what to notice?

  Shanghai Nanxiang Dumplings, Crab Roe Dumplings, Steamed Dumplings Filled with Minced Meat and Gravy, Fermented Rice with Pigeon Eggs, Rib Rice Cakes, Eggs Boiled with Five Ingredients, Five Ingredients Beans, etc. There are a lot of delicious local food.

  Please mind the sanitation when enjoying the tasty food.

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• Where is the most famous area for shopping here?

  The shopping heaven in Shanghai is Nanjing Road. It has a name of 'the number one shopping street in China.' Now all kinds of stores have been opened by all kinds of business people. There are not only old stores that have hundreds of years, but also modern shopping malls like Friendship Europe Shopping Mall, Mancton Square, HUalian Shopping Center, etc.

  Huaihai Road is as famous as Nanjing Road. Shopping malls are standing at each side of the road: Guangna World Center, Paris Spring, Meimei Shopping Center, Parkson, etc. World famous brand can all be found in the shopping malls, which make Shanghai a shopping center of world class.

  Sichuan North Road's stores offer reasonable prices, which attracts a lot of common people. Xizangzhong Road had developed food and travel industry.

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• Where can we visit on our spare time?

  Shanghai is where Chinese movie originated. It is also where a lot of international movie festivals take place. There are world-class theaters. Famous movies and latest movies can all be found in Shanghai's movie theaters.

  Huanyi Movie Theather on Nanjing West Road, Yongle Palace on Anfu Road are the most famous movie theathers in Shanghai.

  You can also go to teahouse. Different from traditional teahouse, the teahouse in Shanghai adds more modern atmosphere that attracts more and more young people.

  New theme parks and amusement parks in Shanghai are good choices too. Modern equipments and beautiful natural scenes will bring you to the ideal land.

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• How about Shanghai's nightlife?

  Bars, KTV and DISCO are indispensable in a busy city like Shanghai. Beautiful lights are like the reflection of the stars, lightening the whole city and bring the city endless liveliness.

  Blue Belt Night Club, Night Paris and the famous Big World are all well known and loved by young people. Dancing people and fragrant martini will make you forget about tiredness and start to enjoy the charm of Shanghai city.

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• How many airports does Shanghai have?

  There are two international airports in Shanghai, which are Hongqiao Aireport and Pudong International Airport.

  Hundreds of airlines are in service, which can reach to every big and medium city in China and some cities in each country.

  Air traffic is very convenient. Pudong International Airport is mainly for international airlines, while Hongqiao Airport is mainly for national airlines.

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• What is the city code of Shanghai?

  Shanghai's area code: 021

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