An Overview of Shanghai (上海概况)Shanghai is located at the central section of the North-South coastline of China. This location happens to be the estuary of the Yangtze River, which is the Asia’s longest and important river.Shanghai covers a land area of 6833 square kilometers including 620 square kilometers water area. The territory measures about 100 kilometers from west to east and 120 kilometers from south to north.Shanghai is a flat land with an average altitude of 4 meters, apart from a few hills in the southwest. Over the land are over 20 thousand rivers, canals, creeks and lakes which provide rich water resources.In latitude, Shanghai is on the 31st parallel north. It has a humid subtropical monsoon climate and experiences four distinct seasons.The annual average temperature is around 17C, and coolest January averages about 4C and the hottest July 28C.The first evidence of settlements in the region of Shanghai dates to about 6000 years ago. In 1267, the Shanghai town was set up on the bank of Shanghai River; in 1292 the market town was promoted to a county.In 1842 the First Opium War was fought between China and Great Britain, the war ended with the Treaty of Nanjing, after that Shanghai became to be a treaty port.In 1847 the first concession was established, The Britain Concession, based at the Bund. In 1848, the French established their concession south of the Britain concession. The one-century concession era stated Therefore Shanghai was seen as virtually a divided city with three main separate communities –the Chinese Town, The French Quarters, and the international settlement.In 1930s and 40s, Shanghai was plagued by Japanese.From 1950s through 1980s, Shanghai was the industrial center and the drive of the national economy in ChinaSince the 1980s, the city has been playing a leading role in the nation’s reform and opening movement. It also experienced physical transformation.Shanghai remained a municipality equaling to a province. At present, it is one of China’s four municipalities (the other three being Beijing, Tianjin and Chongqing)It consists of 16 districts, which are further divided into more than 200 sub-districts. Shanghai is open and inclusive innovative and modern.Shanghai is a port city for which openness is an ingrain of its character. In the meantime, it is inclusive, allowing for the coexistence of various things. As an immigrant city, it has people from all over the world who have their own cultures. Shanghai is a center of innovation and progress in China. It is popularly seen as the birthplace of everything considered modem in China.The innovative and modern pursuit is also illustrated by the various trendy facilities throughout the city.While Beijing may be the capital of China, Shanghai has been described as the ‘Showpiece’of the modern economy of China. Since 1980s it witnessed the rapid development of finance, insurance, trade, transportation, communications, realestate, and other types of the tertiary industries.Now Shanghai is making every endeavor to become a global center of economic activities, financial service, trade and shipping.By GDP, Shanghai is one of the top three provinces and municipalities in China. By 2016, the tertiary sector accounts for more than 70 percent of Shanghai GDP. The secondary industry takes up a litter less than 30 percent of city’s GDP. Agriculture plays a marginal role in Shanghai’s GDP but provides an anchor for the dining tables of millions of citizens.Shanghai is one of the most populous cities in the world with a long-term population of over 24million and an additional migrant population of several million.As for the public transport, Shanghai has an extensive system, largely based on buses, metros, and taxisShanghai has the world’s most extensive bus system which boasts 1200 bus lines, servicing nearly 3 billion passengers in a year.For most commuters, the metro lines are the most expedient and timely transport, though equally crowded. The Shanghai metro incorporates both subway and light railway lines extending to every core urban district as well as neighboring suburban districts. Shanghai Metro opened in 1993; Ambitious expansion plans call for 24 lines with over 1000 km of length by 2025.The Shanghai Maglev Train, the first commercial Maglev railway in the world. The route runs from long yang Road subway station in Pudong-to-Pudong International Airport. The 30-kilometer trip takes 7 minutes and 21 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 431 km/h (267.8 mph)In the city center, there are several elevated expressways to lessen traffic pressure on the surface streets, including three ring roads and two stretching roads.In 1986, the Shanghai municipal people’s congress passed a resolution to adopt the white magnolia as the city flower. The magnolia represents the pioneering spirit of Shanghai.The design of the city emblem of Shanghai was approved by the standing committee of Shanghai Municipal People’s congress in 1990. It has a triangle shape of consisting of graphic of a tri-blade propeller, a white magnolia flower, and a five-sail junk.For many visitors, Shanghai is an epitome of modern China and a museum of the East meeting in the west. It has a diversity of attractions to satisfy various needs of visitors.The popular ones in town include the technological feats of super-scale high-rises, distinctive local residences Shikumens, period architecture and stories from concession days. Prevalent cultural institution like museums and theaters, old towns of traditional treasures, active temples and churches, amusement parks like the Disneyland and the Happy valley, and the busy street scenes of commercial life.特色景点1)Suzhou CreekSuzhou Creek is the biggest tributary of the Huangpu River.It is the lower reaches of a 125 kilometers long river, flowing from Suzhou and finally enters Huangpu River to the east of Wai bai du Bridge.Originally It was known as the Wu song River, a reference to Wu. The historical name of the region, It began to be known as the Suzhou Creek after Shanghai became a treaty port in 1843. The newly arrived foreigners discovered that what was then known as the Wu song River was a convenient route to Suzhou and began calling it Suzhou CreekSuzhou Creek had been a great river in history. Suzhou Creek has played an important role in the development of Shanghai. Since 19th century it has served as not only a vital（充满生机）waterway for trade and communication but also a favorable site for modern industries. Many old warehouses and factories from the late 19th century and the early 20th century still stand along the riverbanks. They are the testament(证明，证据) to the flourishing business in the old days.When you walk along the riverbank, you can appreciate the old European-style bridges over the river, and western-style building and Shikumen houses along the bank.2)The 45-km Huangpu RiversideAlmost every major metropolis in the world has a river the runs through it. There is the River Thames in London, The Seine River in Paris, The Hudson River in New York and Neva in St. Petersburg. Shanghai is no exception.Huangpu River, called Shanghai’s ‘Mother River’, runs for 114 kilometers through the city of Shanghai, It has long been a major factor in development of the city. It has served as a major shipping and transport hub in this region and a thriving business belt with warehouse, wharves factories dominating its banks. At the turn of the 21th century, the new urban planning has redefined the role of the river, which shifts from a transport and industrial character to one more leisure-oriented. In the downtown area, many wharves and factories close to the river are closed or relocated. About 45 kilometers of the riverfront between Yangpu to Xu pu bridge are redeveloped as a public area for the common use.Both sides of the river form two parallel greenbelts with parks, flower beds, wetlands, etc. connected and passed through by walking, running and cycling paths and bridges. Various historical monuments and vintage of the past dot the greenery in the background, making the banks kind of an extended gallery in the open air. Strolling along the banks has been getting popular among both visitors and locals. We can now on the river.3)Nanjing RoadNanjing Road, renowned as the No.1 Shopping Street in China, is 5466 meters long from the Bund in the east to Jing ‘an Temple in the west and consists of East Nanjing Road and West Nanjing RoadNanjing Road started as a narrow lane called ‘park lane’linking the Bund to theracecourse on middle Henan Road. In 1862, it was officially named ‘Nanking Road’by the Municipal Council(公布局). Nanjing Road is the first modern street in Shanghai and the thoroughfare.In the 1930s, Nanjing Road established its status as modern commercial center of China widely known home and abroad. The street became so prominent that it came to symbolize old Shanghai which was nicknamed’十里洋场’or ‘a foreign community highlighted by the five-kilometer Nanjing Road.’Few roads could compete with Nanjing Road in terms of glory and brilliance.The main feature of the street is commerce. By the end of 19th century, Comprehensive department stores had grown up on East Nanjing Road. In the first half of the 20th century, department stores of Wing On(Yong An), Sincere，Sun andThe Sun established themselves as ‘The four department stores’and helped make the street ‘No.1 Shopping street in China.’This character never fades. Nanjing Road is always the busiest street in Shanghai thronged with shoppers and visitors from all over the world. A great many large shopping malls, time-honored stores, famous stores and specialty shops stand along both sides of the road. You can find whatever you want - commodities, home appliances, communication equipment, jewelries books glasses food medicine and children’s need.The new landmark on the East Nanjing Road is Shanghai Brilliance international plaza which is compound of a shopping mall and a five-star hotel. The Jing ‘an Temple area at the west end of the street has developed into a popular shopping center itself. 4)Shikumen HousesShikumen, which literally means ‘stone gate’, is the unique housing style in Shanghai, representing the fusion of the eastern and western cultures. It was once very popular in the 1930sThe Shikumen houses are two-or three-story townhouses, with the front yard protected by a high brick wall. A distinctive feature of this architecture is a pair of black wooden doors framed by heavy stones, with an extravagant bronze handle on each door. The lintel above the doors is often decorated with stone carving in the Baroque style. The gate provides residents with a sense of status and security. Behind the gate is a courtyard, and further inside is a living room with two wing rooms. The layout of the second floor is like the one below. The space above the kitchen was used as a loft with a flat roof.The Shikumen-style houses form the basis of the ‘Li Long’(laneway) community. In this community, everyone knows everyone else’s business.By World War II, Shikumen houses had accommodated more than 80% of the population in the city.5）Xintiandi 新天地Shikumen houses are monuments of Shanghai’s past and deserve to be preserved.While many of them are erased to make way for glittering skyscrapers, for example, Xintiandi, literally meaning ‘new heaven and earth’ is a brilliant example of this effort. It is not only China’s finest historical redevelopment project, but also a model for Asia.A two-block neighborhood, south of the People’s Square, Xintiandi is operated for both commercial and cultural purposes.It consists of the North and the South Blocks on the two sides of Xing Ye Road, Where the former site of the First National Congress of CCP is located. In the South Block, modern architecture is the motif while Shikumen sets a splendid contrast with the modernity of the South Block. This two-block entertainment environment is stuffed with modern restaurants, clubs, cafes and boutiques in a delightful maze of cobbled streets.6）Tian Zi Fang 田子坊Located in labyrinthine alleyways off Tai Kang Road. Tian Zi Fang is an arts and crafts enclave developed from a renovated residential area with families still residing in neighboring buildings. There are three main north-south lanes crisscrossed by irregular east-west alleyways, It is also referred to as Tai Kang Road.Since 1998, Some famous Chinese artists, including Chen Yifei, have set up their studios in Tian Zi Fang, which are converted from abandoned old factories. Nowadays Tian Zi Fang has more than 200 diverse small businesses such as cafes, bars, restaurants, art galleries, craft stores, design houses and studios, and even French bistros.7)Xu Jia Hui Origin 徐家汇源The Xujiahui Origin, an area effusive of Shanghai culture. Is located at a bustling zone in southwest of Shanghai.400 years ago, a Chinese Scientist and high official named Xu Guangqi(1562-1633) lived here. This area became known as Xujiahui.In modern Chinese history, Xujiahui has always symbolized the interactions and mutual influences between Chinese and Western culture.The main attractions includes: Xujiahui Bibliotheca, Xujiahui Cathedral Former Site of Xuhui Public School, Xujiahui Observatory Shanghai Meteorological Museum), Guangqi Park(including Xu Guangqi’s Tomb and Xu Guangqi Memorial Hall),Shanghai Tou-se-we Museum and so on.i)Xujiahui BibliothecaEstablished in 1847 by Jesuits, is the oldest existing modern library in Shanghai, which epitomizes the academic exchange between China and Western world.ii)Xujiahui Cathedral(天主教堂)Xujiahui Cathedral, also known as ST, Ignatius Cathedral after its patron saint St, Ignatius of Loyola, once crowned as ‘the grandes cathedral in the Far East’, is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Shanghai.iii)Xujianghui Observatory（徐家汇观象台）Xujiahui Observatory is the first coastal meteorological observatory in China, Once crowned as the No.1 Observatory in the Far East’. It was first established by Jesuits in July 1872.iv)Shanghai Natural History Museum(上海自然历史博物馆)Shanghai Natural History Museum (a branch of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum) is located within Jian’an Sculpture Park. It is a 45257-square-meter compound and aims for exhibitions education, and social and culture exchange.The origin of the Shanghai Natural History Museum traces back to the Xujiahui Museum, founded in 1868 by the French Roman Catholic priest Pierre Heude (China’s first museum. Renamed ‘Zhendan Museum’ in 1933Inspired by the structure of a snail’s shell, the new museum is of novel design and modern outlook.The theme of the Shanghai Natural History Museum is ‘Nature, Humans, Harmony’. The exhibitions follow three main threads: ’The Symphony of Evolution’, ‘The Picture Scroll of Life’ and ‘The Historical Epic of Civilization’. It also has temporary exhibitions, 4D theaters.The Shanghai Natural History Museum has a collection of over 280,000 pieces, including objects from the natural world and human historical relics. They fall into 5 major categories, namely botany, zoology, paleontology, geology and anthropology. 8)China Art Museum(中华艺术宫，中国馆China Pavilion)The China Art Museum, erected at No.205, Shanghai Road, Pudong New district, is noticeable for its bright exterior and Dougong Traditional wooden brackets.It was known as the China Pavilion in 2010 World Expo which had been the most popular pavilion during the time which received 17 million visitors. The building is 63 meters high and features distinct Chinese architectural styles.It is addressed as ‘the Crown of the East’ due to its resemblance to an ancient crown.A unique Chinese Red makes the whole building unbelievably eye catching from afar. The main structure has 4 giant columns resembling four legs of a Chinese Ding(a kind of food vessel) and its inverted pyramid body above resembles the bowl. The architecture conveys to its audience that the Crown of East is a barn for the whole country and nourishes its people.After the 2010 Expo, The China Pavilion remained as a permanent building and was remodeled into the China Art Museum. It was reopened on Oct.1 2012The museum is home to more than 14000 modern and contemporary pieces of China art work, Showcasing the evolution of Chinese contemporary and modern art.9）ZhujiajiaoLocated in a suburb of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is a well-preserved water town by Dianshan Lake. Qingpu District, It has many ancient bridges, cobbled alleys, and residential houses with white walls and black tiles in Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty.Bridges: of the ancient bridges, the must-see is the graceful five-arch Fangsheng Bridge. FangSheng Bridge means a bridge where fish are set free.Grand North Street Early in Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, the Grand North Street prospered as a business street, including more than a hundred rice factories, stores and agencies.Kezhi Garden Located in Xijing Street in the northern part of the town, Kezhi Garden is the largest manorial(庄园式) garden in the town. The architecture in the garden is a combination of the traditional Chinese and the Western Styles,10）Shanghai MaglevPut into operation in 2003, Shanghai Maglev is the world’s first commercial maglev line shuttling(来回穿梭) between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station. It covers the distance of 30 kilometers. Traveling at the speed of 430 kilometers per hour at its peak, you feel as if flying at zero altitude to your destination. The journey time is only 7 minutes and 20seconds.。
