Shanghai, the most populous city in the world

With 23 million inhabitants, Shanghai is the most populous city of China. Over the past twenty years it has grown dramatically and is much changed from the architectural point of view, so that is visited every year by millions of tourists. The real boom happened in 2010 when it hosted the World’s Fair. The Expo area is still open and some pavilions, including that of Italy, are still an attraction for many. Shanghai is famous for its modern skyline in the district of Pudong, on the east bank of the Huangpu River, which divides the city in two. The neighborhood is home of some of the iconic skyscrapers of Shanghai, such as the “Pearl of the Orient”, the Shanghai World Financial Center and the second tallest skyscraper in the world, the “Shanghai Tower”.

But Shanghai is not only glass and steel. Across the river on the Bund district it is characterized by the buildings of the 20s, luxury hotels and shopping streets. In recent years some areas were requalified, such as the docks, where once the warehouses of goods were concentrated and which now host bars and shops; the former French Concession, once inhabited by the settlers, and now transformed into a trendy area of fusion restaurants and vintage shops, and Nanshi, the old town, with its ancient walls where once foreigners could not even get inside and which, today, is packed with souvenir shops and tearooms.

The Bund

The Bund area is extended on the left side of the Huangpu River in downtown Shanghai. This part of town was built for the international community living in Shanghai, and at a time the Chinese were forbidden to walk this area. Today is one of the most famous tourist attractions of the city, especially for the night view of the other side of town, Pudong. There are still buildings of the 20s in the Bund which remember the first skyscrapers of Manhattan.

Nanshi, the old town

The old town is now a district of Shanghai on the west bank of the Huangpu River. It is enclosed in the ancient walls that once surrounded the city. During the period of foreign Concessions, this area was exclusively frequented by Chinese and foreigners would rarely go among its narrow alleys. Today, on the opposite, there are more tourists than locals and there are many typical Chinese decorations shops.

Along the Cool Docks

It is a new area of Shanghai, in the south of the Bund, down the river. Here there were once the warehouses where the goods carried by water were kept. Today the same warehouses have been converted into restaurants, brasseries, showrooms and shops frequented by the Chinese and the foreign community living in Shanghai. Very lively during the day, but young people love to come there in the evening.

The shops of Nanjing Road

Nanjing is the largest shopping street in the world. Located in the city center, it is divided between East and West. The West area is noisy, busy and is packed with luxury shopping malls (Plaza 66, Citic etc.), with all the most luxurious fashion brands in the world. The East area is a pedestrian zone and therefore a bit quieter. Here we can find the showcases of the international brands (Hermes, Gucci, Louis Vuitton etc.). On the upper floors of the buildings are located many stores of fake brands, very popular among tourists.

The Pearl

The “Eastern Pearl” is somewhat the symbol of Shanghai and rises over the skyline of the city in the Pudong district. It is a television tower, but it is actually one of the most visited tourist attractions. It is shaped like a tripod and a rather futuristic design, with two big red balls surmounted by a huge antenna. People can climb it and enjoy incredible views of the city. The Main Museum of History of Shanghai is also worth visiting, located in the lower part of the building.

The former French Concession

Located in the South-eastern part of the city, in the districts of Luwan and Xuhui, the French Concession had a great importance in the history of Shanghai, first as a residential area for foreigners and then as the birthplace of the Communist Party. The area came under French sovereignty in 1849, in the years when started the foreign partition of Imperial China, and remained French until 1943. The Concession has fallen out of favor during the years of Maoism, but was able to be born again and become one of the most fashionable areas. Walking through there, people can find bar with tables outside, elegant restaurants that offer fusion cuisine and boutiques of trendy clothing and designer accessories.

The Pudong financial district

The right bank of the Huangpu River is the Pudong area. Today is the most important financial center of China’s trade. Here are the major skyscrapers that made the Shanghai skyline famous all over the world. Among the skyscrapers definitely to be seen is the “Shanghai World Financial Center” (SWFC), high 492 meters, well known for its shape, with a hole at the top: people can walk on a glass floor to get from one side to the other of the building. There are three sights, but the most dramatic is 440 meters high. The Jin Mao Tower is the 13th tallest skyscraper in the world. Its 88th floor elevator takes within seconds where there is a lookout that offers a view of the river and the nearby skyscrapers. But above all there is the “Shanghai Tower”, 632 meters high, the tallest skyscraper in China, but especially the second highest in the world after the “Burj Khalifa” of Dubai.

The street food of Wujiang Road

The Wujiang runs parallel to the Nanjing Road, the world’s longest commercial street. It is famous for street food, especially for meat and fish grilled. Not all smells emitting from the outdoor stoves are pleasing but if one is not bothered by fried foods and strong smells of sauces and if one doesn’t care for hygiene, the prices are incredibly low and the food is good, although it is hard to find place to sit and eat.

The Qi Bao district

In Chinese it means “seven treasures”. This district is located 15 kilometers from Shanghai and has the charm of traditional Chinese cities. Qi Bao is characterized by channels, where people can rent a gondola (yes!), and the commercial streets, where there are fabrics, handicrafts and many places to enjoy Chinese cuisine. If one has no problems with the hygiene of the place, can eat there at affordable rates.

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