A blend of the Orient and Europe in China's busiest port city
A blend of the Orient and Europe in China's busiest port city
The city of Shanghai is located on the coast of the East China
Sea on the western edge of the Pacific Rim. It is a major
commercial and industrial center in China and the busiest port
city in the country.
Some 16 million people live in the city, which is 6,340 square
kilometers.
Shanghai has become a premier financial hub in Asia and the
world. It is home to many international corporations' regional
head offices and therefore many airlines fly to Shanghai.
There are two international airports: The Shanghai Hongqiao
Airport, located some 15 kilometers from downtown, serves
domestic flights and the Pudong International Airport, some 40
kilometers away from the city center, serves international
flights.
Four kinds of public transportation -- taxis, ferries, subways
and buses -- are available for locals and visitors.
Buses and subways operate from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. while taxis,
which are abundant and cheap, are available 24 hours a day. Those
needing a taxi can order by telephone or hail one off the street.
Ferries bring passengers across the Huangpu River in only four
minutes.
Shanghai offers a wide range of accommodation -- more than
3,200 hotels have 260,000 beds and suit all travel budgets.
The weather in Shanghai ranges from O Celsius degree in the
winter to 32.5 Celsius degree in the summer, depending on the
four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are shorter than summer
and winter.
What can you see in Shanghai?
The city is a blend of Chinese history and European
sophistication. Home to renowned local cuisine, Shanghai is also
a center for chic western restaurants of all kinds. Traditions
are strong and local festivals depicting Chinese culture are
colorful. But the people of Shanghai always keep up with the
latest trends, whether in fashion, communication or the latest
snacks.
Hip youths wearing the latest fashion are a common sight in
downtown Shanghai, especially along its most famous street,
Nanjing Road.
If you are addicted to shopping, take note that the fine art
of bargaining applies to Shangai's markets and vendors. The best
street for shopping is Nanjing Lu, which has five and a half
kilometers of shops and restaurants to welcome visitors. Another
popular shopping outlet is Xiangyang market, where you can hunt
down the latest styles in clothing and watches and souvenirs.
Your bargaining skills will be tested when you buy from
traditional markets or street vendors. Most of my friends were
disappointed as they only asked for a 20 percent to 30 percent
discount off the original price. In fact, one should start their
bargaining by asking for a 70 percent to 80 percent discount.
If you cannot talk them down to the price you want, simply
walk away and chances are they will call you back and give in to
the price you were after.
Some of the must-see places to visit in Shanghai are the Sun
Yat-Sen Residence, the Bund, the Oriental Pearl Tower, Nanjing
Road and last but not least, the Shanghai Museum.
The 468-meter-high Oriental Pearl TV Tower is Asia's highest
free-standing structure and the third highest in the world. It
has restaurants, shops, museums, viewing halls, deluxe guest
rooms and radio and TV studios.
The Shanghai Museum is one of China's four largest museums and
houses a collection of valuable cultural relics. The over 120,000
pieces include bronze sculptures and artifacts, porcelain,
calligraphic works, Chinese paintings, jade, coins, ancient
furniture and many others.
Source: City of Wonders: Incentives Guide
-- A'an Suryana