A Brief Introduction to Shanghai
Shanghai， located at the outlet of the Yangtze River into the sea in eastChina， is a metropolis， the largest economic center and one of the four citiesunder the direct jurisdiction of the central government in China.The area ofShanghai totals 6，340 square kilometers. Shanghai has a permanent population ofmore than 13.50 million while it sees a large moving population of over 2.5million daily.
Historically speaking， Shanghai is not only a city of a long history andculture but also a heroic city with a glorious tradition in Chineserevolution.
When the western Great Powers broke through the closed gate of China withtheir gunboats during the Opium War Shanghai was forced open by the colonialistsas one of the five trading ports. With concessions carved out in Shanghai thearea was reduced to be a “pandemonium of adventurers.” Shanghai is also a heroiccity with a glorious tradition in Chinese revolution. First of all ，it is thebirthplace of the Communist Party of China.
To fight for the national independence and liberation the people ofShanghai waged a series of such epic struggles as Anti-British struggle at theWusong Estuary， Uprising of the Small Sword Society， “May 4 Movement”for newculture， “May 30th Movement，” three times of armed struggles， “January 28”and“August 13”anti-Japanese battles in Songjiang and Shanghai.
And after the War of Resistance against Japan was over the people inShanghai again devoted themselves to the struggles of opposing autocratic ruleand civil war while fighting for democracy and freedom， forming a secondbattle-line in opposition to the rule of the Kuomintang reactionaries.
With the dying down of rumbling guns in battles for the liberation ofShanghai the city returned to the arms of the people on May 27，1949，and the nextday saw the People’s Government of Shanghai proclaimed to be set up ，May 28，1949being defined as the very “Day of Liberation for Shanghai.”
Shanghai is an economic city of great importance for China. Especially thedevelopment and opening of Pudong has pushed Shanghai to the strategic forefrontof reform and opening up to the outside world.
Shanghai is not only a metropolis renowned in the world but also a greattourist attraction in China. On the one hand it is known to the world with itsunique urban-attractions， rich and varied humane and cultural resources ，As from1982 onwards， the overseas tourist hosted in Shanghai has witnessed a number ofover one million every year while the domestic tourists have seen a yearlyaverage of more than tens of millions. In future， Shanghai is going to be a cityfeatureing sightseeing tours as a trend in the development of tourism.
With great efforts made Shanghai is going to place itself as early aspossible among the world famous economic and trade centers， thereby bringing upthe new economic boom in the Yangtze River Delta and even the whole area alongthe mighty river. At present， the rudimentary shape of splendid blueprint hascome into being， and it is confident that a new Shanghai enjoying a bluer sky ，clearer water， greener land and more sociable people in a more improved andharmonious society will come to appear on the western shore of the Pacific Oceanin not too long a future..
Jinmao Tower Building:There is a gigantic majestic high-rise tower like abamboo shoot in spring pure pillar， yataghan and magic pen beside Huangpu Riverand at the seashore of East sea， it is Jinmao Tower which is 420.5 meters inheight and is called “the first building in China” with a surprisingly beautifulappearance .Jinmao Tower has come into being and become a monumental work in thearchitecture industry of china and a symbol of Shanghai.
大观园位于上海市青浦淀山湖畔，距市中心65公里。大观园是按照《红楼梦》中的描述而建造的古典园林。有“怡红院”、“潇湘馆”、“大观楼”、“衡芜院”、“体仁沐德”、“稻香村”、“梨香院”、拢翠庵“、秋爽斋”“紫菱洲”、“沁芳桥”、“牡丹亭”、“曲径通幽”等10余组建筑景点。
园内中部大观楼群组，建筑气势宏伟，是为元妃省亲所造，东是缀锦楼，西为含芳阁。大门内西侧为贾宝玉住的怡红院，是一座两路三进的院落。林黛玉住的潇湘馆在东侧的翠竹丛中。体仁沐德一组建筑是元妃省亲时更衣休息处。薛宝钗住的衡芜院是由藤萝山石和小楼组成的院落。此外，还有田园风光的稻香村、妙玉修行的拢翠庵等建筑群组。
大观园是一个大型仿古建筑群和现代园林。位于淀山湖的东岸，分东、西两大景区。东部以上海民族文化村、梅花园、桂花园为主要景观。西部则是根据中国古典名著《红楼梦》作者曹雪芹的笔意，运用中国传统园林艺术手法建成的大型的仿古建筑群体。东部景区面积9公顷，古典建筑近800...
0平米，有大观楼、怡红院、潇湘馆、蘅芜苑等20多个建筑群。室内陈设华丽雅致，园内古树名木与朱柱粉墙相互衬托，兼有皇家林苑气派和江南园林秀丽风格，是国家AAAA级旅游区。大观园东部栽树木100公顷共34万株，另有“梅坞春浓”、“柳堤春晓”、“金雪飘香”、“群芳争艳”等景点。其中“梅坞春浓”是上海地区赏梅的最佳处。
Shanghai Travel and Tours Guide
Located at the center of the mainland's coastline, Shanghai has long been amajor hub of communications, transportation, and international exchange. Themunicipality covers an area of 6,341 square kilometers and has a population ofmore than 13.5 million. Shanghai is China's largest economic comprehensiveindustrial base, and a famous historical and cultural city.
The city consistently attracts investment and is seen as an ideal venue forbusiness gatherings. It is also a must on any agenda during a tour of China.Shanghai has fostered a comprehensive transportation network that incorporatesland, sea, and air travel, as well as a convenient urban transportationsystem.
More than 300 airlines serve the city, proving direct flights to more than20 countries and regions. The addition of the Shanghai Pudong InternationalAirport, which went into operation in 1999, is expected to increase the annualpassenger volume to some 20 million.
Special tourist trains running between Shanghai and the neighboringprovinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, as well as tourist bus routes alongnewly-constructed expressways, offer great convenience for regional travel.Shanghai has more than 400 travel agencies to assist visitors, and the 127star-rated hotels offer a total of 40, 000 guest rooms.
Visitors to Shanghai are not only dazzled by the modern metropolis andgateway to a developing China, but are also able to immerse themselves in theunique Shanghai culture, a combination of Chinese and Western elements.
Colorful festivals and celebrations dot the yearly Shanghai activitiescalendar, such as the Shanghai Nanhui Peach Blossoms Festival, ShanghaiInternational Tea Culture Festival and Shanghai China International ArtFestival.
Shanghai has also introduced special tour packages aimed at the differentinterests of visitors, such as bicycling tours, hiking tours, gourmet tours,rehabilitation and health care tours, study tours, Japanese young women's tours,honey moon tours, and convention and exhibition tours.
The Bund
The well-known Bund is a must for visitors to Shanghai. Fifty-two buildingslining the narrow shoreline of the Huangpu River offer a living exhibition ofGothic, Baroque, Roman, Classic Revival and Renaissance architectural styles, aswell as combinations of Chinese and Western styles. They are also a condensationof the recent history of the city.
The wide embankment offers ample room for strolling and is used by localsfor morning exercises and evening gatherings. In the evening, colorful lightsilluminate the area and create a shimmering image deserving of the name Pearl ofthe Orient.
The Yu Garden
The Yu Gardens are a classical landscape in the Southern Chinese style witha history of more than 400 years. Pavilions, halls, rockeries and ponds displaythe finest in landscaping from the Southern style as seen in the Ming and Qingdynasties. More than 40 landscapes were ingeniously separated by latticed walls,winding corridors, and lattice windows.
People's Square
People's Square has become the political and cultural center in Shanghaisince 1994, when it was rebuilt. In and around the square are a massive fountainnamed the Light of Huangpu River, 10,000 square meters of lawns, six groups ofrelief carvings that depict the history of Shanghai, the New Shanghai Museum,the offices of the municipal government, an underground shopping plaza, theShanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Exhibition Center
The Orient Pearl TV Tower
The Orient Pearl TV Tower is 468 meters high, the tallest in Asia and thirdtallest in the world. It faces the Bund across the Huangpu River. When viewedfrom the Bund, the tower and the Nanpu and Yangpu bridges create a vivid imageryknown as two dragons playing with a pearl.
The sphere at the top has a diameter of 45 meters and is 263 meters aboveground. The observation deck in the sphere offers a sweeping view of the city.The revolving restaurant is set at 267 meters above Pudong New Area.
The dance ball, piano bar and 20 karaoke rooms, at 271 meters, are alsoopened to the public. The penthouse, which sits at 350 meters, has anobservation deck, meeting room, and coffee shop. The tower integratesbroadcasting technologies with sightseeing, catering, shopping, amusement, andaccommodations. It has become the symbol of the city and a major touristattraction in Shanghai.
Cruise on the Huangpu River
Cruising on the Huangpu River, visitors can gaze at the mighty skyscrapers,the Monument Tower to the People's Heroes, the famous Waibaidu Bridge andHuangpu Park on one bank, and the Orient Pearl TV Tower, InternationalConvertion Center, Jin Mao Building and the newly rising Pudong New Area on theother.
The Yangpu and Nanpu bridges span the river. From the river, visitors canalso view the ruins of ancient cannon emplacements and fortifications at Wusongand the magnificent view of the Yangtze River as it empties into the sea.
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road East, honored as China's No. l Street, has become anall-weather pedestrian arcade. Shops and restaurants provide products andservices with their own characteristics, making it an ideal place thatintegrates shopping, restaurants, amusement and sightseeing.
Luxun Park
The museum and tomb are located in Lu Xun Park. LU Xun was an imminent manof letters. The museum exhibits Lu Xun's manuscripts, some of his personaleffects, document., and photos. The headstone at the Tomb of Lu Xun is in thecalligraphy of Vhio Zedong and reads The Tomb of Mr. Lu Xun.
Dr. Sun's Residence
Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the forerunner of the Chinese democratic revolution, andhis wilr Soong Ching Ling, lived in this building from 1918 to 1924. It was inthe residence that Dr. Sun Yat-sen met representatives of the Communist Partyand fostered the first cooperation between the Chinese Communist Party and theKuomintang.
Soong Ching Ling's Residence
This is the former residence of Soong Ching Ling. an honorary chairwoman ofthe People's Republic of China and the widow of Sun Yat-sen. She lived, worked,and studied here during the last years of her life.
Birthplace of the Communist Party of China.
In July of 1921, the First National Communist Party Congress was held inthis building. The congress passed the Party's program and resolutions, electedthe central committee, and declared the founding of the CPC.
Shanghai Library
The new Shanghai Library, which covers an area of some 80,000 squaremeters, has a collection of 13 million books and is considered one of the topten libraries in the world. The library incorporates the open-stacks approachfavored in the West, which allows for convenience in borrowing books.
Shanghai Grand Theater
Located in the northwestern corner of People's Square. the Shanghai GrandTheater covers 70,000 squat, meters. It is actually composed of three theaters.The theaters can accommodate performances of ballet opera, symphonies, chambermusic modern dramas, and musicals.
The theater also owns the largest, fully automatic stage in Asia. Thetheater has become a symbol of modern culture in Shanghai.
DuoLun Road
Cultural Celebrities' Street, located along Duolun Road and surroundingareas,is a living memorial to the modern cultural celebrities of Shang-hai andis also a condensation of modern culture. Such Chinese literary giants as LuXun, Mao Dun, Guo Moruo and Ye Shengtao lived and wrote here,making the road animportant feature in China's modern cultural history.
In addition, the famous Gongfei Cafe. Celebrities Mansion, the Shanghai ArtOpera Troupe, and Hai Shang Jiu Li also display the accumulated culturalatmosphere of Duolun Road today.