Shanghai is the largest city in China with an area of 6.100 square kilometers. A world metropolis and trade port with various industrial lines developed, it has wide economic contacts with more than 150 countries. Historically, the city was under the jurisdiction of the state of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period, known as "Huating", the lower reaches of the Wu city were merely a vast expanse of water, hence the name Huhai (simply Hu, meaning "a fishing device made of ropes and bamboo used at the outlet of the sea" in Chinese). During the Tianbao years of the Tang. there was built the Qinglong Town Port in present-day Qingpu County, Shanghai. In the Yuan (1271-1368), Shanghai County was established and when it came to the Ming (1368-1644), Shanghai became the country's cotton spinning centre. During the reign of Emperor Kang Xi ( 1662-1722) or (1644-1911), the Shanghai Customs was established and a prosperous Shanghai was developed, with numerous merchants and various si /es of seagoing vessels from China and abroad.
Major tourist attractions in Shanghai include the Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple - the Temple of Confucius, Songjiang Square Pagoda - site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Former Residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, Old house of Premier Zhou Enlai, Residence of Lu Xun, Song Qing Ling Mausoleum, Ancient Ripple Garden, Winding Water Garden, Longhua Tourist Area, Dianshanhu Tourist Area, Jinjiang Playground, etc.
To develop its tourism, Shanghai has several scores of world class hotels such as the Jinjiang Hotel, International Hotel, Overseas Chinese Hotel, Hengshan Hotel, Shanghai Hotel, Hongqiao Guest House, Shanghai Mansion and Peace Hotel, with top-grade service provided. Taxies can be found at each hotel. World airliners from Shanghai fly to dozens of countries, including the United States, Japan and countries in Europe. Travel by air or train from Shanghai to other Chinese cities is convenient. Jade carving, ivory carving, woolen embroideries and other arts and crafts by Shanghai are world famous.
The Bund at Night
The picturesque Bund, extending for 1.5 km on the shore of the Huangpu River, is an emblem of Shanghai. A total of 52 tall buildings of various heights tower over the river along the western side of the Bund provides a captivating view of Shanghai. When lights are turned on between 19:00 and 21:00p.m., the Bund has the best nocturnal scene to offer.
Temple of Jade Buddha
The Yufo (Jade Buddha) Temple was built in 1882 but after all those years it remains in perfect condition as a sanctuary of Zen Buddhism. The temple derived its name from a jade statue of Sakyamuni from Myanmar. The image of the Buddha, his graceful posture, and the serene and calm look on his face are, to put it just in one word, mesmerizing.
Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar
The Yuyuan Garden on the road of the same name in downtown is perhaps the best example of classical gardens of Shanghai. Built in 1559, or the 38th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Ming, the garden is laid out in an intricate manner, with buildings spaced providently and courtyards mutually containing, and all the components of the complex are cunningly grouped to camouflage a rather cramped space. As a paragon of the south Chinese landscaping style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is a MUST for all visitors to Shanghai. The neighbouring Yuyuan Bazaar, known among old-timers as “Old City God's Temple Market”, is a rising tourist and shopping centre where visitors loitering among a cluster of shops, restaurants and recreation facilities in variably find themselves making a tour of discovery of local folklore and Ming and Qing architecture.