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 Arguably the biggest city in the biggest country on the
planet, Shanghai has emerged from a colorful colonial past into being
one of the world’s great modern capitals. It is China’s capital of
commerce, industry and finance and is the one city that best shows the
progress China has made in the last hundred years or so.
For many years in the past, Shanghai has been the playground of foreign
adventurers. In the romantic days of the 1930s, many Europeans,
especially the French decided to stay in Shanghai, building many large
neighborhoods of foreign architecture.
The foreign legacy gave Shanghai its dramatic character, very visible in
the facades of its buildings. The whole city is a veritable testament to
the best East meets the West in China.
Today, these large foreign inspired neighborhoods make for wonderful
strolls. Shanghai's great river of commerce, the Huangpu, a
tributary of the mighty Yangzi River, is lined with rows of
colonial architecture, known as the Bund. Most of these homes, grander
than any other in the East, have been recently refurbished and open to
the curious visitor.
The mansions, garden estates, country clubs, and cathedrals of the
foreigners who made their fortunes in Shanghai over a century ago are
scattered throughout the city. There is even a synagogue, dating from
the days of an influx of Jewish immigrants to China.
Attractions in Shanghai:
The Bund
 One of the city’s main attractions, the Bund is the classic image of
Shanghai. Stretched along the western side of the Huangpu river, the
bund’s majestic buildings date back to Shanghai's grandest days.
Many banks and financial companies built impressive offices here in the
early 20th century when Shanghai was the financial capital of Asia.
The city side of The Bund is packed with classic architecture. Buildings
to look out for include, the old Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, the
Customs House and its landmark clock, the Bank of China and the Peace
Hotel.
The Peace Hotel epitomizes the foreign legacy in the city. The 1929
creation of a Jewish millionaire, the hotel today is a masterpiece of
Art Deco.
River Towns of Zhujiajiao and Zhoushi
 The ancient river towns of Zhujiajiao and Zhoushi are filled with every
type of bridge imaginable, from wood to stone to marble, in differing
sizes and unique styles. This is due to the fact that the two towns are
built on top of the crisscrossing waterways that run from Dianshan Lake.
The two towns are also knownto have the simple but elegant architecture
from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).
Duolun Road
 Duolun Road is a quiet reminder of the past showing attractive examples
of the fusion of Chinese and International architectural styles. A
former American business area, Duolun Road is located in the Hongkou
District.
Today the road is home to a wide selection of art and antique shops as
well as the more usual souvenir stalls selling Chinese curios and
collectibles.
Former Residence of Song Qingling
 Song Qingling, (1893-1981) was wife of Dr Sun Yatsen, founder of the
Republic of China and one of the famous "Soong Sisters". She has been
described as one of China’s outstanding women of the 20th century and
was a great advocate of civil rights, democracy and freedom from
aggression. She has also been Honorary Chairman of the People's Republic
of China.
All the interior furnishings in Song's former home, which could be found
along Beiheyan-Street, are as they were in her lifetime. Visitors can
visit the living room where Song held meetings with Mao Zedong and Zhou
Enlai. In the front annex, you can read her correspondence with famous
leaders as Jawaharlal Nehru and Joseph Stalin, as well as personal
family letters.
Former Residence of Sun Yatsen
 Considered to be the father of modern China, Sun Yatsen, lived in this 2
story house in the French Concession from 1919-1924. His wife Song
Qingling continued to live here after Sun’s death until 1937. All the
furnishings were arranged by Song Qingling the way she remembered and
most of the objects are original.
It was here, in the summer of 1922 onwards that Dr. Sun Yatsen met with
Li Dazhao, Lin Boqu and other representatives of the Chinese Communist
Party to discuss Kuomintang-Communist cooperation that led to the first
alliance between the 2 parties.
Former Residence of Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai was premier of the Central Communist Party from 1949 until
his death in 1976 and was one of the most revered Communist leaders. The
former residence is a wonderful 3 story building located in the former
French Concession.
French Concession
 Founded in 1862 in southwest Shanghai as a result of the Treaty of
Nanking, the French Concession is a nice mix of wide tree lined avenues
and interesting European style architecture. It now covers the Luwan and
Xuhui districts.
The foreign diplomatic quarter, top hotels, great shopping and
international restaurants and bars are all found in the art deco
buildings that fill the area. The former residences of Sun Yatsen, Song
Qingling and Zhou Enlai are also to be found here.
Grand View Garden
 The Grand View Garden is located by Dianshan Lake in Qingpu County. It
was inspired by the gardens described by Qing dynasty writer Hung
Loumeng (1644-1911) in his classic novel Dream of the Red Chambers.
The garden is a good mix between the simple elegance of Southern Chinese
landscaping and the magnificence of the royal residences. Many
structures in the garden were also designed after the residences of the
main characters of Loumeng’s novel.
Huangpu River Cruise
 For a totally relaxing way to see both old and new Shanghai, the Huangpu
River Cruise at the Bund waterfront is ideal. As the cruise sails down
the river towards the East Sea, visitors are treated to a full sweep of
the Bund and the modern cityscape of Pudong.
For the most dramatic views of Shanghai, tourists may take the night
cruises, but cruises can be enjoyed all day. The cruises available vary
in length between 1 to 3 hours. They depart from the waterfront every
hour from 10am to 9pm.
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