Shanghai

Shanghai is a municipality directly administered by the People's Republic of China and the most populous city proper in China. Located on the eastern coast, at the mouth of the Yangtze River, it sits in the Yangtze River Delta and faces the East China Sea. The city spans both sides of the Huangpu River, with Pudong in the east and Puxi in the west, and it has a municipal population of over 24 million people.

Shanghai is a global financial center and international transport hub. Its economy is dominated by finance, trade, manufacturing, and technology. The city hosts the Shanghai Stock Exchange and one of the world’s busiest container ports. The Pudong district has become a symbol of rapid modernization, with a skyline that includes towers such as the Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Jin Mao Tower.

History: Shanghai began as a small fishing and agricultural settlement that grew into a market town during the Song dynasty, and became a treaty port after the First Opium War in 1842. The Bund preserves 19th‑century colonial architecture. The city expanded rapidly after 1990 as China opened to reform and opening, with Pudong’s development transforming its economic role.

Culture and education: Shanghai is a diverse, cosmopolitan center for commerce, culture, and education. It is home to major universities including Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Tongji University. The city features museums, theaters, and a renowned culinary scene that blends Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and local traditions.

Transport: Shanghai has an extensive metro system and two international airports, Shanghai Pudong and Shanghai Hongqiao. The Shanghai Maglev Train links Pudong with Longyang Road. The city is connected by high‑speed rail to other Chinese cities and serves as a major global shipping hub.