Where history and innovation converge
Shanghai is a city of contrasts. It evolved from a quiet fishing village into one of the world’s most dynamic metropolises. Its history stretches back over a millennium, with roots tracing to the Song Dynasty (10th–13th centuries), when it was little more than a small settlement near the Huangpu River. By the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), Shanghai had grown into a modest trading port, benefiting from its strategic location at the mouth of the Yangtze River.
The city’s fortunes transformed dramatically in the 19th century. Following China’s defeat in the First Opium War (1839–1842), the Treaty of Nanjing (1842) forced the Qing Dynasty to open Shanghai as a treaty port, granting foreign powers—including Britain, France, and the United States—concessions along the Bund. These colonial enclaves turned Shanghai into Asia’s foremost financial and trading hub, attracting merchants, bankers, and adventurers from around the world. The International Settlement and French Concession became thriving centers of commerce and culture, blending Eastern and Western influences in architecture, cuisine, and lifestyle.
The early 20th century saw Shanghai’s golden age as the “Paris of the East,” a city of jazz clubs, grand hotels, and revolutionary politics. Yet this era also witnessed turmoil—Japanese occupation during World War II, followed by civil war and the Communist victory in 1949. Under Mao’s rule, Shanghai’s global prominence waned, but its industrial base remained vital to China’s economy.
The city’s rebirth came with China’s economic reforms in the 1980s and 1990s. Designated as the spearhead of the nation’s modernization, Shanghai underwent a dramatic transformation. Pudong, once farmland, became a forest of skyscrapers, including the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and the record-breaking Shanghai Tower.
Today, Shanghai with its futuristic skyline, operates as China’s financial and technological heart, home to the world’s shipping hub, and at the same time retaining it’s deep cultural roots. Visitors can wander through the Ming Dynasty-era Yu Garden, explore the ancient water towns on the city’s outskirts, or savor traditional Shanghainese dishes like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and shengjianbao (pan-fried buns). The Bund is a busy waterway, fascinating to watch, while the former French Concession’s tree-lined streets offer a particular charm. Culture both contemporary and classical is available in a wide range of museums.
Shanghai has an extensive and cheap metro network, with most trains coming every 3 minutes. Taxis are inexpensive - a 30 minute ride is generally around $10. The fast trains to other cities are reasonable - for instance, to Hangzhou the ticket price is around $40.
There is a beautifully maintained 27km cycle path along the Bund. You can hire a quality bike from: No.1888, Puming Road No.27A, Pudong.
The Shanghai Circus is on every night, and is a fun show of traditional skills.
The area of the French Concession is great to visit, with a bit of a Paris feel to the buildings, leafy streets, and funky shops.
There are many excellent museums (you need to book ahead for the Shanghai Museum).
Yu Gardens is worth a visit - browse the old style shops, and the gardens themselves are very beautiful (close at 4pm).
It is fun to go to one of the many Chinese massage places, and for a low price, get a great foot, head, or body massage (clothes on).
There are many large parks, and these are great to hang out in, watch people play badminton, happysac, draw calligraphy with water on the ground, or practice tai chi.
Only an hour by fast train away are the delightful cities of Hangzhou with its dreamy West Lake, and Suzhou, with its many famous and ancient hanging gardens. At a pinch you could go for a day trip, but well worth spending 2-3 days in each place
The water towns are a great experience - well preserved old towns built on the waterways. There are several close to Shanghai (30 minutes by taxi).