Fast-paced and exciting, Shanghai is China’s largest city and biggest port. Here the majority of China’s trade and commerce is conducted. Although it is mainly the country’s financial capital, Shanghai has become a leading trendsetting city in Asia for fashion, design, culture and arts. With its own distinct blend of Eastern and Western traditions, and past and present cultures, Shanghai is definitely the place to visit.

Also located here is the former City Communist Party headquarters that is home to the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. At night the Bund provides a spectacular view of Shanghai. The best way to see the Bund is by boat trip along the Huangpu River. Boats sail regularly from the Shiliupu Pier south of the Bund down the Huangpu, to the mouth of the Yangtse. Recently a 646.7 meter (2,134 feet) sightseeing tunnel was opened through which visitors can experience an amazing underwater tour of the Bund.

The Jade Buddha Temple contains two beautiful white jade statues of the Buddha, one seated, and the other lying. Both these statues were brought from Burma in the early 20th century. Located at 170 Anyuan Lu, this temple also has many ancient paintings and Buddhist scriptures. Additionally housed here are more than 7,000 Dazang sutras kept in the Jade Buddha Tower. Both white jade Buddha statues are rare cultural relics. The sitting Buddha is 190 centimeters (6 feet) high and has agate and emeralds encrusted on it, while the lying Buddha is 96 centimeters (3 feet) long. The Jade Buddha Temple is a good place to visit and is a working temple for monks and locals.

Located west of the Huangpujiang River is the Longhua Pagoda and Longhua Temple, both of which are located in the Longhua Park. A famous attraction in Shanghai the Longhua Temple was first built in 242 AD and is the biggest and oldest temple in Shanghai. This temple has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The present temple was built during the Qing dynasty. In the temple there are many Buddhist scriptures, gold seals and Buddhist statues. The Longhua Pagoda stands opposite the Longhua Temple and was built early the 3rd century. The pagoda is octagonal and has and is seven stories tall. Built of wood and bricks, it is the only pagoda in Shanghai. Also located here is a venerable copper bell that is on a three-storey Bell Tower. The Evening Bell-Striking Ceremony on December 31st is regarded as one of the best attractions of Shanghai. In late spring, the peach blossoms in Longhua Park are in full bloom and a temple fair is held.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui. It is the world’s third tallest TV tower after the CN Tower and the Moscow TV Tower. With its unusual design, this tower is a unique Shanghai landmark. Its design gives the impression of an assortment of pearls falling onto an emerald plate of green grass. The Oriental Pearl Tower consists of three big columns, 9 meters (30 feet) in diameter, and is made up of a space module, an upper sphere, a lower sphere, five small spheres, a tower base and the square. In the tower, there is a double-decker elevator that can hold up to fifty people at once.

Atop the tower and in the various spheres and columns are a variety of places to visit. The inner tower is a recreational palace and at the tower's pedestal is the Shanghai Municipal History Museum. The large lower sphere has a futuristic space city and a marvelous sightseeing hall where visitors can see right up to the Yangtze River on a clear day. In the base of the tower is a fantastic science fantasy city. The five small spheres on the tower are a hotel and the pearl at the top of the tower contains shops, restaurants and a sightseeing floor.

The New Shanghai Museum is situated in the People’s Square. Surrounded by an underground shopping center called the City Hall, and the Grand Shanghai Theatre, this museum was built in 1952 and is one of the largest museums in China. Shaped like a bronze urn, the Shanghai Museum contains 123,000 cultural artifacts of historical significance. They include bronze ware, ceramics, calligraphy, art work and ancient sculptures. There are eleven special galleries and three exhibition halls in the museum such as the Ancient Chinese Bronze Gallery, the Ancient Chinese Sculpture Gallery, the Ancient Chinese Ceramics Gallery, the Zande Lou Ceramics Gallery, the Chinese Painting Gallery, the Chinese Calligraphy Gallery, the Chinese Seal Gallery, the Ancient Chinese Jade Gallery, the Chinese Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery and the Chinese Coin Gallery. Additionally the museum also has a tearoom, a restaurant, shops, a high-definition graphics hall, a library and a VIP garden.

The Yuyuan Garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty in 1559. It is an ideal example of a classic Chinese gardening with each pavilion, hall, rockery and stream in the garden perfectly positioned. Occupying an area of 5 acres, this garden is characterized by its exquisite architecture and landscaping and contains many pavilions, rockeries, ponds and a traditional theatre. Located on Yuyuan Street in downtown Shanghai, the name means "peace and health". Today there are more than 40 scenic spots throughout the garden including the Grand Rockery, the Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion, the Hall of Heralding Spring, the Hall of Jade Magnificence, the Inner Garden, and the Lotus Pool.

The People's Square is located in downtown Shanghai and was previously a race course. Also Located here are the Municipal City Hall, the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theater, No. l Subway People's Square stop, an underground shopping street and an underground transformer house (the largest in Asia). Often frequented by the locals, especially on weekends and holidays, the People’s Square has a 320 square-meter (1,056 sq. ft.) round fountain in the middle and a landscaped lawn. Near the western area of the square 1,000 pigeons are kept. Today this square is Shanghai’s political and cultural centre.

The Jinmao Building is tallest building in China and contains the tallest hotel in the world – The Grand Hyatt. Currently the third tallest structure in the world, this building offers a magnificent view of Shanghai. With its unusual architecture and gothic influence, this building was constructed around a Chinese pagoda theme and the lucky number eight. Inside the building there are various restaurants, food halls and bars. Plus there is a viewing platform up on the 88th floor with a superb view of the city.

Located in a suburb of Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is an ancient water town over 1,700 years old. Covering an area of 47 square kilometers (29 sq. mi.), this tiny town is situated amidst a landscape of lakes and mountains. Nicknamed the “Pearl Stream" this area is the best-preserved among the ancient towns in Shanghai. With its one-of-a-kind old bridges, small rivers and quaint, charming houses, Zhujiajaio is definitely worth the visit. You can visit the Fangsheng Bridge which was built in 1571. This bridge is the longest, largest and tallest stone bridge in the Shanghai region.