Shanghai
(part 1)

One of four municipalities, along with
Bei-jing, Tian-jin and Chong-qing.
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Orientation of Shanghai

Situated on the banks of Huang-pu and 27km from the outlet of Yang-tze River. The river is about 200 yards wide, 27 feet deep and is navigable all year round.

We received numerous queries from viewers about Shanghai City. We hope the following information will help before journeying out.

Have a nice stay!

Index

History

1) AD 960 to 1280 - Song Dynasty
First recorded settlement in this area.

2) 1280 to 1368 - Yuan Dynasty
Gradually developed.

3) 17^th to 18^th century
An important Cotton processing center.

4) 1842 - Ching Dynasty
After the Treaty of Nan-Jing, some area of Shanghai ceded to British, followed by American and European, forming the "foreign Concessions", all having their own laws, police, trading companies and banks within their designated boundaries, without intervention by the Ching Government.

5) 1937 to 1945 - Sino-Japanese War
Shanghai was occupied by the invaders.

6) After 1945
Civil war broke out between the Nationalists and Communists.

7) 1949
Peoples Republic of China united the whole country, took over control and all private property and businesses was brought under state control.

Introduction

One's first impression of Shanghai is of a modern, vibrant, wealthy, international city. The many new hotel and office buildings contrast with the streets of old buildings housing restaurants, teahouses, shops and private residences. Perhaps the most striking impression is that, because of the speed of development, one will be greeted by new views.

The world-renowned Bund is virtually unchanged and instantly recognizable from old photographs (see the Good-old shanghai section), particularly the former Maritime Customs House, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and the Jardine Matheson building. When the communists took control of Shanghai the buildings were requisitioned for government use, but many have now been leased back to foreign companies. Around the corner, in Nan-jing Lu (formerly known as Nanking Road) is the Peace Hotel, previously the Cathay Hotel, where a jazz band still plays in the afternoon.

The many temples and gardens throughout the city, which were allowed to decay and, in some cases were deliberately destroyed, during the Cultural Revolution, have been restored to their former glory to attract tourists from both inside and outside China.

Much of the development has taken place in Pu Dong, on the opposite side of the river from the Bund. Most prominent is the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which one really needs to view both by day and by night to appreciate the real beauty of the building. A trip to one of the upper observation platforms affords one a view across the length and breadth of the city.

If visiting China this city is a must on your itinerary.

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Shanghai (before 1949)

The Bund

The Bund

Su-chow River

Around Sing-wong-miu (temple)

City-map Metro-map

1) Pu-dong Airport

Situated on the south-eastern side of Shanghai, 55km from the City center, 45 to 60 minutes by air-port shuttle to the Center.

Newly constructed Magnetic Train connected to the city.

2) Hung-kiu Airport

Located on the eastern side of the city, 12 km to the city-center, 6km to the no 2 metro line Chiu-ja-wei (take taxi to this station)

By Bus – 30 minutes to the center.

Shanghai (part 2)