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As the most populated city in the most populated country in the world, Shanghai is well-known for dubious reasons. Bursting at the seams with a population of over twenty million people, this city is easily among the largest on the face of the planet. Like many port cities, the sheer enormity of Shanghai is only a recent development as, prior to the twentieth century, this hulking behemoth of a metropolis was simply a quaint fishing town at the mouth of the famed Yangtze River.

Around the time of the Communist takeover of China in the late 1940s, much capital was invested into Shanghai with the intent of making it the largest cargo port in the world. Thanks to the city's lucky positioning on the Yangtze and into the East China Sea, Shanghai fulfilled its destiny in 2005 and now is second to none in the world of shipping and cargo. As unbelievably crowded as Shanghai is, it still commands a rather large tourist industry thanks to its age and its collection of some of the most important and impressive historical landmarks ever erected. The City God Temple, for instance, is of great interest to worshipers and historians alike and its ornate decoration has set the standard by which all other temples are measured. The enormous Bund is also a huge draw and the Pudong skyline at night is a breathtaking example of Shanghai's rapid growth. Only a few cities around the world, like New York and London, can compare to the Pudong in terms of size and beauty. Features like these have helped Shanghai to be the shining centerpiece of communist China and the city is considered to have the fastest economic growth of any city on Earth. As a result, Shanghai is now considered to be the financial capital of the entire nation.

Shanghai isn't the best Chinese city to travel to if you're looking to move from tourist attraction to tourist attraction. Having only recently made their move toward modernity, Shanghai has does not yet have that tourist-oriented atmosphere. The beauty of visiting Shanghai, instead, is in its antiquity and originality. Shanghai is a blend of Eastern and Western cultures, its architecture being the dominant showcase of its diversity. While some Shanghai buildings are a monument to art deco, others retain a distinct imperialist flair. To experience Shanghai's imperial roots, a trip to Yu Yuan Gardens is absolutely necessary. For a taste of Shanghai's nightlife, the Bund is the place to go. In fact, the Bund and its surrounding areas are the most modern and busy sections of Shanghai, with a wealth of shopping, eating, and drinking options.

Nightlife

Shanghai's vibrant nightlife, in recent years, has begun to rival that of Hong Kong Island. Nanjing Lu is the busiest shopping street in Shanghai. Start your day at the beginning of the street with a trip to the Peace Hotel, known for its act deco interior. When you've finished traversing the department stores and markets, end the day at the end of Nanjing Lu with a trip to the Shanghai Museum, often called the best museum in China for its displays of Chinese art and artifacts. For antique-loving travelers, a trip to Dongtai Lu Antique Market is a must. This is the largest antique market in China, and the premiere place for finding treasures like old Buddha statues and Mah Jong sets. For eating and drinking adventures, visit Huaihai Lu for a varied blend of worldly cuisines and a drink at one of Shanghai's lively bars and nightclubs.

Sightseeing Attractions

While Shanghai is best reserved for exploring-oriented tourists and those who know how to find ways to entertain themselves, there are still attractions to appease those tourists who want to be shown a good time. Visitors can ride to the top of the Shanghai Pearl Tower, the tallest tower in Asia, for an amazing view of the city, enjoy a cup (or many cups) of tea in the Huxinting Tea House while listening to a Chinese orchestra or gazing upon the surrounding lake, or tour the Huangpu River on a ferry. For a more-traditional Chinese experience, take a trip to either Lknghua Temple or Jade Buddha Temple. Lknghua Temple is a longer trip from the city, but it's less crowded and more serene. In both temples, you can enjoy a vegetarian Buddhist meal.