Shanghai, China

Here is a brief history of Shanghai:

• Shanghai was a small fishing village for most of its history. It grew into a major port city starting in the mid-19th century.

• In the 1840s, Shanghai was opened up to foreign trade and became a treaty port. This led to rapid growth and modernization. Many Westerners settled in Shanghai, and it became a cosmopolitan city.

• In the early 20th century, Shanghai emerged as a major financial and industrial center of China. It was a hub for trade, finance, and culture. Many Chinese and foreign businesses were headquartered in Shanghai.

• In the 1930s and 1940s, Shanghai was occupied by Japan. After WWII, the Chinese Civil War led to the Communist victory in Shanghai in 1949.

• Under Mao, Shanghai’s economy declined. But in the 1970s, China‘s economic reforms began in Shanghai, turning it into a center of trade and finance again.

• In the 1980s and 1990s, Shanghai experienced huge growth and modernization. It hosted the World Expo in 2010 and became a global financial hub.

• Today, Shanghai is China‘s largest city as well as its main commercial, financial, and cultural center. It is a global city with a modern skyline, advanced infrastructure, and a thriving economy.

Here are the top tourist attractions to visit in Shanghai:

1. The Bund (外滩): Shanghai’s famous waterfront promenade lined with historic buildings. Admission is free. Open 24 hours. 

2. Yu Garden (豫园): A classical Chinese garden located in the old city. Admission ticket is 80 CNY. Open 8am-5:30pm. Website: https://www.yugarden.com.cn

3. Shanghai Tower (上海中心): The tallest building in China at 632 meters high with an observatory on the 119th floor. Admission ticket is 400 CNY. Open 9am-11pm. Website: https://www.shanghaitower.com.cn

4. Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆): A world-class museum housing a vast collection of artifacts, paintings, calligraphy, bronzes, and more. Permanent collection admission is free. Open 9am-5pm. Website: 上海博物馆 (shanghaimuseum.net)

5. The Shanghai Tower (上海中心): A modern skyscraper with an indoor skywalk and observatory. Admission ticket is 400 CNY. Open 9am-11pm. Website: https://www.shanghaitower.com.cn

6. Xintiandi (新天地): A popular shopping and dining destination in the former French Concession. Admission is free. Most shops and restaurants open 10am-10pm. Website: https://www.xintiandi.com

7. Jade Buddha Temple (玉佛宫): A Buddhist temple housing a jade statue of Siddhartha Gautama. Admission ticket is 20 CNY. Open 9am-4:30pm. Website: 上海玉佛禅寺 (yufotemple.com)

8. Shanghai Disneyland Park (上海迪士尼乐园): China’s only Disney theme park featuring Disney characters, rides, shows, parades and fireworks. 1-Day Ticket starts at 449 CNY. Hours vary by season. Website: https://www.shanghai.disneyresort.com.cn

WeChat is a widely used payment app throughout China.

The currency used in Shanghai, China is the Chinese Yuan (CNY). Some key facts about the Chinese Yuan:

• The Yuan is the official currency of the People’s Republic of China. It is also known as Renminbi (RMB).

• The Yuan is subdivided into 10 Jiao, and 10 Jiao are subdivided into 1 Fen.

• The Yuan is not freely convertible and is controlled by the Chinese government. The exchange rate is fixed by the People‘s Bank of China.

• Coins come in denominations of 1 Jiao, 2 Jiao, 5 Jiao, 1 Yuan, 2 Yuan, 5 Yuan, and 10 Yuan.

•Banknotes come in denominations of 20 Yuan, 50 Yuan, 100 Yuan, 200 Yuan, 500 Yuan, 1000 Yuan, 2000 Yuan, and 5000 Yuan.

The main airports serving Shanghai are:

• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): This is Shanghai‘s largest airport and main international gateway. It is located on the eastern side of the city. Website: www.shanghaiairport.com

• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA): This airport handles most domestic flights as well as some regional international flights. It is located on the western side of the city center. Website: www.shanghaiairport.com

Here are the main types of local transportation in Shanghai:

• Shanghai Metro – Shanghai has a vast metro system with 14 lines that cover most of the city. It is fast, frequent and affordable. Fares range from 3 to 12 yuan depending on the distance. Website: Shanghai Shenlong Bus Co., Ltd. – Homepage (global-trade-center.com)

• Buses – Shanghai has an extensive bus network with over 3,000 routes covering the entire city. Fares are 2 yuan for most routes. Website: Shanghai Shenlong Bus Co., Ltd. – Homepage (global-trade-center.com)

• Ferries – There are ferry services that run along the Huangpu River and to nearby islands like Chongming Island. Fares range from 2 to 12 yuan. Website: DiDi Bike- DiDi official website (didiglobal.com)

• Taxis – Taxis are readily available in Shanghai but can be expensive, especially during peak hours. Fares start at 13 yuan for the first 3 km and then 2.4 yuan per km.

• Bike Sharing – Shanghai has a popular bike sharing system with over 10,000 stations across the city. The first 30 minutes of riding costs 1 yuan and then 0.4 yuan per minute. Website: DiDi Bike- DiDi official website (didiglobal.com)

• Ride-hailing – Services like Didi Chuxing, Meituan Maotai and Shouqi Che provide ride-hailing options like cars, motorcycles and shared rides. Fares vary depending on the vehicle type and demand but are often cheaper than taxis.

• Private Cars – Driving and parking in Shanghai can be challenging due to traffic and limited parking spaces. Many residents rely on public transit and ride-hailing instead of private vehicles.

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Here are some popular day trips from Shanghai:

•Hangzhou (about 2 hours by train): Known for the beautiful West Lake and surrounding gardens. Many day tours and cruises available. Distance: 124 km (77 miles) by train. Cost: Day trip tours start around $100–150 USD. Train tickets are $25-50 USD roundtrip. 

•Suzhou (about 2 hours by train): Known as the “Venice of China” with many classical gardens and canals. Distance: 86 km (53 miles) by train. Cost: Day trip tours start around $120-170 USD. Train tickets are $25-50 USD roundtrip. 

•Nanjing (about 3 hours by train): Home to Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, and Ming Dynasty palace. Distance: 340 km (211 miles) by train. Cost: Day trip tours start around $150-220 USD. Train tickets are $50-100 USD roundtrip. 

•Qingdao (about 5 hours by train): Seaside city with German architecture, beaches, and Tsingtao beer museum. Distance: 825 km (511 miles) by train. Cost: Day trip tours start around $200-300 USD. Train tickets are $100-200 USD roundtrip.