Shanghai Guide

Shanghai in the center of China's eastern coastline is one of China's cultural centers and has a long history as a trading port and gateway for foreigners entering China. It is the gateway to the Yangtze River delta. It is a municipality under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government and the largest economic and trade center in China.

Best Time to Visit 

The best times to visit Shanghai are in spring or autumn. The city has a subtropical maritime monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons. Generally, the warm spring and cool autumn are the more comfortable seasons. While summer and winter are far less pleasant. Overall, Shanghai enjoys a mild and moist climate.

Cuisine 

Shanghai Cuisine is not one of the Eight Major Cuisines of China but is a choice blend of the most appealing aspects of these other national styles of food.

Shopping 

Shanghai is one of the most prosperous cities in the world. Anything you can imagine is available for purchase.  The main shopping streets, Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road offer so many international brand-names; If fashion is not your interest, try one of Shanghai's numerous flea markets. Beneath Shanghai's magnificent shopping malls, department stores and boutiques, flourish numerous flee markets. The outdoor bazaar at Yuyuan Garden sells various souvenirs, arts and crafts; the Cultural Street Market on Fuzhou Road, the Antique Street Market on Dongtai Road and Clothes street market on Shimen Road are traditional Chinese open-air markets. You can have a unique shopping experience and a taste of old Shanghai.



Entertainment 

Known more for entertainment than the arts, Shanghai is doing its best to live up to its old reputation as the home of China's liveliest nightlife while also upping the ante in the cultural game. On the latter count, it will be a while before Shanghai catches up with Beijing, but when it comes to nightlife the city by the sea is hard to beat.

Transportation 

Shanghai is a busy regional transport hub, and is thus very easily reached by air, land and sea. Its two international airports of Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) are modern and convenient. Pudong International Airport now mainly handles international flights, while Hongqiao mainly handles domestic flights. Shuttle buses connect both airports to the city and beyond, while passengers arriving at Pudong International Airport can very quickly connect to the city's Metro system via the Maglev Demonstration Line.