Shanghai is a city with a fascinating past, a thrilling future and a present that combines the two in a way that few other world-class cities can.

From the space-inspired architecture of recent buildings such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower to the city's unique 'shikumen' (stone gateway) communities and some of the world's finest remaining examples of Art Deco architecture, the physical city sets the tone for this amazing metropolis of contrasts.

Alongside centuries-old historic temples you'll find dazzling shopping malls with enormous wall-screen digital displays hawking the very latest in fashion and electronics.

Lining the western shore of the city's central watercourse, the Huangpu River, is the Bund - a row of magnificent buildings dating from Shanghai's International Settlement era – a time when the city was China's 'window to the west'.

In the early part of the 20th century, Shanghai was truly in full swing - a cosmopolitan trading port that included among its visitors Charlie Chaplin, P.G. Wodehouse, Christopher Isherwood and other such film and literary luminaries – all attracted by Shanghai's reputation as the excitement capital of the East.

Today, it's as an economic powerhouse that Shanghai's making its name. It has regained its place as perhaps China's most forward-looking city and offers travelers an experience unlike any other.

Attractions
The Shanghai area has a wide variety of places and activities to explore, from walks along the leafy avenues of the city's former French Concession to lavish shopping options and unique museum experiences:

Four of the 'must-see' items on many visitors' lists include The Bund, the Old Town, the Shanghai Museum and a Huangpu River Cruise.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower
2 Lane 504 Lujiazui Road, Pu Dong District
Shanghai, China
Phone: +86 (0)21 5879 1888
About 470 meters high, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is one of the highest towers in Asia and visitors may take an elevator to its peak for great views of the city. Admission is CNY70.

Nan Jing Road Pedestrian Shopping Area
Nan Jing Road
Shanghai, China
Pedestrian only in the sense that cars are barred from the area, Nan Jing Road is one of the two major commercial streets of Shanghai. Lined with more than 600 shops and department stores, it's often referred to as the 'First Street of China'.

Huangpu River Cruise
One of the best ways to see Shanghai - both old and new. Sail the river towards the East China Sea and take in the full sweep of The Bund and the 21st century cityscape of Pudong. A night cruises gives the added excitement of the spectacular shoreline lighting, but cruises can be enjoyed all day.

Equally, the ultra-modern Yangpu Bridge is in contrast with the river's traditional barge and ferry traffic. Cruises depart from The Bund waterfront hourly from 10am to 9pm. Duration - from 1 to 3 hours.

Bird and Flower Market
Jiangyin Road, off Huangpi Bei Road between Nanjing Road and Weihai Road
Shanghai, China
In addition to an array of rare fish and birds, there are also many lovely orchids and bonsai trees to examine. Open every day from 9am - nightfall.

People's Square (Renmin Guang Chang)
Renmin Boulevard, Pu Xi
Shanghai, China
Surrounded by many government buildings, People's Square park is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. It features a 320-square-meter water fountain and an underground shopping mall.

Great World Entertainment Center
1 Xi Zang South Road, Pu Xi
Shanghai, China
Phone: +86 (0)21 6374 6703
One of the oldest entertainment establishments within the city, today it presents folk dancing and acrobatic performances for the benefit of visitors.

Yu Gardens and Old City
132 An Ren Road, Pu Xi
Shanghai, China
Phone: +86 (0)21 6326 0830
Created 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty, the beautiful gardens feature a unique zig-zag bridge across a waterway teeming with fish. The immediate vicinity of the gardens (the Old City) is also a favorite area for souvenir and gift purchases.

Memorial Hall of the Site of First National Congress of Communist Party of China
374 Huang Pi Nan Road
Shanghai, China
Phone: +86 (0)21 5383 2171
The site of the 1921 first-ever congress of the Chinese Communist Party. It was turned into a memorial hall in 1952 and one its main attractions is a realistic wax figure of Chairman Mao Ze Dong in conference.

Huai Hai Road Shopping District
Huai Hai Road
Shanghai, China
This six kilometer-long road was named in remembrance of the Battle of Huai Hai fought during China's War of Liberation. It offers more than 400 shops and restaurants – among them some of the biggest names in world-wide fashion.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Former Residence & Memorial Hall
7 Xian Shan Road, Pu Xi
Shanghai, China
Phone: +86 (0)21 6437 2954
The former home of the founder of modern post-imperial China, Doctor Sun Yat-sen and his wife houses an impressive photo collection and gives an accurate picture of the home life of China's first commoner statesman.

Customs House
13 The Bund (Zhongshan Dong Yi Road)
Shanghai, China
This grand customs headquarters was built during the International Settlement era to regulate trade through the treaty port. It has a charming old clock tower to admire and adjoins the many impressive edifices along the Bund.

Shanghai Museum
People's Square (Renmin Guang Chang)
Shanghai, China
With 120,000 artefacts, many of which are of a style unique to this museum, the Shanghai Museum focuses on the arts and crafts of China's past millennia. Especially interesting are the bronzes and ceramics from virtually every era.

Shanghai Art Museum
325 Nanjing Xi Rd
Shanghai, China
The former Shanghai Racecourse Jockey Club, this museum has twelve exhibition halls on five floors, displaying modern and traditional fine art.

Shanghai Municipal History Museum
2 Lujiazui Road
Shanghai, China
Phone: 021/5879-3003
Located in the basement of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Pudong, the museum deals with the history of Shanghai. It particularly deals with the International Settlement period from 1860 to 1949.
Entry is ¥35 (US$4.25).

Shanghai Museum of Public Security
2-4F, 518 Rui Jin South Road
Shanghai, China
Phone: +86 (0)21 6483 3488
Covering three floors with more than 70,000 exhibits, including weaponry and other artefacts of the city's criminal history.

Nightlife
In keeping with its image as the mainland's most 'international' city, Shanghai features almost every type of night-time entertainment enjoyed in the west. The city's bars, concert halls, nightclubs, discos, live music venues and karaoke clubs surge with crowds nightly until (and often after) the nominal 2am closing time.

Drink prices can range from quite expensive in 'expatriate' venues to minimal in some of the more obscure bars favored by locals.

Weather
Shanghai's climate is similar to the United States' southeastern coast, albeit with a hotter summer.

In spring (mid-March to mid-May), expect mild weather with rain. Summer in Shanghai (mid-May to mid-September), is hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees celcius (104 deg. F). Winter (mid-November to mid-March), is chilly, but snowfalls are rare. Fall (between September and October), is perhaps the most comfortable season for visitors, without extreme heat or rain.

Transport
For non-Chinese speaking/reading visitors, the Shanghai bus system may be a little too daunting - all timetables, bus route maps and destination signage are only available in Chinese characters - but taxis in Shanghai are relatively inexpensive and plentiful. The city's underground and light rail system is extensive, cheap and well signposted in pin yin (Romanized Chinese) for place names and exit directions.