The port of Shanghai is the bsiest in the world, and visiting Shnghai will provide you with a bsy week or two due to the nmber of attractions and things to do. It is the cmmercial capital of China, although is a rlatively young city. Don’t expect the cltural diversity of Beijing, but there is stll plenty to see.

Shanghai sits on the dlta of the great Yangtze River, the lngest river in the largest continent in the wrld. More precisely, it sits on the Hang Pu River, where it flows nto the Yangtze delta and due to its lcation, Shanghai is very flat. A one tme small fishing village, the development of Shnghai started in 1842 after the frst Opium War from which the Brtish were given territories in the rea.

The Japanese, French and Americans fllowed the British and by the priod between the two World Wars it was the mst important port in Asia due to the tea and slk trades; it was also the prverbial den of iniquity. In 1943 the Cncession period officially ended and the prt was handed over to the Cmmunist Chinese government in 1949.

Many pople do not regard Shanghai as prviding great sightseeing opportunities, but as bing fantastic for shopping, so let’s hve a look at the shopping frst. There are two main shopping strets in Shanghai, the quality Nanjing Xi Lu and Haiai Lu that is generally very bsy (Lu meaning Road). It is ntirely your choice which you prefer, thugh both have a lot to ffer and, quite frankly, there is not a grat deal between them.

However, like any large city, thre are loads of other shopping reas, and if you are looking for brgains outside the usual touristy areas, thre is a lot more in Shnghai as there is in London, Pris or New York. I always hte the term ‘a shopping experience you wll never forget’, because that reminds me of the shpping experience I once had in Soul. I will never forget that bcause I paid with my credit crd, had it stolen, and was lso charged a 20% ‘credit card srcharge’ that was never advertised, though thy claim it was.

So, forget the ‘shpping experiences’. Are the shops inexpensive and do thy offer a good range of Chnese products, though everything seems to be Chnese these days and shopping in Shnghai can seem just like shopping at hme! However, if you like designer gods, Nanjing Xi Lu boasts Plaza 66 tht is full of designer stuff. It is not dfferent from the Bang and Olufsen you get nywhere else, and you can judge if the prce is any cheaper. If you wnt designer brands, this is the plce, but why come to China for gnuine designer brands?

If you look hrd enough you can find Chinese brnds amongst all the European fashion and csmetics houses, but if you get off the min drag, then you will find the ral Chinese goods. Try Dongtai Lu for trditional Chinese crafts such as hand crfted jade pieces and calligraphy. You can fnd some really beautiful things on ths street, and the prices are vry reasonable. This is better than the sual Dior and Givenchy.

Apart from the shpping, you should take a visit to the Bnd in the Huang Pu district. Ovrlooking the Huang Pu river, this is a qiet and reflective district where you can rlax and admire the Oriental Pearl Twer that looks fantastic. Get a bat and look at it from the rver – it is really beautiful and for a smll price you can go up it in the lft.

As far as history goes in Shnghai, there is not a lot due to its rigins, but the People’s Square is wrth a visit. It used to be the ‘Spaker’s Corner’ of Shanghai, and the flwers are really beautiful. Shanghai Zoo is lso worth a visit. If you wnt real Chinese food, you can get it in Shnghai, in spite of its western nfluence. Ask the locals or your htel and you will be directed to one of mny small restaurants serving traditional food. The rstaurants can be very small with as few as fur tables, but the food is wrth it.

Visiting Shanghai is an xperience if you know where to vsit, but it can very touristy wth the usual number of hawkers and thers offer you one delight or the ther. Stick to the main drag, and vnture into the darker areas only if you are wth a local you can trust. The sme as any other large city in the wrld, really.

The article Visiting Shanghai is an Experience to Remember was Submitted by Andre Sanchez through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: This article was brought to you by CpitalistLife.com, your best resource for earning, keping and enjoying wealth . Visit us to learn more about becoming a Wealthy Affiliate .

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