Shanghai Facts
Name: Shanghai (上海; Shànghǎi (/shang-hi/)
Meaning: "On the sea"
Previous names: Songhu, Huating
Features
- China's largest city
- The finance and cultural center
- Downtown nightlife and night lights
- Former International Settlement attractions
Main Attractions
- Modern: The Bund, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Pudong Financial District, Xintiandi, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jinmao Tower, Huangpu River Night Cruise, Shanghai Grand Theater, Maglev Train
- Ancient: Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple, City God Temple, Shanghai Old Street, Jing'an Temple, Qibao Town, Longhua Pagoda and Temple, Fengjing Ancient Town, Zhujiajiao Water Town
- Museums: Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, Shanghai Municipal History Museum, Shanghai Museum of Pen and Ink, Shanghai Martial Arts Museum, Shanghai Post Office Museum
- Amusement: Shanghai Happy Valley, Jinjiang Amusement Park, Shanghai Circus World
Most Popular Souvenirs and Local Products
Silk, Antiques, Porcelain, Silverware, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy
History
A major ocean port city on the Yangtze River
- 1074 Status of Shanghai upgraded from a village to a market town
- 1735 Shanghai became the foremost trade port on the Yangtze River
- 1843 Shanghai became a foreign treaty concession
- 1854 British-controlled Shanghai Municipal Council founded
- 1937 Japanese army occupies most of Shanghai
- 1991 Economic reforms began to revitalize Shanghai
- 2010 Shanghai World Expo
Geography
- Significance of city: China's largest city, financial and business center, cultural center, center for Yangtze River Basin and international shipping, world's biggest container port
- Nearby cities: Hangzhou (165 km/102 mi), Ningbo (151 km/94 mi), Suzhou (120 km/75 mi), Nanjing (270 km/168 mi)
- Municipality terrain: Yangtze River Delta, Huangpu River and East China Sea; mostly flat alluvial plain
- Average altitude: 4.5 (13 feet)
- Main rivers: Yangtze River, Huangpu River
Location Information
- Municipality location: 30.42N to 31.52N, 120.52E to 121.58E, East China
- Municipality Population: 23,000,000
- Municipality Area: 6,218 sq km (2,401 sq mi)
- Core districts and inner suburbs area: 3,000 sq km (1,860 sq mi)
- City proper population: 7,000,000
- City proper population density: 24,100/sq km (63,000/sq mi)
- North to south distance (including suburbs): 75 km (47 mi)
- East to west distance (including suburbs): 80 km (50 mi)
- City center: People's Square (31.23N, 121.476E), between Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Municipal Government
Climate
- Highest temperature: 40.2 °C (104 °F)
- Lowest temperature: -12.1 °C (10 °F)
- Humid subtropical, annual precipitation: 1,164.7 mm (45.8 in)
- Known for freak thunderstorms and four seasons.
Economy
- Average annual income: (2010) 73,287 RMB (11,100 USD)
- Development: rich and well-developed, behind only Hong Kong and Shenzhen in wealth of the biggest cities in China
- Industry: 59% tertiary industry (finance, communications), 39% secondary (steel, ship building, automobile), 7% primary (agriculture)
- CBD: Pudong Financial District
- Shopping Streets: Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road, Dongtai Road Antique Market
Transportation
- Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport altogether serve 70 million passengers annually.
- 12 line subway (set world record for ridership in 2010-7.548 million passengers)
- 3 main concentric inner ring roads
- 4 train stations
