Hello Shanghai!

   Shanghai lies on the west bank of the Huangpu Jiang river, which flows into the Changjiang (Yangtze) 28 km farther upstream. The northern part of Shanghai is separated from the rest of the city by the Wusong Jiang river.Located at the center of the mainland's coastline, Shanghai has long been a major hub of communications, transportaion, and international exchange. The municipality covers an area of 6,341 square kilometers and has a population of more than 13.5 million. Shanghai is China's largest economic comprehensive industrial base, and a famous historical and cultural city.

The city consistently attracts investment and is seen as an ideal venue for business gatherings. It is also a must on any agenda during a tour of China. Shanghai has fostered a comprehensive transportation network that incorporates land, sea, and air travel, as well as a convenient urban transportation system. More than 300 airlines serve the city, proving direct flights to more than 20 countries and regions. The addition of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which went into operation in 1999, is expected to increase the annual passenger volume to some 20 million.  The picture on the left is the main terminal building of Shanghai Pudong International Aiport (ZSPD/PVG).

Visitors to Shanghai are not only dazzled by the modernmetropolis and gateway to a developing China, but are also able to immerse themselves in the unique Shanghai culture, a combination of Chinese and Western elements. Colorful festivals and cele-brations dot the yearly Shanghai activities calendar, such as the Shanghai Nanhui Peach Blossoms Festival, Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival and Shanghai China International Art Festival.

A plethera of food choices are available in Shanghai from Chinese to Russian and almost everything else in between. With over a thousand restaurants to choose from from vegetarian to succulent seafood, almost anyone's appetite can be satisfied. Among the Chinese restaurants, there are numerous choices from which to eat with over sixteen varieties available. For other types, there are American, French, Russian, Indian, German, Italian, and Japanese cuisines, to name a few.