Shanghai

Top Things to do in Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest Chinese city by population and the largest city proper by population in the world.It is one of the four direct controlled municipalities of the People's Republic of China,with a popullation of more than 24 million as of 2013.It is a global financial center and a transport hub with the world's busiest container port.Shanghai is a popular tourist destination renowed for its historical landmarks such as The Bund,City God Temple and Yu Garden.It has been described as the "showpiece"of the booming economy of mainland China.

The Bund

The Bund is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. The ares centres on a section of Zhongshan Road within the former Shanghai International Settlement,which runs along the western bank of Huangpu River,facing Pudong,in the eastern part of Huangpu District. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas. With the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center and other skyscrapers standing across the Huangpu River, the view stuns observers. If you look away from the river, you 'll see forgeous European-Style building restaurants and shops. And along the Bund, you will find numerous vendors hawking souvenirs and snacks. It is the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. You will have the best experience at night.

Shanghai Museum

Located in the center of Shanghai in People's Square,Shanghai Museum is a large Museum of ancient Chinese art.It is hard to miss thanks to its distinct architecture (a circular building atop a square foundation) and remarkable size.The Museum is devided into eleven galleries and three exhibition halls.The eleven Galleries cover most of the major categories of Chinese Art:Ancient Broze,Ancient Ceramics,Paintings,Ancient Sculpture,Ancient Jade,Coins,Ming and Qing Funitures,Seals and Minority Nationalities.You really shouldn't skip this historical gem.Frequently called the best museum in all of China, this expansive museum boasts a diverse collection of artifacts that chart the nation's history, from ancient to modern times.

Yu Garden

Yu Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie,Shanghai. It was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yuduan. Yu in Chinses means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially buil for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age. The Garden was the largest and most prestigiours of its era in Shanghai,but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pans. Yu Garden occupies an area of five acres. However,the small size is not a representative of the attractions of the garden,The pavilions,halls,rockeries,ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics.There are six main scenic areas here:Dansui Hall,Wanhua Chamber,Dianchun Hall,Hujing Hall,Yuhua Hall and the Inner Garden.Each area features several scenic spots within its borders.

Jade Budda Temple

The most famous temple in Shanghai is know for its white jade Buddas,which were carved from a single slad of White jade.In 1882,an old temple was built to keep two jade Buddha statues which had been brought from Burma by a monk named Huigen. The Temple was destroyed during the revolution that overthrew the Qing Daynasty. Fortunately the statues were saved and a new temple was built on the present site later.It was named the Jade Buddha Temple.There are two precious jade Buddhist statues.They are not only rare cultural relics but also porcelain artworks.The sparkling and crystal-clease white jade gives the Buddhas the beauty of sanctity and make them more vivid. It is a good place to go wheter you are a Buddist or Nor,the peaceful atmosphere adds a kind of richness to our busy modern society.

Tip
If you have three or four days in Shanghai, You can consider to pay a visit to Suzhou or Hangzhou. There are beautiful water towns,like Zhouzhuang, Tongli,etc.
Suzhou has been given the nickname"Venice of the East ".