If Beijing is the political and cultural center of China, Shanghai is the economic center, and one of the country’s most progressive locations. With a past that is associated with opium parlors and decadence, this one-time fishing village at the mouth of the Yangtze River has morphed into a business and commercial force in the world economy.

            Sightseers should plan to spend the majority of time in the old part of the city, Puxi (west of the river), on the Nanjing Lu, Shanghai’s busiest street, 

On Nanjing Road

strolling through the Yu Garden, and walking along the Wai Tan (the Bund), the riverside avenue. 

The Bund

For museum lovers, there is the Shanghai Museum. 

Across the river from Puxi is the Pudong, Shanghai’s modern business Mecca, impressively dotted with skyscrapers. 

Pudong Skyline

            Gary’s Gem

                        1. Not far from Shanghai are several interesting towns, known as “water villages”, which are a delight to explore. Xitang dates to the Ming Dynasty period and boasts over 100 bridges, and Zhouzhuang has beautiful, arched, stone bridges and tile-roofed homes

Zhouzhuang Canal

Zhouzhuang Square

              2. Take the Shanghai Bullet Train to or from the airport for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Bullet Train