Shanghai is one of China's most prosperous cities and a popular tourist destination. It is located in the middle of China's eastern coast on the Yangtze River Delta. The city borders the sea in the east, and the two affluent provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the west. Favorable geographic location makes Shanghai both a great river port and sea port.

Shanghai has mild and humid subtropical monsoon climate and four distinct seasons. Rainfall is abundant, and the average annual temperature is 16 degrees Celsius. The climate is suitable for travel all year round, while spring and summer are the best seasons for sightseeing.

The city has a history of more than 700 years. It started as a fishing village and became a national center for the textile and handcraft industries during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In 1843, Shanghai opened up to foreign trade, and foreign commodities and investment poured into Shanghai. Foreigners built docks and established concessions and banks. Shanghai gradually became an international trade center.

Today, the Shanghai Port is an important international port in the west Pacific. Its cargo handling capacity accounts for about one third of China's total. Shanghai is also a large industrial and science and technology base. It has more than 800 scientific research institutes, 550,000 research staff and more than 50 full-time institutes of higher learning.

Shanghai has grown into a "sleepless" cosmopolitan city, as well as the "Pearl of the Orient." With a mix of Chinese and Western cultures, Shanghai is one of the most open cities in China and a major trend setter. Shanghai residents are known for their business acumen, and its products are famous for their excellent quality.

Fans of Shanghai opera and other traditional arts often enjoy themselves in neighborhood theaters, and people who are fond of Western music and performances such as symphony or ballet go to the Shanghai Grand Theater. People who love local cuisine or French food can all find something to their taste in Shanghai.

Shanghai's skyline has been constantly modified by its landmark buildings. The Bund was previously Shanghai's signature landmark. Recently, however, new landmarks have mushroomed, such as the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Shanghai International Convention Center, Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theater, the Xintiandi pedestrian street and of course the Shanghai World Expo site.

For visitors, Shanghai is more than just a major metropolis. A network of highways connects Shanghai to adjacent cities and towns. Cities such as Wuxi, Suzhou and Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province, as well as the cities of Hangzhou, Jiaxing and Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province, are located less than 300 km from Shanghai. These cities are famous for their pleasant scenery, historical sites and exquisite delicacies. Tourists to Shanghai often include these neighboring cities in their schedule.