As the eighth largest city around the world, Shanghai is an independent city administered directly by the central government. It is a bustling metropolis with a total area of 6,341 square kilometers and the largest and the most populous city in China. Shanghai located at latitude 31° 14' N and longitude 121° 29' E, occupies the front edge of the Yangtze River Delta and faces the East China Sea at the mouth of the Yangtze River. It situates on the East China Sea in the east, on the north by the Yangtze River, on the south by the Hangzhou Gulf, on the west it links with Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Most parts of its areas are flat plains dotted with many rivers and lakes with rich water resources.

The average sea level elevation is about four meters. So roughly it is indeed a land full of honey and milk. Thanks to its advantage of geographic location, Shanghai has become a natural and splendiferous river-sea port, taking pride in easy access to the vast inland of China and tremendously easily connected with outside world. In ordinary foreigner’s impression, Shanghai may be one of the most futuristic-looking cities in the world. It symbolizes China's rise to economic powerhouse status. Shanghai is comprised of one county and eighteen districts. Shanghai is a highly populated zone.  

The average temperature of Shanghai, having a humid subtropical climate influenced easily by the monsoons is around 15.7 degrees Celsius. Temperature varies sharply from -10 degrees Celsius to 41 degrees Celsius. The city goes through all the four seasons. Generally spring arrives in March, summer in June, autumn starts in September and winter in December. The hottest months are July and August. Despite of hotness and humidity, summer is the peak season for tourism. The most beautiful season in Shanghai is spring, though it suffers from the frequent time-span of the rain and the temperature varies according to the distinct weather. The city also suffers from a few spells of typhoons doing a considerable amount of harmfulness to this city. 

As Chinese largest city in China not only for its crucial and powerful economy but also for its huge population which in some way has been a wonder in the world. Its official population is around 17 million making it the largest city in China. However with the increasing migration of peasant workers into the city some estimates post the ‘real’ population at over 20 million people.

The transportation of Shanghai is the most advanced and convenient in China for its well-designed traffic system and the 24-hour operation of all-included diversity of vehicles like bus, ships and planes. Shanghai is nearly connected with each part of the inland but also keeps a close touch with nearly all the big cities in the world in different ways. So it is truly wise to enter China via Shanghai. Transportation within Shanghai is fairly inexpensive and certainly extends in all directions. Due to the massive population, it is generally crowded and tumultuous by trains, buses or subways.