Shanghai has many name tags in the past century; such as "Pearl of China" and "Paris of the Orient". In the western society, the images of Shanghai are more welcome and acceptable than any other Chinese city. Shanghai is the largest and the most dynamic and prosperous city in China, it is the financial and economic center in China in comparison with Beijing as the political center of China. Shanghai is the largest entrance for overseas tourist coming to China; most of tourists prefer to choose Shanghai as their starting-point of travel in China. The old preconceptions of Shanghai were the center of evil men and prostitutes, but currently it sharply becomes the dynamic, cool and hopeful international metropolis. 

The President of the United States, George W. Bush who firstly visited Shanghai 26 years ago, and once said meaningfully that Shanghai comes back again when he shortly stayed in Shanghai. He told the world-renowned magnates in business circles that the miraculous change and dreamlike development of Shanghai in all aspects have shown the success, creativity and versatility of Chinese people, Shanghai's local government and great leaders of China. He also uttered excitedly: 

It is so unbelievable that I do not know how to depict my visiting experiences on the way from Pudong International Airport to the downtown Shanghai for American people, and I totally believe such kind of impression and feeling I have is shared by many others who also visited this changing city. Shanghai people are truly deserved to be proud of their own home.

This is Shanghai characterized of vitality and prosperousness, which thoroughly draw more and more people’s eyes, particularly those foreigners who are fond of oriental culture and China, because Shanghai has been the center of Chinese economy and the largest port around the world after 1978. It also functions as the window for foreigners to learn of China and bridges connecting the world with China. Hence, summarily if a traveler wants to visit china, Shanghai undoubtedly is his/her priority and first choice other than the some other typical cities in China. 

Shanghai locates in the alluvial plain of Yangtze River, renowned for the river named Shanghaipu, the anabranch of Wusong River. In the era of Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C), Shanghai was under the control of Wu. At the days of Warring States(475-221B.C), some local fisherfolk invented the halieutics tools named as Hu, and then called this region as Hudu, furthermore, in order to guard against pirates, the local government built ramparts along the coast, therefore shanghai was called Hu for short. Shanghai was reputed as the convenient ferry in Yangtze River and Eastern Ocean, the well-marked Center in southeastern China. Another saying goes like this if you want to learn two-thousand-year history of China, please visit Xian. If you want to learn one-thousand-year history of China, Please visit Beijing. If you are interested in one-hundred-year history of China, please visit Shanghai. Shanghai as the mirror of the modern China possesses of the rich and massive historical records and it is also added a more particular aureola as the birthplace of Chinese Communist Party. 

Shanghai, unlike Beijing, is an old but young city. It is the modern city with fast paces. Most of its tour destinations are new-born. But Shanghai does not lack the cultural and historical sites and attractions at all! In other words, it is rich in historical and cultural sites and legacies, especially its wealth in modern times. There are also many great fashionable areas waiting for your walking and visiting! Shanghai is China’s megacity, and possibly the most crowded city as well. It is cool, hot and lively! 

Numerous celebrities once gifted Shanghai the endless glories such as Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Madam Sun, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Li Hongzhang (the Prime Minister of Qing Dynasty) and Mr. Chiang Kai-shek etc. They lived or stayed in Shanghai for a certain time and left us many unforgettable stories. 

Lots of different styles of architecture throughout the city make Shanghai particularly attractive and unique from other inland cities. Shanghai was separated into several "Concessions" controlled by foreign powers. Among them, the bund was the famous one as the home of the "British Public Park". This boulevard is full of colonial structures, and people often call it as architectural museum of hundreds of nations. It is not the pride of Shanghai and China, on the contrary, it is the evidence to show the decadence of Shanghai in past. The French Quarter is another charming area to explore, and many former residences and old temples will bring you back to the old time of Shanghai. It is often known as “Chinese city” and alleys and streets could help you discover the past day of Shanghai in memory. 

Shanghai Museums, galleries, restaurants and bars are emerging quickly as the development of Shanghai’s urbanization. The cross-culture is the most highlighting feature in first impression when people visit here 

Its westernized characters are unparalleled in contrast to any other city in China. It formed its own characteristics of keeping old-traditions and Sino-foreign cultural communication. The establishment of national market of the finance and securities, futures, foreign exchanges and technology ensures its status as the center of national resource allocation; meanwhile it also quickens the internationalization of Shanghai economy. APEC meeting held in 2001 and the World Expo will be held in 2010 inevitably prompts the further improvement of its status as one of the international business centers.

Shanghai at the present day is a modernized but traditional metropolis featured in Shanghai-style Culture. Each part of prosperous Shanghai absolutely releases its distinct fascination from other cities. The unique old-style westernized architectures in the Bund and modernized skyscrapers in Pudong mutually glorify each other. The sounds of reciting psalm at cathedral of Xujiahui, the upward smoke of joss sticks at Jade-Buddha Temple, the elders playing Mahjong under the arcade, and youngsters playing football in alley will all release you colorfulness and variety of local citizens’ daily life. The Hu Drama, burlesque playing in public theater, the symphonic orchestra, ballet in big theater, the local snacks and cuisine in some old-fashioned hotels, the refreshments from different places in Yunnan Road, French feast at Red House, KFC, tea cafe and Starbucks in Shanghai old streets, the taproom in Hengshan Road, the diversity of choices certainly deepens your understanding on Shanghai and locals lifestyle.

The Sino-foreign integration, enchantment of tradition and the preference to fashion perfect Shanghai in different aspects. The honor and dream are mixed here, the impressive architectures mostly express its passion and emotion to show itself and welcome the guests from other countries and regions in the process of modernization and globalization.