Shanghai, the biggest Chinese city is also among the biggest cities worldwide. It’s a seaport with a very vital railway junction.
It’s located on the banks of river Huangpu, a branch of the Yangtze. The city is divided in two parts by the river with Pudong in the east and Puxi in its west.
Shanghai is the main business center housing the offices of many international corporations. It hosts a large number of conferences and exhibitions. The city offers many points of tourists’ attraction, which are described here briefly. Because of all these points coupled with its unique charm and extraordinary environments, it is often known as the Paris of the East.
Just a short trip from downtown, visitors can easily reach the Temple of Jade Buddha. This Buddhist shrine is among the most renowned sights of Shanghai. The temple constructed in 1882, derived its name from two sculptured images of Sakyamuni Buddha that were carried from Burma. It’s a 1.9 meter tall statue of Buddha and weighs more than one ton. Crafted from a single piece of white Jade, precious stones adorn the statue. The temple also boasts of 72 volumes of Buddhist texts, which belong to Ch’ing period.
Yuyuan Park, meaning the garden of joy, is a very remarkable and famous piece of architectural beauty that is wonderfully landscaped. Spread over a vast area, occupying four acres, it has hills, artificial lakes and islands. You will get immersed in the charm of old China by its unique layout. A pond at its entrance has a pentagonal teahouse in its middle. Known as Husintin, it was the home garden of the ruler of the state.
It has several manmade ponds, rocks, bridges and pavilions that create an environment of perpetual delight. This 400 years old Chinese garden in traditional design has a southern flair. It houses forty attractions for tourists that include twisted galleries, dragon shaped wall and others. The garden displays the architecture of south China during the dynasties of Ming and Qing.
Asia has it tallest TV tower in Shanghai. This 468 meter high tower is the third tallest worldwide after Ostankino of Moscow and Toronto Tower. Tourists are delighted to visit revolving bars, restaurants, dance floors and a watching deck on heights of 263, 271 and 350 meters. Undoubtedly, Pudong district reflects the victory of economic reforms undertaken by China. The tower signifies the business activities of this metropolis.
Spread over an area of seventy thousand square meters, the Grand Theatre is situated on the northwest corner of Renmin Square. It comprises of large, medium as well as small rooms designed for symphony, chamber music, opera, ballet, drama and ballet opera. The theatre has an automated mechanical stage, which is considered to be the largest in Asia. Its architectural structure symbolizes modern Chinese culture.
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