Juanpu River separates Shanghai into two parts - Pudun to the east and Pusi to the west. Now Shanghai is Asia's largest financial and economic centre, a metropolis with luxury hotels, refined restaurants, good shopping centers. Contemporary Shanghai is a city of skyscrapers, banks, entertainment centers and big international fairs.

In first on the area of the present Shanghai there was a small fishing village, but on August 19th, 1291 it received County status. Now this date is considered to be the day of Shanghai founding.

By XVI century Shanghai became one of the most significant producers of textile in China. To protect Shanghai from the Japanese pirates in 1553 a fortress was raised. For a long time China was a very isolated country, but in XIX century Shanghai opened its port to the foreigners. English, Americn and French sailors were the first to land in Shanghai. Three concessions were established, but several years later English and American concessions were united. According to Nankin agreement foreigners had right to buy real estate, to trade and (since 1895) create industrial enterprises. Thus Shanghai became the richest colonial territory. Now Shanghai is a part of the independent China, but one of the most liberal parts.

Among the most visited Shanghai attractions are Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Xintiandi, The Bund, Huang Pu River, Nanjing Road, Yu Gardens, People's Square, Frenchtown, Jade Buddha Temple, Longhua Temple and Pagoda, Grand View Garden (Daguan Yuan) and Zhouszhuang Town.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the tallest Asian tower and the third tallest in the world. Its height is 468 meters. It was built in 1994 and although such a short period of time has passed, it has become the symbol of the modern Shanghai.

The building of Shanghai Museum has a shape of urn and possesses 11 galleries. The museum was created in 1952 on the place of the former hippodrome. Its construction was partly financed by the Chinese, living in the United States. The museum exhibits art objects, porcelain, ceramics.

Jade Buddha Temple was founded in 1882. Several decades later it was burnt. In 1918 its restoration began. It lasted for 10 years. The temple is not very big, but still looks monumental.

Yu Gardens are located in the old Chinese district and otherwise called Yuyuan Shangchang. The park was created in 1559-1577 for the rich local official. It's a classic park for the southern China where creators tried to embody all the diversity of Chinese nature. It's a very popular place for walks and is always overcrowded.