Learn Chinese in Shanghai: Location
Shanghai has the largest population of any city in China. It is a cosmopolitan city, whose influence extends across commerce, finance, culture, art, fashion, research and entertainment.
The city is located at the mouth of the mighty Yangtze river. Once a fishing and textiles town, Shanghai grew to importance in the 19th century due to its favourable port location and as one of the cities opened to foreign trade by the 1842 Treaty of Nanking.
The city flourished as a commercial port linking Asia and the Western world, and became a multinational hub of finance and business by the 1930s. After 1990, the economic reforms introduced resulted in a booming economy, with intense re-development and financing and in 2005 Shanghai became the world’s largest cargo port.
Today, Shanghai is the largest commercial and financial metropolis in mainland China, and is something of a show piece for China and stands at the heart of the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
The city is also a world famous tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as the Bund and City God Temple, and its modern and ever-expanding Pudong skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower.
Must sees include; the People’s Square & Yuyuan Gardens in the old town & the Orient Pearl Tower, JinMao Tower and World Financial Centre in Pudong ~ check out Xintiandi for the modern Shanghai experience (complete with Starbucks, cinemas complex & ice cream parlours) or relax in Lu Xun Park or walk along the river front of the former French Concession ~ enjoy the Yuyuan Garden, Taikang Road (bohemian Shanghai, small lanes, great bistros, speciality shopping & cafes).
Weather & Climate in Shanghai
Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate, with four distinct seasons. In winter, cold northerly winds from Siberia can cause night temperatures to drop below freezing, although most years there are only one or two days of snowfall. Summer in Shanghai is hot and humid, with usually 8.7 days of the year exceeding 35 °C (95 °F). with occasional downpours or freak thunderstorms. The city is also susceptible to typhoons in summer and the beginning of autumn, none of which in recent years has caused considerable damage. The most pleasant seasons are Spring, although changeable and often rainy, and Autumn, which is generally sunny and dry.
Air pollution is still an issue for the city, though not as bad as in Beijing, as the government has taken measures since the 1990’s to improve matters.
