Shanghai, home to about 24 million people, is China's largest city and is situated in the centre of the coastline where the Yangtze River flows through its delta into the East China Sea. The name of the city means 'on the sea', and most of it (including Chongming Island) is only a few metres above sea level, criss-crossed by a maze of picturesque natural waterways.<br /><br /> Shanghai is China's industrial and commercial capital. It is a busy seaport, a science and technology centre, and has a vibrant business community. Visitors don't generally come to Shanghai for its scenic beauty or history but those who arrive on business can find plenty of off-duty entertainment and relaxation, and the city is drawing increasing numbers of tourists with its neon cityscape, exotic nightlife and booming shopping scene. Just walking the busy streets and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere is worthwhile, and there are some temples and gardens to visit along with a handful of excellent museums.<br /><br /> This great cosmopolitan metropolis has a colourful colonial background, which has had the edge rubbed off of it during half a century of Communist rule. It was the first Chinese coastal port to be opened to Western trade in 1843, resulting in an influx of British, French and American diplomats and business interests, each of which established their own independent enclaves. In the 1920s and 30s, Shanghai was regarded as a glamorous, decadent and fashionable place to visit. It all ended with World War II and the coming to power of the Communist party but, since the early 1990s, a dramatic re-building programme has been underway to put Shanghai back on the map as a major international finance and trade centre. The World Financial Centre, completed in 2008, is one of the tallest buildings on Earth and symbolic of this glitzy rejuvenation.<br /><br />

The Bund

Address: Zhongshan East 1st Rd, Huangpu Shanghai

No trip to Shanghai would be complete without a walk along the famous Bund. This picturesque street, Shanghai's waterfront promenade, stretches for one mile (2km) along the bank of the Huangpu River, and was once the most famous street in Asia. It is still renowned for its strip of Art Deco buildings. One of the grandest of these buildings, formerly the City Communist Party headquarters, is now the home of the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. On the skyline, visitors can see the Jin Mao Tower, one of the tallest buildings in China. The wide riverfront promenade on the east bank of the river provides a captivating view of Shanghai, particularly at night.<br /><br /> From the Bund visitors can take a river trip down the Huangpu to the mouth of the Yangtse. Boats leave regularly from the Shiliupu Pier south of the Bund and the trip takes about three hours. Those preferring to see an aerial view with a drink in hand could visit Char Bar of the Indigo Hotel for an astounding view of the Bund. However it's done, this area promises incredible photo opportunities and is a good way for travellers to familiarise themselves with what Shanghai has to offer.<br /><br />

Shanghai Museum

Address: 201 Renmin Avenue Shanghai

The new Shanghai Museum is situated on the People's Square, the political and cultural centre of Shanghai. The square boasts a giant musical fountain and several attractive green recreational areas where locals dance and fly kites. It is surrounded by the City Hall, an underground shopping centre, and the Grand Shanghai Theatre. However, the Shanghai Museum, opened in 1996, draws the most interest from tourists. The building is shaped like a giant bronze urn, and the museum contains a collection of about 123,000 cultural artefacts in 21 categories. The permanent galleries of this impressive museum include: Chinese Ancient Bronze, Chinese Ancient Ceramics, Chinese Paintings, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Ancient Sculpture, Chinese Ancient Jade, Chinese Coins, Ming and Qing Furniture, Chinese Seals, and Chinese Minority Nationalities' Art. There is a restaurant and an art store within the museum. If visitors do not speak Chinese, they should look out for the museum's advanced audio tour, which is offered in eight languages. As the lines can get rather long, it is worth getting to the museum early. If it is a hot day, visitors should enter via the south entrance rather than the north, as it is possible there to queue undercover.<br /><br />

Yuyuan Gardens

Address: 218 Anren St, Huangpu, Shanghai Shanghai

The Yuyuan Gardens (Gardens of Contentment) date back to 1559 during the Ming Dynasty, and are the best example of Chinese classical gardens in Shanghai. Yuyuan is a popular tourist attraction, but it is still a peaceful and beautiful attraction with an inventive layout. Travellers who like Koi fish will be impressed with the Yuyuan's collection. The relatively small gardens are laid out in an intricate design with pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and a traditional theatre arranged in an ornate maze. The gardens consist of six sections: The Grand Rockery, the Hall of Heralding Spring, the Hall of Jade Magnificence, Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion, Inner Garden and Lotus Pool.<br /><br /> The gardens are on Yuyuan Street in downtown Shanghai and can be reached via the Town God Temple Market, a warren of shops and stalls that is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist bazaar. The market boasts both international staples like Starbucks and Dairy Queen, as well as unique local stalls. After the bustle of the market, the gardens provide welcome shade and calm. It is best to visit the gardens during the week because they are very busy during weekends and the crowds can detract from the spirit of the place.<br /><br />

Moon Festival

Where: ,Shanghai

When: 24 September 2018

One of China's most beloved cultural celebrations is the Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival, marking the end of the harvest season. There are written records detailing this festival dating back about 3,000 years, which just shows what a rich and longstanding tradition it is. It is now a Chinese public holiday as well. The main symbol of the festival is the baking and eating of Moon Cakes: round pastries with sweet fillings. In Shanghai the favourite filling is red bean paste. Houses are decorated with coloured animal-shaped paper lanterns and altars are piled with round fruits to symbolise the shape of the moon. The evening is spent moon-gazing and enjoying the company of family, before a celebratory feast at midnight. Apart from being a traditional time for family reunions, the Moon Festival is also a romantic day in the Chinese calendar: many love poems have been written about it. It is thought that it is espacially poignant for couples who are not together because watching the moon separately, from wherever they are, unites them and makes them feel as though they are in the same place. Matchmaking dances often take place for those who are unattached and looking for romance.<br /><br />

Shanghai Tourism Festival

Where: ,Shanghai

When: 7 - 12 September 2018

The massive Shanghai Tourism Festival, also called the people's festival, showcases not only all the city has to offer visitors, but is the perfect event for locals and foreigners to discover China's fascinating culture and history. The opening ceremony takes the form of a grand-scale parade of floats and international performance troupes telecast live to the whole country. The parade has a very 'mardi gras' feel to it, with sparkling costumes, dancing, and festivities. The floats tour every district in Shanghai after the opening ceremony and audiences vote on their favourite. Millions of locals and visitors participate in the hundreds of events and activities presented at the festival, ranging from Chinese cooking classes and bicycle tours, to fireworks displays. Like the National Arts Festival in Shanghai, the Shanghai Tourism Festival enlivens the city and generates a wonderful festive atmosphere, making it a great time to visit the city, especially seeing as many museums, restaurants, and other tourism attractions offer discounts of up to 50 percent during the festival.<br /><br />

Hakkasan

Address: 5F, 18 Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District Shanghai

Food Type: Chinese

This fine-dining restaurant, located on the Bund, is part of a highly respected international chain and serves Chinese fusion cuisine. There are three different dining spaces: the Ling Ling Lounge offers a stylish setting for cocktails with beautiful views; the main dining area, known as the 'Cage', is enclosed in delicate woodwork; and there is a set of luxurious private dining rooms which can be reserved. Reservations are essential and smart casual dress is encouraged, though dress jackets are not required.<br /><br />

Scena

Address: 52/F, The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong Hotel, 8 Century Avenue Shanghai

Food Type: Italian

Scena is located within the glitzy Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong Hotel and serves authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant is on the 52nd floor of the hotel, with floor to ceiling windows and provides spectacular views over the city. Although comparatively expensive Scena gets consistent rave reviews from travellers and the service is known to be of a very high standard. Reservations are recommended.<br /><br />

Din Tai Fung

Address: 123 Xing Ye Road Shanghai

Food Type: Chinese

This Shanghai restaurant serves Chinese staples like wonton soup, sweet-smoky fried fish, and braised bamboo shoots, but what it's known for is the best xiao long bao (steamed soup buns) in the city. They're roughly ten times what you'd pay at a street stall, but most who have tried them say they're worth it. Located in the Super Brand Mall, the walls are covered in watercolour sketches of famous Chinese celebrities. Din Tai Fung is a child-friendly restaurant, and even has special Mickey Mouse cutlery for kids.<br /><br />

The Camel

Address: 1 Yue Yang Road (near Dong Ping Road) Shanghai

Food Type: Gastropubs

For those looking for a sports bar in Shanghai to have a pint and watch the game, The Camel is the best place in town. The restaurant is broken up into three viewing areas, so multiple games can be seen simultaneously on the 14 flat-screen televisions. The menu is standard gastropub, serving classics like fish and chips, steak, burgers, and pies, and there's a good selection of beers and cocktails to go with them.<br /><br />

Shanghai has a long-standing reputation as one of the world's top 'sin cities'. The nightlife can be seedy and there are many warnings given to visitors, but the ever-changing face of Shanghai's nightlife is vibrant and exciting and the diversity of offerings these days makes it easy to avoid the dodgier elements of this port city if desired.<br /><br /> The Bund has recently been given new life as a night time destination, with dilapidated buildings demolished to make way for neon-lit jazz clubs, cocktail lounges and restaurants. Bustling bar and restaurant areas in Shanghai include the pedestrianised Nanjing Road, Hengshan Road and Maoming South Road, which is popular with expats.<br /><br /> The district around the Julu Lu and Tongren Lu intersection is a cheaper and seedier option for those who want to party hard. There is still a booming sex trade in Shanghai and some areas of town are safer than others. It is best to stay in groups when going out at night.<br /><br /> Shanghai is a major concert destination in Asia, and travellers will find large international concerts on the calendar along with a number of local Mando-pop or Canto-pop acts. There are also a number of good jazz clubs on Fuxing Lu.<br /><br /> If classical entertainment is what vistors are after, Shanghai has a number of options, including the Shanghai Philharmonic Society or the Shanghai Yueju Opera Group. They can also see acrobatic performances and touring productions of major Broadway shows, as well as touring ballet companies.<br /><br />

Shanghai is a major international port which is known in China for its enthusiastic embrace of consumerism, making it unsurprising that the shopping is fantastic.<br /><br /> The Nanjing Lu Pedestrian Mall is a fascinating blend of western and eastern shopping, and Huaihai Zhong Street has a great selection of Chinese silk, which is a popular souvenir. The Old Town Bazaar has a variety of crafts and antiques, including popular Shanghai souvenirs like jade bracelets, cloisonné jewellery and vases, lacquerware and porcelain items, and vintage Cultural Revolution books and posters.<br /><br /> Other shopping districts in Shanghai include Parkson Shopping Centre, and the 'four cities': Yuyuan Shopping City, Xujiahui Shopping City, New Shanghai Shopping City and Jiali Sleepless City. Fuzhou Road is a great place to find cultural items like music, art and books.<br /><br /> Although knock-off items are popular buys in Shanghai, visitors should be aware that customs in many countries do not allow travellers to take multiple items of this sort back with them. Counterfeit souvenirs are also common, so buyers should be wary of paying high prices for easily faked items like jade and antiques.<br /><br /> Travellers should flex their bargaining muscles at street shops and markets, but the prices in formal stores and hotels are generally fixed. They should remember to keep smiling and draw the shopkeeper away from other customers for the best deals.<br /><br />