Although it has loomed large as a city for barely a century and half - an eyeblink in the grand sweep of Chinese antiquity - there are few cities that have had Shanghai's impact on the imagination of the world or on the story of modern China. Moreover, any scenario for China's economic future will place Shanghai at its center. An undistinguished, though economically important port in the 19th century, Shanghai was divided up among the colonial powers at the end of the Opium Wars. After that, fed by the foreign commerce that has been its lifeblood, Shanghai quickly grew into a vibrant port city with an ambiguous reputation, fabulously rich and yet a magnet for the poor and dispossessed, a commercial center where no-one asked too many questions about where the money was coming from. In the first half of the 20th century, it was a cultural melting pot and also an intellectual crucible where some of the most important events of China's communist history took place. After the formation of the People's Republic of China, the city stagnated until the opening up of the Chinese economy in the 1980s, when Shanghai exploded into the largest city in China with gigantic economic clout - witness its 2006 GDP of RMB 1.03 trillion.

With Jiangsu Province to the northwest and Zhejiang Province to the southwest, Shanghai is the largest industrial and commercial city in China today. The cultural and commercial hub of East Asia, it is set to step into a much brighter spotlight in 2010, when the eyes of the world will turn there for the Shanghai World Expo.

Situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai has become the world's biggest and busiest cargo port. The Huangpu River divides the city into two parts - Pudong New District (on the east bank) and Puxi (on the west bank).

The city is easily reached by air and over land. It has two airports (Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport), nine major bus stations, and an ultra-modern railway station. Once inside the city, visitors will have no trouble getting around. Shanghai has one of the most comprehensive local transportation networks in the country. Visitors can get from A to B on the bus, subway (Metro), in a taxi or pedicab, on a tourism bus or on a ferry. Those headed into the city from Pudong International Airport can have a truly futuristic experience riding the very rapid Maglev Train- the only commercial magnetic levitation train in operation anywhere in the world.

There is much for the visitor to see and do in Shanghai. Duolun Road Culture Street and the Old Streets of Shanghai showcase the differing, and sometimes blended, Chinese and Western architectural styles in the city. Nongtangs streets are the place to find Shikumen (Stone Gate) houses. Dotted around these areas are wonderful sites like the French Quarter, the Chenghuang Temple, Cite Bourgogne, the Yuyuan Garden, Xitiandi and the Qipao Markets. Those interested in a quieter slice of ancient life should head for Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. Lying 45 kilometers outside the city, it is known as the ''Venice of Shanghai''. Meanwhile, the Old City's God Temple, Wenmiao Temple, the Jade Buddha Temple, Sheshan Cathedral and the Shanghai Community Church reflect the different religions that have been practiced through the centuries by residents local and foreign. 

Visitors interested in buildings and architecture will be delighted with Shanghai old and new. The latter contains towering edifices like the Jinmao Tower and the Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower. A range of museums and galleries display local and national history. These include the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai History Museum, the Shanghai Natural History Museum, the Shanghai Art Museum and the Oriental Musical Instrument Museum.

There's a host of cultural activities going on in Shanghai throughout the year. Visitors can experience traditional performing arts like Peking and Kunqu Opera, and acrobatics shows. And as the birthplace of Chinese cinema, the annual Shanghai International Film Festival takes place there every June.

Shanghai cuisine tends to be sweet. Its seafood dishes are certainly worth a try, and other local specialties include Nanxiang Steamed Pork Dumplings, Vegetarian Steamed Buns, Chicken and Duck Blood Soup, and Niangao with Spare Ribs.

With all kinds of stalls selling Chinese curios, silks, and jades, as well as the thousands of upscale shopping malls, Shanghai is a paradise for shopaholics. Nanjing Road is reputed as being the No. 1 Commercial Street in China. Some of its shops date back to the early 19th century.