Situated on China’s central eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is the most populous city in China and also one of the biggest metropolis areas in the world. As a municipality, Shanghai is the economic and finacial center of the country, meanwhile a top tourist city. As a matter of fact, millions of Shanghai Tours are booked every year by visitors from all over the globe. Thanks to its ideal location, vast and intelligent labor force and efficient government, Shanghai is the fast-rising star in east-Asia

Shanghai’s gross domestic product was approximately 912.5 billion yuan (about US$114 billion) in 2005 and the average annual earning per head was 50,000 yuan. The economy of Shanghai has continued to progress at double-figure rates for 12 consecutive years. By 2007, 124 international enterprises had set up their regional headquarters in Shanghai, such as big players like General Electric Co., Intel, Pfizer and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

The metropolis is also keeping its leading role in the finance industry of China. Shanghai hosts the biggest of mainland’s two stock exchanges, the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The Shanghai Gold Exchange is the country’s only bourse for valuable metals, like gold and platinum. The Shanghai Futures Exchange is the largest among the 3 futures bourses on the the nation in terms of trading value.

The metropolis is busy preparing to host the World Expo in 2010, which will be the biggest world expo ever held in terms of budget and preparation. All of the countries will contribute a unique perspective on the Expo’s theme: Better City, Better Life. By 2010, the city expects to finish the construction 11 new subway lines and a new train connection to Hangzhou via a 450 km/h maglev high-speed train. Around 70 million visitors will flock into the city over the five-month period, duration of the event. Shanghai Hotels are expected to be completely no-vacancy 3 months before the beginning of this event, so book your hotels early if you want to visit Shanghai during that period of time.

Shanghai is a shopper’s paradise – you can purchase anything under the sun. More stylish than the Nanjing Road, the French Concession area around Huaihailu and Julu Lu is packed with little boutiques. In that part of town, you’ll find underground and popular Chinese designers sharing the street with covetable homewares and patisserie shops. Anyone who likes Art should check out the Suzhou Creek’s flourishing art collectives.

If If you like Mao memorabilia, Dong Tai Road street market sells communist collectibles alongside mass-produced “antiques”. Now that the Xiangyang market has closed doors, the premium places to get your hands on knockoff goods are the Yatai Market at the Shanghai Science and Technology metro station and the Qipu Road market. For silk and high quality fabric suits and dresses, check out the indoor South Bund Fabric Market.

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