 Shanghai abbreviated to "Hu" is situated at the delta of the Yangtze River,
guarding the gateway of the Yangtze River in the north, facing the sea in
the east and bordering Hangzhou Bay in the south. It is China's biggest city
and also the biggest seaport as well as the major center of economy,
sciences and technology and culture.
Shanghai, a municipality directly under the Central Government, is one of
the largest commercial city and economic centre of China. It's a coastal
opening city as well as a famous historic and cultural one. Situated 31.4
degrees north latitude and 121.29 degrees east longitude, Shanghai lies in
the middle of China's mainland coastline, and Yangtze River's entrance to
the sea. Covering an area of 6,341 square km. and with a population of more
than 13.5 million, it is the largest city in China and one of the five super
cities of the world. Shanghai is also one of ten world's largest seaports.
It has an oceanic and monsoon climate in the subtropical zone. With an
annual average temperature of 15.5 degrees Centigrade, and rainfall of 1,120
millimetres. Shanghai is neither cold in winter, nor very hot in summer. Its
hand is fertile and crisscross with rivers and ports. The coastal area
abounds in resources of fish and salt.
Shanghai is endowed with favourable geographical and natural conditions,
and a long history of development. It has a Well-developed commodity economy
and comparatively high scientific and technological level. As the biggest
industrial centre in China, Shanghai ranks first in the value of its
industrial production, as compared with other Chinese cities. Its main
industry includes metallurgy, chemicals, petroleum, machinery, automobiles,
electronics, shipbuilding, light industry, textiles, electrical appliances,
and other industries, which hold an important position in Chins. Shanghai is
the chief producer of industrial goods, and a major export base in China as
well.
The Pudong Development Area in Shanghai is an important special economic
zone in China. The level of the new area's industry, commerce, finance,
trade, post and telecommunications stands at the forefront in China. More
than 130 buildings there are higher than a hundred metres.
As the most prosperous business center in China, Shanghai leads all the
others in both social commodity's total volume of retail sales and export
value. In recent years, it has made rapid progress in finance and banking
service, and stands only next to Beijing, as one of the main financial
centres in China.
Shanghai is an important hub of communications. It has an easy access to
the outside world by all means of transport: ocean, offshore and inland
water shipping, high way and railroad transport, air flights etc. As the
biggest seaport in China, the port of Shanghai has trade links with ports of
over 100 countries and regions.
Efforts are being made to develop Shanghai into a modern international
economic, financial and trade centre.
A Guide to Shopping in Shanghai
Rising and thriving on the basis of commerce, Shanghai has long been a
very famous shopping city in China. Crowded with department stores, shopping
malls, age-old stores, specialized shops, super-markets etc.. Vying with one
another for excellence in the market performance, Shanghai is able to offer
a dazzling and endless array of commodities made either in China or abroad.
Complete collections of famous brands, and rich assortments of specialties
and quality goods. Thanks to the highly developed commodity economy and
Shanghainese particular attention to life tastes and material benefits, it
has become a showcase for fashions and products of both domestic and
international famous brands. And becomes a place of concentration of
competitively priced quality goods for customers to compare and choose from.
Since the beginning of the Nineties, as most flourishing commercial
centers in China, the famous streets like Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road,
Sichuan North Road, Yuyuan Shopping City, Xujiahui etc. have undergone large
scale renovation or reconstruction.
Shopping Centers
Nanjing Road (Huangpu & Jingan district)
Known as "China's No.1 Business Street", with over 100 old name
specialized shops, and Shanghai No.1 Department Store located here, selling
general merchandise.
Huaihai Road (Luwan & Xuhui district)
Selling mainly high and medium class goods, many specialized shops and
boutiques for famous brands, popular for garments and footwears in
particular.
Sichuan North Road (Hongkou district)
Selling large assortment of daily necessities, mainly made in China,
price range fit for wage earners with strong sense of good value for money.
Yuyuan Commercial City (Nanshi district)
Known as "Kingdom of Shanghai Arts & Crafts and small Articles", selling
articles ranging from antiques, jadeware, gold & silver ware, jewelry, to
bottle caps, silk threads etc.
Xujiahui (Xujia district)
Selling products of all price levels, shops, restaurants, amusement
parks, offices and apartments under one roof.
Zhangyang Road (Pudong New district)
Located in the New Century Tower, "First Shanghai Yaohan" is the largest
department store in Asia. Another major department store, "New Shanghai"
occupies floor space twice as big as the total floor space of all shops on
Nanjing Road.
Nightless City (Zhabei district)
Selling tourist souvenirs, arts & crafts, native produce, daily
necessities, coins, stamps, discs etc. A combination of shopping and tours
with business, known as "The Pearl at Shanghai Land Entrance Gate".
Characteristic Streets
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Cultural Street at Fuzhou Road
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Traditional paper, ink, quilled pens, ink stands,
professional books, stationery etc.
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Clothing Street at Huating Road
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Garments of low price fashions.
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Hardware Street at Beijing East Road
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Hardware, electrical appliances and materials machine spare
parts, accessories and electrical tools.
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Antique Market at Dongtai Road
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Second-hand porcelains, precious metals & stones, various
folk cultural relics.
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Second-hand Arts & Crafts Market at Jihe Road
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Second-hand arts & crafts, souvenirs etc.
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Flowers & Birds Market at Jiangyin Road:- Flowers, plants,
fish, insects, birds and miniature pot scenarios.
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Astor
House Hotel Shanghai
