Top Five Sightseeing Spot in Shanghai
Shanghai, the largest and richest city in China is an amazing mix of traditional China and western civilization.Symbols of Shanghai’s multi-cultural features scatter around every corner of the city particularly along the Huangpujiang River, which houses the largest array of Art Deco architecture in the world. Here are some top attractions in Shanghai:
#One: Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan Garden is believed to have been built in the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago. The exquisite layout, beautiful scenery and the artistic style of the garden architecture have made the garden one of the highlights of Shanghai.
Yuyuan literally translated means Happy Garden. It is located in the center of Shanghai’s Old City, a few blocks south of the Bund. It has a total area of about two hectares (five acres) and more than 40 attractions The inner and outer gardens were both built in the Ming Dynasty classical style, with numerous rock and tree garden areas, ponds, dragon-lined walls and numerous doorways and zigzagging bridges separating the various garden areas and pavilions.
#Two: Jade Buddha Temple
Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai is an active temple, with 70 resident monks at the last count. The 70 monks who live and work there can sometimes be seen worshiping.
The temple was built between 1911 and 1918 in the style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), with symmetrical halls and courtyards, upturned eaves, and bright yellow walls. The exterior is readily identifiable by the bright saffron walls.
#Three: The Bund
The Bund is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. The word ‘bund’ derives from an Anglo-Indian word for an embankment along a muddy waterfront and that is what it was in the beginning, when the first British company opened an office there in 1846. It became the epitome of elegance during Shanghai’s history as a city of trade. Now many attractive new constructions have been erected in addition to the historical buildings. A 771-metre long retaining wall for flood control was built. Atop the wall is a spacious walkway for sightseeing. Paved with colorful tiles and dotted with flower beds and European-style garden lights. It is a good place for a leisurely stroll and a view of the Huangpu River.
The Bund, which extends from Jinling Road in the south to the Waibaidu Bridge over the Suzhou Creek in the north, is on the western bank of the 114 kilometer long Huangpu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River.
#Four: Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Towering high above Pudong New Area, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower has been the outstanding landmark of Shanghai since its completion in 1995. The tower is 468 m high, the highest in Asia and the third highest in the world, next to the 553–meter-high CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, and the 540-meter-high TV Tower in Ostankino Tower in Moscow, Russia.
The tower includes 15 spheres of different sizes at different levels creating an artistic conception of “large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate”. It has become a symbolic piece of architecture and a favorite sight for tourists in Shanghai.
#Five: Zhujiajiao Water Town
Zhujiajiao, Known as “the Venice of Shanghai”, is a well-preserved ancient town in water country in Shanghai typical of southeast China. During Three Kingdom as appeared as a village. Nowadays old streets and architecture in the style of Ming and Qing periods can be found and local customs characteristic of water country can be observed. Zhujiajiao is noted for its archaic water country scenery typical of southeast China – old town, peacefulness, tranquility and elegance.
The world expo shanghai 2010 will be held from May 1st to October 31th. During the time, it will be very crowded for the sightseeing sites. You’d better choose more flexible ways to plan your Shanghai tours.