Port Cities: Shanghai

Shipping connects the world with the journeys between ports. Take a journey through the port cities and get to know them. We are acquainted with cities that never sleep but what about a port that can not rest? Shanghai integrates every aspect of a prosperous city: culture, business, entertainment, and beauty.

 

A fascinating past as a gateway to China, Shanghai is a bustling city on the Yangtze River Delta. So, let’s find out more about our new destination.

 

History of Shanghai

 

In reality, Shanghai was nothing more than a muddy enclave of the Yangzi Delta just two centuries ago. While Shanghai’s neighbours Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing alternately served as the glitzy capitals of China’s imperial dynasties, the city has no distant past. Shanghai was little more than a dreary collection of farmland huts and fishing villages.

 

A small number of farmers, fishermen, and traders moved to the Huangpu River’s banks during the first wave of development. They eventually built a tiny settlement, which was raided frequently by Japanese pirates. In response, the locals constructed a city wall that encircled the historic district of the city until 1912, immediately south of the Bund, in the region bounded by Renmin and Zhonghua roads.

 

Foreign concessions were established after the Opium Wars of the 1840s, and they eventually took over most of what is now central Shanghai, with the exception of the old walled Chinese city. Chinese immigrants poured in throughout the second half of the 1800s, drawn by the lucrative business prospects in the foreign concessions. The city quickly rose to prominence as the place to be, a developing metropolis with the most vibrant culture, extravagant dance halls, and tallest structures.

 

Today, Shanghai is one of the most populated and technologically advanced cities in the world.

 

Shanghai as a Port City

 

In terms of cargo tonnage, the Port of Shanghai, which consists of a deep-water port and a river port, is the busiest port in the world. The economy of Shanghai port is regarded as having the quickest rate of expansion.

 

There are 29 container terminals at the Port of Shanghai, with a capacity of more than 40 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) yearly. Modern amenities, such as automated container handling systems and cutting-edge logistics technology, are available at the port. It has direct access to the biggest international markets and is ideally situated close to China’s most important manufacturing and industrial clusters. The port is a vital hub for global trade and commerce thanks to its strong linkages to the road, rail and air transportation systems. The Port of Shanghai has been crucial to the growth of the Chinese economy in addition to its commercial significance.

 

 

Attractions in Shanghai

 

 

A rich trove of tourist attractions can be found in Shanghai, a city where heritage and modernity coexist in a compelling combination.

 

It would be equivalent to travelling to Rome and skipping the Colosseum or the Vatican to visit Shanghai without seeing the Bund. The Bund is Shanghai’s most recognisable feature, and the region surrounding it serves as both the city’s tourism hub and its most well-known mile. Beautiful colonial-era structures that date back to Shanghai’s heyday in the early 20th century may be seen as you stroll along the Huangpu River.

 

Yu Garden, which is located in the centre of the Old City, is a peaceful haven amidst the activity of the city. This Ming-era traditional Chinese garden, which features lovely pavilions, rockeries, and ponds stocked with koi, makes for a charming getaway.

 

Tianzifang is a historic arts and crafts neighbourhood of the French Concession, and it is a unique experience to wander through its winding streets. It’s the ideal area to explore, shop for trinkets, and take in the bohemian vibe because it’s filled with adorable stores, galleries, and cosy cafes.

 

A trip to the Shanghai Tower is an absolute necessity if you appreciate architecture. Reaching a height of 632 metres above the ground, this magnificent skyscraper is the second-tallest structure in the entire globe. For a breathtaking panoramic view of the city that goes as far as the eye can see, make the trip up to the observatory on the 118th floor.

 

Nanjing Road is a haven for shoppers. The shops, boutiques, and department stores lining this busy pedestrian boulevard sell everything from high-end clothing to regional delicacies. Take the time to stroll around the nearby alleys and lanes where you’ll discover secret treasures and delectable street fare.

 

Culture of Shanghai

 

The adjacent Wuyue culture and the “East Meets West” Haipai culture came together to create the culture of Shanghai. After Shanghai became a successful port at the beginning of the 20th century and a large number of immigrants from Europe, America, Japan, and India settled there, the Haipai culture developed. The city’s literature, fashion, architecture, music, and food are all influenced by the culture, which combines elements of Western and indigenous Wuyue civilizations.

 

One of the world’s largest collections of Chinese artefacts is housed in the Shanghai Museum, which also boasts a sizable collection of ancient Chinese bronzes and ceramics. One of the largest museums in Asia, the China Art Museum is housed in the former China Pavilion of Expo 2010, and it has an animated recreation of the 12th-century painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival.

 

 

Shanghai cuisine refers only to what is traditionally called Benbang cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes are Hongshao Rou and Shao Ya; flavours are Xiaolongbao and Mian.

The delicate filling is best enjoyed after savouring the flavorful soup that is inside the Xiaolongbao. It’s a meal you have to eat since it perfectly encapsulates Shanghai’s culinary brilliance. Shanghai noodle varieties range from stir-fried to soupy, and are referred to locally as “mian.” They are frequently served with succulent, savoury toppings like braised pork or shellfish and are normally cooked with fresh, chewy wheat noodles.

 

 

In the dish called Hong Shao Rou, tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly is slow-cooked in a flavorful broth made with soy sauce.

 

Shengjianbao, or pan-fried dumplings, are a must-try while exploring Shanghai’s busy streets. These little, golden-brown pockets have a flavorful soup and succulent meat inside.

 

Many well-known Chinese professional athletes call Shanghai home, including the basketball player Yao Ming, the 110-meter hurdles Olympic champion Liu Xiang, the table tennis legend Wang Liqin, and the badminton player Wang Yihan.

 

 

A number of major international sporting events are held in Shanghai. It has been the site of the Chinese Grand Prix, a Formula One World Championship round, since 2004. The race is held at the Shanghai International Circuit. Due to the Covid-19 caused problems the race could not take place for some years.