Shanghai is one of the four direct-controlled municipalities of China and
the most populous city in the world. Located in the Yangtze River Delta, it
triplicates as a global financial centre, a transport hub and the world's
busiest container port. The city emerged volcanically on the world map as a
highly contested shipping and trading city by both Chinese empire and
British East India Company in the 19th century. Shanghai of 2018 is now
home to many world-class museums and top-notch art galleries like the
Shanghai Museum and the China Art Museum. This effect is seconded by its
centuries-old temples, picture-perfect promenade and several
visually-appealing parks and gardens.
Things to do in Shanghai
Shanghai's Promenade: The Bund
The Bund (English name for Waitan) is a picture-perfect promenade located
along the Huangpujiang River in Shanghai. It exudes a mix of European
ambiance with traditional Chinese sights, an effect pronounced by its
numerous old English and French restaurants, boutique stores, galleries,
and offices.
Yu Garden (or the Garden of Happiness)
The mid-16th century Yu Garden (English for Yu Yuan) is a sum of
two gardens built across 20,000 square meters in Shanghai. The older,
called the Outer Garden, was rebuilt in the 18th century. A star attraction
here is the Hall of Spring where the Company of the Little Swords, an armed
group of Shaolin fighters used to rule in mid-19th century.
The Jade Buddha Temple
Built in 1928, the glorious Jade Buddha Temple is home to two Shakyamuni
statues that were brought by a Buddhist monk from Burma. It is best known
for the architecturally-sound Hall of the Kings of Heaven (Tian Wang Dian)
where the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings and two Shakyamuni sculptures
are kept and venerated.
Best Time to Visit Shanghai
Summer season (the months from June to September) are the best to book your
flights from Los Angeles to Shanghai. Book your flights from LAX to SHA
during summer season to enjoy famous cultural events like International
Children's Day, Dragon Boat Festival and Army's Day. It is advised to book
Shanghai flights in advance to avoid paying more during peak season.