Shanghai has a rich collection of buildings and structures of various Architecture styles. The Bund, located by the bank of the Huangpu River, contains a rich collection of early 20th century architecture, ranging in style from neo-classical HSBC Building to the art deco Sassoon House. A number of areas in the former foreign concessions are also well preserved, and despite rampant redevelopment, the old city still retains some buildings of a traditional style

The Bund is the showcase of European buildings, and it follows right along the Huangpu River. The area is both scenic and extremely well lit at night. In fact, on a busy weekend night police try to limit the crowding along the river walkway, so you may have to wait if you head to this popular pedestrian strip in the early evening. The buildings here are now occupied by several companies and some government offices, and if you walk along the Bund at the top of the hour, you can hear the bell tower ring out the tune “The East is Red.” One of the key features of the Bund is the contrast it provides. The Puxi side of the river, with the former British settlement, is a preserved historic site, so no new development can happen in a way that cuts the classic buildings off from the river. While strolling the Bund walkway the view across the river shows an amazing contrast of contemporary or even space-aged looking buildings. This is a great view of Lu Jia Zui.

A short ferry ride from The Bund will put you in Lu Jia Zui, but take some time to enjoy the view of the buildings from The Bund side before heading over there. The Oriental Pearl Tower is probably the most noticeable building, and street vendors everywhere in Shanghai sell models and balloons of this architectural model. You may not think it’s beautiful, in fact many people don’t, but you must admit the structure is unforgettable. At night there is an impressive light display on this building, as well as large tv projections off the Aurora building in Lu Jia Zui that are easily viewed from The Bund. Also in Lu Jia Zui is the tallest building in Shanghai (at least for the next few years, plans are underway for a taller Shanghai World Financial Center): the Jin Mao Building. Interesting modern buildings are all around Shanghai, all you need to do is look up while touring the city. The Bund Center, a block in from The Bund, stuns with its crown top, the J.W. Marriott looks like something directly out of Gotham City, and city buildings like the Shanghai Museum stun with the meeting of old and new – a modern building in the style of a classic Chinese vessel.

Xin Tian Di is certainly worth a visit not only because of the interesting shops and bars, but also because of the architecture. The older buildings in this area were built in the mid 1800s as a fusion of European and Chinese architecture. The newer buildings towards the back of the complex show the ultra-modern style Shanghai currently promotes.

Other areas for European architecture include parts of Huai Hai Road and Heng Shan Road. These areas run through the former French Concession, though most of the interesting buildings were estates rather than public buildings. Today many countries’ embassies are found in this area, some interesting night clubs can be found, the former house of Premier Zhou Enlai (a historic site), and some private residences.

Perhaps one of the most spectacular buildings of modern times, Shanghai center , a supertall skyscraper is under construction in the Pudong District of the metropolis. At 580 metres, the building is expected to offer 118 stories and propel the city to be an advanced financial capital upon planned completion in 2010.

Old Shanghai residences are built around the theme of European architecture, popularly known as colonial style building. Most of these apartments can be found along quiet tree-lined streets, located at popular areas such as Former French Concession Area, Xintiandi, and Jing’an Temple area. As most of these old apartments are not equipped with modern amenities such as club facilities, gym, pool, shopping centers and others, you can get one at a quite lower rent.

There are many districts in Shanghai city that have been recently built to offer all modern amenities, suiting the Western style of living. New built apartments are available for rent in these areas offering a host of services such as shopping centers, modern club facilities, gymnasium, swimming pool, sport facilities, restaurants and fast food joints and so on. Binjiang area offers new apartments to expatriates who are working in the Lujiazui financial Zone. Similarly, Pudong, Xintiandi, Jing’an, and Hongqiao are the areas that have emerged as major business zone and hence, offer new apartments to the expatriates who are working in these areas. Also, for those who want to stay in close proximity to the international school, new villas have sprung up in areas such as Zhudi Town area, Gubei area, Green City area, and Zhangjiang High-tech Park area. The rent in case of new Shanghai apartments may range from $1,000 to $10,000 per month, the rent in case of new villas may range from $5,000 to 15,000 per month.

Serviced apartments offer a host of services to the expatriates such as fully furnished rooms with all modern amenities and gadgets, a fully equipped kitchen, en-suite facilities, and so on. Also, 24hour security, power back-up, parking facilities, and modern club services are some common features of serviced apartments. These apartments are available in many areas, including Binjiang area, Xintiandi area and Jing’an area for an affordable rent ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.

With a boom in real estate market, many Shanghai real estate agencies have come up. As an expatriate, you must contact Shanghai real estate agency to get Shanghai apartment at affordable rent. Shanghai real estate agent can properly introduce you to various types of Shanghai apartments, facilities offered by each one of them, their rental and so on. Depending on your needs and budget, you can find comfortable Shanghai apartment for yourself.

Originally, Shanghai was a seaside fishing village and in time its gradual development led to it being granted County status in 1291. Todays Shanghai is a multi cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Bubbling Shanghai shows off every aspect of her unique glamour. Widely regarded as the citadel of Chinas modern economy, the city also serves as one of the nations most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centres.

A city government that has not been too narrowly focused on commerce to neglect wider urban planning issues and the result is one of Chinas most elegant cities and certainly its most sophisticated and cosmopolitan. The annual Shanghai Tourist Festival offers a huge amount of traditional and not so traditional entertainment at venues across the city, and also incorporates the Shanghai shopping festival. Theres much hype around town at the time and plenty of opportunity to pick up details of all the events.

Shanghai is a large and rapidly developing city, but also has a long and majestic history. You shouldn’t miss visiting the exhilarating skyscrapers and modern parks of Pudong, taking a walk along the historical Bund or shopping for bargains on Nanjing road or in the many markets such as Huaihai road market. Yuyuan gardens is also considered as a cultural heart of Shanghai, with wonderful architecture and the entire snack food and bar atmosphere you could want.

Shanghai has an extremely wide range of accommodation available to visitors. Shanghais people have a sweet tooth and more sugar is used than in any other part of China. The winters can be very cold and temperatures often drop well below zero. In contrast, the summers tend to be hot and humid. The best time to visit is autumn or spring. Whether youre in Shanghai for business or pleasure, make sure you visit a few of the charming places the Pearl of the East has to offer.

Towards the northern plains of China is the City of Shanghai, literally meaning “up the sea”, there is a quaint river town called Zhujiajiao translated as “family bridge”. Zhujiajiao, sometimes dubbed as the Venice of Shanghai is is an ancient water town well-known throughout the China, with a history of more than 1700 years. Spanning an area of about 47 sq km, lay snuggled in a landscape of beautiful lakes and majestic mountains. Zhujiajiao is abound with quaint ancient bridges across bubbling streams and small rivers shaded by weeping willow trees. Houses with traditional Chinese cultural courtyards fringes along these waterways with the atmosphere of antiquity, leisure and tranquillity. Bridges in Zhujiajiao are distinctive and ancient, mostly built during Ming and Qing dynasty era. The old town sector of Zhujiajiao is well connected by 36 bridges in different shapes, sizes and styles. Fangsheng Bridge (Set animals free bridge) is the longest, largest and the tallest stone bridge with five openings both in Zhujiajiao and in the Shanghai region. Fangsheng Bridge is almost 500 years old. There is a stone tablet on the bridge called The Dragon Gate Stone, which is engraved with 8 beautiful Chinese dragons encircling a shining pearl. Perched at top of the bridge are 4 lifelike stone lions purportedly to be guarding the bridge against any evil intruders. Lang Bridge (Veranda Bridge) or the Huimin Bridge, is the only wooden bridge and the most famous bridge of Zhujiajiao. It has wooden bars on the two sides and upturned eaves, just like a narrow corridor.