Introducing Shanghai
Located on China’s eastern coast, where the Yangtze River meets the East China Sea, Shanghai is China’s most populous city, with over 24 million residents.
Settlements date back over 1,000 years, having once been a treaty port after the First Opium War, and now a thriving megacity, with towering skyscrapers that light up with LEDs and high-speed railway networks. This city is a fusion of old and new, with traditional, old tea houses right next to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Below is a tourist, a YouTuber by the name CoolVision, who travels around Shanghai, exploring the new and the old sights.
This city offers a dazzling array of tourist attractions, seamlessly blending ultra-modern elements with historic and traditional ones. Within Shanghai, you can also find a myriad of different tourist attractions, ranging from giant malls with interiors reminiscent of a museum to botanical gardens.
For example, the Yu Garden is a beautiful, classical garden built during the Ming Dynasty in 1559. It reflects Jiangnan-style landscaping with multiple pavilions, ponds, zigzag bridges, and rockeries. The ponds are well-maintained, featuring fountains that gently drizzle and spray water into the air, and colorful koi fish of various sizes darting back and forth beneath the lily pads.
What makes Yu Garden especially captivating is its fusion of tradition and modernity. Surrounding the garden are bustling streets lined with vendors selling a wide range of items, from delicate paper-cut art to sizzling street food. Among the shops, you’ll even find a quirky mini chocolate museum, adding a sweet twist to the cultural experience. The area is also renowned for its vibrant tea houses, where visitors can savor fragrant brews while enjoying live performances of traditional Chinese music or opera.
As night falls, the garden transforms into a glowing wonderland. Lanterns illuminate the pathways, and the rooftiles shimmer under the soft lights, creating a magical atmosphere that feels like stepping into a historical painting. Key highlights include the Wanhua Chamber, which shelters a majestic 400-year-old ginkgo tree, and the Sansui Hall, once used for entertaining guests and now admired for its grand scale and ornate woodwork. The Grand Rockery, standing nearly 12 meters tall, is one of the oldest and most elaborate rockeries in China, offering panoramic views of the garden from its summit.
This is a picture taken by my camera at night.
Below are some pictures of the chocolate carvings from the small chocolate museum!
Despite being known for its urban construction, the city is dotted with over 150 parks, ranging from sprawling green belts to intimate neighborhood gardens. Century Park, the largest in the city, features lakes, forests, and themed gardens inspired by both British and Chinese landscaping styles. Xujiahui Park, built on the site of an old textile mill, blends industrial relics with serene walking paths and lotus ponds.
Many parks in Shanghai feature outdoor fitness equipment, tai chi zones, and community spaces, reflecting the city’s commitment to public health and social cohesion. Seasonal flower festivals and weekend markets add vibrancy, making these green spaces hubs of local life.
You also can’t come to Shanghai without a stroll along The Bund, the iconic waterfront promenade that hugs the western bank of the Huangpu River. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations for those visiting Shanghai. Lined with colonial-era buildings in Gothic, Baroque, and Art Deco styles, The Bund offers a window into Shanghai’s cosmopolitan past. Across the river, the futuristic skyline of Lujiazui—with its needle-like Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, and Jin Mao Tower—creates a stunning visual dialogue between old and new.
At night, The Bund comes alive with light shows, river cruises, and street performers. It’s a favorite spot for photographers, couples, and anyone seeking to soak in the city’s electric energy. The promenade also connects to green corridors and bike paths, making it both scenic and sustainable. At night, the city lights up with neon strips and flashing lights, painting the city blocks in hues of pink, blue, and white.
Overall, Shanghai is a must-visit city, a place with stunning sights and buildings rich in historical significance. If you plan to visit China, be sure to include Shanghai on your list of must-see destinations.
