Shanghai the Mega city
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by: AyeshaPandya
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Word Count: 480
Home to 16 million people Shanghai is largest town in China. Spread over 3,355 square miles it is unique blend of historic past and present. It is also the city where you can see culture of east and west coexisting in a harmonious way. At present times its booming commercial and business center.
Historic records show that first settlement was founded at Shanghai during the Song Dynasty between 960 and 1380 AD. It was a small fishing settlement not a town until middle of 13th century. So historically it turns out to be a new comer in comparison to other major cities in China. Prosperity came to town during the Qing Dynasty, when it flourished from foreign trade.
Before 1840 it had grown into major port with about 500,000 people inhabiting it. City was the center of Opium war in 1840 and after that it has a turbulent history till it was reclaimed by People’s Liberation Army in 1949. Since then city has changed its face and in the last five decades it has emerged as commercial and industrial center of the main land China. Port at Shanghai has become one of the busiest ports in the world.
Cosmopolitan history of the town has resulted in the rich blend of religious heritage. Religious monuments and institutions scattered around the city stand testimony to it. Taoism has a presence in Shanghai in the form of several temples, which include the City God Temple at the center of the old city, the Wenmiao is dedicated to Confucius, and a temple dedicated to the Three Kingdoms.
Temples representing Buddhism include Longhua temple and Jingian temple. Longhua temple is also the largest temple in Shanghai. Another temple worth mentioning is the Jade Buddha Temple. The Temple is named after a large statue of Buddha, which has been carved out of a jade stone.
City has a number of modern temples throughout the city. Shanghai standing to its true Cosmo political look has places of worship for Christians, Muslims, Jewish and other orthodox communities.
Shanghai is also famous for its parks. There are more than 120 free parks in the city and they are planning to construct a botanic garden covering 210 hectares of land. Besides parks Shanghai has museums and markets to entertain you in numerous ways.
Shanghai has a user friendly public transportation system. System is largely based on buses, taxis, and local railway system (Metro). All sort of public system can be accessed using Public Transportation card of the city. Metro system uses elevated lines and is convenient ways to reach any part of the every part of the city. Earlier bicycle was most common means of transportation; city still has 11 million bicycles. Find out more about the city from different sites that provide information to tourists.
About the Author
To know more about Historic places visit China vacation or china trips web sites. Holiday in china website will provide you more information about group tours for China. To know more about the Shanghai visit china tours website.
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