Touching the Sky in Shanghai

Shanghai sits at the confluence of the Wusong and Huangpu rivers. The area along the east of the Huangpu is widely known as The Bund. West of the river is Pu dong, an area that twenty years ago was countryside and now is home to a truly stunning mass of skyscrapers. The tallest of these is 102 stories, but only until one under construction, even taller, is completed. On our next to last day in Shanghai, we took on Pu dong, lunching along the river in one of the numerous outdoor venues and then ascending skyscrapers to catch our breaths over views the city that is China’s largest. Shanghai is home to 18 million people. When we leave here we downsize to Hangzhou, only 6 million. If that doesn’t blow your mind, maybe this will: China has close to 200 cities with over one million people. The US has nine.

As rapidly as Shanghai is changing, regions of the city still remain distinctively shaped by history. Following a humiliating defeat by Great Britain in 1842 China signed the Treaty of Nanjing and Shanghai was surrendered which opened the city to unrestricted foreign trade. The British, French, and Americans took possession of designated areas in the city within which they were granted special rights and privileges. Parts of the city are still identified by these former ‘concessions,’ the French Concession being of particular note, an area of Shanghai that is now distinctively affluent and whose architecture and tree lined boulevards and cafes leave you wondering if indeed you’ve slipped through a wrinkle in the world map and found yourself in France.

The opening of Shanghai to foreign business immediately led to the establishment of major European bands and multipurpose commercial houses. The city’s identity as a leading center of trade was also determined by its strategic coastal location, propelling it to becoming China’s leading port. Shanghai’s port is now the largest in the world.

Our group transportation through Shanghai has been via occasional taxi, considerable walking, and countless miles on the (excellent) Shanghai subway system. It was darn exciting to celebrate with Candis that she was having the first subway ride of her life in China.

Shanghai's skyline from one of its tallest buildings.