Shanghai (abbreviated as Hu or Shen) is a municipality directly under the central government of the People's Republic of China, a national central city, and the country's economic, financial, trade, and shipping hub. The city covers a total area of 6,340.5 square kilometers. By the end of 2025, Shanghai had 16 districts under its jurisdiction and a permanent resident population of 24,854,100. The Port of Shanghai ranks first in the world in both cargo throughput and container throughput. It is an excellent international port along the river and the coast, and it is also the home of the first pilot free‑trade zone in mainland China – the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

Shanghai is a nationally renowned historical and cultural city, with profound modern urban cultural heritage and numerous historical sites. The region's traditional Wu–Yue culture has merged with diverse cultures brought by immigrants from various parts of China, giving rise to the distinctive Haipai (Shanghai‑style) culture. Haipai culture belongs to the Wu–Yue cultural sphere, and the people of Shanghai are part of the Jiangsu–Zhejiang ethnic group, speaking the Wu dialect. The city has successfully hosted large‑scale international events such as the 2010 World Expo, the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, and the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Shanghai is well known as a "gourmet paradise" and a "shopping haven," offering a rich variety of global cuisines, classic and trendy shopping experiences, and a vibrant commercial atmosphere. The city currently has over 30,000 catering businesses, including Chinese, Western, casual‑dining, and fast‑food chains. Western cuisine features flavors from more than 30 countries, including Italy, France, Japan, Portugal, and India – the Western restaurants on Hengshan Road are a prime example. Chinese cuisine offers nearly 20 regional styles, such as Suzhou, Wuxi, Ningbo, and Anhui. Famous dining and cultural clusters include the Old City God Temple, Yunnan Road, Huanghe Road, and Xianxia Road. Nanjing Road, known as "China's No. 1 Commercial Street," and the elegant Huaihai Road are nationally famous shopping avenues. Super‑sized malls such as Super Brand Mall and Grand Gateway in Xujiahui, as well as luxury destinations like Plaza 66 and Maison Mode, house top‑tier brands, while fashionable goods and everyday commodities are available in abundance.

◆ Historical Buildings

Sun Yat‑sen's Former Residence, Soong Ching‑ling's Former Residence, Lu Xun Memorial Hall, Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Site of the Second National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xintiandi, Shanghai Art Museum, Shikumen (stone‑gate) architecture area in Jing'an District, Greater Shanghai Plan, and the Great World historical preservation building.

◆ Modern Architecture

Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, Times Square, Plaza 66, Shanghai Happy Valley, Tropical Storm Water Park, Shanghai Tower, and Shanghai Disneyland.

◆ Famous Scenic Spots

People's Square, Shanghai Natural History Museum, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center, The Bund, and Yuyuan Garden.

◆ Commercial Hubs

East Nanjing Road Commercial Street, West Nanjing Road Commercial Street, Middle Huaihai Road Commercial Street, North Sichuan Road Commercial Street, Xujiahui Shopping Area, Wujiaochang Shopping Area, Yuyuan Mall, Zhongshan Park Shopping Area, New Shanghai Mall in Pudong, and the "Never‑Night City" near the new railway station.

◆ Specialty Commercial Streets

Fuzhou Road Cultural Street, Dongtai Road Antique Street, Duolun Road Cultural Celebrities Street, Beijing Donglu Means of Production Street, Maoming Nanlu Cultural and Leisure Street, Huanghe Road Food and Leisure Street, Zhapu Road Food Street, Qipu Road Fashion Street, Hengshan Road Leisure and Entertainment Street, Yunnan Nanlu Food Street, and Meichuan Road Eurasian Leisure Street.

◆ Specialty Markets

Fuyou Road Small Commodity Market, Tongchuan Road Seafood Market, and Jungong Road Oriental International Fisheries Center.

◆ Natural Attractions

Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai Botanical Garden, Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Shanghai Insect Museum, and Century Park.

◆ Industrial Bases

Microelectronics Industry Base, Automobile Industry Base, High‑Quality Steel Base, Petrochemical and Fine Chemical Base, and Shipbuilding Industry Base.

◆ Comprehensive Development Zones

Zhangjiang Hi‑Tech Park, Zizhu Science Park, Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Jinqiao Export Processing Zone, Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone, Shanghai Multimedia Industrial Park, Yangshan Bonded Port Area, and Pudong Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone.

◆ National‑Level Development Zones

Caohejing Emerging Technology Development Zone, Minhang Economic and Technological Development Zone, and Songjiang Export Processing Zone.