= Shanghai

Shanghai is a mix of Asian and European stiles. If you walk along the harbour you get a feeling that you are in a British port city, Walk in a block and you are moved to a typical Chinese ancient city. Shanghai means " by the sea " It have been living well off businesses connected to the sea, like the shanghai port. Shanghai has during the years been a meeting point for the western powers and the Chinese. This has not always been of gain for the Chinese. The English obtain by force a concession in Shanghai. This meant that they didn't have to follow Chinese laws. The Englishmen obtained by force a concession in Shanghai. By doing this they could establish a market place where they didn't have to bother to follow Chinese laws. Of course all other major powers also wanted their own concessions. By having one they would have extremely cheap labour that would benefit their own industrial plans. At the same time also had access to the Yangtze river. With the European gun ships they ruled the river. Nothing that the Chinese had could do anything about those ships. In other words, it was not the Chinese who where the real rulers of Shanghai during this period. At this time there were more cars in shanghai than in the rest of China together, they build racetracks, cinemas, gambling places, opium dens etc. Prostitution was very common and so was the criminality. Naturally the Chinese didn't like this. It was in shanghai the Chinese communist party had their first national meeting 1921. The workers tried to make a revolt. The nationalists fought this back. The communists were forced to flee out to the countryside. Even after the Japanese occupation of shanghais the western powers continued to live like before in Shanghai. It all took and end when the Japanese attacked pearl harbour. All white persons still in shanghai was confined When Japan lost the war in 1945 the western powers also lost their concessions on shanghai. The civil was continued until 1949 when the Communists entered shanghai. The earlier poverty, starvation and criminality are now in large gone. Today they have other problems such as lack of housing, pollutions, pore people moving in to the city to try to find job etc. Shanghai stands for about 10% of Chinas total industry production and 15% of Chinas export. Those numbers are still rising! Many believe that shanghai will take over Hong Kong's place as the most important economic centre in China. What can shanghai offer you? Well, a lot we would say. Just walking along the Bund is a great experience. Watch the city life, look a the mix of western and Chinese architecture, look at the harbour life, visit ultra modern department stores, eat traditional Chinese food. Visit bars that brew their own beer and much, much more. Try a river tour to have a great view of the city. Visit the old Chinese parts of the city. There are many museum, parks etc to visit. On the other hand, that you will find better and larger else where in China. Go to shanghai if you want to feel the special Shanghai feeling of old China and ultra modern Asia. If you want to work for a western company you will find that many of them are here too. As for art, there are many good places to go to if you want to listen to music, visit an opera etc. shanghai is a modern city with an interesting history. Come and share that feeling!