Joanna James
A cosmopolitan city that is also steeped in history, Shanghai is an ideal place to explore. Amidst the sprawling skyscrapers and modern buildings, you will also find historical sites that provide insights into the city and will make your visit even more rewarding.
One of the most popular attractions in Shanghai, The Bund is a charming waterfront area that can be found along the banks of the Huangpu River. Apart from being an ideal place to enjoy a stroll, it is also home to some striking historical buildings that date back to the 19th and 20th centuries; these include European-style structures from the city's colonial past which have diverse architectural and design styles. Amongst the highlights are the British Consulate, House of Roosevelt, Shanghai Customs House with its impressive clock tower and the Rockbund Art Museum.
Another historical area, the French Concession was a former French settlement in the city and dates back to 1849. Only around one kilometre away from centrally located properties such as Somerset Gubei Shanghai, this is also a locale where you can spend time wandering around. You will come across quaint and shaded streets along with houses and buildings from that period. While here, you can also visit the Former Residence of Sun Yat-Sen, now a museum where you can learn more about the Republic of China's founding father.
One of the city's historical temples, the Jing'an Temple initially dates back to the Wu Kingdom in 247 AD when it was located near the Suzhou Creek; it underwent varied renovations through the centuries before being moved to its current site. In Shanghai, apartments and hotels can be found within easy reach of this temple, giving travellers ample opportunities to visit. There is much to take in like the sterling silver Buddha that is over eight metres in height, a Sakyamuni statue made from Burmese white-jade, statues of 18 arhats and the Hall of Heavenly Kings.
Dating back to the 16th century during the time of the Ming Dynasty, Yu Garden is another historical site worth visiting. Constructed by Zhang Nanyang, a famed architect, this attraction features ponds with carp, bamboo groves and rock gardens. One of the highlights here is the Hall of Spring which is known to be the spot where the Small Swords Society was based during the 1800s. Other noteworthy elements include the main hall with its bas reliefs, walls with dragons and roof ornaments as well as the site's fascinating artificial rocks and miniature mountain ranges.
Pre-dating the 1850s, the Old City area was once the core of Shanghai and had a fortified wall to protect against invaders; while only a small section of the wall remains today, this locale still has an old-world charm. One of the best things to do in Shanghai is to walk along the winding laneways past age-old buildings and some remaining historical structures. You will also find several temples that you can head to when here such as the Temple of the Town God or Chenghuang Miao.
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