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Shanghai History & Culture

Shanghai is a paradise for history lovers. With its long history, it is no wonder that Shanghai has a large amount of historical relics and places of historical interest.

Shanghai's many ancient and modern living cultures are alive and well. The city's bars and nightclubs are designed with innumerable theme, offering something for everyone.

We have chosen some interesting topics about Shanghai history and culture to share with you. And hope they can help you to get a more detailed look at the wonderful city Shanghai.

Experience Old Shanghai : When talk about the pass of Shanghai, instead of talking about its histroy, people tend to use the phrase Old Shanghai. Many people consider Old Shanghai as a certain kind of lifestyle, thus the impression of Old Shanghai falls to the following words: clubs, nightlife, fashion, pretty girls in Cheongsams, handsome man with hats, and a bunch of foreigners.
Taste Shanghai Culture : Some people, expecially for those come from Beijing or Xi'an, might think Shanghai is a city with little culture. However, since it was opened as a commercial port in 1843, Shanghai, became one of the first cities that were exposed to western thoughts and fashion. Thus, Shanghai became "A melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures. "

Interesting Tidbits about Shanghai History and Culture

Old Shanghai was a very special time and place. The city was run by foreigners but was not a colony, most residents were Chinese but it was not ruled by China.

Shanghai is the most exciting and fashionable city in China.

Many Jewish refugees fled from Europe to Shanghai during World War II and maintain a strong and vigorous community there today.

The French Concession is the area of Shanghai once designated for the French, consisting of today's Luwan and Xuhui Districts.

Image of People playing mahjong in the street, Shanghai, China

Shanghai Opera, a local opera sung in the Shanghai dialect. Younger than many of China's traditional Operas, it features vivid language and gentle music and is especially popular among the female residents of Shanghai.

When we talk about the fashion of Shanghai, Shanghai women's Cheongsam is alway at the top list.

Old Shanghai
New & Modern Shanghai
Shanghai Jews
French Concession/ Frenchtown
Living in Shanghai
- Local Lifestyle of Shanghai
Shanghai Music
- Shanghai Opera
- Shanghai Folk Music, Pingtan
Shanghai Art & Fashion
- M50 Art Community
- Shanghai International Fashion Culture Festival
- Shanghai Qipao (Cheongsam)

Shanghai Brief History: the Development of Shanghai

A Small Fishing Village

Six thousand years ago, humans had settled here.
In 960, Shanghai was still a small fishing village.
Six thousand years ago, humans had settled here, but it was not until 751 that it received its present name.

A Key Cotton Exporter

Shanghai became a key cotton exporter under the Song Dynasty. .
To increase trade, a customs house was built in 1685 to sell silk and tea.

After the First Opium War

The British opened a concession in Shanghai after the first Opium War in 1842. The French, Americans and Japanese soon followed the British in establishing territories in Shanghai.

China's Fuzhou Road located in the concession area

Most Important Port in Asia

1930s: Shanghai became the most important port in Asia and the world's largest trading and banking firms have set up house along the Bund.

A 1929 scene of The Bund

Japanese Invasion

In 1937, Japanese bombs hit Shanghai and control Shanghai and much of China's eastern coast until 1945.

People were crowded for getting train tickets to flee from Shanghai

1949: New Shanghai

1949: Most foreigners have left Shanghai and the Chinese Communist state takes control of the city and the formerly privately-held businesses.The foreign concession era officially ends.

Communist Party's People's Liberation Army entering Shanghai in 1949.