This guide offers information on places to stay, eat and party for travellers of all ages. It suggests itineraries for walking, bus and metro tours as well as information on where to find local treasures, designer clothes and Cultural Revolution pop trash.

　　Shanghai is a constantly changing metropolis beginning to rival Beijing as China’s cultural capital, and Lonely Planet’s new "Shanghai" will help you keep up with this ever-evolving city. From shopping and old-world architecture to microbreweries and hip hangouts, "Shanghai" even covers bicycling, ballet and bungee jumping! Known primarily as a city for business travelers, there is still much of interest to capture one’s imagination – the excitement and energy alone makes Shanghai a destination hot-spot.

　　Energy, excess, glamour: discover what today’s Shanghai is all about. Rub shoulders with taichi experts and ballroom dancers along the historic Bund. Explore Shanghai’s traditional temples and the coveted French Concession. Treat yourself to first-rate fusion cuisine and countless boutiques and markets – or just gobble dumplings by the dozen. This smart and streetwise guide will show you Shanghai’s best-kept secrets.

　　1.PICK UP THE PULSE of the city – we show you minimalist bars, hard-to-find clubs, acrobats and Chinese opera

　　2.FIND IT WITH EASE – clear, user-friendly maps and Chinese script take you where you want to go

　　3.ESCAPE AND EXPLORE – excursions to the gardens of Suzhou and the Southern Song capital, Hangzhou

　　4.FEAST LIKE A LOCAL – opinionated reviews uncover the flavours of Shanghai, from the cheapest xiaolóngbao to the most decadent fine dining

　　5.INDULGE in retail therapy – we show you Shanghai’s best market bargains, boutiques and bazaars

　　Shanghai

　　A city of eastern China at the mouth of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) southeast of Nanjing. The largest city in the country, Shanghai was opened to foreign trade by the Treaty of Nanking (1842) and quickly prospered. France, Great Britain, and the United States all held large concessions in the city until the early 20th century. Shanghai is located in Jiangsu province but is administered as a separate governmental unit. Population: 9,830,000.