SA Travel

The city of Shanghai, in China, is the second largest in terms of size after Beijing and the largest in terms of population. Shanghai municipality is one of four provinces in China and has a population of about 23 million according to figures of the 2010 census. Today, Shanghai is a leading center for culture, finance, trade, technology, media, transport, commerce, fashion and is also a leading global city. It is the world’s busiest port city in terms of containers’ handling.

Shanghai is a renowned tourism destination with millions of tourists descending on this magnificent city each year. Despite the numerous population of this city, Shanghai is  awesome for walks across its streets, alleys, parks and walkways. The city features plenty of great architecture that is an amalgam of ancient China, European architecture, colonial mansions and modern architecture that includes glass and steel towers, malls and shopping centers. There are plenty of ancient traditional Chinese buildings dotting the landscape as well.

One of the best ways of enjoying a walking tour of Shanghai is to stroll through the streets of the city and suburbs. It will provide far better insights and a far richer experience than any bus tour or city excursion could. It provides an opportunity to rub shoulders with regular citizens on the street, check out local markets and sample local cuisines. It also provides an opportunity to sample the local markets and what they have to offer.

A good, organized tour of Shanghai can begin in modern Shanghai and end up in the Old City. This walk will take residents through some of the more renowned streets of the city including the exclusive and posh Xintiandi shopping district. The route will take travelers and tourist through lovely little antique markets where they can view and purchase souvenir items, gifts and mementos; across Buddhist temples and the bird and cricket market. Participants in this guided walk through the city of Shanghai will enjoy interacting with the local residents as they play cards on the streets and others out shopping or just strolling. This tour will wind up at the Yuyuan Gardens where there’s a great bazaar that is quite phenomenal.

A different walk through the streets of the city of Shanghai would take the route down the French Concession. This route will offer participants great opportunities to view and enjoy the great and catchy colonial mansions, hotels and parks. There’s plenty of French influence here, dating back to the old colonial days. Travelers will be bound to relish in the awesome buildings and homes all lined with trees and artifacts of French culture.

Walks can be organized through Shanghai’s cultural area. Here, old buildings of the early part of the last century adorn this part of the city. Here, too, is the favorite park Luxun Park. The park is named after the great Chinese scholar and literature icon.

Shanghai is a great city and one of the most popular in the world. Getting an opportunity to walk the streets and alleys of this picturesque city is definitely a memorable and enjoyable spectacle. The walk is best undertaken as a guided tour by an organized party.