Shanghai does not have the rich cultural history of Beijing or Xian but for those who wish to live in a truly vibrant and cosmopolitan world city and experience the front line of Chinese business and growth, Shanghai is the place for you. From humble origins as a sleepy fishing village, in the space of 50 years Shanghai was transformed into a super city. Shanghai became the first Chinese port to be opened for trade to the outside world, in the 1920s it was known as a city of decadence and became a must visit for the era’s world socialites. World War II heralded a dark period in the history of Shanghai, and with the exit of the colonial powers and the inception of the communist party it felt as if Shanghai was lost to the world.

The 1990s saw the rebirth of Shanghai. The Chinese government put forward plans to make the city a major international finance and trade center. 2007 will see the completion of the World Financial Center, the largest building in the world. It can be said with confidence that Shanghai has regained its former glory and is well on its way to surpassing it.