Shanghai

Shanghai is one of the most electrifying cities on Earth, a place where ancient history and a dazzling future exist side by side. It sits on China’s eastern coast, and its name perfectly captures its spirit — a city that has always looked outward, toward the sea and beyond. Today it pulses with energy, creativity, and a constant sense that something exciting is just around the corner.

Strolling along the Bund, you can admire grand old buildings on one side while gazing across the river at a skyline that seems almost too spectacular to be real. That futuristic cluster of towers includes the Shanghai Tower, which corkscrews elegantly into the clouds and lets visitors peer down at the entire city from dizzying heights.

Yet Shanghai never forgets its roots. Hidden among the skyscrapers, Yu Garden has welcomed visitors for nearly five centuries, its tranquil ponds and dragon-topped walls offering a calm, beautiful escape from the city’s thrilling rush.