Travel experts are in agreement that Shanghai is the main hotspot of modern China - a cosmopolitan city that has openly embraced business, globalisation and consumerism is recent times.

Shanghai is the largest city in China in terms of population and one of the largest urban areas in the world. Located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the city is administered as a municipality with province-level status.

This beautiful city is now emerging as a leading tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as the Bund and Xintiandi and its stunning Pudong skyline which is getting higher by the day, with more skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower being built.

Flight offers are aplenty, so tourists should find flights online and book a last minute holiday to Shanghai this summer.

Traditions and culture in Shanghai

Shanghai's status as the economic and cultural centre of East Asia for the first half of the twentieth century means that it is popularly seen as the birthplace of everything considered modern in China.

The city was where the first car was driven and also the home to many prolific writers and thinkers. Shanghai is also the birthplace of Chinese cinema and film.

Catholicism has a long history in Shanghai and dates back to as early as the Ming Dynasty (1595 AD). Among Catholic churches built there is the Dongjiadu Church, which was the first Catholic Church in China.

There are also plenty of Buddist temples in Shaghai, the best of which include the Longhua Temple in the south, the Jade Buddha Temple in the north and the centrally-located Jing'an Temple.

Recommended in Shanghai

The biggest event in Shanghai's calendar is the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, when the city comes alive as locals celebrate to a symphony of fireworks and joyous festivities.

In February, tourists should definitely participate in the Lantern Festival, where buildings are decorated with several colourful lanterns.

The Dragon Boat Festival takes place on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (June) and commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a third-century-BC poet and statesman.

Weather in Shanghai

Summers in Shanghai are hot and humid, with temperatures usually rising as high as 40 degrees C (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

April to mid-May is perhaps one of the best times to visit weather-wise, along with autumn (late September to mid-November), when temperatures are altogether cooler.

Destination checklist for Shanghai

Shanghai has a population of around 17 million.

The city is eight hours ahead of GMT.

The official currency in use is the yuan renminbi.

Cantonese and Mandarin are the official languages spoken here, so a holiday guide with language tips an absolute must.