Sanghaj, Kína világvárosa

Shanghai from a small fishermen’s village became one of the greatest and most considerable metropolis of both China and the World. The name Shanghai means not only the settlement itself but also the surrounding region comprising a direct-administered municipality of the People’s Republic of China. Shanghai’s development began during the so-called Opium Wars when the Chinese Empire was forced to open several ports for the foreign rules and – thanks to its excellent geographical location – became a centre of the imperialist colonisation. In the recent area of the city, British, French and other concessions were settled with considerable numbers of European and American merchants, businessmen – and also of adventurers. Several buildings, especially the houses of the Bund along the Huangpu are reminders of those days. After the Civil War, Shanghai remained an important industrial city; however, it lost its former glory and light. Only due to the politics of “Reform and Opening-up” introduced at the end of the 1970’s got back the city its reputation and became a financial and economical centre again, where domestic and foreign investments together resulted in a fantastic development, of which elements are especially the modern technology and the innovation. Also the development of the infrastructure was extraordinary. In addition, although Shanghai has only small considerable monuments, its tourism is increasing quickly especially due to the modern townscape and the amusement facilities.