Draft

Although not the capital, Shanghai is the largest and most populated city in China, with a population of over 24 million. The city has grown rapidly over the last twenty years, which can be seen by the number of skyscrapers that have built up in recent years. It's a popular city for expats and tourists as there are many landmarks and sights to visit, including Shanghai Disneyland. 

Shanghai also has a thriving nightlife which I can definitely vouch for! During my G Adventures Tour, Beijing To Hong Kong Express, we went to an all-you-can-drink nightclub for around £10, and it was completely crazy. We had VIP service, our own table and waiter, and the drinks just kept on coming... We were dancing until 4am! This seemed like a great idea at the time, but it certainly didn't on the following day when we had a schedule booked full of sightseeing.

Anyway, let's move on! Here are three places you must visit in Shanghai, China:

Take a walk along the Bund - the famous walkway that runs alongside the Huangpu River and gives incredible views of the city's buildings. On one side you can see the more historical architecture, and on the other side of the river you can admire the modern financial skyscrapers, providing a serious contrast. You can also get a ferry from the Bund across to the other side of the Huangpu River, to visit landmarks such as the Shanghai World Financial Centre and the Shanghai Tower.

The Shanghai Tower is the second tallest building in the world, besides the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and is 632 metres high. It was finished being built in 2015, and since then has welcomed many visitors to experience its observation deck on the 121st floor. You quite literally tower above all of the other buildings, so perhaps be aware of this if you're afraid of heights! When I visited in July 2016, looking out even made me feel dizzy. Although that may have been just because of the hidious hangover I was experiencing...

Spend a few hours exploring the pretty Yuyuan Gardens, but be prepared for it to get quite busy. The crowds are worth it though as the gardens are beautiful and the surrounding oriental buildings are stunning. The Yuyuan Bazaar next to it is also a great place to pick up any souvenirs you've been thinking of buying, and there are some great places to grab a bite to eat around here as well. 

From Shanghai there are brilliant transport links to other areas of China. There are many short-haul flights to cities such as Beijing, or even Hong Kong, and there are overnight trains to areas such as Xi'An and Guilin, where you can visit the stunning Yangshuo.