Despite my feelings on China, I actually quite like Shanghai and if I had to, it’d be the only city in China I’d consider living.  The architecture, buildings, variety of things to do and places to see, shopping and food options make it to me, the best city in China by a long, long way.  The Bund area is lovely, sure it can be teaming with people (especially during Chinese holidays), but you can move ok and it wouldn’t be China if you’re not in competition with 3 other people for the personal space around you.  Shanghai is great for kids, lots to do, a nice mix of old meets new and the times I’ve gone there the weather’s been nice.  Come to think of it, there’s actually not much I don’t like about Shanghai and would gladly go back there.

It’s a massive city, around 24 million people so pretty much everywhere you go there’s going to be people but for some reason, in Shanghai it seems less strangling than say Beijing.  It’s got the world’s busiest container port, has some good weather with the winter’s not being too cold, and most major airlines have direct flights into Shanghai.  There’s an extensive public transport system but if you’re juts visiting, taxis are the best way to get around and cheap as chips. Forget the trains unless you absolutely have to, especially from Shanghai to Suzhou, the train stations can get rather out of control.

Despite being a developed and highly visited city, the language barrier might be a bit of a problem if you venture even a little far from the beaten path but not so much so that it’d make you think twice about going.  If you’re only going to visit one city in China, Shanghai would have to be at the top of your list.