Shanghai (Page 6)

   Shanghai has a very elaborate transportation system.  Several forms of transportation serve the city on a non stop basis.  In fact, Shanghai has the world’s largest bus system (Wikipedia).  There are over a thousand bus lines serving the city during all hours of the day.  Shanghai also has an extensive metro system.  The system currently has 5 routes which will soon be expanded to 13 in 2010.  Bicycles usage is also extremely common.  Unfortunately, bicycle usage has significantly declined due to the inception of new laws.  Shanghai’s bicycles were causing significant congestion in the city.  Luckily, the average Shanghai person’s living standards have steadily increased.  Each year more citizens are able to purchase vehicles (Pannell).  

            Shanghai also has two international airports Pudong and Hongqiao international.  Pudong is considered to be the second busiest airport in all of China.  In a recent development, one of the fastest most technologically advanced trains in the world was built in Shanghai.  The Mag Lev train links the Pudong airport to the Shanghai city core.  The train is a feat of engineering in which the train actually floats above the track by magnets.  The train is capable of reaching speeds of up to 450 kilometers an hour which is perhaps the fastest public transportation on the earth (Wikipedia)!  Therefore, A Shanghai patron can get to the Pudong Airport in about 7 minutes!

            Shanghai also exhibits many railways.  Railways are the primary long distance transportation for the Chinese people.  Chinese trains are relatively inexpensive and quite fast and reliable.  Shanghai has 3 major railway stations which service 3 main railways, the Shanghai Hangzhu, the Xiaoshan Ningbo and the Jinghu railways (Wikipedia).  A future plan calls for a new railway that would link Beijing directly to Shanghai.  The train will be high speed and promises to increase collaboration between the cities.

            In conclusion, Shanghai has a very rich history and an extremely advanced infrastructure that rivals many western cities.  Interestingly, the largest city in China is far from complete.  Everyday new buildings and projects are undertaken.  Shanghai is really a special place.  In very few places throughout the world, do cities possess all the qualities that Shanghai has to offer; a great history, awesome architecture, fantastic shopping and a commercial hub etc... Rest assured that anyone visiting this exceptional city will not be disappointed.  They will simply want to return as soon as possible.