In this racing cosmopolitan city of 18 millions inhabitants, the world falls at your feet. As China's most prominent pinnacle of modernism, change, there are few cities which can rival her promise of opportunity and excitement. Catapult yourself into the future- whether it be at 431 km per hour on the Maglev, Shanghai's original 'Bullet Train', or on one of her sweeping highways.

An evolving landscape:

After nightfall new buildings spring out of the city's fertile ground like mushrooms, whilst old concrete complexes are silently demolished. As a resident of Shanghai you will too become trapped in her limbo between past present and future. Witness developments unravel in front of your eyes; buildings climb in the space of months. Yet, turn a corner and meet unexpected peaceful residential areas still untouched from former decades, wet clothes hanging to dry from windows and curious smells from local food stalls. Turn yet another corner and be astounded by the stunning colonial architecture of the early twentieth century, when decadence and reveling set days and nights ablaze.

The energy and magnetism that Shanghai exerts is impressionable. Caught in the headlights of the world both economically and culturally, Shanghai is without doubt a city in transit. Only from and to where exactly, we still don't quite know. Come, explore and make up your mind for yourself.

Shanghai is split in two by the Huangpu River. On the west bank is Puxi, the older city center, while the newer sky-rise development on the east side is called Pudong.

Climate

Shanghai's climate is temperate, officially classified as a humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures at noontime can hit 35-36°C with very high humidity. Thunderstorms also occur relatively often during the summer. In contrast winter temperatures rarely rise above 10°C, and often fall below 0°C at midnight.

Get in Shanghai

Shanghai has two main airports, with Pudong the main international gateway and Hongqiao serving mostly domestic flights. Transfer between the two takes about 1 hour by taxi or nearly 2 hours by metro.

1-Pudong (IATA: PVG) is Shanghai's main international airport, 40 km to the east of the city. There are two gigantic terminals (T1 and T2). A free shuttle bus service connects the two in case walking a few minutes (or using the conveyor belts) are too cumbersome.

2-Shanghai's airport Hongqiao (IATA: SHA) services domestic flights, the only exception being the city shuttle services to Tokyo-Haneda, Seoul-Gimpo and Taipei-Songshan.

Getting there: Visas

If you are planning on working or taking an internship you will need a visa to enter mainland China.

Visa for Mainland China (Shanghai and Beijing): If you are participating in a professional internship program, you will need to obtain a business visa (F). This should be obtained from a Chinese embassy or consulate before departure.

Language

The language of the streets is Shanghainese, however, with Shanghai having been the commercial centre of China since the 1920's, standard Mandarin is understood and spoken fluently by almost everybody, including most of the elderly.

While you are more likely to encounter an English speaker in Shanghai than in any other mainland Chinese city, they still are not common.

Thing To Do in Shanghai

-Yuyuan Gardens, (in Old City).

-Classic (Western) architecture. For a taste of 1920s Shanghai, head for the stately old buildings of the The Bund or the French Concession

-Modern architecture. Some of the tallest and most inspiring structures in Asia and the world can be found along the Huangpu River bank in Pudong's Lujiazui District. Two of considerable mention are Oriental Pearl Tower, one of the tallest structures in Asia, Jin Mao Tower, which is staggering 88-story behemoth, and the Shanghai World Financial Center, the second largest building in Asia and the world, and world's largest by roof height, containing the world's highest observation deck, at 474 meters.

-Visit the Urban Planning Museum in People's Square for a fascinating look into Shanghai's colourful past, and learn about development strategies for the future. It is located just across from the Shanghai Museum.

-Temples. Some of the more popular ones include the Jade Buddha Temple, Jing'an Temple and Longhua Temple.

Take an Internship in Shanghai, China with Next Step Connections

Next Step Connections is a leading global professional education organization connecting students and international career development opportunities abroad.

NSC has helped students, gap year participants and young professionals begin their careers through hands-on, real-life and studies-related International internship programs in Asia since 2007.

Over 300 Individuals between 15-45 years old and from 25 different countries, have participated in one of NSC's international education programs.

More information

Please e-mail: info@oneworld365.org.