Shanghai is one of the cities that shall be hosting the Beijing Olympics football preliminaries. On the sidelines of the event one can also plan a visit to the famous places in the city.

Places to see in Shanghai

Shanghai is one of the most well developed cities of China. Being the commercial capital of the People's Republic of China, every year it receives a host of visitors from the business fraternity. The city also witnesses an influx of tourists from far and wide. Now being, one of the co-host cities for Beijing Olympics 2008, again people from across the globe are expected to arrive in the city in the month of August. It would be ideal to know about the favorite tourist attractions in Shanghai, which you can visit on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympics 2008.

There is a lot to do and see, when in Shanghai. The city is both an international metropolis and a place reminiscent of the rich historic and cultural past. The city has various interesting tourist spots which include parks, gardens, museums, churches, temples, towers and much more. Here apart from the symbols of modern booming Shanghai, one will find architecture bearing historical significance. The Yuyuan Garden is one of the largest ancient gardens of Shanghai, with architectural styles matching those of the Ming and the Qing dynasties.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is another destination, which is not to be missed when in Shanghai. Standing besides the Huangpu River, with a height of 468 meters, it is the tallest TV tower in Asia and attracts many visitors every year to view this unique and breathtaking structure. The Bund of Shanghai is yet another place that receives thousands of visitors every year without fail. The place is also a favorite for the local people of Shanghai. It is located along the main river of Shanghai, the Huangpu River and faces the Pudong. It is a pleasurable thing to stroll on the banks of the Huangpu River, especially in the evenings, when the entire region is lighted along the banks. The Shanghai Museum is the authentic wealth house of the Chinese art and historic relics. Here you will find bronze artifacts, calligraphies, potteries, paintings and vessels from the ancient Chinese civilization. Another place worth a visit in Shanghai is the Jade Buddha temple. This is one of the most famous Buddhist temples of Shanghai and houses the beautiful white Jade Buddha that was brought from Burma here in the nineteenth century. The temple every day witnesses an influx of local people, who come here to burn incense and pray.