Shanghai history

The history of Shanghai is a journey from a humble fishing settlement to one of the world's leading metropolises. Its transformation reflects the key stages of China's development and its interaction with the rest of the world.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first settlements on the site of modern Shanghai appeared as early as the 5th–7th centuries, constituting a small fishing village. The status and significance of the settlement began to grow during the Song Dynasty (960–1279), when it evolved into a bustling seaport and a centre for the cotton trade. Shanghai officially received the status of a county town in 1292 during the reign of the Yuan Dynasty. In 1553, city walls were erected to protect against pirates, which definitively consolidated its urban status.

Key Factors of Development

Shanghai owes its rapid growth to several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Its position in the Yangtze River Delta, at the confluence with the Huangpu River, provided the city with unique access to both the country's inland waterways and the sea. This made it an ideal location for trade.
• Trade: A turning point in the city's history was the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, which opened Shanghai to international trade. This led to the establishment of foreign concessions (international settlements) and transformed the city into the largest financial and commercial centre of the Far East.
• Political Environment: The presence of international settlements, governed by Western laws, created a distinct environment that attracted capital, entrepreneurs, and migrants from all over the world.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Shanghai acquired the reputation of the "Paris of the East". This period was characterised by rapid economic growth based on the trade of silk, tea, and cotton, as well as the development of industry and banking. The blending of Chinese and Western cultures gave rise to the city's unique cosmopolitan appearance, which is still evident today in its architecture, particularly in the Waitan area (The Bund), and its lifestyle.

Key Dates in the History of Shanghai

From a humble settlement to a global financial centre, the history of Shanghai is full of turning points that have shaped its unique character. Below is a brief timeline of the most important events.

• 751 — Huating County is founded, considered the administrative predecessor of modern Shanghai.
• 1292 — The settlement officially receives the status of a county town during the Yuan Dynasty, marking its formal birth.
• 1553 — A city wall is erected to protect against raids by Japanese pirates, defining the boundaries of the old city.
• 1842 — The signing of the Treaty of Nanking after the First Opium War opens Shanghai to international trade, launching an era of rapid growth and the creation of foreign concessions.
• 1921 — The 1st National Congress of the Communist Party of China is held illegally in Shanghai, making the city the birthplace of the CPC.
• 1920s – 1930s — The "Golden Era" of Shanghai arrives, earning it the reputation of the "Paris of the East" as a cosmopolitan centre of finance, culture, and entertainment.
• 1937 — The Battle of Shanghai becomes one of the key and bloodiest engagements at the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
• 1949 — The People's Liberation Army of China occupies the city, and Shanghai comes under the control of the communist government.
• 1990 — The central government announces the start of the massive development of the new Pudong district, kickstarting Shanghai's transformation into a modern global metropolis.
• 1991 — The Nanpu Bridge opens — the first bridge across the Huangpu River, becoming a symbol of connecting the historic Puxi centre with the new Pudong district.
• 2010 — Shanghai hosts the World Expo 2010, visited by over 73 million people, strengthening its status as a city of global significance.

Thematic Milestones: How Shanghai Acquired Its Modern Look

The development of Shanghai is not merely a chronology of events, but a multifaceted process intertwining economic ambitions, cultural shifts, and bold architectural decisions. The key milestones of its transformation can be viewed through several prisms, each revealing a unique side of this metropolis.

• Architectural Dialogue of Eras: From The Bund to Pudong. One of Shanghai's main calling cards is its architectural contrast. On one side is the Bund (Waitan), frozen in time with its colonial buildings from the "Paris of the East" era. On the other is the futuristic Pudong district, which emerged on the opposite bank of the Huangpu River. This leap from classicism to ultra-modernity, symbolised by world-famous skyscrapers, became not just a construction boom, but a visual embodiment of the city's resurgence as a global leader.
• Economic Transformation: From "Open Port" to Financial Hub. Shanghai's economic history is a story of bold transformations. Becoming an "open port" in the 19th century, it turned into a centre of international trade. After a period of industrialisation in the mid-20th century, the city made a new leap in the 1990s with the development of Pudong. The creation of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in 2013 definitively cemented its status as a leading experimental ground for economic reforms and one of the world's major financial centres.
• Cultural Melting Pot. Shanghai has always been a place where East meets West. The "Golden Era" of the 1920s–1930s gave it a reputation as a cosmopolitan centre of fashion, art, and cinema. This tradition has been revived on a new level. Hosting the World Expo 2010 not only attracted a record 73 million visitors but also served as a powerful catalyst for the development of a modern cultural environment, from world-class museums to avant-garde galleries.
• Infrastructural Breakthrough: Connecting the City. Shanghai's rapid growth would have been impossible without advanced infrastructure development. The construction of giant bridges across the Huangpu River, the creation of one of the world's longest metro networks, and the operation of two major international airports — all this became the framework that allowed the city to function effectively and grow. This transport system transformed disparate districts into a unified, dynamic metropolis.

The architectural landscape of Shanghai is a unique kaleidoscope reflecting its turbulent history. The city serves as a visual guide to urban planning, where traditional Chinese structures sit alongside European colonial architecture and futuristic skyscrapers, creating inimitable contrasts.

Pre-colonial Period and Traditional Architecture

Until the mid-19th century, Shanghai was a typical Chinese city with narrow streets and traditional houses. Elements of this era have been preserved in the Old City (Nanshi) and in the architecture of temple complexes such as the Yu Garden (Yuyuan). This period is characterised by buildings in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties with curved roofs, wooden structures, and harmonious integration into the natural landscape. However, the true hallmark of residential development became the Shikumen (石库门) style, which originated in the mid-19th century. This is a hybrid style combining elements of Western townhouses and traditional Chinese courtyard homes. Such two- or three-story grey brick houses formed entire alley-neighbourhoods called "longtang".

"Paris of the East": The Era of Foreign Concessions (1842–1940s)

After the city opened to international trade in 1842, Shanghai's architecture underwent a true revolution. Within the territories of foreign settlements, especially on the Bund (Waitan), a construction boom unfolded, transforming it into the financial centre of East Asia. This area became a veritable "open-air museum of world architecture". Magnificent examples of Western styles are presented here:

• Neoclassicism: A striking example is the former HSBC Building (1923) and the Shanghai Customs House (1927) with its famous clock tower, mimicking London's Big Ben.
• Art Deco: Shanghai is considered one of the world capitals of this style. The Peace Hotel (formerly Sassoon House) and the Bank of China building are iconic examples of 1920s–30s Art Deco.
• Historical Revival Styles: Buildings in the spirit of Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance can also be found, adding to the eclectic look of the embankment.

Modernity: From Soviet Functionalism to Pudong Skyscrapers

After 1949, a period of functionalism ensued in architecture, largely following Soviet models. However, a real architectural explosion occurred in the 1990s with the start of the development of the new Pudong district on the opposite bank of the Huangpu River. This district became a symbol of a new, future-oriented China. Its skyline is formed by world-famous skyscrapers:

• Oriental Pearl TV Tower (1994) — one of the first and most recognisable symbols of the new Shanghai.
• Jin Mao Tower (1999) — an 88-story skyscraper, the design of which hints at motifs of a traditional Chinese pagoda.
• Shanghai World Financial Centre (2008), nicknamed the "bottle opener" for the characteristic aperture at its top.
• Shanghai Tower (2015) — the tallest building in China (632 metres), distinguished by its twisted spiral shape, making it one of the most eco-friendly super-tall buildings in the world.

This sharp contrast between the historic, European-spirited Bund district and the ultra-modern, futuristic Pudong is the main architectural feature of Shanghai, visibly demonstrating its path from a colonial port to one of the leading metropolises of the 21st century.

Notable Figures in the History of Shanghai

Throughout its history, Shanghai has been a centre of attraction for many talented and influential people. Figures in culture, politics, business, and sports have left an indelible mark on the appearance and character of this dynamic city.

• Lu Xun (1881–1936)

  Role: Writer, essayist, founder of modern Chinese literature.
  Significance: Although Lu Xun was not born in Shanghai, it was here that he spent the final and most productive years of his life. In the 1930s, he led the League of Left-Wing Writers of China and had a tremendous influence on the minds of the intelligentsia. His works written in Shanghai became classics and symbols of the struggle for a new culture.

• Eileen Chang (Zhang Ailing) (1920–1995)

  Role: Writer, screenwriter.
  Significance: One of the most brilliant figures of the Shanghai literary scene in the 1940s. Born into an aristocratic family in Shanghai, she brilliantly captured the atmosphere and customs of the city of that era in her works, telling stories of love and shattered hopes against a backdrop of historical changes. Her work is still considered the quintessence of the spirit of old Shanghai.

• Soong Ching-ling (1893–1981)

  Role: Political and social activist.
  Significance: One of the three "Soong sisters", wife of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China. After Chiang Kai-shek's counter-revolutionary coup in 1927, she remained in Shanghai and was actively involved in social activities, founding the China League for Civil Rights and the China Defense League. Her home in Shanghai became a centre of political life and a symbol of her independent stance.

• Du Yuesheng (1888–1951)

  Role: Businessman, leader of the "Green Gang".
  Significance: One of the most controversial and influential figures in Shanghai in the 1920s–1940s. Known as "Big-Eared Du", he controlled a significant part of the city's shadow economy. Yet, he was a complex figure who held immense influence over politics and business, becoming an integral part of the legend of the "Paris of the East".

• Yao Ming (born 1980)

  Role: Basketball player, public figure.
  Significance: Born in Shanghai, Yao Ming became a global sports star and one of the most recognisable Chinese figures in the world. He began his career with the Shanghai Sharks team before becoming an NBA star. After retiring, he returned to Shanghai, where he became the president of the Chinese Basketball Association and continues to contribute to the development of sports in China.