SHANGHAI上海
A truly international metropolis connecting China and the world — the gateway, and the first stop, for global companies entering the China market.
"This feels like a global city."
That's the first thing many foreign visitors say. Because Shanghai doesn't only show "Chinese characteristics" — it holds Eastern culture and Western architecture, modern finance and tech innovation, international commerce all at once. Walk the Bund, Lujiazui, Nanjing Road, the plane-tree streets of the former French Concession, and you'll see hundred-year-old European buildings, Fortune-500 headquarters, gleaming skyscrapers, global brands, and people from all over the world. With over 180 years of international development, it is one of China's most international cities — and the first choice for your overseas division.
"Shanghai feels to me like a delicate young lady from a distinguished family. I love it not only for the city itself, but because it links Jiangsu and Zhejiang into the Yangtze Delta as one — work, life and convenience all woven together."
Many people work in Shanghai and settle in Suzhou or Kunshan — they enjoy first-tier international work opportunities while living in a developed city where costs aren't as high as Shanghai's. Shanghai isn't as young and impulsive as Shenzhen, nor as manufacturing-focused as Dongguan. It's more like a mature international business platform. The people here are professional, efficient, international — discussing global markets, investment, finance, technology partnerships and corporate strategy. The city draws multinational headquarters, investment institutions, international talent, research institutions and startups. For foreign firms entering China, it is the natural first choice.
I've asked many friends — Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, which city do you like? The answer is the same: Shanghai. If you come to China, you'll be drawn in by its magic. If you don't believe me, come and try — you really will.
Why global companies must come to Shanghai
Shanghai offers China's largest international business environment, rich multinational resources, a strong financial system, top universities and research institutions, global trade connectivity, and Yangtze-Delta industrial synergy. For entering the China market, finding partners, understanding China's economy, building an Asia headquarters, investing in China, or holding business exchanges — Shanghai is a city you cannot miss. These are exactly the things we help with.
Where China meets global capital
Finance ★★★★★
China's financial center — banking, securities, funds, insurance, investment institutions and fintech. Ideal for investment firms, financial companies and government delegations.
Multinational HQ Economy ★★★★★
The most concentrated city for foreign-firm headquarters — many Fortune-500s, MNCs and regional HQs across autos, chemicals, medical, consumer, tech and manufacturing. A place to learn how global firms run their China operations.
AI & Tech Innovation ★★★★★
Building an international innovation center. The World AI Conference (WAIC) is held here; the 2026 edition has four exhibition zones — tickets genuinely hard to get — with 26 countries signing related agreements. Fields span AI large models, robots, autonomous driving, biotech and chips.
Automotive ★★★★★
A key auto base — NEVs, smart cars, auto parts.
Biopharma ★★★★★
A life-science center — innovative drugs, medical devices, biotech and medical services. For medical firms, research institutions and university visits.
Semiconductors ★★★★★
A core IC city — chip design, wafer fabrication, semiconductor equipment and materials.
Shipping & Logistics ★★★★★
The Port of Shanghai has led the world in container throughput for years — international trade, global logistics and shipping services.
High-End Manufacturing ★★★★☆
Precision manufacturing, industrial equipment, aviation manufacturing and smart equipment, across the Lingang New Area, Jiading auto zone and Zhangjiang Science City.
See how the world's firms run China
If a client wants to understand China's economy and innovation, we can arrange visits to Shanghai AI firms, tech parks and innovation centers; the Tesla Shanghai plant, SAIC and NEV firms; Lujiazui and corporate-HQ exchanges; Zhangjiang Science City and pharma firms; and universities such as Shanghai Jiao Tong and Fudan.
China Business Travel arranges HQ visits, factory visits, tech-firm visits, university exchange, business meetings, investment surveys, government exchange, business translation, VIP reception and trade-show services.
One of China's great expo cities
SEMICON China
Auto Shanghai ★★★★★
CMEF — Medical Devices
WAIC — World AI Conference
CIIF — China Int'l Industry Fair ★★★★★
CIIE — China Int'l Import Expo ★★★★★
Past and future, on two riverbanks
The Bund Shanghai historic buildings Lujiazui skyline
The Bund 外滩 ★★★★★
Shanghai's most iconic sight — century-old buildings on one side, Lujiazui's modern finance on the other. It best embodies China's past and future.
Lujiazui Shanghai Tower financial center skyline
Lujiazui 陆家嘴
China's financial center — the Shanghai Tower is a must.
Nanjing Road Shanghai commercial street
Nanjing Road 南京路
Shanghai's commercial culture in one street.
Yu Garden Shanghai traditional Jiangnan
Yu Garden 豫园
Traditional Jiangnan culture in the heart of the city.
Xintiandi Shikumen heritage modern commerce Shanghai
Xintiandi 新天地
Shikumen heritage architecture fused with modern commerce.
Wukang Road Shanghai lifestyle district
Wukang Road 武康路
One of Shanghai's most life-filled neighborhoods.
Every cuisine in the world
Shanghai isn't a traditional Cantonese city, but its local food is rich — and being international and inclusive, you can find any cuisine in the world here.
Shanghai benbang cuisine braised pork red-cooked
Shanghai Benbang Cuisine 本帮菜
Braised pork, sweet-and-sour ribs, eight-treasure duck, oil-explosion shrimp.
Nanxiang xiaolongbao soup dumplings Shanghai
Xiaolongbao 小笼包 ★★★★★
A must in Shanghai — try Nanxiang xiaolongbao.
Shanghai pan-fried buns shengjian breakfast
Pan-Fried Buns 生煎包
A classic Shanghai breakfast.
Shanghai vegetable rice crab roe dishes
Vegetable Rice & Crab Roe 菜饭 · 蟹粉
Traditional Shanghai flavors — crab-roe dishes are highly recommended in autumn.
"If Shenzhen showed me China's speed of innovation, Dongguan its manufacturing strength, and Foshan its industrial depth — Shanghai showed me how China embraces the world."
Shanghai's greatest value isn't just its skyline and prosperity. It's that this city gathers capital, talent, technology, enterprises and international resources in one place. Many foreign clients say it plainly: "Shanghai is the city that helps me understand China." Because here you find both traditional Chinese culture and a world-class business environment.
Shanghai truly has its own magic — it captivates you, and you fall in love with the city. There are also a great many opportunities here. My two elder brothers each founded their own companies in Shanghai. One is an environmental company focused on wastewater and industrial concentrated-brine treatment — my brother tells me China's environmental industry is already at a world-leading level, able to solve complex domestic and international water-quality problems at low cost. The other is a one-stop low-altitude-economy solutions company, connecting drones, street-level patrol, AI analysis and government workflows into a deployable, operable, continuously evolving urban low-altitude digital-intelligence capability. Both are leaders in their fields — China-core, serving globally. If you have needs in either area, I can arrange visits and cooperation matching for you, and you can get in-depth solutions.
China Business Travel — your one-stop inbound solution
Coming to Shanghai isn't just tourism. It's understanding China's economy, its enterprises, and where the opportunities are.
Enter China through its gateway city.
Shanghai is a must-visit for every global entrepreneur who wants to understand — and enter — the China market. Tell us your goals, and we'll build the visit around them.
Plan my Shanghai visit →