SHOTLIST: - SHANGHAI, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. SHANGHAI CITYSCAPE 2. CITYSCAPE FROM CHINA'S LARGEST CITY 3. LEADING FINANCIAL AND TRADE HUBS 4. RIVER FLOWING THROUGH CITY 5. SKYSCRAPERS IN CITY 6. TOUR BOATS ON WATERWAYSSHANGHAI, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 4: Shanghai, China’s largest city and one of Asia’s leading financial and trade hubs, continues to attract tourists with its blend of modern skyscrapers, historic architecture, and scenic waterways. The city, once a small fishing village in eastern China, has grown rapidly since the 1990s reforms to become the nation’s economic and financial center, now home to over 25 million residents. The Huangpu River remains a focal point for visitors. Tourists on river cruises can enjoy contrasting views: modern skyscrapers on the east bank and historic buildings on the west. On the east side, the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, often referred to as “China’s Wall Street,” features towering structures such as the 632-meter Shanghai Tower. With its world-renowned high-speed elevators and observation decks, the tower offers panoramic views of the bustling city below. On the west bank lies the historic Bund, locally known as “Waitan.” The area showcases early 20th-century Western-style architecture, giving visitors a glimpse of old Shanghai. Nearby, Nanjing Road provides both shopping and leisure opportunities, hosting high-end international brands and attracting both domestic and international tourists. Cultural sites like Yu Garden, with its traditional designs, and the arts and crafts hub Tianzifang, featuring antique stores and handmade products, further highlight the city’s historical and artistic heritage. Beyond Shanghai, other eastern Chinese cities preserve the region’s cultural legacy. Huzhou, in Zhejiang Province, has a population of three million and has been a significant trade center since the 11th century. Known as the birthplace of silk, Huzhou also celebrates tea, porcelain, and calligraphy as integral aspects of its cultural heritage. North-east of Huzhou, the ancient town of Nanshun is often called “the Venice of Asia.” Renowned for its well-preserved waterways and traditional architecture, Nanshun is a candidate for UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list. The town gained international recognition in 1851 at London’s World Fair for its “Cili silk.” Local folklore credits the city’s wealth to influential merchants, symbolically represented as “4 elephants, 8 oxen, and 72 golden dogs.” Many of their historic buildings and gardens reflect a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles, including attractions such as the Small Lotus Villa and Ciaye Library, both of which have remained intact for over 700 years. From towering modern structures along the Huangpu River to ancient silk towns like Huzhou and Nanshun, Shanghai and its surrounding areas embody China’s dynamic combination of economic progress and deep cultural heritage.