Essentials: Shanghai
Five facts about Shanghai that will surprise you
Official Language Mandarin, Everyday Language Shanghainese
Excuse me? Shanghai has its own language that hardly anyone else in China understands? That’s right, more than 13 million people speak Shanghainese, a mishmash of Chinese dialects, English, French, and other languages. However, Shanghainese is only spoken, the written and official language is Mandarin.
Architectural Highlights: Metropole Hotel & Bank of China
No other city in the world has as many art deco buildings as Shanghai. Famous buildings include the Metropole Hotel and the former Bank of China.
The Fastest Elevator in the World
The fastest elevator in the world is located in the Shanghai Tower: it travels at 65 km/h to reach the 118th floor in 55 seconds.
Shanghai's Gigantic Metro Network
With more than 500 stations, a route length of 802 kilometers, and over 3.5 billion passengers a year, Shanghai has the largest subway network in the world.
Spring in Shanghai: Magnolia Blossoms in Parks & Gardens
So pure, elegant, and beautiful: the white Yulan magnolia has been the official city flower since 1986. It blooms and fills the air with its fragrance in many of Shanghai’s parks and green spaces in spring.
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