Hometown #2: Shanghai, China

One of our sophomore international students, Alisa Zhu, comes all the way from Shanghai, China. Shanghai, located in east-central China is the country’s most populated city. The 6000-year-old city, located on the mouth of the Yangtze River and the East China Sea, stretches over several islands. The city was one of the first Chinese seaports that traded with the west, and it is still today, one of the largest seaports. Shanghai is also a major industrial center in China, crafting products that supply the country’s many needs. Most of those who live in Shanghai are descended from the Han Chinese. Others go there temporarily for the industrial opportunities and jobs. Shanghai is also home to many Taiwanese.

The beautiful nighttime skyline of Shanghai, China!

Some of the main attractions in Shanghai include Yu Garden, a 20-kilometer square garden that consists of an almost 250-year-old outer garden, and a 300-year-old inner garden; Nanjing Road, a street filled with countless different types of shops, restaurants, and street performances; the People’s Square, in which you can find the Shanghai city hall, The Shanghai Museum, and the Grand Theatre; the Xujiahui Cathedral, a 100-year-old Roman Catholic Cathedral; and the China Art Museum which is home to hundreds of works of Chinese modern art. The Benbang cuisine, originating in the 17th century, is extremely popular in Shanghai cooking. This cuisine features dishes such as Xiaolongbao, Red braised pork belly, and Shanghai hairy crab. The other popular cuisine is Haipai cuisine, which originated in Shanghai with influences from western countries such as France, Great Britain, Russia, Germany, and Italy. Some key dishes from this include Shanghai-style borscht, crispy pork cutlets, and Shanghai salad. Both of the cuisines rely heavily on seafood.

The Yu Garden