Known by travellers as the Paris of the East, Shanghai is a must-visit spot for those seeking an insight into the unique character of China. Home to 24 million people, this breath-taking futuristic city offers an array of experiences with its mix of Eastern and Western food, fashion and technology.

A worthy rival to Paris and New York in its modernity, Shanghai stuns with its uniquely designed lane houses, which have been turned into fashionable dining and shopping areas, and its soaring skyline, in fact, Shanghai has been dubbed the ‘skyscraper capital of the world’.

What’s more, the images of the Shanghai skyline at night are the embodiment of the city’s bustling nightlife. Tourists won’t be left wanting for a good meal in Shanghai either, as the city offers an array of flavours and dining experiences varying from full meals for ¥10 (£1.13) to Michelin Star fine dining.

As one of the country’s greatest cultural and economic centres, Shanghai is a lovely blend of old and new China, mixing historic sites with high-rise buildings hosting international companies. History buffs will have a field day learning how the Opium Wars influenced Shanghai and exploring the heritage showcased in museums around the city. Some visit-worthy spots are the world-class Shanghai Museum, the Long Museum and the Shanghai Film Museum, which features 1920’s Shanghainese cinema.

Shanghai’s choice of museums is not limited to history either! The city has a number of unique museums where tourists can take in contemporary art and culture, such as the Yuz Museum, which is housed in an old airplane hangar, the Kung Fu Museum and the quirky Shanghai Museum of Glass, to name a few.