The Shanghai municipality consists of 15 districts, four counties, and the Pudong New Area, and covers an area of 6,341 sq. km (2,448 sq. miles), with its urban area measuring 2,643 sq. km (1,020 sq. miles). The eight main urban districts, running from east to west, are identified here.
Pudong Located across the Huangpu River from the Bund, Pudong (literally "east of the Huangpu") was formerly backwater farmland before 1990 when it was targeted by then-Chinese President Deng Xiaoping to lead Shanghai and the rest of China into a new age of economic growth. Today it is home to the Lujiazui Financial with its many modern economic monuments (Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower), the Shanghai stock exchange, Asia's largest department store, a riverside promenade, and the Pudong International Airport.
Huangpu (Downtown Shanghai) The city center of old Shanghai lies in a compact sector west of the Huangpu River and south of Suzhou Creek. It extends west to Chengdu Bei Lu (the North-South Elevated Hwy.), and encompasses the Bund, People's Square (Renmin Guangchang), and the Shanghai Museum.
Nanshi (Old Chinese City) Though officially part of Huangpu District, this area immediately south of downtown and the Bund, between the Huangpu River and Xizang Nan Lu, is often considered its own neighborhood because as the old Chinese city, it was different in every way from the western concessions. Today's old Chinese city (or Old Town) includes the Old Town Bazaar with its traditional shopping, Yu Yuan (Yu Garden), Shanghai's old city wall, and the Confucian Temple.
Hongkou (Northeast Shanghai) Immediately north of downtown Shanghai, across Suzhou Creek, this residential sector along the upper Huangpu River was originally the American concession before it became part of the International Settlement in colonial days. Today it's a developing neighborhood with a few sights: the Ohel Moshe Synagogue, the Lu Xun Museum, and the Duolun Lu Commercial Street.
Luwan (French Concession) Beginning at People's Square (Xizang Lu) and continuing west to Shanxi Nan Lu, this historic district was the domain of the French colonial community up until 1949. The French left their mark on the residential architecture, which boasts such tourist sights as Fuxing Park, the historic Jin Jiang Hotel, the shops along Huaihai Zhong Lu, the new Xin Tiandi development, and the former residences of Sun Yat-sen and Zhou Enlai.
Jing An (Northwest Shanghai) North of the French Concession and part of the former International Settlement, this district has its share of colonial architecture, as well as the modern Shanghai Centre. Two of the city's top Buddhist shrines, Jing An Si and Yu Fo Si (Jade Buddha Temple), are located here, as are a number of Shanghai's top hotels and restaurants.
Xuhui (Southwest Shanghai) West of the French Concession and south along Hengshan Lu, this area is one of Shanghai's top addresses for cafes, bars, and shops. Sights include the Xujiahui Cathedral, Longhua Pagoda, the Shanghai Botanical Garden, and the former residence of Soong Chingling.
Changning (Hongqiao Development Zone) Starting at Huaihai Xi Lu, directly west of the Xuhui and Jing An districts, this corridor of new international economic ventures extends far west of downtown, past Gubei New Town and the Shanghai Zoo, to the Hongqiao Airport.
