CITY WALK - SHANGHAI - The LuJiaZui Area
Lying on the east bank of Huangpu River and facing the Bund, Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone occupies 28 square kilometers (10.8 square miles) and is studded with around 100 high-rise buildings. Many are landmark buildings of Shanghai, making the area a great place to experience the modern flavor of this metropolis.
Often called the 'Wall Street of China', Lujiazui is the largest financial zone in mainland China, with more than 400 banks and financial institutions from both home and abroad, including HSBC, Citibank, and Standard Chartered Bank. In addition, it is home to the headquarters of over 70 international giants and about 5,000 companies engaged in trade, investment, and intermediary services. The sum of transactions in the Shanghai stock market ranks it the 2nd in the world only behind the New York Stock Exchange.
Since the reform and opening-up policy carried out in 1978, Shanghai has enjoyed a great economic boom, and Lujiazui is gradually becoming more widely known. However, few know the origin of the name (Lu Jia Zui in Chinese), which literally means Lu family dwelling on a mouth-shaped alluvial beach. In fact, the name is associated with Lu Shen, a noted scholar of Imperial Academy in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). After Lu retired, he lived on this land until his death. Today, you can still find Lu Shen's calligraphy in Shanghai Museum. His former residence and family cemetery are located in this area.
In Lujiazui, the charm of the city as an international metropolis is unfolded to the largest degree. One can admire the modern skyscrapers along Binjiang Avenue as well as various buildings of different architectural styles across the Huangpu River. The four tallest landmarks of the city - the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower are constructed next to each other. When night comes, all the buildings are decorated with shining colorful lights, presenting a gorgeous scene before your eyes. The Bund, facing this financial zone across the river, is the most wonderful place to enjoy the night view.