Shanghai is not only China's largest city and primary shipping port, it is also the most developed and modern city in the country. The rapid development of the 'Paris of the East' is due to its unique geographical location at the mouth of China's largest waterway, the Yangzi (Changjiang) River. Because of its position as a natural port, Shanghai has also become China's premier air, land and sea transport hub, and what was a small southern coastal town just 200 years ago has now become one of the world's largest and most important cities.

Shanghai has a considerable domestic tradition in sports, particularly in football, having produced world-renowned players such as NBA star Yao Ming, former China striking legend and current FIFA ambassador for women's football Sun Wen, not to mention 2001 AFC Player of the Year Fan Zhiyi. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™, in the country's first appearance on the world's greatest stage, three of China's star players - Qi Hong, Jiang Jin and the aforementioned Fan - hailed from Shanghai.

Its football teams have consistently performed well in domestic competition over the years, and in 1995, Shanghai Shenhua became the second side to lift China's new championship (A-league) trophy. Eight years later, they repeated this success as they recaptured the title in the 15-strong Chinese Super League.

Shanghai is also one of the bastions of Chinese women's football. Sun Wen, FIFA's Women's Player of the Century (Internet Award), is the city's best-known footballer, while Ma Liangxing, former head coach of China women's team, also hails from Shanghai, where he led Shenhua to seven league titles.

The city's sporting facilities are first-rate and, for many years, the Shanghai Hongkou Stadium was China's largest sporting arena. During a visit to Shanghai in May 2000, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said it was "on a par with some of the finest stadiums in Europe." The stadium was chosen as the major venue for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, playing host to seven matches as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

In addition to the Shanghai Hongkou Stadium, the city also features the Shanghai Stadium, which is to play host to the Olympic football tournament at Beijing 2008.

As one of China's premier tourist destinations, Shanghai has a wide variety of impressive sights. The magnificent Yuyuan Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Asia, its classic, refined architecture and landscaping provide a feeling of simplicity and grandeur at the same time. The natural beauty of the park exemplifies the traditional Chinese appreciation of aesthetics. Nanjing Road was once a synonym for prosperity and modernism, while the newly renovated Binhai Road is a wonderful place for a casual stroll.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Shanghai International Convention Centre are fine examples of modern architecture, epitomising the contemporary, world-class nature of this city. Shanghai also has China's leading zoo. Furthermore, the modern transportation systems in the city will make travel to and from its many sights easy and convenient during this autumn's football extravaganza.

Chinese people are also passionate about their food, and Shanghai cuisine is among the best in the country. Called Benbang Cai in Chinese, Shanghai delicacies include such dishes as Chicken and Shark Fin Rice and Baizhan Chicken. Shanghai food ranges from sweet to moderate to mild, while local snacks such as tangyuan dumplings are also not to be missed.

Shanghai is enthusiastically looking forward to open its arms to the world, and the world is looking forward to discovering this modern, vibrant city.