Like many international metropoli composed of immigrants, Shanghai is a bustling boom town. Rapidly becoming a world economic powerhouse, there is more construction occurring in Shanghai than anywhere else on Earth.

For the traveler there is also a variety of things to do. Situated on the banks of the Yangtze River delta and being one of the largest cargo ports in the world, there are trips down that mammoth waterway daily.

Once largely a den of thieves and prostitutes and the center of China’s opium trade, business in the ‘City on the Sea’ has evolved. It now hosts the country’s stock market alongside thousands of other businesses. Home to some of the finest restaurants, one of the world’s largest hotels and high rise buildings, Shanghai has moved well beyond its grimy past.

The Bund (Wai Tan) is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Shanghai. Despite the German sounding name, the area retains its international flavor.

Neo-classical buildings and a waterfront promenade attract thousands daily. Tourists jostle with the local street vendors while admiring the 1925 Nissin Kisen Kaisha Shipping building. The restaurant on the seventh floor is a local favorite.

Others prefer the roof terrace restaurant at the 1916 Union Assurance building. From here, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Pudong, the center of Shanghai’s resurgence as a major world city.

High-priced boutiques offer shopping that even a Parisian or Manhattanite will envy. Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Ralph Lauren and dozens of others now have stores here.

After 400 years in existence, the Yu Yuan Gardens retain their reputation as one of the city’s most sought out tourist destinations. The botanical treasure trove offers five acres of Chinese creativity in horticulture.

Xintiandi is another of Shanghai’s many refurbished areas. It’s now home to elegant restaurants and upscale clubs, yet retains many features of its 19th century architecture.

The Ten Thousand-Flower Pavilion, Grand Rockery, Hall of Jade Magnificence and other sections will each offer sights and aromas to anyone looking for an oasis in the busy metropolis.

One of the newer additions to Shanghai’s burgeoning list of attractions is the Shanghai Museum. Opened in 1996, it features 11 modern galleries that display both ancient and contemporary artifacts.

Be sure to allow at least a week to see Shanghai properly. Even at that, you’ll find that – like visiting Manhattan – there will still be more to see on a second trip.

Do you know that Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Hong Kong are the most visited cities in China?

A lot of people refer it as the ‘golden route’ or ‘presidential route’ after Bill Clinton visited these cities in 1998.

Certainly the golden route has a good combination of everything: great historical heritages, beautiful landscape, delicious Chinese food, great shopping and so on.

Best time to visit China is spring and autumn when China has beautiful weather and fewer tourists.

If you are a first-time visitor to China, the golden route is your top pick. You would need at least two weeks to complete the tours.

Beijing ? you would need at least four nights to complete what you need to see and do.

Great Wall of China – the longest man-made architecture on earth. This should be your number one destination in Beijing.

Forbidden City – the former palaces and offices of Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is currently a museum with countless treasures.

Summer Palace – the most well preserved royal resort of Qing Dynasty.

Temple of Heaven is the symbol of Beijing. Ming and Qing emperors worshipped Heaven here.

Please do include a hutong tour in order to have an old Beijing feel. After all, don’t forget a Beijing duck feast.

Tip: Beijing travel requires a lot of walking. Please be prepared for it.

Xian ? everyone should visit Xian at least once in life, Chinese and foreigners alike. Spend three nights here is necessary to cover the most important sightseeing.

Xian has been a capital city for 13 dynasties, totaling 1,100 years. It was the world?s most prosperous city in Tang Dynasty, 1300 years ago.

The Terra Cotta Warriors is a full-scale replication of the Qin Dynasty army. There is no other place in the world you can see a life-size army of over 2,000 years old.

Banpo Neolithic village is a famous site of 6,000 years old which has typical features of a matriarchal society. You?ll also see clues of ancient burial, marriages, creative tools and artifacts.

In Xian, don?t forget to go for a dumpling feast which usually goes with a first class entertainment show of Tang Dynasty music and dance.

Guilin is ranked second on China?s list of top 10 tourists? destinations. It has beautiful landscape integrated with fabulous countryside. Make sure you won?t miss the Reed Flute Cave, the Crown Cave and some of the beautiful peaks.

Don?t forget to make a day trip to Yangshuo where the best hills and waters are. Go there on a Li River cruise and return by bus. If you choose to stay overnight, you would be able to watch the spectacular ?Liu Sanjie? performance, which takes place on the Li River. Yangshuo is truly a place for you to relax and enjoy.

In Guilin, make sure to go for a rice noodle feast. Or you can just eat it as a street food at ?2 per bowl. They are extremely yummy.

A Guilin tour including Yangshuo would require a minimum stay of three nights.

Hong Kong is very different from any other mainland Chinese cities. In Hong Kong, you can experience one-country-two-systems. I would suggest a minimum stay of three nights here.

Being Asia?s World City nowadays, Hong Kong is an important leg on the China travel golden route.

There are several ?bests? of Hong Kong. The world?s best night view, best skyline, best shopping paradise, best gourmet?s paradise and so on. You would be able to buy the trendiest everything here at the lowest prices in the world, including authentic luxury goods.

Cantonese cuisine is one of the yummiest among Chinese foods. Don?t forget to go for a dim sum lunch and a typical Cantonese seafood dinner.