As a commercial, financial and transportation center, Shanghai is one of the biggest cities in China . It's population reached 17.11 million in 2003 according to China Statistics Year Book 2004, resulting a population density of 2699 persons per sq. km. Both its population and population density are greater than that of Beijing (whose population is 14.56 million in 2003 and the density is 867 persons per sq.km. according to China Statistics Year Book 2004), ranking the first among all of Chinese cities.

Shanghai lies in the Yangtze Delta, bordering the East China Sea in the east and bordering Hangzhou Harbor in its south. It connects with Jiangsu and Chekiang on its west, and on its north Yangtze River keeps running into East China Sea for the year round. Shanghai takes a whole area of 6340.5 sq. km.

The official language in Shanghai is Mandarin, but distinct dialects are spoken throughout the city. Shanghai local people speak Mandarin or Shanghai local dialect, however most tourist hotels have staff with the ability of speaking fluent foreign languages.

Normally, weather during November to April in Shanghai is the coldest with average temperature ranging between 3.6 ℃ to 13.9 ℃ (38.5 ℉ to 57.0 ℉ ). In May, June, September and October, its average temperature ranges between 18.7 ℃ to 24.5 ℃ (65.7 ℉ to 74.1 ℉ ). In July and August, it starts to turn warm in Shanghai and the average temperature can go up to 29.5 ℃ (85.1 ℉ ). Shanghai summers are hot and humid with the highest temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. .

Shanghai has fine aviation facilities and infrastructure; it's the only city that owns two international airports in China : HongQiao International Airport and PuDong International Airport . In 2004, passengers' volume of the two airports is 35.9 million altogether with more than 892 flights daily. In 2003, the number of passengers carried of bus, trolley bus, and subway reached 3.1369 billion person-times, and the number of public vehicles(including bus, trolley bus and subway) was 19070. And the number of taxi units in Shanghai in 2003 reached 48672.