Shanghai encompasses 6,340 square kilometers, or which the Xin Pudong Area takes up 522 square kilometers. Within the area there are four key small zones. The city is China’s second-largest one in terms of population and is one of the four Tianjing, and Chongqing. It is also one of China’s most important industrial and cultural centers. To most foreigners, Shanghai used to be the adventurers’ paradise. Most of the European-style quarters of the Old International Settlement and the French Concession areas can still be seen, though they are much in need of repair.

Situated in the southwest part of the city, Longhua Temple is a major attraction of Shanghai. Though its popularity spread only after 1949, for foreigners living here in early 1900s, this biggest and oldest temple in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River Delta is very familiar indeed. Legend has it that it was first built in 242 during the Three Kingdoms period when Sun Quan, king of Kingdoms Wu, had it built to show filial love to his mother.

Three nine-meter diameter cylinders, which are supported by three tilted standings seven-meter-in-diameter with an oblique angle of 60, tower to the sky. With eleven steel spheres in various sizes inscribed, the body of the Tower creates an admirable image, which is described in an ancient Chinese verse as: Large and small pearls dropping on a plate of jade.