In the center of China's eastern coastline, Shanghai is one of China's cultural centers and has a long history as a trading port and gateway for foreigners entering China. It is the gateway to the Chankiang river delta. It is a municipality under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government and the largest economic and trade center in China.

Because of Shanghai's status as the cultural and economic center of East Asia for the first half of the twentieth century, it is popularly seen as the birthplace of everything considered modern in China. Besides literature, Shanghai was also the birthplace of Chinese cinema and theater. Shanghai’s film industry went on to blossom during the early Thirties. Shanghai has hosted a number of world events, including the 2007 Summer Special Olympics and a Live Earth concert. The Shanghai International Film Festival is annually held in the city. The city will be the host of the Expo 2010 World's Fair between May and October 2010. Shanghai is also home to a number of professional sports teams, including Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Football Association Super League, the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, and the Shanghai Eagles of the Chinese Baseball League. The city has also hosted the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit every year since 2004. Shanghai owns the most prestige theaters in China which has helped Shanghai to win the world reputation in the music field, like Shanghai Grand Theatre, Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, Shanghai Music Hall. Shanghai also has the famous Shanghai Music Conservatoire.

Shanghai Oriental Art Center including music hall, concert hall and opera hall, has the most advanced stage, sounding, and light equipment.

Shanghai Grand Theatre becomes a top class international exhibition platform of art since opened in 1998.

Shanghai Concert Hall, first built in 1930, was the first music hall in China, and ever since then it’s been the center of music activities in Shanghai.

M50 art zone located to the north of the Suzhou river, is a gathering site of artists and galleries, like the 798 art zone of Beijing , just smaller.

Shanghai Art Museum was originally built in 1956, and since then has became a important window for culture exchange between China and abroad.

Shanghai Conservatory of Music ,with the longest history, is one of the best music educational organization in China.

Shanghai Theatre Academy China is a higher educational institution specialized in drama and theatre research.