Today's Shanghai

Shanghai, the largest city in China, attracts people at home and
abroad like a magnet. People come here for its culture, its history,
its people and all the vigor and vitality it shows in its rush to
international metropolis status. Like a pearl set in the west coast of
the Pacific Ocean, Shanghai is the showcase of China's fast growth and
a bonanza of tourist attractions, business opportunities and cultural
activities. Today's Shanghai is designed with the aim of letting more
people all over the world have a better understanding of Shanghai,
especially of its current developments.
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The City Emblem

Design of the city emblem of Shanghai was approved by the Standing
Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress in 1990. The
triangle emblem consists of a white magnolia flower, a large junk and
a propeller. The propeller symbolizes the continuous advancement of
the city; the large junk, one of the oldest vessels plying Shanghai's
harbour, represents the long history and bright future of the port;
and the large junk is set against a white magnolia flower blossoming
in the early spring.


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The City Flower

In 1986, the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's
Congress passed a resolution adopting the white magnolia as the city
flower. The white magnolia is among the few spring flowers in the
Shanghai area. It is in full blossom in early spring and before the
Clear and Bright Festival, which usually falls on April 5. The flower
has large, white petals and its eye always looks towards the sky.
Therefore, the flower symbolizes the pioneering and enterprising
spirit of the city.