SHANGHAI

Shanghai literally means "above the sea".  This city of over 20 million people is located at the mouth of the Yantze River. Because of it's port location it has become a major international shipping center.  
Our tour guide kept mentioning "Concessions" while explaining the layout of the city.  At the time I had no idea what he was referring to, but thanks to google I now have some background information. 
In the nineteenth century the Chinese government allowed foreign nations to visit and trade in China, this was the start of the foreign Concessions. In these Concessions, the citizens of each foreign power developed their own cultures distinct from the rest of China.  The British and American Concessions combined into the Shanghai International Settlement, the French Concession remained independent. Offices, banking and financial institutions were erected along the Bund where the Concessions originated.  Today the architecture of the Concessions reflects that foreign influence.
The word "bund" means an embankment. In Shanghai, The Bund is an area within the former International Settlement which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River.  About 52 British, French, American, German, Japanese, and Russian, as well as Chinese buildings in various architectural styles are located along the Bund. The area has become an international financial center and has been nicknamed "Wallstreet of the Orient".
Across the river from the Bund is the distinctive skyline of Pudong. The Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Building, the Shanghai World Financial Center (bottle opener), the Shanghai Tower are the buildings that are outstanding.

I find it nearly impossible to adequately describe the immenseness of the city of Shanghai. I did come across the following quote that comes close.
"Shanghai makes American cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York look like overgrown suburbs"

Along the Bund

Pudong skyline

Cityscape