Hello everyone, I’m Wang Zhongxu, a first-year student in the Department of Global Tourism at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies. How was your summer vacation? I had a fulfilling time traveling and taking photos in various places, including Shanghai, Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, and Dali, Lijiang, and Kunming in Yunnan Province. While Shanghai is a captivating city during the day, it becomes even more dazzling at night. Today, I would like to introduce the beauty of Shanghai’s nightlife and the energy behind the city through three photos I took during my visit.

1. A Futuristic Landscape of Skyscrapers

The first photo captures the skyscrapers in Lujiazui, Shanghai’s financial district. The most striking buildings are the Shanghai Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center (nicknamed the "Bottle Opener"), and the Jin Mao Tower. These skyscrapers symbolize the strength of China’s economy and embody Shanghai’s forward-looking development.

The Shanghai Tower, at 632 meters, is the tallest building in China. Its spiraling design makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a futuristic city. Right next to it stands the Shanghai World Financial Center, famous for its bottle opener shape. At night, the building glows in blue light, shining like a guardian of the city.

During the day, this area is bustling with business people, but at night, it transforms. Neon lights come to life, and the skyscrapers become a giant canvas of lights and colors. This corner of Shanghai truly encapsulates the city’s image of "the future" and "prosperity."

2. The Night Scene of the Oriental Pearl Tower

Next, I’d like to introduce the Oriental Pearl Tower, a symbol of Shanghai. This photo captures the tower beautifully lit up at night. Built in the 1990s as a TV tower, it’s now a popular tourist attraction and an iconic representation of Shanghai’s modern urbanization.

The tower’s unique design, inspired by its name "Pearl of the Orient," features two large spheres. At night, colorful LED lights illuminate the entire tower, leaving visitors in awe. The red and purple lighting, in particular, creates a scene that defines the nightscape of Shanghai.

Surrounding the tower are large shopping malls and restaurants, attracting both tourists and locals alike. Standing here and gazing up at the night sky, you’ll find yourself immersed in a futuristic landscape, feeling the city’s relentless development and energy.

3. The Historic Nightscape of the Bund

Lastly, let’s talk about the Bund, a historic area along the Huangpu River. The Bund is lined with Western-style buildings from the early 20th century. The photo here shows two of the most iconic structures: the Shanghai Customs House and the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

At night, these buildings are bathed in warm yellow light, highlighting their majestic appearance. In contrast to the modern skyscrapers, The Bund’s buildings exude classical beauty and give visitors a sense of Shanghai’s rich history. As you walk through this area, it feels as if time has stood still, allowing you to truly appreciate the weight of the city’s past.

Moreover, from The Bund, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the skyscrapers across the Huangpu River in Lujiazui. This area, where the past and future coexist, is one of the main reasons why so many tourists are drawn to Shanghai.

Conclusion

The three photos I’ve shared today reflect the multifaceted charm of Shanghai. From the futuristic skyscrapers, to the modern symbol of the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the historical architecture of the Bund, Shanghai continues to shine as a city with a unique worldview.

If you plan to enjoy Shanghai’s night views, don’t miss the skyscrapers in Lujiazui, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the historic buildings of the Bund. These moments where light and shadow, history and the future intersect, are something you must see for yourself. Shanghai is a city that offers something new with every visit. I’m already looking forward to seeing what new sights await me next time!