Education and Culture of Shanghai

Shanghai is one of China’s leading centers of learning and culture.

The metropolitan area is home to more than 40 institutions of higher learning.

These include some of China’s most famous universities, such as Fudan University (founded in 1905), Tongji University (1907), and the East China Normal University (1951).

A large branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is located in Shanghai, and extensive research is undertaken in areas such as semiconductors, lasers, nuclear energy, and electronics.

Shanghai has a rich and varied cultural life. With more than 8 million volumes, the Shanghai Library (founded in 1952) is one of the largest libraries in China.

The Great World Theater is an important venue for theatrical and dance performances.

The city supports an orchestra, a ballet troupe, and an opera.

Film companies and other theatrical and arts groups, such as the Shanghai Institute of Drama, are also active.

Important museums include the Shanghai Museum, with an extensive collection of Chinese art, and the museum of the Tomb of Lu Xun, a 20th-century writer.

Other interesting sites are the Yuyuan Garden and the Garden of the Purple Clouds of Autumn; both are examples of garden architecture from the Ming dynasty (ad 1368-1644).

The Shanghai Convention Center, a Soviet-style structure, was one of the few buildings constructed during the 1950s.

Among the numerous parks and open spaces is Renmin Park (People’s Park), located on Nanjing Road, and an arboretum.