China's drive into the 21st century has been fueled by the relationship--and competition--between Beijing, its ancient political and cultural capital, and Shanghai, its economic growth engine. The history of modern China, since 1850, has in many ways been defined by Beijing's exercise of policy over what only a century and a half ago was a fishing village. In a century, Shanghai cast off its fishing nets and rose to be the region's leading economic metropolis, a position it seems determined to re-take, this time with Beijing's blessing. Travelers to China will almost inevitably visit both of these dynamic cities. The first edition of Beijing and Shanghai is a vibrant guide to what's hot and what's cool in China's twin cities. Combining the latest developments in restoration, entertainment, transportation and accommodation with historical writing by acclaimed authors describing each city's high and low moments, Beijing and Shanghai presents a sophisticated guide to urban China the traveler has never had before. Few China guidebooks are written by authors resident in the cities they are covering. Most "parachute" in for a few weeks to cover one city.

This guide covers its subject matter with a local resident with an intimate knowledge not only of historical monuments but of contemporary city life and culture.