History of Shanghai

Shanghai became a city sometime around 1553 AD; some say the construction of a great city wall marked the start of the city. Shanghai during this time as it is today was an important city of China due to its ports. Shanghai with its ports could easily transport goods to its nearby provinces Jiangsu and Zhejiang. During the 19th century the city’s position and port location made it ideal to trade with its provinces and with the West.