On the east of Huangpu River and west of the mouth of Yangtze River, Pudong District is a fast growing area of 556 square kilometers. Access to the area from downtown Shanghai includes a number of bridges, tunnels, ferries and the new Number 2 Shanghai Metro line.

The Pudong District has seen massive growth in the past ten years. Between the Huang Pu River on the west and the airport in the far east, lie a vast multitude of multinational & Joint Venture high-tech industries and factories producing some of the world’s top brand names. The foreign community continues to grow as new factories open in Pudong’s tax free zones. Large luxury expatriate housing is continually being built to keep up with the demand for residential property suitable for foreigners. In addition, 65% of the site area of the Shanghai Exposition of 2010 will be set in Pudong.

The Lu Jia Zui Business District, directly across the Huang Pu River from the Bund, is home to the two most popular buildings in Shanghai: the Jin Mao Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower. The high-tech Jin Mao tower holds the Grand Hyatt Hotel. With its lobby on the 55 th floor, the Grand Hyatt is the highest hotel in the world. Also located here are many banking and financial institutions and many new grade office buildings. Because of its rapid growth, many people speculate that more than half of the office buildings in Pudong remain empty. There are a number of popular residential areas within a 10 minute drive of the Business District.

The JinQiao Export Processing Zone, is a big area which the government offers companies tax incentives to station their offices there. Many high end villas offer first-class living and are home to many expatriate families. JinQiao is also very convenient to the Airport. Jinqiao has its own Carrefour and OBI supermarkets.

In the far east (about 45 minutes from downtown Shanghai) is the Pudong International Airport. All of Shanghai ’s international flights are now routed through the Pudong International Airport and this area has also become home to some or the largest compounds and villas in Shanghai. Many golf courses are situated here. Right on the edge of Pudong, by the East China Sea, is a huge Western-style villa compound built around a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Pudong has seen a residential real estate boom in the past few years, due in part to the growth of new schools here. The older high-end villas (built around a golf course) are now being joined by many new villa compounds. You can find excellent villas and inexpensive apartments here for about half the price compared to downtown Shanghai.

Pudong is an excellent place to live for people who work in the area and those with families. The many mainstream shopping malls and supermarkets in Pudong make daily life convenient and easy and the wide-open spaces with quiet green surroundings provide quiet comfort compared to downtown.