History of Shanghai

• Historic Transformation
• Modern Age
• Founding of the City
• Origin of "Hu" and "Shen"

In the 16th century (or the middle period of the Ming Dynasty), Shanghai became the national center of textile and handicraft industry. In 1685, the central government of the Qing Dynasty set up its customs office in Shanghai. In the mid-19th century, the city evolved into a major trading port. On May 27, 1949, Shanghai was liberated by the People’s Liberation Army of the Communist Party of China from the Kuomintang rule and began to write its chapter in the history of the development of New China.