Beyond expectations

In terms of cultural activities and events, more than 50 percent of the participants say they are satisfied with the city's light shows, concerts, indoor exhibitions and other performances.

The large number of coffee shops, teahouses and bars was also highly rated by foreigners, and the Oriental Pearl Television Tower and the historical architecture on the Bund were seen as cultural landmarks of the city.

Richard Martin Saul, general manager of Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, says,"The city has improved tremendously over the 17 years since I first visited. It continues to regenerate districts and improve infrastructure like no other major global cities that I know of.

"Shanghai's citizens have a thirst for lifestyle－travel, food and fashion, which is powering such industries to global leadership over time. Venues are terrific. Events are normally aplenty. There are always many things happening in Shanghai," he adds.