China

THE FOOTBALL

With red-hot summers and freezing winters, the best time to visit is the beginning or end of the Super League season, which runs from March to October and is still in its infancy.

The main rivalry is between Shanghai Shenhua, who play to capacity crowds at the 35,000-seater Hongkou Stadium, and Shanghai United, at the more modest Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium.

THE PLACE

Shanghai, the biggest and most modern city in the world’s fastest developing country, is China’s commercial powerhouse. Witness the neon-lit skyscrapers of the Pudong district, home to the Oriental Pearl TV tower – the third tallest tower in the world.

A boat trip on the Huangpu River is the best way to enjoy the city’s spectacular skyline, while Pudong is home to the world’s longest arch bridge.

Shanghai also has plenty to offer at ground level, with the best shops, eating and shopping in China and a plethora of temples, theatres and museums.