United Kingdom Tourists’ Perception of Shanghai and its Theme Parks

Until the late 1940s, Shanghai had a reputation for being a cosmopolitan, semi-colonial port city based on laissez – faire capitalism. However, the far – reaching economic reforms implemented in China in the 1990s recreated Shanghai as a cosmopolitan, financial and commercial centre with global links. Since then, Shanghai has embraced modernity at warp speeds and the city attracts tourists from all over the world. Most of these tourists are amazed at the intermingling of the East and the West in urban modernity. Skyscrapers of the most daring design abound and many theme parks now add to the attraction of Shanghai, which offers something for everyone. Many tourists from the United Kingdom visit Shanghai every year and the number of such tourists has presented a rapid increase. The British tourist is very well informed, curious and daring, even by European standards. This dissertation project presents an examination of the perceptions of the tourists from the United Kingdom about Shanghai and its theme parks.