Deng Xiaoping's sweeping economic reforms of the early 1980's sought to open China and bring wealth back into the nation. With Deng successors continuing his policies of economic development, Shanghai continues to experience massive growth. The city has been propelled so far forward that it doesn't even have the time to look back.

While many point to Shenzhen's meteoric rise from fishing village to metropolis, Pudong's rise is just as spectacular. Facing the Bund across the Huangpu River, it was once a nearly uninhabitable marshland better known as Shanghai's vegetable garden. Today its skyline now looks like the backdrop to a sci-fi movie. Two of Asia's highest towers, the Jin Mao Tower and the Oriental Pearl Television Tower, top its glittering skyline. By capturing much of China's foreign and domestic investment, Pudong is at the forefront of China's giant economic machine. Its broad avenues are lined with glittering office buildings overlooking their forerunners along the Bund.

Infrastructure construction has been a major theme in Shanghai since its economic reawakening. So far, two metro lines and a light rail have been built and more lines are planned. The old Hongqiao Airport, now mainly serving domestic routes, was replaced by the new Pudong International Airport, which is connected to the city by a futuristic Maglev. Elevated highways run through the city and connect Shanghai to the rest of country, paving China's road to riches. While Beijing grabbed the 2008 Olympics, Shanghai followed suit by picking up the 2010World Expo with plans to host a Disneyland and Universal Studios Theme Park along with scores of new development schemes. This convergence of capital, limitless self-confidence and the mixing of local and foreign know-how have many wondering if Shanghai will once again become Asia's financial capital. Those who come to this glittering jungle all share a common desire to roll the dice in Asia's new fat city –where opportunities seem limitless.

The dancing days have returned with Shanghai's nightlife turning up the heat. Chinese and foreigners fill the streets at night, eating and drinking, shopping and dancing. By day, the main commercial streets of Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road are thronged with tourists and eager consumers. Those who live, work and play in the "seen and be seen" city are only too aware that the eyes of the world are on Shanghai as it strives to cement its reputation as Asia's new capital – but one thing is certain, they'll do it in style.