The book 'The Prosperous Record of Modern Shanghai' tells us: What does the past of Shanghai evoke in your mind? Some say it's the 'Bund by the River,' a playground for adventurers, a city of endless revelry and extravagant wealth; others describe it as the former financial center of the Far East and the textile hub that once dominated the nation. However, over time, Shanghai has evolved into a complex legend, making it challenging to grasp its true essence. The story begins in the year when the West first opened China's doors - 1842. With the conclusion of the Opium Wars and the signing of the Treaty of Nanking, Shanghai was designated as one of the five treaty ports, attracting individuals from Europe, America, Japan, and other nations eager to make their mark. Shanghai served as the frontline city where modern China confronted Western influences. With its strategic location overlooking the Yangtze River, it transformed from an ordinary county town into the national financial and industrial hub, the largest city in the Far East, and an international metropolis blending Eastern and Western customs. As the story continues to unfold and new chapters are added even today, let us hear from Professor Tang Zhenchang, a renowned historian of modern Chinese history who once worked as a journalist and extensively researched the history of Shanghai. He takes us back to the beginning, providing insights into the most vibrant chapters of modern to contemporary China during the era of Western influence.

《近代上海繁华录》讲述了：过去的上海令你想起甚么？有人说，是十里洋场，是冒险家乐园，是纸醉金迷的不夜城、销金窝；也有人说是当日的远东金融中心和执全国牛耳的纺织业上海，早己变成一个过于复杂的传说，叫人难以捉摸她的庐山真貌。故事的开始，是西方打开中国大门的第一年——1842年。鸦片战争结束，南京条约签订，上海列为通商五口之一，欧美日本各国人士争相赶赴大展拳脚。上海是近代中国面对西方冲击的最前线城市，以其俯控长江的优越位置，由普通县城一跃而成全国金融工业中心、远东第一大城、洋风华俗混生的国际都会。在故事今天仍然继续而迭有新章之际，且让我们听听曾经从事新闻工作，精研上海历史的中国近代史名家唐振常教授为我们细说从头，认识西风东渐下的近代以至现代中国最鲜活一章。