Urban China: Beijing and Shanghai

“Twenty-two provinces, a handful of autonomous regions, 1.3 billion people and a single political party make up the People's Republic of China. What began as one of the most advanced civilizations in the world remains a global super-power on the rise.”

And Dorothy, today's urban China definitely ain't your Auntie Em's. Beijing - the nation's capital - is a living monument to the past and future, while Shanghai - the country's most populous metropolis - can be succinctly described as Times Square, on speed.

Acknowledged as one of the “greatest cities in the world,” Beijing is China's cultural, educational and political nexus. Amazingly, not a building in the city lacks historical provenance. The Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven bind Beijing to its roots, whilst the modern design marvel known as the Bird's Nest equally embodies both China's bygone magnificence and her ambitious hopes for the future.

To get a taste of modern Beijing, put on your Boujis -best and hit up the metrosexual oasis, Ch'ien Men 23 - a self-styled “integrated lifestyle development” where the city's elite go to eat, drink and air kiss.

A hyper display of 21st century technological prowess, meta-obsessed Shanghai is China's brightly-lit financial center, electricity conservation be damned. A place that must be seen to be believed, Shanghai is a city of contrasts. The Pudong district is uber-modern - think Star Trek Voyager meets Vegas - while The Bund, a mile-long stretch along the banks of the Huangpu River, boasts beautiful Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Beaux-Arts and Art Deco era buildings. Piercing the clouds 1,535 feet above is urban China's most iconic landmark, the Oriental Pearl Tower - a structure so futuristic you half expect to see a middle-aged Elroy Jetson throwing back a few in the tower's revolving restaurant.

Feeling chic? Head up to the Park Hyatt's 91st floor and mingle with Shanghai's well-healed at 100 Century Avenue. An impossibly sleek culinary oasis of ivory, gold and orange, the restaurant's six open kitchens create savory dishes sure to please even the Ruth Reichl's among us.

Indeed, today's urban China is alive, well and eager to amaze.