Want to learn about Shanghai's past in a fun and convenient way? Then look for the latest DVD for foreigners dedicated to one of China's most dynamic cities — Days and Nights in Shanghai — A Cultural Travelogue for Foreigners.

?Fang Zhenghui (left), Vice President of China International Publishing Group, and Chen Qiwei, Deputy Director of the Information Office of Shanghai Municipal Government, attend the launch event of Days and Nights in Shanghai at Shanghai Library, on September 28 [SHI GANG]

The DVD highlighting the host city to the 2010 World Expo was launched by BEIJING REVIEW at Shanghai Library on September 28.

Days and Nights in Shanghai, released in four independent 60-minute versions in Chinese, English, French and Japanese, explores the city's history, culture, tourist attractions and lifestyle through a daylong tour, starting from the eternal Waibaidu Bridge across the Suzhou Creek and ending up at the brilliant World Expo site.

?The launch event of Days and Nights in Shanghai is held at Shanghai Library on September 28 [SHI GANG]

Besides file clips that provide a historical overview and background on the city, most of the DVDs were recently filmed in high definition to get viewers as close to the real Shanghai as possible.

China International Publishing Group (CIPG) presented the DVD, with the assistance from the Information Office of Shanghai Municipal Government.

Initiated in April this year as a tribute and promotional tool for the Expo, the DVD captures the essence of Shanghai at the intersection of traditional and contemporary China.

"The DVD is a trial project for the media convergence. To better engage in this trend, CIPG has explored the shift from print media to new media in recent years, bringing fresh ideas to foreign-oriented communication, and strengthening its capabilities in producing and publishing multilingual publications," said Fang Zhenghui, Vice President of CIPG, the parent company of BEIJING REVIEW, the producer, and New World Press, the publisher.

Brandon Taylor, anchor of the English-language DVD, is a staff reporter from Beijing Review, China's only national English news weekly since 1958.

Born in 1986 in the United States, Taylor first visited China during the summer of 2009.

"Shanghai had the same effect on me as visiting New York City did when I was a kid — I was blown away," Taylor said. "Shanghai is a city rich in history and culture, but is also a place actively embracing the future. I can't wait to visit Shanghai in years to come to see how it has fit into, or has shaped, the world of tomorrow."

The English-language DVD is $9.99 and all four language versions will be available from October 1 through the Expo Village, Shanghai Foreign Book Store, various audio and video stores, and CIPG's overseas branches.

Contents of the DVD

Welcome to Shanghai

7:00-8:00 Eternal Waibaidu Bridge

8:00-9:00 Fairview—The New Shiliupu Dock

9:00-10:00 Multinational Architectures on the Bund

10:00-11:00 A Museum You Cannot Miss

11:00-13:00 Dining at City God Temple and Sightseeing in Yu Garden

13:00-14:00 Jinzhi Yuye Cheongsam Store

14:00-15:00 Memories Hidden in the Streets

15:00-16:00 Tianzifang—Shanghai's Greenwich Village

16:00-17:00 New Height of the City—Shanghai World Financial Center

17:00-19:00 Sunset on Riverside Avenue

19:00-20:00 Hengshan Road in Moonlight

20:00-21:00 Nightlife in Xintiandi

21:00-22:00 Shopping at Nanjing Road

19:00-24:00 The Brilliant World Expo Site