Sunrise at Nanhuizui. At the eastern tip of the city, this is where Shanghai first greets the sun every day. Photos: Yang Hui/GT 

A section of wetland by the Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge

Jinshan district tries to attract tourists with an artificial beach and palm trees.

An amusement park in Fengxian district

Cigarette butts and plastic bags strewn along Shanghai's coast

Fishing boats are now rare along Shanghai's coast.

Fish restaurants in Jinshanzui village at night

Factories in Jinshan's industrial zones discharge smoke.

Of the Shanghai municipality's 18 districts and one county, only Jinshan, Fengxian, Pudong districts and Chongming county sit by the sea and they offer a variety of coastal delights, sandy beaches, wetlands and seaside villages.

The seawater around Shanghai is often muddy and discoloured, the result of being the outfall for the fast flowing, giant Yangtze River. Still, fishing has been an important part of life in Shanghai for centuries - although fewer and fewer professional fishermen actually still work in Shanghai.

At Jinshanzui village, only a few shipping boats can now be found by the jetties but there are scores of fish restaurants. Many of them are now run by former fishermen although the seafood they offer comes not from the neighboring East China Sea but from other provinces, some as far away as Shandong Province.

Pollution is one reason why fishing has been affected in Shanghai. In Jinshan district, several chemical production factories discharge effluent night and day, the runoff going through the sewage system to the sea.

The muddy waters and the lack of quality beaches on Shanghai's coast make it less competitive for tourists compared to many traditional coastal cities but the seaside towns are pushing hard to attract tourists.

Jinshan district has spent a lot creating an artificial beach and has even adopted advanced scientific techniques to improve the quality of the seawater. Fengxian district opened a major amusement park by the sea and visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the sea from a giant ferris wheel or go horse-riding along the coast. Pudong district has its Nanhuizui Sea View Park which gives visitors a chance to revel in sunsets or sunrises by the sea.