No plane ticket was required, as New Yorkers left Manhattan behind on Saturday to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and flavors of Shanghai at the Lincoln Center, which marked Shanghai Day as part of its fourth annual Summer for the City event.

Over the course of more than 10 programs, co-organized by the Lincoln Center and the Center for China Shanghai International Arts Festival, local audiences experienced a multifaceted portrait of Shanghai's contemporary culture, in which traditional aesthetics intersect with modern innovation.

Visitors from diverse backgrounds were treated to a wide array of attractions, including a Shanghai artisan market with handmade crafts and interactive demonstrations, and a screening of the animation classic The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven.

"It's July and it's hot; and in July in Shanghai, it's really hot, so you get a true sense of both Shanghai culture and Shanghai weather," Bill Einreinhofer, a three-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker who has also made documentaries about Shanghai, told China Daily at the event.

The day also saw a big concert inspired by the popular video game Arknights, which showcased Shanghai's fusion of heritage and contemporary digital culture.

Andrew Cap, a content creator who has studied and lived in Shanghai, drew parallels between the two cities.

"I think there's a lot of similarity between New York and Shanghai — the multiculturalism, the international feel," he said, noting that Shanghai, with its relatable vibe and history, is a great first step for the people of New York to better understand China.

"There are parts of it (Shanghai) that feel like Europe, there are parts of it that feel very international, very modern. I think it's a great place to go to experience China for the first time," Cap added.