From 1850 to 1941, Portland was considered one of the most dangerous ports in the world. It earned the moniker "Forbidden City of the West" and "The New World's Forbidden City" due to the Shanghaiing trade and the white slavery that was carried out there. The Portland Underground, commonly referred to as the Shanghai Tunnels, was a series of bar and hotel basements linked to each other and to the Willamette River docks by an intricate system of tunnels under the city streets. These tunnels were used for legitimate practices, such as keeping ships' supplies out of the rain and away from the heavy traffic above. But far more illicit deeds were carried out in the tunnels as well.

This year's Shanghai Nights mixes elements of the old with a 21st century version of "The Forbidden City."