Circuit intendant of Shanghai

Circuit intendant of Shanghai
Traditional Chinese上海道臺
Simplified Chinese上海道台
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinShànghǎi dàotái
Wade–GilesShang-hai tao-t‘ai
Wu
RomanizationZaanhe daude
[zɑ̃²³hɛ³⁴ dɔ²³dɛ²³]

The circuit intendant of Shanghai or the daotai of Shanghai, also formerly romanized as taotai or tao tai, was an imperial Chinese official who oversaw the circuit of Shanghai, then part of Jiangsu Province, in the Qing Empire. He oversaw the area's courts, law enforcement, civic defense, canals, and customs collection. As well as areas within modern Shanghai, his remit also included Qidong in present-day Jiangsu.

The position was only compensated at the senior fourth rank (), the seventh level from the top in the 9 rank, 18 level system, but, in addition to other sources of income, it was seen as a springboard to higher office within the empire.