Electric Shanghai
One of the world’s greatest cities, Shanghai has been offering visitors some of the best travel experiences for decades. Today, the city has never looked better, offering first time visitors the opportunity to discover the city’s many faces; cosmopolitan, historic Shanghai or the dynamic, hyper-modern “Electric Shanghai”.
Back in the 1930s, Shanghai was a must-visit city for the jet-set traveler attracting Hollywood stars and European royalty earning the city the title, Paris of the East. Fortunately, getting here today has never been cheaper. That’s means that, regardless of your budget, you’ll now have even more chance to sample the Shanghai highlife.
Paris of the East meets Pearl of the Orient
A city where you can find the best of East and West, the traditional and the modern. The best place to see where these world collide is the Bund on the banks of the Huangpu River. By day travel across the river to Pudong; the city’s financial center and home to some of the world’s tallest and most beautiful skyscrapers. Go sky high and look down on the city from the Observation Platforms of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, JinMao Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and Shanghai Tower, which at 550m up is the world’s highest.
Head back across the river to Puxi and explore the stunning colonial architecture of the Bund. It’s here that you’ll find our Top 5 restaurants on the Bund. (M on the Bund, Hakkasan, Lost Heaven, Dragon Phoenix and Mr & Mrs Bund) Time this so you can witness the city’s great light show or try a River Night Cruise to get an even better view.
Traditional and the Traditional Reinvented
Shanghai has a great history but it also knows how to bring the traditional up-to-date. To sample Old Shanghai head to Yu Gardens and check out the Ming Dynasty gardens, the famous Teahouse & zig-zag bridge. Don’t forget to pop in to the Taoist City God Temple right in the heart of the Old City and pay your respects.
Everything that’s old is new again in Shanghai! Shanghai’s old laneways are being reinvented and turned into the coolest entertainment hotspots. For a more “organic feel” try the cafés and small boutiques of Tianzifang. While you’re there go further afield and explore the side-streets of the Old French Concession. For a more upmarket experience, head to Xintiandi for high-end souvenirs, microbreweries and restaurants all in a redesigned traditional Shikumen housing development.
Culture Junkies
The reason that Shanghai is perfect for repeat visitors is there is no shortage of entertainment options.
Travelling with kids? Easy! When you’ve finished Asia’s largest Disneyland, then try the Natural History Museum, Shanghai Film Studios, and the amazing Science and Technology Museum.
Into music? Shanghai is China’s Jazz Capital! Visit the Peace Hotel where the sounds of jazz have been filling the bar for almost 100 years. You’ll also hear local and international jazz greats at the newly expanded JZ club in downtown Jing’an district.
Art junkies should make the Shanghai Museum at People’s Square their top priority. Jump in a cab and travel to the new West Bund cultural hub (Yuz and Loong Museums are definitely worth a look).
Shanghai is also a foodies paradise. Top 5 Shanghai Dishes that you’ll need to try Xialongbao, Fried Shengjian dumplings, Hairy Crab, Sweet & Sour Mandarin Fish and Lion Head Meatballs. Shanghai is a global city so whatever food or fusion you’re after you’ll find it somewhere in this town.
Shanghai Sidetrips
Got a day or two to spare? Visit the nearby watertowns of Zhujiajiao, Wuzhen, Tongli or Dangkou (the last two less commercial and not as crowded) – all within 90min of downtown Shanghai. Just a bit further and you’ll hit the ancient city of Suzhou, a canal town known as the Venice of the East, and equally famous for its classical Chinese gardens.
Top Travel Tip
Short stay in Shanghai? Buy a ticket on the Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus; a hop-on, hop off service that will help navigate the city and get you to all the major city sights.
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