3 days in Shanghai

I will be in SH at the end of March 2008. Please could anybody give me some advice of what location I should book my hotel or apartment (whichever is better) in order to see the most and best during my short stay.


P.S. Please direct me to a link for a SH map (Chinese or English). Many thanks.

Taxis are on meters & cheap. Get a hotel near Nanjing Rd or Bund area or Xintiandi for easy access to restaurants, shopping, sightseeing etc.


Print out the hotel name and address as it will sound something else in Mandarin.

Pick up a hotel card at checkin, as the tourist locations are on the card itself so that you can point to the taxi driver where you want to go.


This link will give you an overview of the busy & touristy part of Shanghai.

http://www.chinahighlights.com/image/shanghai/map/shanghai-tourist-map.jpg


International chains - Radisson, Sofitel, Howard Johnson, Ritz Carlton.

Hi FunchalPP,

I am a Chinese speaking Mandarin. However, I've never been to SH. Like the map and your tip. Thank you very much.

I have been to Shanghai a couple of times.


Nanjing Road has everything. So its better if you can book a hotel along or near Nanjing Road.

Thank you, nikko_manila.

A Few Fun Things to Do in Shanghai


I believe the goal of coming to Shanghai is to experience the 'New' China and see and feel the spirit of 'Old' Shanghai.


Shanghai is one of those city's you may never truly know or understand because it has so many layers and faces. So I have compiled a short list of things to do that, I think, will help capture the essence of 'New China and 'Old' Shanghai.


1. Take a walk around Xian Tian Di, the 'poshest' place in Shanghai. You can check out the restaurants, international branded retail stores, have a date, have a cocktail or two, or just check out how the 'rich' spend their free time in China. You can get more details if you google Xian Tian Di, I think they have a website too.


2. The Bund or 'Shanghai Tang'...check out the harbour, along the HuangPu River, where the city was 'built' from. You can see the skyline of the city, old colonial buildings, take your picture there, buy souvenirs from street vendors, etc. It's the tourist spot you can't miss, or you better not tell anyone you've been to Shanghai, haha. Along The Bund are probably some of the nicest bars, restaurants, and lounges you can find in the city.


3. Spend a few hours of an afternoon in the Old French Concession. You can have a quick lunch and coffee and then wander the streets and do a little shopping. I recommend 'friends' cafe @ 60 Xinle Lu, 2F, close to Xiangyang Lu. It's a cozy little Art Gallery/ Cafe where you can also get a feel of the local art scene. Great sandwiches and fresh juice selection. It's also located in a classic Shanghai lane-house that is over 80 years old. After you can walk along Xinle Lu, which is some of the best boutique style shopping in the city.


Something I also recommend is to check out and use the restroom at the Mansion Hotel on the corner of Xinle Lu and Xiangyang Lu. It is a classic boutique hotel decked out in all original 'Old Shanghai' Art Deco. Walking through the lobby on the way to the restroom makes you feel as if you've gone back in time. A real treat for anyone wanting to see and feel 'Old Shanghai'. A friend told me that it was once the house of an 'Old Shanghai gangster' back in the day.


4. Find a tall building and check out how far the City of Shanghai goes. In every direction you look, all the way to the horizon, you will see buildings and skyscrapers.

Buildings I recommend:

a. Pearl Tower in Pudong, there is an entrance fee just like any sight seeing tower in most major cities.

b. The upper lobby in the JW Marriot by People's Square. It's free although the view is not as good as the pearl tower but still a crazy view nonetheless.

c. Some other hotels also have bars and lobbies on really high floors, ie. Grand Hyatt, Shangri-la...etc


5. Have a crazy night out and see how the young people of the new generation live it up. To really experience the local party culture I recommend Babyface or Richy. These 2 clubs are packed 7 days a week. They both play hip-hop and Electronica/Dance. The party scene in Shanghai is probably one of the wildest in the world. China IS going through a sexual revolution!


6. If you still have time, there are a few streets you should walk along too. Huai Hai Lu, Nanjing lu, Taikang Lu are some of the must see streets. If you want to eat some local street style foods you can also go to Wujiang Lu.


7. If you are looking for the 'Counterfeit' Market is in the underground mall at the "Science and Technology Museum' subway stop in Pudong. Just be prepared to haggle. Not the best shopping experience but you will definitely find deals.


There are so many awesome and unique places to go in Shanghai. I have just named a few that have made MY visit to Shanghai memorable. I hope some of my suggestions will be fun add-ons to anyones itinerary.



Peace, Canadian in SH