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 Starting or finishing in Shanghai?
What to do & where to go in Shanghai.
The following are just some of the many great sights awaiting you in the "Paris of the East!"
Shanghai Museum
5,000 years of history, but many of China's museums are just as old. Many are poorly lit with English transliterations leaving many pieces unreadable. Also the pieces were "taken" to Taiwan by the fleeing Nationalists in 1949 as well. However the Shanghai Museum, located near the People's Square, is a different story altogether. It' not dark nor dingy and you pretty much can't nor shouldn't try to do it all in one sitting. Take a morning or afternoon, especially if to escape the (hot or cold) weather and concentrate on one section at a time to best experience one of the best in China. Shanghai Modern Art
Chinese contemporary art is now known worldwide, and selling for millions. Galleries are now popping up everywhere (ok, in the main cities), but there is no better place in Shanghai where you can explore China's buzzing modern art scene in one place then at Moganshan Road. This area was once full of abandoned warehouses, but this inner city area now houses Shanghai's best contemporary art galleries. Furthermore, you may even bump into one of the local artists, who keep studios here. One of the city's oldest and most respected galleries is at 50 Moganshan called ShanghART.
The Bund
The Bund is tacky, very touristy and also a magnet for Chinese farmers on their packaged tours being "amazed" by the (very) fashionable Shanghainese. Walking the "Bund" is also part of seeing Shanghai. Yes, it's the best place to check out Chinese checking out other Chinese!!
The area is still subject to some major renovations and upgrading, but nearby are some of the most "in bars" in Shanghai. So after you clear out from the crowds, make for one of these and perhaps engage in a martini on the roof or balcony of one of the colonial buildings overlooking the Bund. These bars offer some of the best views across the river to Pudong where the nightly neon show will take place. Sit back and continue checking out the Chinese checking out other Chinese, only this time the LV and Prada on show is generally real.
Vue Bar at the Hyatt on the Bund
Shanghai is a city of sky scrapers. So head high and enjoy the view from 32nd floor of the Vue Bar at the new Hyatt on the Bund. Tremendous views of both the historic waterfront and Pudong await you. Best arrive at night so you can see the futuristic business district come alive to the flashing of neon. Don't worry about your budget as you lounge about on one of the daybeds or perhaps bring your swimmers and head to the terrace dip pool.
Old Town
Shanghai Old Town, part of what Shanghainese once called the "walled city" is a must. The main attraction here is the Yuyuan gardens, a beautiful landscaped garden built during the Ming Dynasty. Huge rocks, pools of golden carp surrounded by traditional houses. The bazaar is a major draw card for its shopping, teahouses and food malls. The best part of this experience is once you leave you can get an even better taste of the former Shanghai, or an idea that is still common to a (decreasing) number of Shanghai residents. Anren Jie is to the east of the Bazaar on Wutong Lu. Enter this area and you'll find a densely populated area of "street housing" that include clothes string out across the narrow laneways and communal games of Mahjong & Chinese checkers. It may seem unsafe, but don't worry about your safety, you're very safe here.
Xintiandi
Xintiandi is both a good and bad place, but mostly worth a visit. Its good for people watching & measuring the development of this city, but very bad for your wallet! This newly created area was previously (like many new developments) traditional Shikumen style housing. Now restaurants, cafes and upmarket retailers are now attracting a "finer" crowd. French restaurants and bakeries, Belgium beer houses and up market (no not Starbacks) coffee house compete for your RMB. However, head west for another 10 minitues or 10 RMB in a taxi and you hit the expat bar area around Yue Yang Lu. Once here you'll find Irish pubs, local bars (based in Irish bars), British themed bars and a bevy of nightclubs. Drinks are also likely to be half what Xintiandi bars charge and you're more likely to run into a local or a Shanghai based expat, not some businessmen in Shanghai for only several nights.
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