How
to get there:
Shanghai
is one of China's main travel hubs and getting in from pretty much anywhere is
easy.
By
Plane
Shanghai
has two main airports, with Pudong the main international gateway and Hongqiao
serving mostly domestic flights, so be sure to check which one your flight is
leaving from. Transfer between the two takes about 1 hour by taxi. There are
also direct shuttle buses.
You
can get between the two airports in nearer two hours by Metro (subway). Both
airports are on line two, the main East-West line through downtown Shanghai,
but at opposite ends of it. You can reduce the time some by taking the Maglev fast
train part of the way. A traveler making that transfer with a few hours to
spare and a desire to get a quick look at Shanghai (and not too much luggage)
might get off at Nanjing Road East and walk a few blocks to the Bund.
Pudong
International Airport
Pudong
is Shanghai's main international airport, 40 km (25 mi) to the east of the
city. Arrivals are on the first floor, departures on the third, and the airport
has all the features you would expect of to find in the major hubs around the
world. There are two gigantic terminals (T1 and T2). A free shuttle bus service
connects the two in case walking a few minutes (or using the conveyor belts) is
too cumbersome.
Shanghai
Hongqiao International Airport
Shanghai's
older airport Hongqiao offers domestic flights, the only exception being the
city shuttle services to Tokyo-Haneda, Seoul-Gimpo, Hong Kong, Macau and
Taipei-Songshan. The airport is composed of two terminals, T1 and T2. The two
are linked by a free 20-minute ride between the terminals or just 3 minutes for
those willing to pay ¥3 for the Metro fare.
Hongqiao
Airport is served by Metro Lines 2 and 10, the former of which goes all the way
to Pudong Airport. Trains operate 05:35-22:50 (service to and from Pudong
Airport has limited hours). Line 10 serves both T1 and T2. A taxi can manage
the 12km (8 mi) trip to the city centre in 20 minutes on a good day but allow
an extra 30 minutes for the taxi queue, especially when arriving after 19:00.
Be sure to determine from which terminal your flight departs before you go to
the airport as the English signs are confusing, taxi drivers may not be able to
help you, and the shuttle between the terminals leaves on a half-hourly
schedule with another twenty minute drive. If you miss your flight at T1 and
need a flight out of Pudong, you will have to take a shuttle back to T2, then
navigate that labyrinthine terminal to find the shuttle to Pudong, costing you
another ¥40.
How
to Get Around:
If
you intend to stay in Shanghai for more than a few days, the Shanghai Jiaotong
Card is a must. You can load the card with money and use it in buses, the metro
and even taxis, saving the hassle of buying tickets at each metro station and
keeping change for buses and taxis. You can get these cards at any metro/subway
station, as well as some convenience stores like Alldays and KeDi Marts.
Also,
this card allows you to transfer lines at Yishan Rd, Shanghai Train Station,
and Hongkou Football Stadium stations, as well as discounts for bus; bus
and metro; bus transfer (the fare is discounted ¥1 each time you transfer).
By
Train
Shanghai
has a few major train stations including:
- Shanghai Railway Station.
Shanghai's oldest, located in Zhabei district, on the intersection of
Metro Lines 1, 3 and 4. Some high-speed trains and trains to Hong Kong
terminals here.
- Shanghai Hongqiao Railway
Station, is massive in size and located in the same building complex with
Hongqiao Airport. The connecting Metro stop shares the same name, Hongqiao
Railway Station, and is one stop beyond the Hongqiao airport stop on Metro
Lines 2 and 10. High-speed trains to Beijing, Changsha, Changzhou,
Danyang, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jiaxing, Jinan, Kunshan, Nanchang,
Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen,
Zhengzhou, Zhenjiang, Zhuzhou and other smaller stations use this station.
- Shanghai South Railway Station.
Provides service towards the south except high-speed trains and services
to Hong Kong. On Metro Lines 1 and 3.
- Shanghai West Railway Station /
Nanxiang North Railway Station / Anting North Railway Station: Some
high-speed trains to Nanjing direction stop at these smaller stations. In
addition, there are a few trains to and from Shanghai Station for
connections to other trains.
Self-serve
automated ticket booths are prevalent and would likely be the easiest mode of
purchasing tickets and checking train schedules for those without an ability to
utilize Chinese as the devices have an English mode. (NOTE: All tickets
purchased MUST have a real name and ID number attached to them, and the
automated machines do NOT read anything but Chinese ID.) Tickets are also
conveniently booked in advance at one of the many travel service agencies, and
as a note, tickets originating from other stations within the city can be
purchased from a given station except for Hong Kong tickets (Shanghai West is an
exception; the ticket office there can only process purchases for same-day
departures from that station). Tickets to Hong Kong start selling 60 days in
advance so book early; the Hong Kong-Shanghai segment sells out quickly).
By Car
Driving is
definitely not recommended in Shanghai for a variety of reasons, even for those
with driving experience in the country. Not only do you have to cope with a
very complex road system and seemingly perpetual traffic jams, but also Chinese
driving habits and ongoing construction. In addition, parking spaces are rare
and almost impossible to find. Bicycles, scooters and pedestrians are also all
over the place--a city with a real metropolitan feel. In short, do not drive if
you can help it and make use of Shanghai's excellent public transportation
network instead.
By Boat
There are ferry
services from Kobe and Osaka (Japan) weekly and Hong Kong.
- Shanghai
Ferry Company has a once a week service from
Shanghai to Osaka and vice versa. Takes two nights. ¥1,300-6,500.
- The Japan-China International
Ferry Company has similar service as the Shanghai Ferry Company but
alternates each week with Osaka and Kobe as the Japanese departure/arrival
city.
You
can buy metro cards at many stations (¥20 deposit, recharge machines take ¥50
and ¥100 notes). Shanghai Public Transportation Card can be used for one time
by overdraft when you take buses, subway trains, or ferries. The overdraft
should be less than ¥8. Only ordinary cards can be returned. If your ordinary
Shanghai Public Transportation Card is complete and clean, it can be recalled
and the deposit can be returned to you. The balance on the card can be
immediately returned if it is less than ¥10. If the balance on your card is
between ¥10 and ¥2,000, invoice should be taken to ask for the return of money;
however, a 5% handling fee will be charged. These stations include: Line 1 -
Hanzhong Rd, Hengshan Rd, Jinjiang Park; Line 2 - Jiangsu Rd, E Nanjing Rd,
Century Park, Songhong Rd; Line 3 - Dongbaoxing Rd, Zhenping Rd, Caoxi Rd,
North Jiangyang Rd; Line 4 - Yangshupu Rd.
Shanghai Public Transportation Card
Service Center, No 609, Jiujiang Rd, Mon-Fri 09:30 AM-18:30 PM, Sat, Sun 09:30
AM-16:30 PM.
If there are
seats available but more passengers boarding than seats, be prepared to see a
mad dash as passengers wrestle for the available seats. This is the norm so
move quickly if you want a seat. Be mindful of pickpockets who may use this
rush to their advantage.
By Bus
The bus system
is cheaper and much more extensive than the Metro, and some routes even operate
past the closing time of the Metro (route numbers beginning with 3 are the
night buses that run past 11:00 PM). It is however slower in general, and all
route information at bus stops is in Chinese, but here is a handy list of bus routes and stops in
English. Once inside the bus, there are English announcements. Most buses do
not require any conversation with a driver and/or conductor, while others
depend on you knowing your destination and the conductor charging you
accordingly. For the latter, pay the conductor directly and you'll get a paper
ticket (and change, if any). The former bus types do not have a conductor but
instead a driver only; there is a fixed price for the route, usually ¥2 and the
buses are air-conditioned (¥1.5 on increasingly rare routes running on old
buses without; check the bus itself as some routes have a mix of
air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses). Prepare exact change beforehand
and drop it into the container next to the driver. It's best to have exact fare
or go to a convenience store if needing change; otherwise you may depend on
stating your situation to the driver or other passengers. If you change buses
with an SPTC you will get a ¥1 discount on your second bus fare (and all
subsequent transfers; there is a 90-minute window to do this on so if you're
not spending too much time at the destination your transfer discount will apply
to the start of your return journey too).
By Taxi
Taxi is a good
choice for transportation in the city, especially during off-peak hours. It is
affordable (¥14 for the first 3 km, ¥2.4/km up to10 km, and ¥3.5/km after; when
wheels aren't rolling, time is also tracked and billed but first 5 min. are
free; a ¥1 fuel surcharge is also applied) and saves you time, but try to get
your destination in Chinese characters or available on a map as communication
can be an issue. Flag fall starts at ¥18 after 11:00 PM. As Shanghai is a huge
city, try to get the nearest intersection to your destination as well since
even addresses in Chinese are often useless. Most drivers do not speak English
or any other foreign languages, so be sure to have the address of your destination
written in Chinese to show the taxi driver but should you forget, there is a
phone number displayed in the back of the taxi (you'll need a mobile phone for
this). Dial the number and tell the agent where you want to go (English is the
only foreign language offered currently). The agent will then, on your behalf,
explain where you wish to go. The agent will even find out the address of bars
and other spots for you if applicable and this service has very good remarks.
(If without a mobile phone, try to get a business card of your destination or
of something nearby.)
There are
several different companies offering sightseeing buses with various routes and
packages covering the main sights such as the Shanghai Zoo, Oriental Pearl Tower,
and Baoyang Road Harbor. Most of the sightseeing buses leave from the Shanghai
Stadium's east bus station.
Shanghai
activities and attractions must see.
Destination:
Introducing Shanghai!
1. Building-The Bund
Location: Zhongshan
East 1st Road, Huangpu, Shanghai
Open Hours: All day
The
word "Bund" derives from an Anglo-Indian word for an embankment along
a muddy waterfront. The Bund in Shanghai was first used when the first British
company opened an office there in 1846 which extends from Jinling Road in the
south to the Waibaidu Bridge in the north. It is a 1.5-kilometer-long boulevard
on the western bank of the Huangpu River. is now surrounded by about 50 various
buildings of different architectural styles and unanimously honored as a
"world architectural fair" including all kinds of tall buildings like
the Gothic style, Baroque style, Roman style, Classical style, Renaissance
style and the combination of Chinese and Western style. A night walk along the
Bund is a great way to enjoy the spectacular Shanghai nightscape; you can feel
its grandeur, elegant and dignified bearing that is particularly noticeable in
the many old English and French buildings now serving as restaurants, boutique
stores, galleries, and offices.
How
to get there: By Ferry
A
useful ferry runs between the Bund (from a ferry pier a few blocks south of
Nanjing Road next to the KFC restaurant) and Lujiazui financial district in
Pudong (the terminal is about 10 minutes south of the Pearl TV Tower and
Lujiazui metro station) and is the cheapest way of crossing the river at ¥2 per
person. The ferry is air-conditioned and allows foot-passengers only (bikes are
not allowed except for folding models). Buy a token from the ticket kiosk and
then insert it into the turnstile to enter the waiting room - the boats run
every 10 minutes and take just over 5 minutes to cross the river. This is a
great (and much cheaper) alternative to using the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.
However, the ferry stations are not directly connected to the public transport
so you need to walk a bit.
2. Yuyuan Garden
Location: 132. Anren
Street, Shanghai
Open Hours: 8:30
AM-05:30 PM; Daily
Admission Fee: RMB40
Bus Routes: Take bus
11, 126, 926, 66, 42, 64
Best Time to Visit: Spring
Yuyuan
Garden was first established in Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan who used to be the
governor of Sichuan and later expanded greatly. Yuyuan Garden was considered
the best garden in southeast China and the most famous garden in Shanghai. With
30 pavilions and over 5 acres, this 16th century garden can be explored for
days. It enjoys a history of over 400 years since its first establishment who
had intended to bring happiness and pleasure to his parents and relatives.
The oldest section is the Outer Garden with further changes
being made in the 18th century when Sansui Tang, the park's main hall, was
added (the building is notable for its lovely roof ornaments, figurative
representations in bas-reliefs, and window openings, as well as its
dragon-adorned walls). The best-known building is the Hall of Spring where the
Company of the Little Swords (Xiaodao Hui) had its headquarters between 1853
and 1855 when it ruled Shanghai. Of great historical importance are the
artificial rocks in this part of the garden, the only work of the master garden
designer Zhang Nanyang that has been preserved. The newer and much smaller
Inner Garden dates from 1709 and includes features typical of a classical
Chinese writer's garden: attractive little pavilions, decorative stones, and
miniature mountain ranges, dividing walls and small ponds, and even a richly
decorated theatrical stage.
What
to see:
Sansui
Hall
Originally
named "Leshou Hall", the Sansui Hall was built with five commodious
rooms to treat and entertain his guests. Later it was used for celebration and
announcement of imperial edicts.
Grand
Rockery
The
grand rockery, created by Zhang nanyan, a celebrated rockery artist in Ming
dynasty, is seen as the best treasure of the Yu garden, the best rockery in
south China and is the most popular. Two thousand tons of rare yellow stones
are combined with rice glue to form a massive sculpture that stands 46 feet
high.
Exquisite
Jade Rock
The
exquisite Jade Rock in front of the Yuhua Hall is one of the three most
well-known rocks in China. The other two are "Ruiyun Rock" in Lingering Garden in Suzhou and "Zhouyun
Rock" in Hangzhou Flower Nursery. Beautifully shaped, the exquisite jade
rock is about 4 meters in height. It is a piece of grotesque rock from Taihu
Lake
in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, and it is characterized by its wrinkled appearance,
slender shape, translucent nature, and numerous holes eroded by water.
Stone
City
It
is a stone exhibition gallery housing a great quantity of stone sculptures and
engravings. It finds favor in tourists' eyes for its visual arts and human
values.
3. Oriental Pearl
Radio & TV Tower
Location: No.1
Century Boulevard，Pudong District, Shanghai
Open Hours: 8:30
AM-08:30 PM; Daily
Admission Fee: Ticket
A: 220 Yuan/person for the 3rd sphere + the 2nd sphere + the 1st sphere+
Shanghai History Museum (A guide for the 3rd sphere is included.)
Ticket B: 160
Yuan/person for the 1st sphere + the 2nd sphere+ Shanghai Municipal History
Museum. Ticket for Shanghai History Museum: 35 Yuan.
Bus Routes: Take bus
81, 82, 85, 774, 789, 795, 870, 971, 983, 985, 993; Bus no. 1 on Lujiazui
Finance Trade Zone and Lujiazui Tourist Lines; The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel goes
to the tower after crossing the river; Ferry Lujin Line and Taigong Line
crossing the river to the Tower for 2 Yuan/person; Take Metro Line 2 and gets
off at Lujiazui Station (Exit 1) for a ticket fare of 6 Yuan/person.
The Oriental Pearl
Tower stands at a height of 468 meters, built in 1991, the tower takes its name
from its 11 linked spheres of various sizes, the highest of which - the Space
Module - contains an observation level at the 350 meter mark with a glass-floored
outside deck. All told, the tower boasts 15 viewing areas, including the
Sightseeing Floor and Space City, as well as a revolving restaurant with great
views. Other highlights include a lower level shopping mall and the Space Hotel
offering rooms with spectacular views. Even if you can't make it up the tower,
you'll enjoy viewing it at night when the whole structure is lit up as part of
a fascinating light show. The tower consists of 6 main parts: 3 gigantic
columns, the 1st sphere called bottom ball, the 2nd sphere known as upper ball, the
3rd sphere called space capsule, other 5 small spheres, basement and the
square. There is a totally transparent panorama lift between the columns
offering a quiet good view of Shanghai. This was the first wholly transparent
elevator in the world.
What
to see:
The
Oriental Pearl Science Fantasy World
The
Oriental Pearl Science Fantasy World has entertainment for both the young and
the old. The list includes; Journey Through the Forest, Trip to the South Pole,
Travel in Fantasy, Disney Theatre, Laser Theatre, Bliss Square,
Three-Dimensional Movie and Hot Air Balloon.
Shanghai
Municipal History Museum
The
Shanghai Municipal History Museum is located in the Tower's pedestal and
features the development of Shanghai over history. Tourists can about learn
Shanghai’s history in a vivid way through a display of valuable relics,
documents, pictures and advanced audio-visual presentations. The show is made
up of 6 parts: leased territory, old municipal construction and street scenes,
urban economy in shanghai modern culture, city life and political changes, and
displays the profound changes in every aspect of Shanghai.
Aerial
Sightseeing Corridor
The
Aerial Sightseeing Corridor-Walking on the Clouds was officially opened to all
users since May 1, 2009. Located in the 2nd sphere of the tower, 259 meters off
the ground, visitors get a panorama view of the Huangpu River through the
transparent glass under their feet. It is like walking on the clouds.
Revolving
Restaurant
The
revolving restaurant is 267 meters off the ground. Diners get a spectacular
view of Shanghai City while enjoying lunch or dinner. It is the 2nd highest
revolving restaurant in Asia, covering an area of 1,500 sq. meters and seats
350 customers at a time. The restaurant revolves once every 2 hours. The night
view is particularly awesome. The price of the meal includes the programs of
Ticket B.
· Buffet
time: 11:00 AM-14:00 PM (Lunch) ; 14:00 PM-16:00 PM (High Tea) ; 17:00 PM-21:00
PM (Dinner)
·
Price
for Revolving Restaurant: 298 Yuan/person for lunch and 328 Yuan/person for
dinner; Reservation needed.
· Recommended
visiting time: Clear days
Note: You can also book it through your hotel
staff. Most hotels and hostels offer the service.
4. Shanghai Old French
Concession
Location: Puxi
Central, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000, China
Open Hours: 8:30
AM-08:30 PM; Daily
Admission Fee: Free
The
French Concession is an area of Shanghai once designated for the French colonialists
and consists of today's Luwan and Xuhui Districts. The area covered by the
former French Concession in the 20th century was the premier residential and
retail districts of Shanghai, and was also the center of Catholicism in
Shanghai. It is a great area to explore, from the old European buildings in
shady avenues to the cafes and restaurants and upmarket shopping area in Huaihu
Road. You will find fashionable boutiques selling everything from designer
handbags to pricey silks.
What
to see:
Old
French Concession Streets lined with trees is a bustling area, combined with a
growing number of trendy boutiques and restaurants. Changle Road and Xinle Road
are rapidly becoming the places to find small designer clothing shops.
Interesting architecture built with French and Belgian venture investments and
showing mixed Chinese-European styles.
Soong Ching Ling's Former Residence was built in 1843 at
Huaihai Middle Rd, Xujiahui District. Today there's a small museum with many
artifacts, largely about the politics of China, leading up to the official
founding of the P.R.C. The nearby house is two levels and contains many
original items and pictures. The grounds are very well maintained and there's a
garage with a few formerly state-used cars as well.
Fuxing
Park is located at 105 Fuxing Zhong Rd. This European Style Park, formerly
known as French Park, is a popular park with gardens, open spaces, restaurants
and clubs dotted throughout. Early in the morning, the park is filled with
dancers, card and majiang players, tai chi artists, and singing groups.
Longhua
Martyrs' Cemetery is located at 180 Longhua Lu. Nowadays very few people are
buried here, so it's more of a memorial garden and museum but the acreage is
beautiful and large.
Longhua
Temple, next to Longhua Martyrs' Cemetery south gate, is one of the city's
less-visited temples.
5. Peoples Square
Location: No. 300,
People’s Avenue, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200000, China
Open Hours: 24/7
Admission Fee: Free
Transportation:
Metro: Line 1, Line 2, Line 8 and get off at People’s Square
Peoples square is
located in the center of Shanghai, covers 140,000 square meters, surrounded by
the municipal government office building, the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai City
Planning Exhibition Hall and the Grand Theatre. There are a huge green area and
trees, encircled by all kinds of buildings on all sides. All of these buildings
make up a beautiful view. In the center of the square is a smart musical
fountain. Crossing through the square is a 100-meter-wide pathway from the west
to the east. Many townsfolk go to the square for a walk. The Square is
particularly spectacular at night, when steam appears to seep out of the roof
of the museum and the light bounces off the glass walls of the Grand Theatre.
6. Jade Buddha Temple
Location: No. 170
Anyuan road Putuo District, North-West of Shanghai, China
Open Hours: 8:00
AM-04:30 PM; Daily
Admission Fee: 20
RMB, additional 10 RMB to the Jade Buddha’s.
Jade Buddha Monastery
is one of the most famous Buddha religious temples in Shanghai. There are a lot
of religious events hosted by the temple. It attracts many visitors locally and
overseas to Shanghai every year, especially during the Chinese New Year. There
are a lot of religious events hosted by the temple. The temple can pursue
silent from sound, and is described as a clean land in the busy city. The main
and popular structures of the temple are the great Devajara Hall, Mahavira
Hall, the Jade Buddha Tower; others are the Kwan-yin Hall, Amitabh Hall, Tang
Hall, Dining- Room, also Recumbent Buddha Hall.
History
The temple was
initially built in 1882 and named for the two jade Buddhist statues. The
smaller one was imported to China from Burma in l882 by Monk Huigen, the bigger
one was brought from Singapore by Zhenshan, in 1890. The story is that a Buddha
from Putuoshan moved to Myanmar via Tibet, dragged the Buddhist back to its
current place and then went off in search of charities to construct a temple
for it.
Features
The sparkling and
crystal-clear white jade gives the Buddhist statues the beauty and sanctity. At
the temple, there are many other priceless masterpieces – such as paintings and
Buddhist scriptures throughout the different halls. The shrine’s remarkable
porcelain collections of sitting well-imprinted, carved Buddha statues make the
temple venerable and attractive.
The Jade Buddha
Temple is not famed for its architecture, which is very new and built in a
standard Song Dynasty style. The two Buddha’s housed within, both made of white
jade in Burma depict Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha).
The more impressive
of the two is the seated Buddha, 2 meters (6 feet 5 inches) tall, weighing 205
kg (452 lb.) and decorated with semi-precious stones. The other statue is a
serene and beautiful Reclining Buddha about 1 meter (3 feet 4 inches) long.
7. Longhua Temple and
Pagoda
Location: 2853
Longhua Rd, Xuhui, Shanghai, China
Open Hours: 8:00
AM-04:30 PM; Daily
Admission Fee: Free
The splendid Longhua
Temple remains one of the oldest religious sites in China. Built along with
the nearby 40-meter-tall wood and brick pagoda around 242 AD, this important
place of worship was destroyed and rebuilt many times through the centuries,
with the present structure dating back to the 10th century. The site is still
used for regular Buddhist ceremonies and consists of five large halls,
including the Maitreya Hall (Mile Dian) with its large Buddha statue, the
Heavenly King Hall (Tian Wang Dian) dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings, and
the Grand Hall of the Great Sage (Daxiong Baodian) with its fine statues and a
16th-century bell. Other highlights include the Bell Tower with an even older,
two-meter-tall, five-ton bell from 1382 that is still used on special
occasions; the Library with its old manuscripts and ceremonial instruments; and
the impressive sight of some 500 gold-painted Luohan Buddhas.
8. Shanghai Science
and Technology Museum
Location: 2000
Century Ave, Pudong, Shanghai, China
Open Hours: 9:00
AM-05:30 PM; Daily
Entrance Fee: CNY 60 for adults
CNY 30 for Children above 1.2 meters tall and teenagers below 18 years old
IMAX 3-D Large-Format Theatre: CNY 40
IMAX Dome Theatre: CNY 30
4-D Theatre: CNY 30
Space Theatre: CNY 20
The huge Shanghai
Science and Technology Museum, the largest of its kind in China and one of the city’s
top draws with more than two million visitors each year. Opened in 2001, the
museum includes numerous fun interactive multimedia exhibits, permanent exhibits,
and state-of-the-art science theaters. Highlights include a large display of
animals native to the region, scientific achievements, a fascinating exhibit on
robotics, as well as exhibits focusing on space travel. Other fun attractions
for families include the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, notable for its 120-meter
tunnel that provides a close-up view of the region's diverse marine life, and
the Shanghai Zoo, famous for its large collection of native species, including
giant pandas and South China tigers.
The museum is
composed of a basement and four floors above ground. It rises in a spiral,
symbolizing scientific progress. A huge glass sphere embedded in a pool of
clear water, at the building's midpoint, gives the theme of life renewed. The
museum’s Wisdom of Light Hall is the most notable exhibition hall. The Wisdom
of Light Hall demonstrates chemistry, biology, math, and physics with a large
number of interactive items. The famous mysterious fountain is also located in
the Wisdom of Light Hall.
9. Shanghai Art
Museum
Location: 2000 Century Ave, Pudong, Shanghai, China
Open Hours: 9:00 AM-05:30 PM; Daily
Entrance Fee: CNY 60 for adults
Founded in 1952, the
Shanghai Museum remains China's most important museum of classical Chinese art.
The Shanghai Museum has 11 galleries and over 120,000 historic artifacts. The
Stone Sculpture Gallery and the Bronze gallery are the most popular with
collections dating back to the 18th century B.C. The museum's four floors
include impressive displays of bronzes and ceramics from prehistoric cultures
to the 19th Century, ink drawings, calligraphy and seals, as well as large
collections of art from ethnic minorities. It's also home to large collections
of jade, coins and furnishings from the Ming and Qing periods (1368-1912).
10. Xintiandi
Location: Huangpu, Shanghai, China
Open Hours: 11:00 AM-11:00 PM; Daily
Entrance Fee: Free
Xintiandi is located
downtown nestled between the towering skyscrapers. It is one of the busiest
urban tourist attractions and imbued with the city's historical and cultural
legacies. Shanghai Xintiandi's Shikumen building was created by converting
residential blocks into a multifunctional dining, retail and entertainment center
flowing with restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars of an international
standard. It is also stands out as an entertainment complex housed in
reconstructed, modified houses of Shanghai. It occupies an area of about 30,000
square meters. It was a former old Shikumen which has been given restoration.
Shikumen Houses
History
A`shikumen houses were
first built around the 1870s, at the time of the Revolutionary War of the
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Many rich people fled to the French
Concession Area
of Shanghai. Foreign land agents built houses for these rich people with
elegant designs and many rooms. This kind of buildings was designed based on
the style of Jiangnan ('(Yangtze) River South') local residential houses, with
the solid-wood door framed in stone, hence shikumen.
What to do in Xin
Tian Di
Xin Tian Di is
divided into two parts: the South Block and the North Block.
The South Block is
more modern and one of China’s first major shopping centers lies there. The
North Block provides the old shikumen architectural style in contrast to the
modern style of the South Block. Some of the shikumen houses now serve as book
stores, cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls. Xintiandi has an active
nightlife on weekdays as well as weekends and it is considered as one of the
first lifestyle centers in China. Xintiandi is also the location of the first
congress of the Chinese Communist Party.
Drink
There are also very
stylish wine bars; you’ll find whatever you’re thirsty for.
Eat
When the climate is
fine, you’ll find what appears like everybody in Shanghai is sitting outside
and eating. There are good cafes for example Paul (the French bakery and
patisserie), KABB (Best American-style burgers plus censorships) and also
Chinese coffee bars like Din Tai (make a reservation). Chic venues comprise Va
Bene (Italian), plus T8 (fusion).
Shopping
Xintiandi has few
good shops. You’ll find bargains in Shanghai Tang’s northern block. Also don’t
forget Shanghai Trio (Taicang Street) for locally made bags, scarves and
fittings.
11. Nanjing Road
Location: Nanjing Rd Pedestrian St. Huangpu, Shanghai, China
Open Hours: 10:00 AM-10:00 PM; Daily
Nanjing Road is one
of the most important commercial and tourist streets in Shanghai, which
stretches from The Bund to The People’s Park. Along this largely
pedestrian-friendly street, you'll find every conceivable type of consumer good
from street vendors selling Chinese-themed souvenirs, to expensive boutiques
selling traditional arts and crafts, as well as a number of large shopping
malls and department stores such as the iconic Yibai and Jiubai. It's also a
busy entertainment district, home to many restaurants and cinemas, as well as a
hub for street performances (it's especially fun to visit during major holidays
such as Chinese New Year when the street becomes a focal point for festivities
and fireworks).
It is the world's longest shopping precinct;
it is around 6 km long, and attracts over 1 million visitors daily. Nanjing
road consists of two parts - East Nanjing Road and West Nanjing Road.
East Nanjing Road
East Nanjing Road is a
commercial zone. Close by is the Central Market, a century-old outdoor market
today specializing in electronic components and digital media.
West Nanjing Road
This area consists of
several five star hotels, upscale shopping centres, restaurants and office
buildings. Recently, the area has benefited from the construction of Subway
Line 7, connecting with Line 2 at the Jing’an Temple station. The latest
development there was the completion of the Wheelock Square building in 2010, with 58 floors and just
over 100,000 square meters of prime office space.
12. Shanghai Ocean
Aquarium
Location: 1388 Lujiazui Ring
Rd, Pudong, Shanghai, China
Open Hours: 9:00 AM-9:00 PM; Daily
Entrance Fee: RMB 110 per adult person and
RMB 70 per child
Opened in 2002, The
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is Asia’s largest aquarium and is one of the largest
aquariums in the world. This massive aquarium is located in Pudong, right next
to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is home to a special
120-meter tunnel that runs through various different marine habitat exhibitions
including a coral reef and kelp cave. The aquarium is split into many different
exhibition zones and even includes a China zone; the only aquarium in the world
to do so.
Happy
Travels!
Don't
just keep this to yourself. SHARE!
