Shanghai Sightseeing

Welcome to Shanghai, a city of contrast, of old and new, east and west, glamorous yet subtle. Situated
on the eastern coast, and bred by the Yangtze River, it stands halfway between China's north and south
and opened itself to the world as early as 1800s. A unique city of fascination, and dubbed as the Paris
of the Orient, Shanghai will have you drowned in its charm at your first sight. Have you been to
Shanghai, it will fascinate you more on every subsequent visit. Indeed, the more you seem to know the
city, the less you really get to know it. A shining yet mystic germ of China, Shanghai can be distractive
and deceptive, one needs to go far beyond its stunning outlook to find its real beauty, the irresistible
beauty of its subtleness. This is my perspective of Shanghai, come and find your own perspective.

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Background
Covering over 7,000 sq km, Shanghai has been inhabited since 6,000 years ago, growing from an
unnoticeable fishing and farming community, it now has 23 million population and ranks itself the
largest city in China. Beginning as early as 1200s, it became one of China's seven Maritime Trade
Offices, as it further opened as an international trade port in 1800s, it became the trading threshold of
the British, French, Americans, Germans and Russians, who all have left their marks over time. This is
evident in their banks, trading houses, and mansions, ranging from Gothic, Romanesque to Baroque, an
array of architectures on the Bund (Waitan), which stand in stark contrast to the skyscrapers on Pudong
across the Huangpu River.

Shanghai was the adventurers paradise, the trendsetter, where the rich and famous, and dream seekers
gathered. Leading on from this background, Shanghai is now China's richest city, its financial hub as
well as the most modern and trendy metropolis. You will find banks, world-wide enterprises, glitzy
restaurants, coffee shops, tea houses, street food stalls, bars, hotels, international brands and shopping
malls, competing with London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore, yet with its distinctive style.

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Geography/Transport
Located on the Yangtze River delta, Shanghai consists primarily of flat land, coupled with a highly
efficient transport/infrastructure system, it makes travelling around extremely easy and convenient, both
on foot and on wheels. Taxis, buses, metro, trains (all extremely cheap) and the Meglev (the magnetic
levitation train, the fastest commercial high-speed electric train, 431 km/h) will get you anywhere
quickly without hassle. Note Please refer to Page 18 for more details.

Weather
September might be the best time to visit Shanghai. Stepping into autumn, the weather becomes cooler
but there may be a few hot days in early September due to the afterheat of summer. Day time
temperature stays in the region of 24C (75F) while evenings are warm and breezy. Humidity around 77
% and rainfall being the lowest of the year, air quality is also remarkably good (by China standard).
Summer clothes with one to two light jackets will serve you well.

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Main Attractions

The Bund (Waitan)

Nowhere in Shanghai is
its history more blatantly
spelled out as on the
Bund, which carries to-
date the mark of its earlier
trading history. Situated
along the western bank of
the Huangpu River, a
tributary of the Yangtze,
the Bund is a waterfront
zone which fringes the
'old Shanghai' in the shape
of a ribbon. A stroll along
the Bund will cast you
back to the 1800s where
trendsetters used to dance
their nights away wearing
the most fashionable
costumes from Paris. This was also where bankers and traders gathered for business and where lovers
wooed. Visiting the Bund is a must, a leisurely walk in the morning, sipping over a cocktail by sunset,
or taking in the breathtaking night view upon a hotel balcony, endless options await you. Starting from
our wedding venue (the Peninsula Hotel), you may walk upstream (southerly, with the river on your
left and the old buildings on the right) along the river bank pedestrian zone, visit the famous Fairmont
Peace Hotel, make a detour into Nanjing Road, catch a short ride on the river cruises, or walk via the
cross-river pedestrian subway to the commercial centre in Pudong.

(Metro Line 2, get off at East Nanjing Road Station, then walk 10 minutes)

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Pudong
Oriental Pearl
Tower
Shanghai
Tower
SWFC
Jinmiao

Across the river from the Bund is Pudong, a newly developed finance and trade area with skyscrapers
comparable to Dubai and New York. Clustered around the Oriental Pearl Tower (153 floors, 470
meters), Jinmao Tower (88 floors, 421 meters), the Shanghai World Financial Center (101 floors, 492
meters), and the most recently built Shanghai Tower (127 floors, 632 meters), the last being China's
tallest building and the world's 2nd tallest building. A visit to the viewing platform on the top floor of
the Shanghai World Financial Center is well worthwhile. Lastly, a visit to Pudong will be amiss without
visiting its riverbank restaurants and pubs, just a short walk away from these buildings through elevated
pedestrian walkways, particularly for an al fresco lunch basking in Shanghai's autumn sun.
(Metro Line 2, get off at Dongchang Road Station, exit 4, or Lujiazui Station, exit 6)

Nanjing Road

Traversing across the city from west to east is Nanjing Road, a 5.5 km stretch of shopping arcades,
restaurants and businesses. With over 6,000 shops, you will find nearly everything you need ranging
from daily necessities, clothes, special and cheap souvenirs to luxurious world brands. This is the
shopping zone where everyone goes, from the poor to the rich. The eastern most section, which adjoins
the Bund is a pedestrian zone, here you will find old departmental stores, grand buildings and traditional
shops.

(Metro Line 1,2,8 & 10, get off at People's Square, East Nanjing Road, and West Nanjing Road
stations)

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6
Shanghai Xintiendi (meaning the new haven)

Being a former residential area of the well

off locals, Shikumen developed from
1800s to 1900s into a sophisticated
community comprising buildings blending
western and Chinese architectural styles.
Shikumen literally means 'stone doors',
houses with stone doorframes (often with
engravings) and solid wooden
doors. Deteriorated over time, it has been
painfully renovated since 1997. Now
packed with trendy restaurants, bars,
coffee shops and boutiques, it has become
the poshest place to hang out in Shanghai,
day and night. You should also visit the
Shikumen Museum there, one of such
typical buildings which has been
renovated to its former condition to
provide a real feel of the days back in time.
Also located there is the 'Zenlifestore'
, a must visit if you are interested in
high quality china designed tastefully and
hand painted by young Chinese artists in
traditional styles. Do consider owning a
piece, price is affordable.
(Metro Line 10, Xintiandi Station, exit 6,
or Line 1, South Huangpi Road Station,
exit 3)

7
Yuyuan Garden

This was a private garden built in 1577 and fully renovated in 1760. It fell into disrepair thereafter but
was restored through a five-year project beginning in 1956. Occupying an area of 20,000 sq meters, it
is a typical water garden of the southern China, comprising pavilions, halls, corridors, rockeries, ponds,
streams and cloisters. Standing on top of the pond is a grand hall which now accommodates a fine
Chinese restaurant reminiscent of the old time pleasure of sipping tea in a water-bound tea house.

Around the garden is an old temple

and a huge open air shopping area
which specializes in traditional
food and souvenir with many small
street food stalls. Well worth
tasting are pork and crab meat
dumplings (xiaolongbao) which are
specialities of Shanghai. You may
need to be patient as often there are
long queues for takeaway or eat-in.
(Metro Line 10, Yuyuan Station
exit 1)

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Tianzifang

Another legacy of several old

residential Shikumen
architectures and factories
packed among a jigsaw of
narrow lanes and corridors, this
is now an artsy area housing
bars, cafes, crafts shops, design
studios, galleries and
boutiques. You can easily
spend a day here weaving
through its lanes and corridors
checking into the shops each of
which has interesting work of
art on offer. (Metro Line 9,
Dapuqiao Station exit 1)

9
Shanghai French Concession
This is an area once designated for the French in the 1800s, consisting of today's Luwan and Xuhui
districts, the Xintiendi and Tianzifang being within Luwan district. The tree-lined avenues with their
Tudor mansions, most of which turned into restaurants, museums, hip cafes and
boutiques, still preserve an air of the Paris of the Orient and presents Shanghai in a totally different
light. This is not an area to rush through but to leisurely stroll on foot, focusing on:Wukang Road,
Fuxing Road, Taian Road, Dongping Lu, Taojiang Road, Wulumuqi Road, Yongfu Road, Julu Road,
Huaihai Road, South Maoming Road, Changle Road, and Xinload, and Changle Road.
wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai/French_Concession
www.chinalightlights.com/travelguide/china-hiking/shanghai-hiking.htm

(Metro Line 1, South Shaanxi Road Station)

10
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town

If you wish to see more of the old Shanghai, why not venture out to its suburb to Zhujiajiao, an ancient
water town with a history of over 1,700 years. Covering an area of 47 sq km, the fan-shaped town
glimmers like a pearl among the landscape of lakes, waterways and hills. The old town is thoroughly
connected by bridges and delicate spans in different shapes and styles, from wooden to stone to marble.
This can be covered as a day tour and while public transport can get you there, it is more convenient to
join a tour at your hotel travel desk.

11
Shopping
Apart from Nanjiang Road and the modern shopping arcades, you may be interested in buying small
articles, inexpensive clothes, or items of authentic Chinese styles. Following are a few
recommendations:

Shoes
North Shaanxi Road offers abundant varieties and original styles in reasonable and moderate price.

Chinese style clothes

Maoming Road, Changle Road have shops that tailor make for you.

Fabric
Visit the tailor shops and fabric shops in Nan Wai Tan (South Bund), and the Fabric Market in
Lujiabang Road.

12
Fine China

As mentioned above, do not forget to visit the Zenlifestore in Xintiendi if you wish to find really fine
china hand-painted stylishly by young Chinese artists.

13
 Where to Eat - Chinese Delicacies

Download Bon App! and Smart Shanghai from app store (equivalent to Timesout guide, but tailored
for expats living in China). Further details of our restaurant suggestion below can be found in the app.

Sense 8: a super cool "old-school teahouse" styple Cantonese restaurant serving a selection of classic
dim sums, by reservations only +86 (0)21 6373 1888 (Location: Xi Tian Di)
1818
1015 Voted as one of Asia's Best 50 restaurants, serves traditional Shanghai cuisine, by
reservation only +86 (0)21 5237 9778 1015
Lost Heaven: Amazing Yunnan food, close by the Bund
Din Tai Fung, famous for its dumplings and xiaolongbao (Location: Xi Tian Di)
TaoYuan Village, best place to enjoy traditional Taiwanese breakfast in Shanghai, served all day
150L1 E02
Putien, Michelin Guide Recommended chain restaurant serving Chinese cuisine with a Singaporean
twist
Le Patio & La Famille, Michelin One Star restaurant serving great Shanghainese food at reasonable
prices 216
Xiao Bai Hua Jiu Jia: Cheap and tasty homemade quintessential shanghainese food
Xibei Oat Noodle Village: Northwestern Chinese cuisine / meat lover's paradise
Xibo: Xinjiang food similar to Turkish food, lamb skewers and big plate chicken
Vegetarian Lifestyle: They have great "fake meat" dishes, and excellent straight-up veggie dishes too

Qimin Organic Hot Pot Market: Pricey but with high-quality. Great for experiencing Chinese food
if you're a picky eater
Hai Di Lao Hot Pot, great value hot pot with excellent service. "Noodle Dance" is available upon de-
mand
Wulao Elixir Hot Pot, best Taiwanese hot pot in Shanghai with free "Ice Cream Tofu" and herbal
tofu broth, opens late until 2am 2
DaimonBistro, a very funky (though a little pricey) fusion Cantonese restaurant by the Bund
56
Miss Alo: Another amazing Xinjiang restaurant, a cozy place

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 Drinks/Night Life
Myst: big headliner DJs, mega-huge club with 30% expat/70% local
Nest: big lounge on the bund, very popular pre-clubbing spot, great food as well (where else can you
get wagyu steak at midnight?)
Le Baron: the current "it" mini-club in Shanghai, 60/40% expat/local. If you don't get a table before-
hand you'll end up waiting an hour outside
Monkey OTS: crowded jam packed club down the street from Le Baron
Union Trading Company: a tiny, quiet bar, where the focus is on drinks.
Speak low: a hidden cocktail bar
Botanist: Serving amazing cocktails inspired by nature and foraged ingredients
Heyday Jazz Bar, harks back to 1920's and 30's Shanghai. It's a small, intimate venue showcasing
local jazz talents, offering live music from around 9pm each day 50
The Union Trading Company, a cosy lounge and beer house featuring 100+ cocktails and incredible
nibbles 642; 64 Fengyang Lu near Fuxing Zhong Lu (entrance on FuXing Zhong Lu)
el Ocho, a gorgeous cocktail bar which occupies the 3rd floor of a heritage building on TaiXing Lu
99A3 (5 mins walk from West Nanjing Road Station)

Where to eat - Western Food

Banco, our favourite italian restaurant in town, offering a range of tasty cream cheeses, healthy salads
and italian pasta made with fresh ingredients (Location: Infitinus, Xi Tian Di)
The Commune Social, best Spanish tapas restaurant in Shanghai
Chartres Garden Restaurant, French restaurant located in French concession, many cute shops near
by, good for walking around the area 855
Green & Safe, in case the name hasn't given it away yet, this restaurant serves a board selection of
comfy healthy food (Location: Xi Tian Di)
Liquid Laundry, a beer brewery with good nibbles
Capital M, by the Bund (M )
Bella Napoli, an authentic old-school italian restaurant serving classic italian dishes
D.O.C Gastronomia Italiana
More Than Eat, a restaurant and mini-super market, best burgers in town (....by local standard)
Black Pepper, a turkish restaurant situtated in Zhang Yuan , a historical building built in 1920

Tea and Coffee House

XianYue Tea House, traditional Chinese tea house with tea snacks, private seating areas for small
group of friends, relax and be zen 36

Sweat & Tears Taiwanese singer Jonathan Lee's caf, many musicians likes to practicing guitar
there 5380

Hey Tea, the coolest new style "tea house" in town, featuring fruity iced tea topped up with a rich
cheesy creamy foam, it's sensational

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 Where to nurse your muscle pain
Drgaonfly, offers a full range of therapeutic massage, nail and beauty treatments at reasonable
prices

Yu Massage , a boutique massage parlour offering therapeutic retreats () and

()

Where to Stay?
High-end hotel selection:

Ritz Carlton; Location @ Lu Jia Zui (Pudong); Price @ Rmb 3,600

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/china/shanghai-pudong

Waldorf Astoria Hotel; Location @ the Bund (Puxi); Price @ Rmb 2,800
http://www.waldorfastoriashanghai.com/english/

The PuLi Hotel and Spa; Location @ Jing An (Puxi); Price @ Rmb 2,800
http://www.thepuli.com/en/

Park Hyatt Hotel; Location @ Lu Jia Zui (Pudong); Price @ Rmb 2,300
https://shanghai.park.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Fairmont Peace Hotel; Location @ the Bund (Puxi); Price @ Rmb 2,000
http://www.fairmont.com/peace-hotel-shanghai/

Langham Hotel, Location @ Xin Tian Di (Puxi); Price @ Rmb 2,000

http://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/shanghai/

Mid-range hotel selection:

Andaz Hotel, Location @ Xin Tian Di (Puxi); Price @ Rmb 1,800

https://shanghai.andaz.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

IFC Residence; Location @ Lu Jia Zui (Pudong); Price @ Rmb 1,400

http://www.ifcresidence.com/en/index.html

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Westin Hotel; Location @ the Bund (Puxi); Price @ Rmb 1,400
http://www.westinshanghai.com/

URBN Boutique Shanghai; Location @ Jing An (Puxi); Price Rmb 1,000

http://www.urbnhotels.com/en

Marriot Courtyard Shanghai Central; Location @ Jing An (Puxi - North); Price Rmb 900
https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/shapx-courtyard-shanghai-central/

Alternatives:
Airbnb in Shanghai could be a decent alternative particularly if you are keen to explore the city like a
local. We would suggest staying around the French Concession area.
https://www.airbnb.com/
http://wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai/French_Concessio...

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 Getting around
By Air
There are 2 airports in Shanghai

PuDong airport: an international airport in East of Shanghai, well connected by underground, by su-
per-fast Maglev and by cab. Discount available for Maglev when present flight tickets or e-booking at
the till.
PuDong airport to town: 50 mins / RMB180 by cab (RMB 230 after 11pm); or take Maglev (RMB 50
one-way, 7 mins journey) to the end and change onto underground or cab (RMB60 into town but not
recommended as many shady drivers around )
HongQiao airport is located in Pu Xi (West end of Shanghai), it is a local airport with good connec-
tion both by underground and by cab (cost around RMB 160 to city centre)
The Bund area, where the Peninsula Hotel Shanghai (i.e. our wedding venue) is situated, is roughly in
the mid-point between these two airports.

By Underground

Get a Travel Card with RMB 5 deposit at the till (this is similar to London Oyster Card but can also
be used for taxi. Can be purchased and top-up at the underground station and most convenience stores
e.g. 7-11, Family Mart)
All underground stations have security checks watch your bags as you go through
Rush Hours: 7-10 am and 5-7pm. You will be pushed, shoved and elbowed out, by all means blend-in,
act like a local and always watch your bags!

By Taxis

Underground is easy but taxis are easier, cheap and plentiful, though disappeared in peak hour and
rain.
Warning: drivers don't speak English so travel with an address card and no need for tips (Note: Smart
Shanghai app provides address in Chinese for all the recommendations)
Local taxis and Didi cars (equivalent to Uber cars) both are available.
"Lu" is the generic term meaning Road

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Venturing outside of Shanghai

If you have a few days to spare,

venturing out of Shanghai to
Hangzhou or Suzhou is highly
recommended. While being
geographically close to
Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou
are both unique on their own, the
former was already a flourishing
metropolis in 1200s and had held
Marco Polo spellbound, it is now
famed for the West Lake and
Xixi (a vast wetland of natural
beauty and tranquillity), the latter
is world renowned for its typical
Chinese water gardens. Day trips
are possible, but you should
prepare to stay a minimum of two
nights at each place to make your
visit worthwhile.

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Useful Links
Shanghai Travel China: Facts, Attractions, City Map, Weather, Tips - Travel China Guide
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai.htm

Shanghai Travel Guide on TripAdvisor

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g308272-Shanghai-Vacations.html

Shanghai travel guide - Wikitravel

http://wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai

Shanghai Travel Guide: Things to Do, Attractions, Best Time to Visit - China Highlights
http://www.chinahighlights.com/shanghai/

TimeOut SHANGHAI
http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/features/Shopping__Style-Shopping_features/37351/A-guide-to-
copying-clothes-at-Shanghais-fabric-markets.html

Hangzhou Wikipedia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangzhou
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/hangzhou.htm

Suzhou Wikipedia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzhou

www.chinahighlights.com/suzhou/

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