Shanghai

Shanghai’s best-known attraction is impressive any time of day and night, but it’s at its most glam in the evening when floodlighting illuminates the colonial piles and the neon across the river, where Pudong gaudily glitters. Take a stroll along the waterfront walkway and watch the world go by.

The main shopping street of Shanghai embodies the eclectic nature of the city. Being one of the busiest streets in the world, it features outlets of both well known traditional Chinese and global brands, as well as more than 600 stores, shopping malls and restaurants on both sides of the walkway. It is certainly the place to be to feel the pulse of the city, or join the crowds on a shopping spree.

Yu Garden embodies the quintessence of classical ancient Chinese gardens south of the Yangtze River – creation of maximum out of minimum. While it takes a familiar person only five minutes to walk from the entrance to the exit, most first-time visitors find themselves lost in this little paradise with fish ponds, rockeries, plants, bridges, and buildings of various types arranged along zigzagging paths. The ingenious use of Chinese gardening art in combination with the garden’s 400-plus years history makes Yu Garden one of the most popular tourist attractions in Shanghai.

If you fly into Shanghai’s international airport in Pudong, be sure to take the Maglev into town rather than a taxi or regular metro. The Maglev is China’s futuristic magnetic levitation train and the fastest ride in its technological repertoire. The journey only lasts a few minutes, but during that time the train can reach a top speed of 430 kilometres per hour (although the average is closer to 300 km/h).

It’s the view you’re going for: on a clear day, Jin Mao Tower offers incredible 360 degree panoramas across the city. It’s 88 storeys high and it’s located at number 88 - have you guessed that eight is a lucky number for the Chinese? There are offices up to the 50th floor, then the Grand Hyatt hotel from floors 53 to 87. A public observation deck is located on the top floor. Otherwise, forget the lucky numbers and go for a drink at the Grand Hyatt’s Cloud 9 bar, just one storey below.

If you are looking for a great evening activity, then this might be something for you; in fact, this is one of the most popular forms of evening entertainment in the city. Here you can experience stunning acrobatic performances accompanied with live music.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is the largest sea aquarium in Asia, divided into nine different thematic zones including China, South America, Australia, Africa, Polar, Deep Ocean, and more. This is a place where you can discover more than 15,000 marine creatures and almost all sea species that can be found in Asia. Do not miss the underwater tunnels.

This Buddhist temple was founded in 1882, with two jade Buddha statues imported from Burma (1.95 metres tall, 3 tonnes) by the Monk Huigen during the Qing Dynasty. Today there is plenty to see on premises, including multiple beautiful Buddha statues.

People's Square is a Shanghai landmark. In its vicinity lie People's Park, Shanghai Museum, Municipal Building, Shanghai Grand Theatre and other important buildings. It is not only the political, economic, cultural and tourism center and transportation hub of Shanghai, but also a large shopping district.

This interactive museum museum scientific theory to life by turning it into an exciting, interactive experience for guests of all ages. Learn about the structure of the Earth surface by travelling hundreds of meters down to its core, explore animal diversity by taking a stroll through rain forests and deserts, and understand the theory of gravity by riding a bicycle on a steel string hanging in the air.

Xintiandi literally means “new heaven and earth”. It’s a new landmark of Shanghai developed in the late 1990s. In order to improve the living conditions of local people, the majority of old-style Shikumen houses were replaced with new apartment buildings. Some were worried that this traditional local house type might disappear one day, so the government decided to maintain some as cultural heritage. This area has now grown to become a major western-style dining location.

As the memorial of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in the 1920s, the site was refurbished into a museum in 1950. You will learn more about China's plight during the Opium War, Shanghai history and the events leading up to the foundation of the Chinese Communist Party.

For sweeping views over Shanghai, visit this 492-metre skyscraper. Also known as SWFC, this second tallest building in Shanghai features an indoor observatory from the 94th to 100th floors. Walk across the impressive Sky Bridge on the 97th floor and experience the tallest observatory in the world on the 100th floor.

Run down there quick, before the lights are extinguished: there’s talk of turning the Bund Tourist Tunnel into a tediously ordinary commuter line. In the meantime, it’s the most entertaining way to cross between the Bund and Pudong. Pumping music, psychedelic neon and nebulous commentaries accompany your journey - it’s showy, it’s tacky and it’s truly outrageous fun. It’s sometimes called the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel.

As one of the tallest towers in Asia, Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the distinct landmark of Shanghai. Located opposite The Bund, it is one of the hottest city attractions, as well as an entertainment venue containing dining and shopping spots. There is an observation deck at the 263-metre mark, which offers fascinating views of Shanghai.

It may not sound like much at first, but this place is, indeed, fascinating. There are photographic exhibitions of Shanghai old and new, but the pièce de résistance is a huge, fantastically detailed model of the way Shanghai will look in the decades to come.

The Urban Planning Museum offers visitors insight into the city's future, while the Shanghai Museum provides a glimpse into the past. Outstanding displays of 120,000 pieces including ancient Chinese ceramics, bronzes and paintings fill this five-storey space.

The best time to visit is around 7 am when hundreds, perhaps thousands, of locals gather for their daily exercise. Solitary old men practice t’ai chi formations, while well-coiffed women dance with fans or spin through a waltz or three. The energy pulses through aerobic routines or the flying leaps of a sword dance - while others simply sit around and watch their caged birds sing.

With its menu featuring scrumptious dumplings, pork belly and roast meat, this place serves some of the best Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine. This (originally Singaporean) chain restaurant offers a unique dining experience with exceptional food quality and good service.

Created by Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut, M on the Bund serves high-end Asian and Western food in classy surroundings. With its terrace overlooking the Bund, it has one of the best locations in town. The restaurant has been distinguished by multiple awards.

This excellent restaurant is located at the top floor of Hotel Indigo, and, thanks to being perched so high, offers great views and an even better menu selection. Their speciality is meat, but if a juicy steak isn't what you're feeling, sea food and delicious desserts are available as well.

If you are craving Spanish, head over to this authentic Spanish restaurant housed in a 1928 colonial house. The restaurant specialises in modern tapas and prepares all dishes using the best produce available. The restaurant has been recognised by multiple culinary awards.

Tempt your taste buds with Japanese cuisine at this exclusive two-storey restaurant with floor-to-ceiling views of greenery. The friendly staff serve fresh and creative Japanese-Californian fusion dishes which are beautifully presented. The atmosphere is informal and kids are welcome as well.

When you walk into Franck, you will immediately notice the private ambience of this French bistro. The attentive staff serve delicious French food, with dishes like foie gras, le poulet rôti" (roast chicken) and la cote de boeuf (imported Australian steak) offered up in a romantic setting. The restaurant also has its own wine cellar with 300 labels.

This classic European restaurant is located on level 30 of the Hyatt On The Bund Hotel, and offers amazing views. The restaurant mixes contemporary and comfort food prep styles. This is not a budget restaurant; however the location, food and service are what you pay for. “A la minute” signature dishes such as Caesar salad, lobster bisque, steak tartar and crêpe suzette are prepared by well-trained resident chefs.

At Simply Thai you can enjoy authentic, classic Thai food at a reasonable price in a warm and welcoming ambience. Make a reservation ahead since it can get quite busy. Simply Thai has five outlets across Shanghai (Dongping, Xintiandi, Hongmei, Jinqiao and Lujiazui IFC).

If you would like to try out the Yunnan cuisine, come here and make your wish come true. Prices here are higher than average, but you can definitely get what you pay for. Immerse yourself into the mysterious ambience of the restaurant and discover the distinguishing saltiness, spiciness and sourness of Yunnan flavours.

The Nanjing Road West location was where it all started, but Element Fresh now serves its stellar sandwiches, salads and smoothies in Wuxing Road, Huaihai Road, Xintiandi, People’s Square and Lujiazui. The menu extends to substantial mains, such as rib-eye steak and pasta.

Kommune is a great little courtyard café off the boutique shopping street of Tai Kang Road. It serves sandwiches, salads, lasagna, etc., and is popular among locals and expats alike. It is an excellent choice for brunch, or even an evening drink of beer or wine.

Antique Garden is an excellent find in the French Concession, only steps away from the green Fuxing Park. Relaxing jazz music often plays in the background, and they serve coffee, beer, wine and champagne (along with a few dishes to choose from). Most of the antiques and vintage items inside are up for sale. Can get very busy on Saturdays and Sundays.

Abbey Road has a lovely bamboo garden which offers shade on a hot summer day. They have a western menu and the music is a mix between rock and blues.

Maya serves Mexican food with an Asian touch, using exclusively fresh ingredients and experimenting with bold flavours. The extensive brunch menu is what originally earned Maya its fame. The food is healthy and hearty, with dishes like casserole, roast chicken enchiladas and roast duck quesadilla.

Little Sheep is a global hot pot restaurant chain. The hot pot concept means that guests cook their own food (stew/soup) by selecting from the fresh ingredients available, such as vegetables and meat. This is a child-friendly place with a playground, and prices are reasonable.

At this bakery you can indulge in a wide variety of European speciality breads, cakes and other baked goodies. Bastiaan is a bakery whose story in Shanghai goes back 15 years, when it was first founded to become one of the city's most reputable producers of baked goods.

For the perfect pan-seared Shanghai dumplings filled with thick, flavourful broth that's molten off the pork filling (shrimp and squid varieties on offer as well), stop by one of the famous local Yang's Dumpling chain. Pre-order and pay at the cash register, then produce the receipt at the kitchen counter to receive your serving.

Coffee is taken seriously at Sumerian, a hip cafe and coffee shop in the heart of Shanghai. With carefully monitored origins of its beans (which come from Africa, Latin America and China itself), the establishment serves up superb hot and cold caffeinated drinks, along with delectable bagels with a variety of toppings.

The eponymous drinking hole of Cotton Ding has recently moved to a new home in a French Concession villa. The most intriguing element is its circular bed with the white voile drapes. But anyone not needing a snooze can enjoy the torch-lit courtyard and the enticing sofas indoors.

It bills itself a "bar for grown-ups" - its décor features hand-painted Chinese screens and an oval chrome bar - and, of course, the amazing view over the Bund and the river for which M is famous. The Glamour Bar hosts an array of interesting events from live jazz to literary readings. It is also the home to the Shanghai International Literary Festival each March.

House of Blues and Jazz is a relaxed venue which often hosts international live acts. There is no cover charge, and the drink menu is extensive, although mixed drinks are best skipped in favour of beer or wine. Opens in the afternoon; some dining options available.

A quintessential nightlife hot spot, Bar Rouge is the place to see and be seen. Dressed to-the-nines glitterati flock to this sleek, glamorous bar-club hybrid set smack in the middle of it all in Shanghai's Bund, overlooking the Pudong skyscrapers.

Barbarossa holds three floors of Arabic opulence beside the lake in People’s Park. With its delicious cocktails and a serene atmosphere, it attracts a glamorous crowd, and is one of the city's finest for a relaxed drink out. Every day, between 5 pm-8 pm, drinks are 50% off.

M1NT is Shanghai's definition of lavish opulence - with indoor shark tanks, exuberant decor style, pricey drinks, first-class views over the night city from it's 24th floor location and the notoriously strict dress code, the club is a sought-after nightlife spot for those looking to party in style.

Boxing Cat Brewery is an award-winning small brewery with several locations across Shanghai. Here you can enjoy every type of beer from malt to ale, and many different European favourites. They serve good pub grub, and the indoor screens are large enough to fully enjoy a sporting game.

Drei Kronen 1308 Brauhaus brings German beer culture to Shanghai. They also serve German cuisine, and most days of the week you can also enjoy live music here. Start off with a beer sampler and pick a favourite, and do not skip on the famous German sausages to go along.

This Art Deco dance hall was the place to be seen in 1930s Shanghai (Charlie Chaplin once danced here), and it has now reopened for the twenty-first century crowd. The clientele is mostly older, and the dancing done is old-style. This place is a real throwback to the glamour of old Shanghai, so strap on your dancing shoes and take to the floor for a whirl.

The wine selection leans towards French but extends its scope to include international labels. The dimly-lit bar occupies two storeys that look nothing like the doctor's office, but a cure for (nearly) all ailments is served both by the glass and bottled. Delectable wine accompaniments and platters are highly popular.

The Fabric Market has recently been pulled up from its down-at-the-heel roots and relocated to 399 Lujiabang Road. Cashmere coats, silk dresses, work suits and shirts - all can be created just the way you like them. Some items are also sold off the peg if you’re going for custom-made, it’s a good idea to bring a garment for copying.

Try Three on the Bund for seven floors of glamour, art, culture, cuisine and music, with the Shanghai Gallery of Art located on-site. Hours can easily be spent at this historic building offering up some of the best views of the Bund and Pudong across the river.

Shanghai’s main shopping street is the pedestrianised, neon-lit Nanjing Road. Lined with shopping malls, international chain stores, local boutiques and countless cafes and eateries, the street is a daily meeting point for locals, expats and visitors.

The staggering variety of exotic Chinese treats and snacks might be disorienting at first, but a world of discovery awaits for those who persevere. Meats and fruit (including the infamous durian), seeds, packaged sweet and savoury snacks, chicken feet and more are up for sale. The 3rd floor is given over to a food court.

The blossoming M50 is a complex inhabited by local artists, who showcase - and often sell - their work in a plethora of galleries/boutiques crowding the neighbourhood. One can hardly do better than M50 for modern and one-of-a-kind souvenirs in Shanghai.

The Propaganda Poster Art Centre is, primarily, a gallery showcasing posters dating back to various points of China's 20th century history. The on-site gift shop is a definitive highlight - many of the displayed designs have been turned into original postcards, T-shirts, and other attractive merchandise. Cash only.

The ground level of Tianshan Tea City really is a tea-lover's paradise: the variety of teas on offer is seriously impressive, and most shop owners will conduct free-of-charge tastings to help you decide on a variety to purchase. Floors two and three are given over to porcelain and tea-making paraphernalia.

Spin will appeal to those with a refined taste - the artisan ceramics shop's designs gesture towards Scandinavian minimalism in shape and colour, some pieces featuring understated Chinese motifs. All designs are authored by local creators from Shanghai.

Discover a bustling Shanghai market the way it was 100 years ago. A combination of sightseeing, shopping, entertainment and cultural exhibits turn the area into a tourist must-see. Here you can experience the unique "Hai Pai" (East meets Wests) architecture and folk custom.

Tianzifang is where local artists have set up shop to display and sell one-of-a-kind creations. Tianzifang is located in the French Concession, built up of iconic traditional Shanghai Shikumen buildings. If you are looking for something vintage or creative hand made crafts, this neighbourhood is one to keep on your radar.

Shanghai has two airports one of them is the international airport in Pudong, 35 km from the city centre.

From the Pudong Airport, the most enthralling way to travel is on the Maglev (the high-speed magnetic-rail train) to Longyang Road in Pudong. Purchasing a round-trip comes with a discount. There’s an underground station and a taxi rank at Longyang Road for onward travel.

Metro Line 2 is available when departing or arriving Pudong International Airport. Operating Time 6 am 10 pm and leaves every 8.5 minutes. Hotline: +86 21 6437 0000, www.service.shmetro.com/en

A taxi from Pudong Airport to the city centre takes up to an hour. Make sure you have your destination written in Chinese.

The airport has regular shuttle buses to many areas in the city and the major hotels have desks at the airport and will arrange transfer.

Another airport called Hongqiao Airport, which handles domestic flights, lies 15 km from downtown.

Both Metro and buses run from this airport.

A taxi from Hongquiao Airport will take 30-45 minutes. Make sure you have your destination written in Chinese.

Hongqiao Airport has regular shuttle buses to many areas in the city. The major hotels have desks at the airport and will arrange transfer.

One of the best ways to travel is by the rapidly expanding Metro network, which is reliable, good value and easy to navigate (all directions are in English as well as Chinese).

You can buy your ticket at the ticket office at the Metro station or the automatic ticket selling machine.

Buses are usually busy and the network can be complicated to negotiate for non-speakers of Chinese. The 911, which runs along Huaihai Road, can be useful.

Keep some loose change when travelling with the bus, coins need to be placed in the slot at the entrance.

The traffic in Shanghai can be heavy, but taxis are easy to flag down. Be aware that most taxi drivers only speak Chinese and may not understand English. A great solution comes from a set-up called Guanxii: you text the English name of your destination to 885 074 and back it comes in Chinese characters. Just show your phone to your taxi driver.

The main post office is at 276 Sichuan Road North (between Tiantong Road and Beisuzhou Road, but there are branches all over town. The Shanghai Centre branch (1376 Nanjing Road West) and the branch at 212 Xinhua Road have staff who speak some English. Post boxes are green.

Pharmacies are not hard to find in the city, just look for the green cross.

The Shanghai United Family Hospital and Clinics Pharmacy works 24/7, year-round. It is located at 1139 Xianxia Rd, Changning Qu, Shanghai (+86 21 2216 3900).

Parkway Community Pharmacy is an international standard professional pharmacy. They emply English-speaking staff who are licensed pharmacists.

Country code: +86
Area code: (0)21

220 V / 50 Hz, three-pin plugs