Shanghai’s sheer scale and architectural contrast simply astounds. With its 24 million inhabitants and its high-rise skyline, it makes New York City look like a cute little suburb. It’s also a city with a protected ancient history dating back thousands of years coupled with a digital culture that has done away with credit cards and commutes to work on high-speed trains that float on air. I feel like I both, step back in time and leap into the future when I visit Shanghai!
Below are some of my favorite things to do in this amazing city! Many items are hot linked to detailed posts. I’ve also included a city map to chart your course.
ONE: The Bund by Day ~ Visit the Bund during the day and take the transit tunnel underneath the Huangpu River and get up close and personal with the Pearl of Shanghai communications tower.
TWO: The Bund by Night ~ Take a river cruise and then grab a drink at the Hyatt Grand on the Bund and take in the glittering view.
THREE: Eat at Lost Heaven ~ This has become my new favorite restaurant. There are two locations, one on the Bund and one in the French Concession area.
FOUR: Yuyuan Garden ~ Visit the “Garden of Happiness”, have tea at the famous Yuyuan Tea house any time after 4:30 to hear the live music and enjoy the shops at the Bazaar around the garden.
FIVE: Visit the Jing’an Temple and inhale the prayers of others.
SIX: Zhou Zhuang, China ~ Take a weekend getaway to the magical water village of Zhou Zhuang and enjoy the Ming dynasty architecture, gardens, shops and take a Chinese gondola ride. Tip your boat captain to sing to you…it’s mesmerizing. Don’t forget to try the famous dumplings and pork.
SEVEN: Go shopping at the “fake market”. The fake market is located inside Metro Line 2 next to the Shanghai Science & Technology Museum. Everything is negotiable here but be careful of the “secret rooms”! I’m not sure the wares in those rooms a of the legal variety!
EIGHT: Silk Embroidery Research Institute and a Silk Factory. It’s a fascinating journey into the lifecycle of the silk worm coupled with the ability to buy some amazing silk pieces. I went wild on scarves while I was there!
NINE: Have Dumplings at Din Tai Fung restaurant. I suppose you could consider this a chain restaurant in the way we have PF Chang’s, but I love it!
TEN: Su Zhou, China ~ Take an afternoon trip to Su Zhou and enjoy the canals, the old walking gate and water gate, the Beisi Pagoda and the Master of Nets Garden.
I hope this helps you to chart your course in this grand city “on the water”, Shanghai!