Shanghai
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SHANGHAI
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No place else in the world has such a unique combination- Western traditions mingled with the Eastern culture; past expectations blended into future hopes, extreme excitement melted into classy elegance. Take a time machine back to the 30s in Old Town, and then transfer into a space shuttle to reach Pudong. Rest inside the tea house while you listen to Pipa, and then disco in Xintiandi with this season’s Prada! Have you ‘Shanghai-ed’ yet?
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| Old Town – The best way to discover this cosmopolitan city’s roots is to devour its older section. Old Town of Shanghai centered around the Town God’s Temple, a great place if you enjoy souvenir shopping and local snack sampling. This section was known as “The China Town” during colonial times. Today, it has been ‘renovated’ into a market area, where you can find lots of restaurants, food stands and ‘overpriced’ shops (So polish your bargain skills!). This is ‘a must stop’ for government guests of China, where you find historic restaurants serving food with Shanghai spirits. Former President Clinton complimented the cuisine of Lubolang Restaurant, and Queen Elizabeth had tea in the famous Huxinting Tea House. There is also Nan-Xiang Bun House, Laufandian Old Restaurants and many more. You should also walk around the nearby antique markets and the hidden alleys for some ‘backstage’ or old scenes. And of course, visit the classic Yuyuan Garden. There are falls, springs, small streams with bridges, dragon roof and a few halls, making Yuyuan Garden a real pearl hidden in the urban hustle and bustle. |
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The Bund – The Bund symbolizes Shanghai’s bridge between the city’s storied past and exciting future. Walk along the mile-long Huangpu River Waterfront passage to appreciate the astonishing collection of colonial buildings dating back to the 30s. The Bund used to be Shanghai’s ‘Wall Street.’ Now, the financial center has switched across the river to the Pudong area. You may also want to look at Pudong’s skyline right across the river for the stunning skyscrapers. Some of the restaurants here boast the worlds’ most amazing and romantic views.
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Shanghai Musuem – This spectacular building at the center of People’s Square exhibits the best collection of public art in China, including bronzes, ceramics, calligraphy, sculpture, jade, seals, paintings, coins, furniture and objects dating back to 8000 years ago. The displays are well labeled in both English and Chinese, and there are over 120,000 valuable pieces of works. It may be interesting to know that ‘Feng Shui’ was one of the most important considerations when the museum was built. It is said that this artistic building actually resembles a Chinese cooking pot with two handles on either side. In the evenings, fog and smoke form to create the illusion of a ‘boiling hot pot,’ which means a sign of fortune and luck to the Chinese.
Xintiandi – Xintiandi is a pedestrian district that features a multitude of fine dining, boutique shopping and cultural facilities in restored Stone Gate Houses – a special old form of building architecture only found in Shanghai. Indeed, this opens a gate to the fascinating history of the largest coastal city in China. With lots of cafés and boutiques that have strong characters, many consider a visit to Xintiandi the most delightful experience.
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