Shanghai Hotels

In Shanghai, there’s a constant, underlying battle between chaos and control, fought out in the relentless push forward, the obsession with innovation, progress, commercialism and modernity.

Shanghai is the city that never stops, yet it’s also a city of contrast, with the thrusting skyscrapers of Pudong (testaments to China’s growing modernity and confidence) offset by the European elegance of the Bund, on the banks of the Huangpu River, which reminds visitors that Shanghai was once known as ‘the Paris of the East’.

There are also unexpected pockets of real grace, where glimpses of old-world tradition are tucked away behind quiet alleys mere metres from the heaving streets. People’s Square is an oasis of green in the centre of downtown Shanghai, where grateful tourists and locals alike take pause to feed the doves and pray for world peace (really). Shanghai Museum is designed with the principles of Feng Shui in mind and provides an unlikely port in the storm.

Whether you’re sipping tea in a traditional Shanghai teahouse or dancing until dawn in a pulsing nightclub, Shanghai will swallow you whole – and you’ll love every minute.

SHANGHAI’S TOP 10

SHANGHAI LOCAL

The Bund

The colourful, illuminated skyline mixed with the buildings from eras gone by make The Shanghai Bund the perfect place for some romance. If the chi just isn’t right and you find yourself without a lover to be smug and sappy with, you’ll still get some great photo opportunities. Shoppers can head to the famous Nanjing Rd, where you’ll find lots of stores to send you into debt, and must-see destinations like the Museum of Contemporary Art and the trendy Xiang Yang Markets.

Yu Yuan

If you want to escape the commercial craziness of the other areas of Shanghai, come here. It retains a lot of ye olde Chinese charm, and, most enticingly, the opportunity to walk the streets and breathe in some actual fresh air, as there’s a lot less smog here. Don’t miss out on the prettiness and tranquillity of Yu Gardens and the fun of their bazaar, serving all your tacky (and strange) souvenir needs in one place. Just make sure you don’t get conned into over-paying by the sometimes abrupt but well-meaning vendors.

Jing’an

This busy, downtown district in the heart of Shanghai is home to great shopping spots, drawing big-spenders and hipsters alike. If shopping bores you to tears, you can channel your inner archaeologist and check out the bags of bones at the Shanghai Natural History Museum, or make funny faces at fish through the glass at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. At night, you might like to head over to the Shanghai Grand Theatre, a modern structure with the air of a temple, and take in a concert or a play. If you don’t think your Mandarin is up to the challenge of an entire play, however, you can find plenty of alternate entertainment in one of the many pubs or nightclubs around the area. Make sure you indulge in a bottle of Tsingtao beer!

Former French Concession

The FFC pulls major tourist numbers because of the pretty streets, charming, European-style buildings and cosmopolitan vibe. This area of Shanghai blends the Chinese and Euro ways of life into one happy little neighbourhood and is emblematic of the cocktail of influences at work in the city. Start your day with an intense round of Mahjong with a local oldie at Fuxing Park, or head straight into the shops to drop some serious Yuan.

Xuhui

The heart of Xuhui and the place you’ll most likely make a beeline for is Xujiahui, a cluster of shopping spots. This place is known for boasting the most epic shopping in Shanghai, so don’t feel bad about giving the credit card a workout. Hit up iconic malls like the Grand Gateway, Oriental Department Store and Metro City (this place is particularly good for cut-price electronics). If you’re in Xuhui for more than a day, Jinjiang Action Park is an epic theme park that’s well worth a visit.

SHANGHAI EAT & DRINK

Shanghai will get you salivating, satiate you and then proceed to get you pretty damn hammered. Here’s where to grab a meal and then get rowdy…

SHANGHAI EVENTS

Stacks of people gather at the Longhua Temple in Xuhui to celebrate the Western New Year with a sacred tradition called the New Year Bell Striking. The bell strikes over 100 times and is said to not only welcome the new year, but also bring good luck to the people who attend.

Chinese New Year (January or February, depending on the Chinese calendar) is a pretty big deal in Shanghai – no surprises there. The parade and celebrations thrill the city and amaze tourists every year without fail. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

The Lantern Festival is the highlight/last event of the Spring Festival. Pretty lanterns illuminate every nook and cranny bringing good fortune to all. Most of the festivities are based at Yu Yuan Gardens.

The awarding of ‘Golden Goblets’ during the Shanghai International Film Festival always attracts a lot of attention (and the opinions of annoyingly smug film snobs) every June.

Nanjing Road sees the Shanghai Tourism Festival, a massive party that not only celebrates tourists (woo! Go us!), but also the city’s culture and lifestyle every September/October.

WHEN TO VISIT

• Once upon a time, Shanghai enjoyed pretty mild weather all year round but that pesky global warming (a pollution-caused hold in the ozone layer above Shanghai hasn’t helped) has changed things somewhat. Shanghai now deals with frosty winters and major heatwaves during summer.
• If you’re looking for warm and pleasant weather, early March to May will satisfy.
• Spring temp range: 18-22°C (64-72°F); summer temp range: 27-35°C (81-95°F); autumn temp range: 12-16°C (54-61°F); and winter temp range: 4-6°C (39-43°F).

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WHAT TO MISS

• The tap water equates to almost instant diarrhoea in this city, so stock up on the bottled stuff. Food poisoning is also really common, so avoid it by going to eateries that are busy! While you’ll naturally be more cautious around meat, fish and eggs, it’s often the innocent-looking salads, washed in tap water, that can do the most damage.
• Security is, er, interesting in China. We suggest deleting the porn and anything else incriminating and/or embarrassing from your hard drive (it’s up to you whether that includes those episodes of Glee you secretly love) if you’re travelling with a laptop. If security officials find you a little suss, they’ll have no problems putting you under surveillance and then checking out your personal possessions without telling you. Hotel rooms, offices, cars, phones and Internet usage (yep, porn again) may also be monitored and searched. Freaky.
• In addition to the hardcore security, Shanghai has some intense laws against spitting, jay-walking, swearing, littering, smoking in public and walking on grass (whaaaa?). Read the signs and follow the crowd and you should be alright!

GETTING AROUND

• The Shanghai Metro! One of the fastest and most reliable rail transit systems will see you get to wherever you need to go in this city. Prices vary according to the length of the trip, but you can be certain that they’re cheap!
• Not into trains? Buses are plentiful, with over 1000 local bus lines. When you’re ferrying around a population of 23 million, you don’t leave things to chance…
• Taxis are very cheap, but don’t expect an English-speaking driver. To avoid confusion, make sure you carry your destination written down on a piece of paper. Or learn Shanghaianese, the local dialect.