Actually, visitors are a great opportunity to get off the couch and see the town with new eyes. They give you a chance to be reminded why you love the places you love, and explore new places you've always been meaning to see.
So to avoid vacant stares from expectant faces wondering, "What do we do now?", we find it's best for the host to keep two things in mind: patience, and a plan. To that end, here are some suggestions with real Shanghai flavor for your itinerary, from the famous and fabulous to the city's hidden gems.
Shanghai's Famous: Recommended in Travel books for a Reason
While Shanghai is not known for ancient historical sites, it is definitely not short on modern metropolitan wonders: shopping, architecture, and luxury. Here are our favorite locations for visitors looking for the city's most famous places.
1. As the most iconic piece in the Shanghai skyline, the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower is awe-inspiring from across the river and even more astounding up close. Located in Lujiazui, the commercial area directly across from the Bund in Pudong, the Pearl Tower looms at 468 meters (1500 ft.), with elevators capable of carrying 50 people to whisk you up to any of the three visitors decks offering stunning views of the city. A revolving restaurant at the top floor serves less-than-stellar buffet food but is less crowded than the other decks. Take advantage of a rare clear day to see this modern marvel.
- No. 1 Century Avenue, Lujiazui in Pudong (Metro Line 2 Lujiazui)
- 8:00 - 17:00 ¥50/adult, ¥30/child; 17:00 - 20:30 ¥40/adult, ¥25/child
2. Xiangyang Market, that chaotic playground of fake goods stalls, may be closed (yes, those travel books get outdated fast in this city), but most expats know where the merchants have relocated. Instead of endangering your guests by following some shady dude with a wrinkled brochure of LV bags you met off the street, take your visitors to the more, er, legitimate imitation goods markets. These one-stop malls for bags, coats, silks, shoes, toys and more enthrall most people new to China with the promise of cheap deals, but bring your bargaining skills. Start with 1/3 the offered price and be stubborn!
- Fenshine Accessories or "淘宝", 580 West Nanjing Rd. near Chengdu Rd.
- Metro Line 2 Science & Technology Museum Station underground mall, Pudong
3. For a truly well-rounded experience of Shanghai shopping, architecture, and luxury, take your guests to the elegant Xintiandi, an outdoor/indoor shopping and dining area and promenade. There's truly something for everyone. Please any picky palate with a number of fine restaurants - Lawry's The Prime Rib offers high-end American steak and cuisine, Kabb has excellent burritos and a great Brunch menu, Crystal Jade in the South block serves delicate dim sum and Paulaner Brauhaus offers German cuisine and tall drafts of fine beers from all over the world. Besides food, visitors can peruse the latest fashions in the mall at the South block, hear live music at night at C.J.W. (Cigars, Jazz, Wine), or simply walk around and take in the sight of international folks enjoying themselves in a well-designed, aesthetically pleasing space.
- American prime rib restaurant Lawry's The Prime Rib
- No. 22-23, Lane 181 Taicang Road, North Block, Shanghai Xintiandi
- Lunch: 11:30am - 3:00pm; Dinner(Sun - Thur) 5:30pm - 10:30pm Fri/Sat/Eve of Public Holidays: 5:30pm - 11:00pm
- (021)63870097
Why is it so pleasing? The designers of Xintiandi have preserved the local "Shikumen" ("stone-hooped door") architectural style in the North block. First appearing in the mid-1800s in residential buildings, the Shikumen style blended Eastern and Western features, but has been replaced in recent years for slicker multi-story glass buildings in many parts of the city. The preservation of local Shikumen style in a global commercial setting lends Xintiandi a uniquely quaint piece of heritage.
4. Dragonfly
- multiple locations; massage, mani/pedi, facials, waxing, prices are high by Chinese standards but cheap for those coming from Western nations
- www.dragonfly.net.cn
Shanghai's Style: Sleek and Modern
For the rest of China, Shanghai defines all that is modern, fashionable, and futuristic. Here are several suggested locations which capture that spirit and give Shanghai its sought-after style.
1. Chinese contemporary art has entered the international scene in a big way. Moganshan, a cluster of galleries and artists' studios near Suzhou Creek houses some of that celebrated talent (and some others as well, but you be the judge). Wander through the converted warehouses and winding alleys; in many cases you can speak with the artists while you view their work. Moganshan is not only a visually stimulating experience; it also shows visitors a glimpse of what it's like to be an artist in China.
- 50 Moganshan Road, near Suzhou Creek
2. Several unique fashion labels have taken off in Shanghai, East Asia's fashion capital. With locations all over the world, Shanghai Tang mixes brilliant colors and sleek design in its high-end clothing and accessories. A blend of high fashion, Chinese traditional styles and wearability, this store has some gorgeous qipao dresses (the traditional high-collar sleeveless or cap-sleeved silk dresses) and seasonal tunics. The newish streetwear brand Eno has found success in Shanghai as well with designs that are urban, cheeky, bright, and super-hip.
- No. 15, 181 Taicang Road, North Block, Xintiandi Plaza;
- Gorgeous Tang Jacket leads the way for Shanghai Tang
- 10:00 - 24:00
- (021) 6384 1601
3. For an exquisite dining experience (at a good value!) that's renowned throughout metropolitan Asia (locations in Taipei, Toyko, Beijing, Jakarta, Sydney... the list goes on), you're sure to please your guests with a visit to Din Tai Fung. Try Shanghai's famous xiaolongbao (小龙包), or soup dumplings, stuffed with crab or pork and vegetable. Try to name each of the Asian celebrities painted in caricature on the walls of this stylish restaurant.
- Unit 11A, House 6, 2F, Lane 123, Xin Ye Road; 021-6385-8378;
- About $15 / person
- Lunch 11am - 3pm, Dinner 5pm - 10pm
- Price: about $15 or ¥110 / person
Shanghai's Edge: Off the Beaten Path
As your guests find their footing and grow more intrepid, you may be looking to take them somewhere a bit more adventurous.
1. Located in a residential apartment complex, the Propaganda Poster Art Center is a basement gallery of 20th century propaganda posters from the private collection of Mr. Yang Peiming. It's a truly fascinating place; see colorful posters of Mao Zedong's face hovering like a red sun above a multi-ethnic crowd of revolutionaries, smiling women raising Little Red Books and baskets of corn high over their heads, and many, many more. One room contains a gallery of posters with translated captions, another room holds items for sale, including posters, postcards and Cultural Revolution memorabilia.
- Room B-OC, 868 Huashan Rd near Wukang Rd.; 021-6211 1845
- Admission, ¥20
2. Climb and walk across the world's longest arch bridge (550 m) on the Lupu Bridge Walking Tour; the bridge offers amazing views of the Huangpu River and is an interesting alternative to a crowded night along the Bund. It just might be the adventure your guests are looking for.
- No.909 LuBan Rd.
- Call 800-620-0888; English Service: 13801892482 (Sammy);
- 10:00 - 16:00; ¥80 /person
3. Thamestown
- Le Du Road, Songjiang District
4. The Shanghai Sculpture Space is an oddly impressive government-sponsored transformation of an urban industrial space into a vibrant little museum and outdoor sculpture park. Walk around the manmade hills and bizarre sculptures of the park, then visit the tightly packed interior gallery, which is also a studio space for artists. Grab a coffee or a snack at one of the cafes nearby.
- 570 W. Huaihai Rd.; 62807844
- 10:00-16:00; closed Monday
- Nearby Metro Line 3/4 Hongqiao Road Station]
Shanghai's Secrets: The Hidden Gems
Visitors don't always like to feel like tourists, and they may look to you, their courageous and worldly host, to show them some hidden treasures they'd never find on their own. While we're sure you have your own favorites, perhaps you'd enjoy the excitement of discovery all over again. Here are our hidden gems.
The city is covered with restaurants, whose atmospheres range from dirty-but-delicious to elegant and refined. Tucked away in unlikely places are three of our favorite restaurants.
- Sofa Café (Xianghuaqiao Rd btwn Xinhua Rd and Fahuazhen Rd) is an incredibly comfortable and intimate place with a healthy and affordable menu of salads, sandwiches, pizzas and drinks, not to mention hookah, occasional live music, and free wireless. The owner/chef and her one waiter are very friendly. We love a place that serves water with mint and lemon in it.
- Thai House (Lane 657, No. 12 Wuding Rd, near Xikang Rd) is located on the second floor of a small apartment building. Follow your nose past the garbage repository and down the lane...climb up the steps on the left to the second floor, take a whiff and rejoice, for you are in a heaven of fragrant, authentic Thai food. Try the Basil Chicken, it's spicy and delicious.
And finally, our recommendation for best Shanghainese restaurant, period: Xia Mian Guan (夏面馆; 798 Zhaojiabang Rd near Wuxing Rd; 021-64728504), a "noodle house" with so much more. Look for its red door off to the left of a fancy office building at that intersection. At this restaurant, each dish is prepared with great care, and the flavors are excellent. Try the individual portions of xiefen doufu (蟹粉豆腐, crab meat and roe stewed with tofu) or call a few hours ahead and order the fishhead soup (shaguo yutou tang, 砂锅鱼头汤) before you arrive.
After a long day of walking your guests around Shanghai, why not take them for an authentic (none of that spa stuff) Chinese massage, administered by a trained blind masseur? We know what you're thinking, and this isn't the typical rough handling by scented candlelight. Having studied for years at massage therapy colleges, these men and women truly know their stuff, and although the place is not so pretty to look at, you can expect a highly therapeutic massage.
- Blind Massage (Around ¥50 / 1hr body massage; Nandan Rd. near Tianyaoqiao Rd. across from the Amway)
For more information, please visit their website: www.xintiandi.com.
