What are some must-see, but non-typical tourist attractions in Shanghai?
Shanghai isn't really that well known for its tourist destinations. Business and shopping, yes. Places of historical interest...uh, not so much. However, all is not lost. There are a few places to go to that are slightly off the beaten track.
Firstly, there's ScienceLand, located by Century Boulevard in Pudong. A major social and and cultural project financed by the municipal government, it focuses on the three themes of man, nature and technology. It's a huge place, with an area of over 68,000 square meters and has five main halls, covering Heaven and Earth, Life, Wisdom, Creativity and Future, as well as one temporary exhibition hall.
Shopping on Shanxi Rd and Shimen No.1 Rd is also a must-do. These places are quieter than Xiangyang Market, so you can probably haggle better prices. Xiangyang is great if you want a large range, but when 90% of the shops sell exactly the same "exclusive" Prada and Gucci apparel, it becomes clear that size isn't everything.
Foodwise, check out Shanghai Renjia for local cuisine and maybe Bi Feng Tang if you're in the mood for some Cantonese. If you're yearning for a taste of home, then Xintiandi will be sure to please with it's great (albeit overpriced) restaurants, cafes and bars.
When you've spent the whole day tramping from one tourist spot to another, what better way to relax than by kicking back in one of Shanghai's parks? Granted, finding a green area with few people and no street noise can be a bit of a hassle, but it's really worth it when you need to chill out. Try Shanghai Botanical Garden and Fuxing Park, the latter of which also has several great art galleries.
