Revisiting Tourists Sights, Like a Local

Having been in Shanghai a while, I am sure you have seen the key sites. Yu Gardens, the Pearl TV tower, Jin Mao Tower, and possibly you even know the Shanghai metro like the back of your hand. But, if you want to revisit some of the city’s hottest tourist spots like a local, it might take a bit of work. Here’s how to show off your city knowledge and revisit the sites like a local.

Yu Gardens. To really enjoy the gardens like a local you need to avoid the center mass shopping center and the nearby tourist mall, and hug the periphery. Around the outside you’ll find cheaper clothing, shoes and gift items, as well as local street food. Locals still shop in Yu Gardens, as they have since the city emerged from a small fishing center to the fashion and financial capital of China.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is a cool site to visit…once. To visit like a local you’ll need to plan to spend a bit more time. First, take the psychedelic tunnel from Puxi to Pudong, it’s a short ride and it deposits you near the base of the tower with some great views for a photo opportunity. Then, buy a snack at the stalls near the base, take a few pictures again, then tour the museum without going to the top. The views from the top are subpar to the views from the Jin Mao Tower, so save your money on the TV tower and just get the cliché pictures.

Jin Mao Tower is a great place to take a date, in fact it is the only place for a successful first date. Take your lady or man friend to the 87th floor to Cloud 9 Bar, where you’ll find martini specials to compliment the best view of the city. Bring your camera for some amazing black and whites of emerging Pudong.

To view the city like a local, you’ll have to avoid cabs and keep to the metro. This may result in a bit of walking, but you’ll see, smell and experience more of the city… like a local.