Best of Shanghai on a Budget

Description:

Those looking for a no-frills, yet comfortable stay in downtown Shanghai will find this accommodation ideal. Centrally located near the city's busy shopping areas, the hotel offers sufficient amenities and services to keep patrons satisfied. Though preferred by tourists on a budget, the hotel also sees business travelers and families coming in.

Description:

The immediate neighbors of Jiangtian Hotel are Nangpu Bridge, the Bund of Huangpu River in the west and the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone in the north. This hotel is complete with varied business amenities plus different recreational facilities. One huge banquet hall can accommodate up to 350 people at a time plus several conference halls with lesser accommodation levels are also available.

Description:

Hangzhou is home to scenic West Lake, a mirror-perfect pool of water surrounded by weeping willows, beautiful stone arch bridges and botanical gardens. What makes the lake so memorable, however, are the people. Arrive at the lake around 6:00am and you will meet such an array of kindly elderly people that you'll want to relocate to the city permanently. These happy individuals descend on the lake every morning for tai chi, dancing, aerobics, sword play and more. In addition, meet locals having their morning tea at many of the lake-side cafes as they play checkers, cards or just chat about old times. Aside from West Lake, Hangzhou has vast silk markets, rolling scenic hills for hiking and a beautiful temple full of practicing monks and mountain-side rock carvings. Plan to spend the entire day here but do not be surprised if you end up spending more than just one.

Description:

The Shanghai Museum, located in the Renmin Square, has a massive assortment of Chinese art, from the bronze gallery to calligraphy and paintings. The 4 floored airy building has room after room of ancient artifacts and a wonderful Tea Room to sit and have lunch. In each of the exhibits, there is a pamphlet of information that sums up the room. The museum is set up with easy to follow signs in a tour-like fashion and has little gift shops of souvenirs. From the top floor, looking down you can see the large circular design in the middle of the lobby. The top of the museum is a beautiful glass dome skylight.

Our Local Expert Says:

This museum, nestled in the very hip People’s Square area, is home to the government’s detailed history and future hopes for the Shanghai area.

Description:

If your stay in Shanghai will be long, then the museum is worth a short daytrip, however, if you only have a few days then this propaganda and modeling center can be skipped in favor of something more up to date or lively. The first floor holds a small model of the city, covered in dust and looking dejected and lonely. The second floor is a pictorial history of the area which is worth a look-see. Some images show a side by side view of the city 30 years ago and today, which is quite amusing only if you know the city well. The third floor is where the magic happens. A model of the city stretching across some 50 yards shows every street, building and alley in fine, dusty detail. The fourth floor holds some interesting models and literature on China's first green city, to be completed outside Shanghai sometime in the future.

Description:

This venue is an oasis of music and sumptuous cocktails, seemingly imported directly from Monaco. Shanghai's hottest DJs and most beautiful people rock the MAO dance floor late into the night. The space feels like a breath of fresh air to the off-the-Bund club scene and the outdoor garden and semi-private rooms allows for a change of atmosphere within the same space.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best place for group parties

Description:

From the bright red and green floral fabric everywhere to the customers and the wait staff, Dongbei Ren is loud. The décor is Chinese Revolutionary retro with pictures of liberators hugging every wall, while staff in pigtails or even military costumes shout out orders. Customers may sit at kangs or in themed rooms such as a North Korean room. Comfort food prevails with plenty of dumplings, breads, noodles and big caveman-like lamb shanks with an endless supply of tea and beer. One fish dish even comes with an accompanying song sung by staff members. Popular, so get there early to avoid missing out on a local favorite and a tourist must!

Description:

Even though most Chinese residents consider these morning tai chi gatherings as nothing more than "life in general," most foreign visitors are drawn to them. It represents the rare chance to witness Chinese culture without the gleam of tourist hype. Hundreds gather each morning along the Bund, a rebuilt hump of land overlooking the Huangpu River, to practice the disciplines of tai chi and kung fu. Some even take it one step further by practicing ballroom dancing, an odd sight at dawn. All "practices" are open to the public.

Description:

People's square is a large open area composed of the Shanghai Museum, The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, The Shanghai Grand Theatre, and the municipal government buildings. It has many shops and attractions, one of them being Raffles city, a mall-like shopping center with a subway station underground. People's Square is a beautiful walk with trees and amazing photography spots of tall unique buildings and the many people always filling it. It is right next to People's Park.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best xiaolongbao in Shanghai!

Description:

Locally known as Ding Tai Feng, this eatery is actually a branch of a Taiwanese dumpling house, and sets to rest any doubts about the ability of Taiwanese to prepare Xiaolongbao. The sweet aroma of the Xiaolongbaos has spread internationally, and crossed the Atlantic in 1993, when an outlet opened in New York. Drop by to feast on juicy dumplings, wontons and the like. If you're by yourself and bored, you can pass the time watching chefs at work in the open kitchen.