Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta
Description:
This itinerary hits all the biggest attractions in Shanghai as well as including day trips to famous Hangzhou, Suzhou and river town Zhouzhuang. The Chinese claim that the heavens have the stars and the moon but the earth has Hangzhou and Suzhou, two of China's most beautiful cities. Trips to all three places can be arranged by your hotel. Although group tours and car rentals are reasonably priced, high speed trains to Hangzhou and Suzhou are the most efficient and economical options. If you're game, the hotel can purchase train tickets and arrange for a local guide to meet you at the train station in either city.
Author: Jennifer
Day 1 - Shanghai
Assuming you are still a little jetlagged, you should have no problem starting your first day in Shanghai bright and early. Go across the street to People's Park to observe the locals practice morning tai chi. When you've worked up an appetite, head to Huanghe Lu and the other streets running north from the park for some fried dumplings and other local breakfast snacks. Spend the rest of the day in the around around People's Square. The Shanghai Museum holds the mainland's most impressive collection of classical Chinese art and the Urban Planning Museum provides an overview of Shanghai's rapid modernization. Stop into Kathleen's 5 for a light lunch with rooftop views or slip into one of the malls surrounding the square. Most malls have food courts in the basement and nice sit down fare on the higher floors. As the sun sets, head to Barbarossa in the middle of the park for happy hour specials and Moroccan cuisine.
1
Morning Tai Chi
Location:
view in google mapsZhongshan Dong Lu
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)2
Renmin Park
Location:
view in google maps231 Nanjing Road West
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6327 16942
Crystal Jade Restaurant (Xin Tian Di)
Location:
view in google maps2-7 2nd Floor, 123 Xin Ye Lu, South Block Xintiandi
Near Madang Lu
200021 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6385 87522
Dongbei Ren
Location:
view in google maps1 Shanxi Nan Road
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5228 98982
Simply Thai
Location:
view in google maps5 Dongpíng Lù, Unit C
between Héngshan Lù and Yuèyáng Lù
200031 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6445 9551 / 86 21 6326 20882
Bi Feng Tang
Location:
view in google maps1333 Nanjing Xi Lu
200001 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6279 07382
Nepali Kitchen
Location:
view in google maps4 Lane 819, Julu Lu
west of Fumin Lu
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5404 62812
Yè Shanghai
Location:
view in google maps338 Huang Pi Nan Road
House 6, North Block
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6311 23232
Blue Frog
Location:
view in google maps207-23 Maoming Nan Lu
(Between Fuxing Zhong Lu and Yong Jia Lu)
200020 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6445 66343
People's Square
Location:
view in google mapsRen Min Street
200003 Shanghai, China
4
Huanghe Lu
Location:
view in google mapsHuanghe Road
People's Square
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6350 3718 (Tourist Information)5
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
Location:
view in google mapsRenmin Da Dao 100
Huangpu (northeast of the Shanghai Museum; entrance on east side)
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 021/6372-20776
Kathleen's 5 Rooftop Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps325 Nanjing Xi Lu, Huangpi Bei Lu
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6327 22217
Shanghai Museum
Location:
view in google maps201 Renmin Da Dao
People's Sq., Huangpu District
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6372 35008
Barbarossa
Location:
view in google mapsInside Ren Men Gong Yuan (People's Park)
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6318 02209
JW Marriott Shanghai at Tomorrow Square
Location:
view in google maps399 Nanjing West Road
At Huangpi Bei Lu, west side of Renmin Gongyuan
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5359 4969Day 2 - Shanghai
Your second day in Shanghai begins at the bustling Yu Gardens which today is more of a chaotic marketplace than a peaceful retreat. Take your time wandering through the small alleyways, purchasing souvenirs or tasting Shanghainese delights from the food stalls. When you are ready to sit down, head to the new branch of DinTaiFung for some of the most famous soup dumplings in town. Spend the afternoon exploring the Bund area, starting with the Puxi side. Many guidebooks offer a good walking tour of this stretch of massive colonial era buildings. When you are ready to move from the historical to the futuristic, take the Bund Tourist Tunnel to the Oriental Pearl Tower in Pudong. From the top you get breathtaking 360 degree views of the city and in the basement you'll find a lively and comprehensive museum of Shanghai history. For dinner, head to the chic Mesa & Manifesto in the French Concession. The near by People 7 is a perfect choice for relaxed after dinner drinks while dance club MAO features one of the hottest dance floors and most beautiful people in Shanghai.
1
Yu Gardens
Location:
view in google mapsZhongshan South Road & Renmen Road
200000 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6355 50322
DinTaiFung
Location:
view in google maps12-20 Shuicheng Road
Peace Square (near Hongqiao Road)
200336 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6208 41883
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Location:
view in google maps1 Shiji Dadao
Lu Jia Zui Road
200120 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5879 18884
Mesa & Manifesto
Location:
view in google maps748 Julu Road
200000 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6289 91085
People 7
Location:
view in google maps805 Julu Road
(by Fumin Road)
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5404 07076
MAO
Location:
view in google maps46 Yueyang Lu
Near Dongping Lu
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 138 1609 5660Day 3 - Shanghai
On day three of your visit, arrange a day trip to Hangzhou and famous West Lake. When you return from touring, treat yourself to a relaxing and satisfying meal. If you can handle the heat, head to Guyi for some spicy Hunan cuisine. Alternatively, the talented chefs at Haiku prepare some of the most creative and delicious sushi rolls in Shanghai. Cap off Saturday night with drinks and dancing at Velvet just around the corner.
1
Hangzhou
Location:
view in google mapsHangzhou
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist information)2
Guyi Hunan Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps87 Fumin Rd
Huaihai Zhong Rd
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6249 5628 / 86 21 6247 07583
Haiku
Location:
view in google maps28b Taojiang Lu
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6445 00214
Velvet
Location:
view in google maps913 Julu Lu
Near Changshu Lu
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5403 2976Day 4 - Shanghai
Start your Sunday morning with a luxurious brunch at Sasha's, a great combination of comfort food and old Shanghai architecture. Then put on your walking shoes and head out for a stroll. The French Concessions tree-lined avenues and European architecture make it one of Shanghai's most charming neighborhoods. Shopping paradise Huaihai Road runs east to west through the area but following some of the small roads off the main drag will reveal more worthwhile art galleries and clothing boutiques. Stop in 1931 Cafe to refuel halfway through the day and find yourself transported back to pre-war Shanghai. In the evening, head to the Bund for a Huangpu River Cruise. Watch lights come up as night descends on the city. Cap off the evening with fine dining at Whampoa Club and a drink at newly renovated Bar Rouge.
1
Sasha's
Location:
view in google maps11 Dongping Lu
Corner of Heng Shan Lu
200031 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6474 66282
Huai Hai Road
Location:
view in google mapsHai Hai Road & Shirmen er Road
200001 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)3
Funing Point Pressure Massage Center of Blind People
Location:
view in google maps597 Fu Xing Lu
200020 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6437 83784
1931 Cafe Pub
Location:
view in google maps112 Mao Ming South Road
Huaihai Zhong Lu
200020 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6472 52645
Huangpu River Cruise
Location:
view in google maps239 Second Eastern Zhong Shan Road
(Exterior Zone, Eastern Jin Ling Road)
200002 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6374 44616
Whampoa Club
Location:
view in google maps3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi
Three on the Bund
200002 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6321 37377
Bar Rouge
Location:
view in google maps18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
7/F, Bund 18
200002 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6339 1199Day 5 - Shanghai
Sleepy water town Zhouzhuang provides a nice escape after a few days in crowded, bustling Shanghai. Stroll around town, check out the old family homes, and maybe grab a short boat ride. When you return to Shanghai in the evening, head to Xintiandi, the most sophisticated shopping and dining complex in town. Just to the east is wine bar Enoteca, featuring a great selection of light bites and wines from around the world. If you still have energy, check out Cotton Club for night of jazz.
1
Zhouzhuang
Location:
view in google maps60 miles from Shanghai
215325 Shanghai, China
2
Enoteca
Location:
view in google maps53-57 Anfu Lu
Near Changshu Lu
200031 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5404 00503
Cotton Club
Location:
view in google mapsFùxing Xi Lù 8
Huáihai Zhong Lù
200031 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6437 7110Day 6 - Shanghai
Today's itinerary starts in the area just south of Suzhou Creek. First take a peek at one of Shanghai's most active temple complexes, Jade Buddha Temple. Then head to ShanghART gallery and the famous Moganshan Lu art district. There should be more than enough galleries open to give you a good feel for the contemporary Chinese art scene. When you've worked up an appetite, head to West Nanjing Road to famous Shanghainese eatery Mei Long Zhen. Then spend the rest of the afternoon taking in Shanghai's consumer culture along Nanjing Road. Stop in any of the international luxury stores at Plaza 66, continue down the road back to the Marriott at People's Square or follow East Nanjing Pedestrian Street all the way back to the Bund. In the evening, head to the hip Rujin Guesthouse, an old Shanghai compound which has been transformed into a restaurant and bar complex. Lan Na Thai offers top notch southeast Asian cuisine and Face Bar on the first floor, with its picturesque garden, is a Shanghai institution.
1
Jade Buddha Temple
Location:
view in google mapsAnyuan Lu 170
Putuo (northwest Shanghai, west of Jiangning Lu, 6 long blocks north of Beijing Xi Lu)
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)2
ShanghART
Location:
view in google maps50 Moganshan Road
Building 16 & 18
200020 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6359 3923 / 86 21 5382 04183
Mei Long Zhen
Location:
view in google mapsNan Jing West Road
Building 22, Lane 1081
200041 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6253 53534
Nanjing Road
Location:
view in google mapsNanjing Central Road
200002 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)5
Plaza 66
Location:
view in google maps1266 Nanjing Xi Lu
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5306 88886
Lan Na Thai
Location:
view in google maps118 Ruijin 2 Road
Ruijin Hotel
200020 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6466 4328 / 86 21 6472 5222 (Hotel)7
Face
Location:
view in google mapsBuilding 4, 118 Rui Jin Er Road
Ruijin Guesthouse
200020 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6472 5222Day 7 - Shanghai
On the last day of your trip, arrange a visit to Suzhou and explore the city's famous gardens. You may also want to take a peak the the Suzhou Silk Museum or the IM Pei designed Suzhou City Museum. Opera lovers will not want to miss the exquisite little Kunqu Opera Museum. After returning to the city, on your last night in Shanghai, dine in style at the Pudong ShangriLa's Jade on 36. Every dish at this internationally renowned restaurant is an artistic and culinary masterpiece. For one last glimpse at Shanghai, head to the Sky Lounge at the top of the JinMao Tower. The memories are sure to last until your next trip to Shanghai.
2
Jade on 36 Restaurant & Bar
Location:
view in google maps33 Fu Cheng Road, Level 36, Tower 2
Level 36 Tower 2
200120 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6882 3636 / 86 21 6882 8888 (Hotel)3
Sky Lounge
Location:
view in google maps88 Century Boulevard, Jin Mao Tower
Grand Hyatt Shanghai
200121 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5049 1234