Shanghai for Families
Description:
With its range of interactive museums, international cuisine and outdoor space, Shanghai is actually a great place for a family vacation. This itinerary hits all the typical highlights of Shanghai while keeping the kids entertained and keeping in mind the occasional need for nap time.
Author: Jennifer
Day 1 - Shanghai
Welcome to Shanghai! Count yourself lucky to be staying at the home of convenience, the Portman Ritz Carleton. Aside from the helpful staff, this expat hotspot is one of the few hotels known to Shanghai taxi drivers by its English name -- "Por-ta-man" -- and the complex also features a Starbucks, Western grocery store, several American chain restaurants, and a health clinic. Healthy Element Fresh and French bakery Paul make for a excellent choice at breakfast, lunch or dinner if you and the family find yourselves unable to leave the plush surroundings and venture out into bustling Shanghai. But it is just your first day in Shanghai and despite the jetlag, you should have the energy for a bit of exploring. After pastries at Paul in the Portman, take a taxi to Yu Gardens. Today the attraction is not so much the restful gardens but the chaotic alleyways of souvenir shops, Shanghainese snacks and Chinese tourist. Hold on tight to the little ones so that they don't get lost. Take your time wander through the alleys and observing temple life before settling down for lunch at the new branch of DinTaiFung. This Taiwanese eatery was voted one of the world's ten best restaurants by the New York Times and many Shanghainese claim it has the city's best soup dumplings. In the afternoon, head to the Bund and take some photos in front of Pudong's futuristic skyline. Then hop on the Bund Tourist Tunnel to cross over to the Pudong side and ascend the Oriental Pearl Tower. The view from the top will give you 360 degrees views of sprawling Shanghai and the basement houses an interesting museum of the city's history. Before you leave the Bund area, take a Huangpu River Cruise. Most depart from the southern end of the Bund Pedestrian Walk on the Puxi side. By the end of the cruise, you should be plenty tired, so head back to the Portman. The concierge can direct you just next door to rowdy American sportbar Malone's or the quieter Always Cafe. Both have a wide range of Western fare to suit all tastes.
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Yu Gardens
Location:
view in google mapsZhongshan South Road & Renmen Road
200000 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6355 50322
Shanghai Museum of Public Security
Location:
view in google maps2-4F, 518 Rui Jin Nan Lu
Luwan (south of Xietu Lu)
200032 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6483 34882
Disc Go-Karting Club
Location:
view in google maps809 Zaoyang Lu
200060 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6277 56412
Natural History Museum
Location:
view in google mapsYan'an Dong Lu 260
Huangpu (at Henan Nan Lu)
200002 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6321 35482
DinTaiFung
Location:
view in google maps12-20 Shuicheng Road
Peace Square (near Hongqiao Road)
200336 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6208 41882
Da Marco
Location:
view in google maps103 Dong Zhu An Bang Road, Golden Bridge Garden
(between Zhen Ning Road and Jiang Su Road)
200050 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6210 44952
Sasha's
Location:
view in google maps11 Dongping Lu
Corner of Heng Shan Lu
200031 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6474 66282
Melrose Pizza
Location:
view in google maps838 Hengshan Lu
200030 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6445 83182
Ice House
Location:
view in google maps267 Tongren Lu
by Beijing Xi Lu
200051 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6289 61073
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Location:
view in google maps1 Shiji Dadao
Lu Jia Zui Road
200120 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5879 18884
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 44615
Malone's American Cafe
Location:
view in google maps255 Tongren Ren Lu
2 blocks northwest of Shanghai Centre
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6247 24006
Always Cafe
Location:
view in google maps1528 Nanjing Xi Lu
200004 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6247 83337
Portman Ritz-Carlton (The)
Location:
view in google mapsShanghai Centre
1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
200040 Shanghai, CN
Phone:
86 21 6279 8888Day 2 - Shanghai
At the start of your second day in Shanghai, treat the family to a nice Sunday brunch at A Future Perfect. Then stroll down Nanjing West Road and take in Shanghai's consumer culture. You may want to stop in the Japanese department store, Isetan, to check out the impressive toy department. When you reach the park at People's Square, look for locals practicing their tai chi or singing Beijing opera. On the far side of the park is the Urban Planning Museum; you may want to grab lunch before entering. Pop into the basement food court or anyone of the chain restaurants across the street in the Raffles City Mall. Once inside the museum, kids will love running around the transportation exhibit and everyone will be impressed by the museum's 3D model of Shanghai. If you still have energy and aren't afraid of the crowds, stroll down East Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. In the evening head to the quieter French Concession for a cheap and delicious Thai meal and finish off the night with a game of bowling.
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A Future Perfect
Location:
view in google mapsNo. 16, Lane 351 Huashan Lu
Near Changshu Lu
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6248 80202
People's Square
Location:
view in google mapsRen Min Street
200003 Shanghai, China
3
Renmin Park
Location:
view in google maps231 Nanjing Road West
200003 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6327 16944
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:
86 021/6372-20775
Nanjing Road
Location:
view in google mapsNanjing Central Road
200002 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)6
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 20887
Orden Bowling Company
Location:
view in google maps10 Hengshan Lu
200031 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6474 6666Day 3 - Shanghai
By your third day in Shanghai you may be eager to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for relaxing Hangzhou and its famous West Lake. Grab some Starbucks to go and head out early. The hotel can arrange a car, but it is most efficient to take the new high speed train. Again the hotel can purchase tickets and arrange for a local guide and driver to meet you at the train station in Hangzhou. Don't feel obligated to explore the whole city. Hangzhou's best attraction is clearly the West Lake, so just enjoy a relaxing day by the water. Once you return to Shanghai, you are unlikely to want to venture far from the Portman for dinner. Fortunately just across the street, you'll find Blue Frog, a staple among Shanghai expats for great family fare.
1
Hangzhou
Location:
view in google mapsHangzhou
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist information)2
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 6634Day 4 - Shanghai
This morning, dine in the Portman and enjoy coffee and a croissant at Paul or the blue plate specials at Element Fresh. The fourth day in Shanghai is all about Pudong. You can pack in for a long cab ride or you can take the subway to Lujaizui. The first stop is the impressive Shanghai Aquarium. Following your visit with the fishes, take the metro or a short taxi ride to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. (You can pick up lunch in the Superbrand Mall next to the Aquarium or in the elegant cafeteria or KFC in the Science Museum. Note that the Museum is not open on Mondays.) Shanghai's brand new Science and Technology Museum has three floors of interactive exhibits, a 3D movie and a 4D theater. On a nice day, head just outside the Museum and enter Century Park, Shanghai's largest. There's plenty of space to play as well as boats and bikes for rent. In the evening you and the family deserve a treat. Head to chic shopping and dining area Xintiandi. Crystal Jade offers traditional Shanghainese fare in an elegant setting while KABB's outdoor seating will allow you to take in some people watching over burgers and other Western menu options.
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Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Location:
view in google mapsNo. 1388 Lujiazui Ring Road
Pudong New Area
200120 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5877 99882
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 87523
KABB Bar & Grill
Location:
view in google maps181 Taicang Lu
House 5
200021 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 3307 0798Day 5 - Shanghai
Your last day in Shanghai leaves you with several options. The musically inclined might like to check out the beautiful voices and elegant costumes at the Chinese opera school. More athletic types will want to head to Shanghai Stadium for a game of basketball or a few rounds in the laser tag area. At lunch the Ikea Cafe, just around the corner from the stadium, is a surprisingly tasty option. Chocolate lovers will not want to miss the offerings at Whisk Cafe. In the afternoon, the area around Zhongshan Park and Fun Dazzle make for a good time rain or shine. In the evening, head back to the Portman and pick up an early dinner at Sumo Sushi just down the street. Cap off your visit to Shanghai with an incredible show of Chinese acrobatics just inside the Portman complex.
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Shanghai Chinese Opera School
Location:
view in google maps630 Hua Shan Road
200233 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6438 08202
Shanghai Stadium
Location:
view in google maps666 Tianyaoqiao Road
200000 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6426 6666 / 86 21 6426 6888 x82683
Ikea Cafe
Location:
view in google maps126 Caoxi Bei Lu, Near Sanhui Lu
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5425 60604
Whisk
Location:
view in google maps1250 Huaihai Lu
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5404 77705
Fun Dazzle
Location:
view in google maps780 Chang Ning Road
In Zhong Shan Park
200042 Shanghai,
Phone:
86 21 6210 7388 / 86 21 6210 72886
Sumo Sushi
Location:
view in google maps4/F, 479 Nanjing Dong Lu
200001 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6352 00907
Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe
Location:
view in google maps1376 Nan Jing West Road
The Shanghai Center Theater
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6279 8663 (Box Office)