Shanghai in a weekend

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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.

Our Local Expert Says:

One of the most amazing and memorable experiences of any stay in Shanghai, the Huangpu River cruise is a must-see.

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The best time for a river cruise along the Huangpu is of course at night. Some boats will offer dinner and drinks while others will simply sail east or west for a half hour and then turn around. Be sure to learn the details of each cruise before buying your tickets as many have had bad experiences on boats that simply circle the peer. The dinner cruises can run a bit pricy, but will take you on a very scenic tour of the Pudong and Puxi cityscapes, both of which are beautiful at night and stung up in neon lights. Shorter cruises with drinks are fun, but will not take more than an hour to two hours, so plan your evening accordingly.

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If you are in the mood for comfortable Western food in a cozy atmosphere, Bon Ami is the place. Conveniently located downtown, this funky eatery serves tasty and affordable entrees that appeal to the Western palate, ranging from African chicken to creative sandwiches. Different promotions are available each month. Bon Ami also offers superbly smooth cappuccinos and sumptuous desserts--perfect for a lazy afternoon. The light and airy interior is filled with Southeast Asian furniture and artwork. The comfortable daybeds and scenic outdoor terrace compel diners to linger for hours.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located in Old Town, the Yu Gardens are a must see tourist shopping destination.

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You can find almost anything you want in the Yu Gardens bazaar. With renovated old Chinese buildings, and winding streets full of shops and salespeople, you are sure to spend all day seeing everything. There is an antique mall that sells little trinkets, statues, jewelry, and paintings. Many restaurants can be found; among them are places for foreigners. There are also the many street food vendors for the curious. One of the most interesting shops is the 2RMB stores; the equivalent to an American dollar store.

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This temple is directly outside the Jing'an Temple subway stop on line two, and is surrounded by shopping malls, boutiques and even a Burger King. The exterior of the temple houses shops in a wide array, from pirated DVD booths to jewelry and liquor shops-- it is a different scene than the interior of the temple. Step inside, light incense and stroll the rooms of this ancient temple while listening to the horns of nearby traffic and the whistle of sales girls from the nearby bars and malls. This is truly an experience worth the trip to feel torn between what you see (the interior of the temple) and what you hear (a modern city, bursting to move forward as quickly as possible).

Our Local Expert Says:

Best place for group parties

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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!

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Hai Hai Road is not only covered in flashing lights and blinking signs, but has bars, clubs, boutiques, bookstores and some of the finest food in Shanghai. It is worth checking out if your stay in Shanghai will be longer than a few days or if you are craving food and sights from your homeland. Additionally, Huai Hai Road remains one of the best places in Shanghai to take a date, stroll arm in arm under the bright lights as you window shop, stop for coffee or drinks at a nearby bar and even entice your romantic other to dinner with the aroma of international cuisine drifting across the boulevard.

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Located on the ground floor of Building 4 of the Ruijin Guest House, the posh and opulent Face Bar attracts Shanghai's beautiful people. The huge wooden faces lining the walls of this atmospheric establishment give the bar its name. Take a seat at the antique Chinese tables, or recline on the opium beds and sample the numerous, decadent alcoholic creations. For the teetotaler, the non-alcoholic lemonades are homemade and delicious. The wine list changes every few months. Happy hour is from 5:30pm until 7:30pm.

Our Local Expert Says:

An expat secret and a great place to take a date.

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Live jazz nightly is the hallmark of this local institution, Shanghai's longest running and still the best venue for live jazz and blues. The bands are skilled, the tunes are tight, and the informal, darkly atmospheric club often attracts standing-room-only crowds on weekends. 7pm to 2am. Live music plays from 9:30pm to midnight during the week and from 10:15pm to 1:30am on Friday and Saturday.

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Jin Mao Tower is a full 88 stories high, an auspicious number in China full of luck and longevity, and Jin Mao has earned just that. The Grand Hyatt, mid-way up the tower, is home to one of the most awe-inspiring feats of modern architecture, a hallow core that ascends the interior of the building. The 88th floor holds a viewing room complete with glass looking holes into the interior lobby some 50 floors below. Meanwhile, the classy Cloud 9 Bar, on the 87th floor, serves the best martinis in Shanghai and delivers a breath-taking panorama of the city. With only a few days stay in Shanghai, make the Jin Mao Tower bar or viewing room a nice way to end a pleasant and relaxing evening. Don't forget your camera!

Description:

Supposedly the highest hotel in the world, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai occupies the top 33 floors of the 87-floor Jin Mao Building. The dramatic height creates a wonderful panorama of the neighboring Pu Xi District and Huang Pu River. The chic and modern atmosphere, the floor-to-ceiling windows in the guest bedrooms, the Hyatt's five-star attention to detail and fine dining options all make this hotel one of the best Shanghai has to offer.

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The hotel is situated right in the heart of town, so if you feel close to collapse under the strain of your shopping bags, drop in here for a steam bath or sauna. Or even a massage if you feel like it. For a one-off payment you can spend all day in here making use of the hotel's five-star facilities.

Our Local Expert Says:

The iconic trademark tower of Shanghai has long been not only a tourist attraction, but a pillar of Chinese progress and modernization.

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Though an iconic and beautiful structure in Pudong, the tower is much to look at from afar but little to see up close. Designed by Jia Huan Cheng, a Chinese national, the tower was opened to the public in 1995. It is the third tallest tower in the world, and reigned supreme from 1995-2007 as the tallest structure in China (surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center). One can be admitted to various spheres of the tower, including and observation sphere and a pricy revolving restaurant, an exhibition on the history of shanghai, or one can spend a small fortune to stay in the tiny hotel located in the middle sphere. Be prepares for long lines and a certain amount of shoving in order to gaze out the observation windows. If you have a longer stay in Shanghai, the Pearl Tower is worth the wait, but if your stay is minimal skip this attraction and head up to the top of Jin Mao Tower or the newer Shanghai World Financial Center.

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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.

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A common complaint of non-locals about typical Shanghainese cuisine is the heavy use of oil in preparation. The dishes at Shanghai Ren Jia use less oil while retaining the essential flavors of Shanghainese cuisine. Be patient if you need to wait in line, a friendly and efficient staff will do all they can to help. The floor is huge, but always packed with people sitting at the crowded tables.

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This maze-like hutong offers every dining, drinking and entertainment possibility and is home to the artistic underbelly of Shanghai. During the daytime, explore the hutong for its creative scene with galleries, photography exhibits and a sprawling honeycomb of organic shops, design houses and modern furniture and fashion for sale. You can easily spend an entire evening wandering the maze while munching on Italian ice cream, French baguettes or Thai veggies or drinking at any of the well-stocked bars or cafes. TaiKang Road area is a juxtaposition of the business-minded Shanghai and the creative and modern underground that is emerging in pockets across the city. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to get lost in the maze- part of the charm and a feature of the hutong that makes it worth returning to again and again.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best China cuisine and a must try before you leave the city

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Located in the Luwan district, Di Shui Dong offers spicy Chinese cuisine. Chilies are imported from Hunan, the hometown of Chairman Mao, in order to give customers the authentic South China experience. Blue tablecloths, wooden ceilings and yellow brick walls give the place a casual and relaxed feel. Especially good are the spicy pork ribs and pickled green beans. For desert, fried buns in honey are a soothing way to treat the wounds in your esophagus caused by the imported chilies. A must-visit place for any tourist and a favorite of locals and expats alike. Make a reservation or plan to wait for a table.

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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.

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The road to see and be seen on for shopping, eating, pub-crawling or simply absorbing Shanghai's famous modern feel.

Our Local Expert Says:

After undergoing a facelift in Spring 2008, Bar Rouge remains one of the hottest bars on the Bund.

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This newly open space at Bund 18 provides a less frenzied atmosphere than Bar Rouge to unwind, relax, and nosh on some tapas with your fanciful cocktails. Sunday to Wednesday 2pm to 12:30am; Thursday to Saturday 2pm to late.

Our Local Expert Says:

In addition the Shanghai Literary Festival, Glamour Bar also hosts cultural lectures and events on weekend afternoons. A swanky place to enjoy Bund views day or night.

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Now a Bund classic, the Glamour Bar is an elegant space for an evening cocktail or to take a date or a visitor. Wooden floors, leather chairs, velour ottomans and sparkling deco lamps combine for a feminine, chic interior, while huge, arched and paned windows provide a view over the Huangpu River and the futuristic Pudong area. Service is mixed as is the quality of the drinks. However, besides the view, the other draw card is the selection of random live acts and events from cabaret to book launches that take place on a semi-regular basis. The Glamour Bar is also home to the annual Shanghai Literary Festival.

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The Bund borders the murky Huangpu river, with Pudong across the way. Along the Bund are many old European buildings, mostly the financial and museum. There is much to see and do on the waterfront. There was many restaurants, some floating in the river. Many vendors try to sell their good to passersby, whether they be kites or memorable photos with the natural backdrop of cityscape. There are also the occasional floating advertisements, with large screens going up and down the river.

Description:

Supposedly the highest hotel in the world, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai occupies the top 33 floors of the 87-floor Jin Mao Building. The dramatic height creates a wonderful panorama of the neighboring Pu Xi District and Huang Pu River. The chic and modern atmosphere, the floor-to-ceiling windows in the guest bedrooms, the Hyatt's five-star attention to detail and fine dining options all make this hotel one of the best Shanghai has to offer.