The Expat's Shanghai!
Description:
If you've been to Shanghai before, then seeing the city as the expats do is a sure way to really delve into the city's exciting sub-cultures. Join other expats and their favorite bars and learn first hand form them whats worth seeing and doing. Make friends with the eccentric and wild expats while dining at the most tested places in Shanghai. Tour the highlights of Shanghai that the expats return to time and again, then join them for a drink after a long day.
Author: shanghailulu
Day 1 - Shanghai
Baptism by fire! Start the day the true expat way, by walking around HuaiHai Road in jeans and a T-shirt looking for a new place to try for breakfast foods. This street is lined with shops, stores, restaurants, cafes and bars. Walk the length of the road and you'll not be disappointed. I suggest a true expat hot-spot called Windows, a pub on Huai Hai Rd that only the expats frequent. After your lunch, head to DongPing Road. You'll find a large array of expats and the stores that cater to them. All variety of entertainment lie along this tree-lined street. Sasha's, an expat favorite, is on this street. We suggest having a drink or early dinner here. Jin Mao Tower is visited by thousands of people each week. Though expats usually try to avoid tourist crowds, this is one spot even they wont abandon! Head to the top floor for a drink amid expat businessmen. For a true glimpse of who lives in Shanghai, check out Malone's Cafe. All along this street you will find expat bars and pubs, but this one is by far the loudest. For a wind-up evening head to Velvet to clash with the city's expat youth.
1
Huai Hai Road
Location:
view in google mapsHai Hai Road & Shirmen er Road
200001 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)2
DongPing Road
Location:
view in google mapsDongping Road & Hangshan Road
Shanghai, China
3
Sasha's
Location:
view in google maps11 Dongping Lu
Corner of Heng Shan Lu
200031 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6474 66284
Jin Mao Tower
Location:
view in google maps88 Shi Ji (Century) Boulevard
200121 Shanghai, China
5
Malone's American Cafe
Location:
view in google maps255 Tongren Ren Lu
Northwest of Shanghai Centre, Jing An
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6247 24006
Velvet
Location:
view in google maps913 Julu Lu
Near Changshu Lu
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5403 29767
Radisson Hotel Shanghai New World
Location:
view in google maps88 Nanjing Road (W)
Opposite the People's Park
200085 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6359 9999Day 2 - Shanghai
As with most expats, wake up mid morning and head out in yesterday's jeans. On DaGu Road you'll find a variety of spas at which you can get a massage or acupuncture. After your morning spa treatment, try one of the many cafes on the street. We suggest Hayas, a Mediterranean meal that sits perfectly with your post spa feel. We suggest at this point a shower and a more classy set of clothing. Now that you are hydrated and cleaned up, head to the Buckingham Bowling hall for an afternoon game. After you beat your opponents, grab a nice tasteful dinner at Simply Thai, an expat favorite. Afterward, head to Jing'an Temple. If you haven't been inside check it out. If you have, then walk around the area. There are tons of things to do here and you can easily spend the whole afternoon walking around Jing'an district. To stick to today's classy theme, head over to Glamour Bar or Barbarosa for a few drinks and snacks. These expat hot spots will not dissapoint.
1
DaGu Road
Location:
view in google mapsDagu Road & Chengdu Road
Shanghai, China
2
Buckingham Bowling Hall
Location:
view in google maps825 Ding Xi Road
200052 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6281 99883
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 20884
Jing'an Temple
Location:
view in google maps1686 west nanjing road jing an district
Jing An (corner of Huashan Lu)
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6256 63665
Glamour Bar (The)
Location:
view in google maps6F, 5 Guangdong Lu
near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu (The Bund)
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6350 99886
Barbarossa
Location:
view in google mapsInside Ren Men Gong Yuan (People's Park)
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6318 0220Day 3 - Shanghai
Today is locals day. Expats love to infuse themselves in the community, and today you'll join them for a look at the Shanghai locals scene. Get up early and head to the Bund for some morning Tai Chi. Feeling rejuvenated, head to Yu Gardens. You can spend the whole day here. Make sure to bring a camera, some pocket money, and a translation book. Also, be ready to bargain. The true expat will barter firmly to the bitter end! With your bags full of Yu Garden goodies, head to Melrose Pizza for some western infusion. Drop off your bags then grab a cap to TaiKang Road, a converted hutong full of surprises, bars, food and more. Go before it gets dark so you can look at the architecture and take pictures. Stay for dinner. Most places have daily specials that are sure to make your eyes water. Cotton's bar is a quiet place that follows up TaiKang Road nicely. A gin tonic on the patio is in order! Afterwards, head to MAO bar for all you can drink madness.
1
Morning Tai Chi
Location:
view in google mapsZhongshan Dong Lu
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)2
Yu Gardens
Location:
view in google mapsZhongshan South Road & Renmen Road
200000 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6355 50323
Melrose Pizza
Location:
view in google maps838 Hengshan Lu
200030 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6445 83184
TaiKang Road
Location:
view in google mapsTaiKang Road
Tai Kang Lu
200025 Shanghai, China
Phone:
+86 21 2311 5527 (Tourist Information)5
Cotton's
Location:
view in google maps132 Anting Lu
On the corner of Anting Lu and Jianguo Lu
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6433 79956
MAO
Location:
view in google maps46 Yueyang Lu
Near Dongping Lu
200040 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 138 1609 5660Day 4 - Shanghai
Modernity day! Shanghai has been adapting since its founding, today you'll see a sharp contrast to yesterday's tour of the city. Start off on Nanjing Road, where you'll grab a bite along the street and check out the splendor of steel, lights and capitalism. Afterward go to Dongbei Ren for a cultural meal/entertaining delivery of food. Back to modernism and on to People's Square, the very heart of Shanghai and a collection of amazing buildings, shops, malls, and food. You can walk through People's Park, buy a kite and spend the afternoon relaxing. Blue Frog is, perhaps, the most well known expat restaurant in Shanghai. If you've been following this guide, you're sure to run into some of the same folks you met on your first few days. Follow this lovely dinner up with a trip to Bar Rouge, where the well-to-do expats gather to talk shop.
1
Nanjing Road
Location:
view in google mapsNanjing Central Road
200002 Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist Information)2
Dongbei Ren
Location:
view in google maps1 Shanxi Nan Road
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 5228 98983
People's Square
Location:
view in google mapsRen Min Street
200003 Shanghai, China
4
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 66345
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
Hangzhou is a favorite destination for expats on the weekends. Go as early as you possibly can and head directly to West Lake, where you'll see locals doing Tai Chi with swords, fans, drums and even ropes! Spend the day in Hangzhou before catching the fast train back to Shanghai.
1
Hangzhou
Location:
view in google mapsHangzhou
Shanghai, China
Phone:
86 21 6333 2226 (Tourist information)