China Travel Blog

Shanghai’s a haven for fun and mischief, and I rank it high on my list of cities around the world to party in. I would say Shanghai has too many relevant historical and cultural attractions, but boy those Shanghai girls know how to party. I went pretty wild on Tongren Lu and Hengshan Lu, drinking till dawn, letting loose all over the place and then crawling over to the Pudong to stand on top of some of the world’s tallest buildings: the World Financial Center, the Jinmao Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. I tried to find some fake goods on Nanjing East Road, but all those shady hawkers were trying to pawn off all their bootleg crap on me . . . “where’s the good shit?” I kept askin’ them. Well, if I ever make it to the other side of the world again, I’ll make sure to stop by in Shanghai and get loaded one more time before wandering through People’s Square on a Saturday morning, looking for some eager couple trying to push their un-wed daughter on me. Ganbei .

i really want to learn to act. but my family moved to shanghai 3 years ago. my dad says i can learn to act if i can find myself an agent and teacher. does anyone know how and where i could find one in shanghai?

The Bund is an expanse of Huangpu District in Shanghai of China. It is in the heart of a segment of Zhongshan Road. This road is in the early Shanghai International Settlement running along the western banks of the Huangpu River. The Bund is in the eastern branch of the Huangpu District and it faces Pudong. The Bund is normally denoted by the buildings and wharfs on a division of the road and some of the neighboring areas as well.

Bunds form famous tourist spots in Shanghai. The heights of the buildings in these areas are limited. The architectural styles of these buildings are based on the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo-Classical, Beaux-Arts, and Art Deco types. Shanghai houses one of the wealthiest accumulations of Art Deco architectures in the world.

On the banks of the Huangpu River, you can see dozens of buildings having historical importance and these form the Shanghai Bund. These buildings were once the houses of many banks and business houses of the British, France, U.S., Russia, Germany, Japan, Netherlands and Belgium. Some of the buildings also formed the diplomatic buildings of Russia and Britain and also the club of Shanghai and the Masonic Club.

The Bund is on the northern side of Shanghai. Initially a British settlement, it was later combined with the American settlement to form the present international settlements. During the early parts of the 20th century and the later parts of the 19th century, there was a building boom and these Bunds were transformed into a financial hub of Eastern Asia.

If you visit Shanghai for a vacation or business trip, book a Shanghai hotel close by to The Bund, so you can visit it during leisurely evenings. History and charm are two alluring aspects of The Bund, and if you feel like going to see other sites and participate in activities, your hotel in Shanghai might have the facilities to arrange the necessities for you.

PF Changes used to have Shanghai street dumplings on their menu(which i loved) since they removed them I wanted to make them myself. I looking for any recipies people have.
Thanks

If you are an expatriate and looking for a good accommodation in Shanghai, seeking the services of a Shanghai property agent is really beneficial. Three years back, when I was living in the Pudong district of Shanghai, there were not many new developments. As a result, there were not many options to choose from. However, with the growing number of expatriates coming to live in Shanghai with their family, many new villas, garden houses, and apartments have come up. A Shanghai property agency will help you to choose the best property as per your requirements and of course, budget.

A Shanghai Real Estate agency maintains a comprehensive database of available rental properties for expatriates. This is important with an enormous growth of the Shanghai Realty sector. Now, they want to offer the best to the expatriates. When I was living in Shanghai, I managed to get an new apartment for rent with the help of a local Shanghai property agent. Although, it offered me quite a comfortable living experience, the apartments newly constructed in the same locality provide the tenants a host of modern amenities, including 24 hour security, power back-up, maintenance, club facilities, shopping center and so on. Many serviced apartments have also been built to meet the needs of expatriates and their families. These apartments are fully furnished and are equipped with all the modern appliances, which are required for a comfortable living.

However, if you want to experience the charm of old Shanghai city, old apartments found mainly in Former French Concession Area, Xintiandi , XuHui and Jing’an Temple area should be your choice. Of so many options available, the services of a Shanghai Property Agent become all the more important. They can offer you a good accommodation, surrounded by shopping malls, country clubs, sports center, restaurants, and grocery stores. Proximity to public transportation facilities and international schools is also a prime concern of  Shanghai housing agency, while offering their services to an expatriate.

I have a Shanghai Mommy diaper bag that I love but the changing pad and the inside of the bag smell. It’s not a bad smell..and I think it is either the plastic liner or the silk fabric. I have handwashed a few times and the smell is still there. It wouldn’t be a big deal but everything that I put in it comes out smelling like the bag. Has anyone else noticed this problem? Any suggestions on getting the odor out?
Thanks for your help!

I will take an individual travel in shanghai with my friends, but I have no idea where to stay. Is there any recommended hotels and suggested attractions in shanghai for us to travel.

Shanghai, also known as Hu, is such an alluring destination that it makes a visitor feels as if he is in a European city. When Beijing is renowned as the capital as well as the political center of China, Shanghai is regarded as the financial, industrial, and commercial center of the country.

The largest metropolis in the country, Shanghai is situated on the southern banks of the Yangtze River and is along the East China Sea coast. Once a typical seaside village, Shanghai gained the status of a county in August 1291, during the reign of the Yuan Dynasty. But, now the city has become a prosperous international metropolis, with a blend of both traditional and modern Chinese features.

Occupying an area of about 2500 square miles, the metropolis is divided into two regions by the Huangpu River such as Puxi, situated on the west banks of the river and boasting some of the most cultural spots in the region, and Pudong – a well-developed area comprising superb roads, subway lines, bridges, and other prominent infrastructure facilities, all of which have attracted many local business firms as well as foreign companies to invest here. Shanghai also serves as an important seaport in the country.

Bestowed with title ‘the Oriental Paris’ or ‘the Paris of the East,’ Shanghai provides a feast of attractions to people touring the destination. The greatest of the attraction in the metropolis would be its interesting temples and monasteries, such as, Jade Buddha Temple, whose focal point is, as the name indicates, the Jade Buddha located within the temple hall.

Longhua Temple and Pagoda – the oldest as well as the largest city in the region; Jing’An Temple, which is much famed for its architecture reflecting the Song Dynasty; and Confucian Temple. Covering an area of about 150,000 square meters and surrounded by the government office edifices and the Grand Theater, People’s Square is another popular attraction in Shanghai. With expansive green area and huge trees, the square includes attractions such as an elegant musical fountain and Bird and Flower Market, from where people can shop plants, fish, and birds.

A visit to Shanghai would be incomplete without taking a tour to the Yuyuan Garden situated in the heart of the city’s Old City. Built during the period of the Ming Dynasty, the garden’s highlights, among many others, are Sansui Hall, erected in Qing Dynasty style; Big Rockery, which is regarded as the best rockery of the Southern China; Jade Rock, one of the three exquisite rocks in China; and Stone City, with an astonishing array of stone sculptures as well as engravings.

For those interested in the rich history of the area, a visit to the Shanghai Museum would be a great experience, which has an incredible selection of more than 100000 Chinese relics covering calligraphy, bronzeware, stone carvings, pottery, jadeware, ancient coins, and more.

Attractions in Shanghai also include modern technological wonders such as the 468-meter high Broadcasting and Television Tower of Oriental Pearl, which is also the third tallest TV tower in the world. Shanghai provides incredible options for children, the evidence for which is attractions such as the Shanghai Children’s Palace, offering an amazing range of activities such as art, dance, music, and computer science.

Other not to miss attractions in the metropolis are Shanghai Bund, which is regarded as one of the famed architectural symbols of the region; and Xin Tian Di, which is akin to Clarke Quay in Singapore and Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong.

Apart from these, Shanghai provides opportunities to enjoy a range of activities. For instance, the destination is a shopper’s paradise, with areas like Nanjing Road, packed with stores from high-end to traditional. One can shop everything from silk and embroidery items to sculptures and fashionable items. Additionally, one can enjoy a range of cuisines while your stay at Shanghai, as the city renders a host of culinary delights that are focused on the traditions of Beijing, Yangzhou, Sichuan, and Guangzhou.

With these astounding ranges of attractions, the city, in fact, has become one of the hotspots of the modern country. Hence, the city has accommodation options to cater to the increasing number of tourists flocking to the city per year. Many of the hotels are within the easy reach of almost all facilities and attractions in the region. Further, the hotel rooms are well appointed, and come with all amenities and facilities.

In China, the city of Shanghai has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years. The cosmopolitan city of Shanghai has more prominence than any other city or town in the entire country and a visit to the country is incomplete without coming to the popular city. This is why of Shanghai has aptly been termed as “Queen of the Orient.”

So, when we speak of investing in the real estate sector in China as a whole, we cannot rule out mentioning the illustrious town of Shanghai. Although the realty sector in China has recently seen a major slowdown, but this is fast receding now. In Shanghai also, one can see a huge surge in demand for purchase properties, especially in the residential property. Investing in property in the city is a favorable decision, as the property rates are expected to touch the roof in the coming few years, evident by urbanization, rising household income, low homeownership rate, etc.. So, from both, the investment as well as the residential use perspective, you can look at investing in the realty section in Shanghai.

If you also have decided on investing in the real estate sector in the city, then it is a good idea to seek professional assistance from a renowned real estate agent. This will ensure that the property you select in Shanghai will be backed by the right guidance from professionals in the real estate sector. However, before we proceed, it is important to get a clear understanding about the different types of property options available for purchase or renting in the city. Let us take a look on some of them:

New Villas in Shanghai- In Shanghai, you will come across a lot of luxurious villas as residential options. These are mainly located in the posh areas of Changning district, Minhang district and Pudong district. These villas can be found in different architectural styles, inspired from different countries across the world. They have their own clubhouses, post offices, swimming pools, golf courses, and a variety of other services in the vicinity.

Apartments in Shanghai- One can even go for apartment rentals or purchases in the city. There are a number of apartments conveniently located near commercial areas of the city. They are also equipped with most of the outdoor and recreation facilities in close vicinity, but are comparatively cheaper than independent villas.

Serviced apartments in Shanghai – Serviced apartments are meant for those who plan to stay in the city for a short time span. These are usually run by large hotel groups and are equipped with all luxury facilities such as 24 hour butlers, modern furniture, club hotel facilities and many more.
Depending upon your requirements, you can rent out or purchase any of properties or villas in Shanghai.  However, it is a good idea to avail the services of a renowned Shanghai Real Estate dealer. One such company that offers a wide range of Shanghai Properties is Newport Real Estate. For more details, log on to www.newportchina.com.

We took many China tours in the past years and enjoyed each of them. When we came first to China, we were with a big group that was a popular way of traveling then, but when we returned to China for a second trip, we decided to take a private tour that went on our way. We chose Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou as our preferable destinations that our friend in Shanghai recommended highly. We booked our trip with a China travel agent that turned out having arranged our tour capably and perfectly!

We got into Shanghai on one fine afternoon in the spring and met our first private guide, who waved hand to us and smiled. We greeted each other warmly and began our drive to the city. On the way she gave us a short welcome presentation and confirmed our schedule and then a general introduction to Shanghai. Our interests were raised quickly and arrived in our hotel without sensing of time passing! I guess we actually spent at least one hour on the transfer.

Our hotel was located just near the Nanjing Road that enabled us to have the convenience to explore our free days. Shanghai is busy and modernized. The guide suggested we spend our first free day to the Nanjing Road and the Bund. Nanjing Road gave us an impression of a “shopping paradise”. People were all busy at Nanjing Road with many strolling along the busy street looking for bargain sales. We desired to try our skills that the guide taught us and indeed we got some luck. The bund was lined with different architectural styles from old China to modern influences in the buildings. It is a must-see metropolitan destination if you are in Shanghai!

After one free day we headed for Suzhou on the third day morning with our private guide and driver. The guide seemingly had too much good things to say about Suzhou that she explained all the way long (actually 1.5 hrs drive). We were impressed and excited to arrive. Suzhou is located in the south of Jiangsu province, some 80 miles west of Shanghai, along the old Grand Canal. The city has been famous for its fabulous Chinese classical gardens for many centuries. Chinese people are proud of this and have a proverb: “Above is Heaven; below is Suzhou”. However, we both found Suzhou should also be noted for another thing: its beautiful women! In the street, the restaurant and tourist site, we saw so many oriental beauties. The city itself is dotted with lakes and ponds connected by a spider’s web of canals. And all the canals are lined with whitewashed houses with gray-tiled roofs. We visited two famous gardens that we enjoyed very much and also pay a short visit to the silk factory to see how the silk was produced and dyed. It is amazing!

Hangzhou was the counterpart of Suzhou. The West Lake with boating was really a highlight of our visit in Hangzhou. It does not only have the moving legend but also the beautiful scenery. The guide told us there were Ten Featured Sceneries in the West Lake Area that formed during the Southern Song Dynasty. They are distributed around and within the lake, and serve to show the charms of the West Lake – through a use of varying locations, varying seasons, and varying times of day. Each scene is unique, and when taken together, are said to present the essence of West Lake scenery, and form the core of any West Lake tour. In the afternoon we went to the Dragon Well Tea House to taste the world famous green tea. Dragon Well Tea is loved by both local people and foreigners because of its four unique wonders – emerald green color, aromatic flavor, sweet taste and beautiful appearance. We purchased some tea for ourselves at a very good price.

We must also mention the nightlife in Hangzhou. We stayed in a very comfortable hotel just beside the West Lake. The night view of the lake was different from that in day. We loved our leisure walk around the lake very much. It was also a happy experience to enjoy the culture performance in the city center. The guide arranged this for us flexibly since it was originally excluded in our schedule.

We ended our trip in Hangzhou with a memorable visit to the water town named Wuzhen. Wuzhen is about 80km from Hangzhou and is maybe the most famous one of this kind of beautiful towns where local people still rely on the river network. Wuzhen shows its two-thousand-year history with its numerous ancient stone bridges floating on crystal waters, stone pathways between the mottled walls and its delicate wood carvings. Also, setting it apart from other towns, it gives a unique experience through its profound cultural background. It is a birthplace of a galaxy of talents. In the year of 1991, Wuzhen was authorized as the Provincial Ancient Town of History and Culture, so ranking first among the six ancient towns in Southern China.

Finally we got back to Shanghai in the late afternoon after the Wuzhen water town! The following day we were taken to visit the must-sees in Shanghai: the Shanghai Museum on Renmin Square, the fabulous Yu Garden at the Old Quarter and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. We learnt a lot about Chinese history, Chinese culture and China’s modern development. We were amazed at China’s fast economy development and growth. It is just in its youth! In evening we were suggested to have a night cruise in the Huangpu River which turned out a unique experience to see the night view of the Bund lined with lighted styles of buildings. It was spectacular!

We spend one more free day in Shanghai to purchase some gifts for our friends and family before we left for our home. On the last day when our guide – no, our old friend – came to pick us up at the hotel, we had to say Goodbye to this wonderful country and our old friend. After we checked in at the airport, our old friend said “See you later” with hand waving and smile on her face, like the way she was greeting us at the airport the first day. Yes, we will definitely see each other later!