If I were a Visitor to Shanghai

If I were a visitor to Shanghai, who has never been to this land, I would choose to land at Pudong Airport. Actually, I don’t have other choice since all international flights arrive at Pudong Airport (PVG) only.

If I were a visitor, I will stay either in a nice five star hotel that is at the central of the city, like JW Marriot or JC Mandarin, because it is cheaper than the same standard of hotel in other countries, or stay at Youth Hotel for 40 RMB per night only but also enjoy the convenience of sleep at the heart o the city.

If I were a visitor, I will visit the Huaihai Road. Unlike those roads in Hong Kong, the Huai Hai Road is a strait road that I can go from the east to the west and all the big shopping malls line up on both sides. The only branch I need to go is the Xin Tian Di – to have a cup of wine there at night.

If I were a visitor, I will spend half hour at night on outside platform of the New Height Bar of Three on the Bund. It is the best view of the Bund and the Pudong skyscrapers I have ever found.

If I were a visitor, I will go to the Yu Yuan Garden. It may not be so attractive to local residents, but I never saw a foreigner who was not excited about the Chinese traditions on he market.

If I were a visitor, I will go to the top of the Pearl TV Station before sun set and wait until the whole city was lit up. The view of Puxi from the tower is fabulous.

If I were a visitor, I will try the Maglev when I depart the city. The 8-minute at top speed of 430 km will be the last but most impressive experience in this city.

What else if you were a visitor to Shanghai?

38 thoughts on “If I were a Visitor to Shanghai

  1. Arrived at Pudon. Stayed at the flat of friends (free is better than 40 RMB :)Visited all that stuff. But be prepared to better learn some chinese if you go to Bund (actually my first chinese was: bu yao).

    I can also recommend fuxing park at day and at night (nice clubs). Also the botanical garden is nice (especially if you need some time off of the city).

  2. hi Jian Shuo .. i’ve been reading your blog nearly everyday since before i visited Shanghai in March this year.. i read lots of interesting information that helped make my visit fantastic! and now i read to remind me of the great things i did and the lovely people i met… thanks :-)

    the highlight of my visit to Shanghai was riding the metro… just get on and join the crowd, i got off in different places and walked around the streets then rejoined the train and went somewhere else… i visited century park, the shanghai stadium and jongshan park amongst many others… i felt very safe and very accepted…

    i spent quite a lot of time around huaihai lu walking… and in nanjing lu near jingan temple..

    but really for anybody from outside china (i’m from a town of only 30000 in aodaliya!) the huge city of Shanghai is full of amazing sights, sounds, smells and tastes!

    cheers

  3. Hi,Wangjianshuo.Are you a local Shanghainese?Or Do you write only for foreign visitors?

    Don’t you think your articles are platitudes and getting vulgar?

    I think you are a typical Shanghai white collar.High income and high living standard make you live an exquisite life.

    Your articles are superficial.They are not real life of most Shanghainese.

  4. hey, upstairs Micah,you go to extremes!!

    ,although I bursted out Laughing when saw this KFC picture.Funny…..

    Were these KFC letters added just by you? ^__^

  5. What else ?

    Jinmao Tower is just supreme ! And cheaper as Oriental Pearl (Dongfangmingju).

    I saw the Formula 1 boat racing from there, and has been there for more than one sunset.

    The Metro simply works !

    Nanjing Dong Lu is better than Huaihai Lu, if you’re a tourist and want to see other tourists.

    BUT – watch out what you buy, because ANY guarantee ONLY works inside Mainland China,

    even for the best brand name cameras !!!

    For food, try a walk along Yunnan Nan Lu, and experience many cuisines of China in one place – cheap and good ! (I had lived here for 5 months now, and I have not finished them all yet…)

    Stop at a small crossing and watch the people go in mysterious ways to get through the traffic…

    Amazing !

    And look in ALL directions when you go (the police officers is not of much help here).

    And, ehh… who is this “shanghai girl” who apparently don’t know ANYTHING ?

    If you cannot perceive the spirit of this blog, please leave.

  6. Hi Carsten

    How amazing is it when you stop at the crossing and watch the people cross the road?

  7. Well. There are definitely 100 times more places worth a visit in Shanghai. I planned to list all of them in an article but the attempt failed since there is always not a perfect article. So I just type some ideas that are in my mind yesterday night. How interesting it is, I never went to Yun Nan road yet after so many years in Shanghai. I always try foods in Xujiahui. I will have a try later.

    Micah’s KFC photo is so funny!

  8. oh yes Carsten… crossing the road :-)

    my first few days were spent waiting on the corner for a group of old women to gather so i could could cross safely in the middle of them!!

    and i loved watching the crossing guards berating people who stepped off the footpath before they should have… they just listened to the telling off and stepped back up to wait… very cool and calm :-)

  9. Shanghai Girl, at least WJS isn’t whoring himself out to some white dude trying to dig gold. Your anger is better directed towards all those sluts/whores trying to dig gold at places like Park 97 or Zapatas. It is so pathetic when I see all these “local” girls hanging themselves off of white dudes’ arms. It is that image and that lifestyle which is certainly not normal of the general population of Shanghai. It is that image which is vulgar and superficial. Please go preach your surmons to those sluts/whores.

    Carsten, you are definitely a visitor and it’s showing. Local Shanghainese do not stroll through Nanjing Lu. Only visitors crowd that street. Locals prefer to stroll and hang out on Huaihai Lu. Shanghai has gotten bigger and there’s Pedestrian Row of Nanjing Lu and Xujiahui district now, but the absolute center of Puxi Shanghai and the absolute city proper is still Huaihai Lu and LuWan district.

  10. Lance, my girlfriends brother and wife live in Hongqiao area but goes strolling and shopping at Nanjinglu, as well as the shops in Xujiahui…

    I meant AS A TOURIST to go to nanjinglu, sorry.

    Lu Heli, you should be OBSERVING the chaotic mess in the traffic, that’s the fun !

    Most crossings are just like an ant-hill…

    And Adrian, you’re right, the traffic assistants are so fun when they breathe through their whistles, sometime I’m making fun of whistling when passing the road – people smile then !

  11. Lance, I have been in Shanghai for a total of 17 months by now,

    but maybe you will still consider me a visitor.

  12. hi,Lance.

    Please don’t misunderstand me.As a local resident,I was born in this city and have stayed for 22 years.Yes,Nanjing Road,Huaihai Road,Jinmao Tower were best places for a foreign visitor.Those are the face of Shanghai.But I think a foreignor couldn’t know this city only by those exterior images.

    Shanghainese but not places deserve more attention if you want to understand Shanghai.

    Have you approached to the Shanghainese?Have you observed the lifestyle most shanghainese has now ?Have you discovered what are characters of Shanghainese?What do they pursue in this time?How much they have changed comparing 30 years ago?

    What’s the difference between Shanghainese and people of the other province of China?All these questions has interesting stories.

    That’s Shanghai all about. Westerns,Taiwanese,Hongkongnese,East Asians,local shanghainese and Waidiren made up the complex and interesting city life here.That’s the beauty of Shanghai.

    Do you know how they deal with the big and small culture differences in this city?

    Have you seen such kind of interesting stories here on Wang’s blog?No.

    That’s why I said his articles are superficial.(Mr.Wang,if you spend time and effort on your thought before you wrote down,you would do better.)

    As for the sluts you mentioned ,Lance.I have the same opinion.As you said, it is certainly not normal of the general population of Shanghai.

    Shanghai girl is a very interesting group if you take a close look at them.What a typical Shanghai girl?

    嗲,作,漂亮,聪明,风情,小资,精明,时髦,精致.

  13. shanghai girl,

    It is a nice comment you posted above as compared to your previous few.

    The establishment of this blog by Mr. Wang is to show the first time visitor to Shanghai the sight and sound of the city, I don’t think it is the attempt of the host to show the social complex of the city, perhaps shanghai girl can enlighten us in this field as long as it is not political sensitive.

    By the way, I have tasted the dumpling offered at Yu Yuen, but I cannot find the panfried dumpling, people told me it has has become unpopular, but I cannot believe it.

    Stephen

  14. Hi Stephen,

    You can serve the fried dumpling by yourself. Or find a friend who can make it for you. :)

  15. Thanks Lu for your prompt reply!

    Do you know any restaurant in Shanghai specialized in this panfried dumpling. I would also like to know where I can get the authentic curry beef soup, looks like Yu Yuen is not one place can offer everything.

    Please reply.

    Stephen

  16. Yun Nan Lu in Chinese is 云南路. Yun Nan is a province in South China. Yun Nan Lu is located near the People’s Square. Please see the nearly accurate location on the map provided by Wang Jian Shuo. http://home.wangjianshuo.com/scripts/map/2600.2600.htm

    Please find some Chinese Characters “云 南 南 路” in vertical line in the center of this partial map. It joins Huai Hai Lu that in Chinese is “淮 海 路”. “人 民 广 场” is the People’s Square.

    Besides, Mr Wang, can you provide the English version for Shanghai map since most of the foreigners cannot read Chinese.

    Lu Heli

  17. Yun Nan Lu in Chinese is 云南路. Yun Nan is a province in South China. Yun Nan Lu is located near the People’s Square. Please see the nearly accurate location on the map provided by Wang Jian Shuo. http://home.wangjianshuo.com/scripts/map/2600.2600.htm

    Please find some Chinese Characters “云 南 南 路” in vertical line in the center of this partial map. It joins Huai Hai Dong Lu that is in Chinese is “淮 海 东 路”. “人 民 广 场” is the People’s Square.

    Besides, Mr Wang, can you provide the English version for Shanghai map since most of the foreigners cannot read Chinese.

    Lu Heli

  18. Lu,

    Thank you for your detail explanation on the location. I shall visit the Yun Nan Road in my fore-coming visit to the city and taste the authentic delicatessen of Shanghai.

    Stephen

  19. I am moving to Shanghai, along with my wife, from India this october for 1 year training assignment with a French MNC in engg. field. They had given me a service apartment containing TV , Fridge , A/C, Room heater, microwave , Gas, washing m/c ,etc. Transport to & fro office is free. They are offering me 330 RMB per day, which they say, will be required only for Lunch / Dinner ( Food ) expenses & telephonic expenses. We will be cooking for ourselves in-house. We are a average class ( not very high spending ) Vegetarian family. Are there any more expenses in Shanghai other than I mentioned? Will this amount be sufficient for we two? What is the saving potential, if there any?

    I will be extemely thankful to you if you give me exact information.

    Suhas

  20. I planned my visit to Shanghai without realizing that the F1 Grand Prix coincided with my visit. I appreciate how exciting this event is for many people, but for me it simply means expensive accommodation. Many hotels increased rates by 5 times!

    Where will the F1 be run? Will it be close to town and therefore mean street closures? Will it restrict normal movement around the city at all?

    Also I’ve read that there is a week long holiday around October1st. Is this correct? When does the week start and finish and does everyone in Shanghai obseve this holiday time?

    Lots of questions, I know. I thank you for your help.

    Lynn

  21. Dear Lu Heli

    Can you give me some information where the “Xiao Chi” restaurant on Yunnan Lu is located ?

    Did you visited it recently ?

    We walked there this evening, and couldn’t find it.

    Perhaps it’s closed.

  22. Hi Carsten

    You can easily find the restaurants offer “Xiao Chi” on Yun Nan Lu. There is a restaurant is located near Yan An Dong Lu offers “Xiao Long”. Have you tasted “Xiao Long” before? I strongly recommend you to try this if you haven’t. “Xiao Long” is one of featured “Xiao Chi” of Shanghai. You can find other Xiao Chi on this road. Find a friend to help me order something you like. They are open in the daytime. If you go there at night, they may be closed.

    I have been in Malaysia for one and half year. Last time I went to Yuan Nan Lu was during the Chinese New Year of 2004 when I was back to Shanghai. But I think nearly nothing has been changed on this road.

    Lu Heli

  23. Hi Carsten

    You can easily find the restaurants offer “Xiao Chi” on Yun Nan Lu. There is a restaurant is located near Yan An Dong Lu offers “Xiao Long”. Have you tasted “Xiao Long” before? I strongly recommend you to try this if you haven’t. “Xiao Long” is one of featured “Xiao Chi” of Shanghai. You can find other Xiao Chi on this road. Find a friend to help you order something you like. They are open in the daytime. If you go there at night, they may be closed.

    I have been in Malaysia for one and half year. Last time I went to Yuan Nan Lu was during the Chinese New Year of 2004 when I was back to Shanghai. But I think nearly nothing has been changed on this road.

    Lu Heli

  24. Does anyone here especially the foreigners like Chinese food (e.g. the food in Shanghai)?

    I suggest Mr wang to start a new post only talking about the food in China.

    Heli

  25. Hi everybody,

    this articles is very interesting, it also give an idea where to go for my next holiday.

    but i wondering, what is the area for financial trading? i means like business district in Shanghai?

    thx

    Charlene

  26. Hi Jian!! U blog is very helpful to know about shanghai. However I am in need of information about daily food expenses in Shanghai. I am an indian & will b moving to shanghai by next month end..Can u help me with some info on food expenses. I am a non veg too , but majorly prefer veg food, hop u will halp me out.

    Thank you.

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  28. Interesting site.

    Id like some information on the cost of living in Shanghai if anyone could be so kind as to give me some direction with the matter.

    How much (in RMB) would i need each day to eat well?

    How much is the metro for something like a day ticket.

    Nightclubs, how much to get in?

    Which areas to visit (not the usual tourist things though, id like to at least try to get to know the real Shanghai).

    Thanks very much

    Curly

  29. I’m going to work in Shanghai soon in two months.

    I was there in shanghai from Feb to March to look for a good job.

    Finally I found my job there.

    So,I know a little about Shanghai.

    I am from Central China,Wuhan city.

    Shanghai is very big.Everthing is much more expensive than that of the other chinese cities.

    As I told my best American friend just days ago,

    in shanghai, you probably spend money faster than usual.Taking metro takes 3 RMB ,bus 3 RMB. The starting fee of taxi is 10 RMB recently. Some nice hotels would serve cheap single room at the price of around 100 RMB.Maybe this is not very good hotel.I am not sure how much you should pay for the hotel room .

    And some food is very good.You can order a meal near the Oriental Tower at the price of 10RMB.It’s just ok…I went to the Oriental Tower.It’s good to have a bird’ s eye view of the city and river.You should pay 70 RMB to get the tower.

    I think, to my life standard, it will cost at least 40 RMB each day there in shanghai.But if i order the hotel room, it will be at least 150 per day.Of course, there are many different types of tourist or workers in shanghai .Everyone ‘s life style is different. You can just try to know more about the food ,the hotel there if you want to make a trip here.

  30. Hello Curly and all,

    Hope these rough numbers can help you and later readers:

    1. Rent: Apartment with decent decoration and furniture (includes air conditioning, tv, microwave, shower, beds etc) 2500 RMB to 4000 RMB per month for a 2bedroom/1dining room/1bathroom apartment.

    It is not easy to find decent 1 bedroom/1 living room/1bathroom apartments.

    As for Villas, rent can be from 20,000 rmb (or less) – 40,000rmb (or more) per month. under same conditions as above. Most of people renting villas, the rent paid by the company they work at. SmileĀ…

    Tip: There is not much price difference between apartment with and without furniture. And most time, you can ask the landlord to add furniture before you sign contract.

    2. Food

    A nice meal can be from 15RMB – 50RMB per person. A ‘big meal’ is something else again 

    E.g. Moon River Dinner service set meal from 35 rmb-55rmb (or more? do not remember well)

    An Indian restaurant buffet cost 48rmb (very good food)

    3. Transportation

    Bus ( air-conditioned ) most are charging single cost 2 RMB, some charge by distance.

    Bus (non-air-conditioned) 1rmb / 1.5 rmb

    Taxi (was 10RMB, some Taxi companies just increased to 11RMB

    Subway 3RMB / 4 RMB /5RMB

    Maglev 50RMB single ticket, 80rmb for a round trip

    4. Entertainment

    My favorite Cotton Club was The 2 -3 bars/clubs I have been to, the lowest cost was 35 RMB, have been away from that life too long.

    Please check these sites to get more info:

    http://www.thats.com

    http://www.shanghaiexpat.com

    http://www.thatsshanghai.com

    city weekend (magazine)

    For those who like outdoor sports, you can check:

    http://www.sisucycling.com (expat cycling group, they also organize “Getaway” Travels)

    http://www.10sport.com (expat football group)

    Chances to meet healthy people and make real friends are higher than go to bars,hehe:)

    Nan

  31. Why go to Shanghai? Hong Kong is so much better! I teach children English and get a great salary – much better than my university classmates from Brighton and Durham now get in the UK!

  32. So Anthony teaches children now. What happened to the University of Science and Technology job? Got the boot for showing students The Chuckle Brothers [by his own boast on a different forum] no doubt.

    Stephen, the panfried dumplings are best bought from street stalls, and you won’t find these in the city centre.

  33. I am going to work in changchun china from march 2011. I want to know about food habits & taste Is there major difference in indian chinese food & food available in china ? because I came to know that there is huge difference in food taste in indian chines restaurant & restaurant in china.

  34. What kind of people are the British in the UAE to allow Anthony Solloway to be treated like this? Astonishing lack of care!

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