I Love Shanghai
9AM
Begin any trip to Shanghai by getting a pre-paid transportation card (jiao tong ka). These cards are available from metro station (di tie zhan) ticket booths around the city. The card can be used to pay for trains, buses and taxis around town and can be topped up at any time with any amount of money. Budget around 50RMB (1RMB=PHP5.84/USD0.14) for your full day’s transportation cost.
9:30aM
I love to breakfast like the locals – on the street. Shanghai’s favorite food is xiao long bao, or soup dumplings filled with crab and pork, a delicious and filling way to start the day. Just about every street in the city has a vendor selling this specialty but if you want the very best, head to Nan Xiang (85 Yu Lu, tel +86 (0)21 6355 4206) in the Old City. Although delicious, xiao long bao (RMB18) can be a difficult meal – newcomers often come away with burnt mouths, or soup squirting from the dumplings when you bite into them so be careful!
10aM
Shopping in Qipu Lu is the quintessential Shanghai bargain-hunting experience. The array of goods for sale can be a little overwhelming, there are clothes, shoes, accessories, bags and more, all at very reasonable prices. There are four main shopping malls, all of which sell pretty much the same stuff. The craziest and most crowded is known as 580 (580 Nanjing Xi Lu, on the corner of Qipu Lu), it’s also the best value copy market in town. The ideal time for shopping is on weekday mornings, especially if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds. Make sure that you bargain hard and are firm but fair in your dealings with shop-keepers – these guys are some of the most persistent in China and the competition is fierce so don’t be surprised if they follow you around and occasionally even grab at your sleeve to get your attention.
12pM
Lunch at Di Shui Dong (56 Mao Ming South Road, tel +86 (0)21 6253 2689), where spice-lovers go to get their kicks! I love this brand of Chinese food, from the province of Hunan – the birthplace of Chairman Mao and Chili Chicken – and Di Shui Dong is simply the best place to try. I come here for the eggplant (qiezi) and spicy tofu (dou fu) and the hot spare ribs are a real winner. Wash all that pepper down with an ice cold Tsing Tao beer or cleanse your palate with some green tea (liu cha).
1pm
The new Sculpture Space (580 Huai Hai Xi Lu), is an oasis of quiet in the bustling city. There are a number of arty areas around the city and this one, in the very Western end of the French Concession, remains a well-kept secret. The park features modern sculptures – mainly from Chinese artists – and also houses coffee shops and small retail spaces to explore. My favorite pieces are the colorful legs that look like they are hopping along the grass, and the brass robotic bull that stands guard near the entrance. The best thing about getting your artistic fill at the sculpture space is that entry is free!
3pM
After a bit of culture, take in Shanghai’s most famous architecture, with a stroll along the Bund (wai tan). It always ignites my imagination and reminds me what I love about this city. No matter how often I see the beautiful, gothic buildings that signify the decadence and extravagance of the city, or look across the Huangpu River at the glittering corporate expanse of Pudong, it never fails to take my breath away. As the sun goes down, splash out at 18 on the Bund with a pre-show cocktail (RMB80). In warm weather, the roof-top deck offers the best views in town and worth a splurge when the rest of the day is so budget-friendly!
7:30pM
When I want some evening entertainment I know I can rely on the Shanghai Acrobatics Troupe (The Shanghai Center Theatre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, (tel +86 (0)21 6279 8663) to deliver. Their gravity-defying stunts and feats of balance and strength have to be seen to be believed. Over the 90 minute show the flexibility and athleticism of the acrobats is amazing as they perform what appear to be physically impossible feats again and again. Tickets for this fantastic show are available from RMB80.
9:30pM
Dinner at Din Tai Fung (Shop 11A, Building 6, Xintiandi South Block, tel +86 (0)21 6385 8378) is a great way to get some energy food to keep me going for my big night out. Their dumplings are said to be among the best in the world and they certainly melt-in-your-mouth. I loved the wonton soup, vegetable dumplings and sweet-smoky fried fish. Prices range from RMB18-68.
11pM
For a fun evening out, I Love Shanghai (155 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, tel +86 (0)21 6355 8058) is right on the Bund, but doesn’t come with a price tag to match its prestigious address. Just about every night of the week there are drink specials on offer.
Tuesday is a great night for the ladies with free cocktails until 1am and pole dancing lessons for added interactive entertainment. The drinks are cheap (beer and spirits from 20RMB), there’s good music and a good-time crowd.
late
The new A-Live Hotel (696 Nanjing Xi Lu, tel +86 (0)21 6272 8888) is cool accommodation right in the heart of downtown Shanghai. Each of the rooms comes with its own theme; bright colors are the order of the day and all the modcons the discerning traveler needs are here. Rooms are priced from 575RMB per night and although they don’t speak much English, the staff are very friendly and helpful.
By Casey Whale
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