Shanghai Overview

Previously known as the Paris of the East, Shanghai was the most vibrant and cosmopolitan city in China. Today, this international metropolis is undergoing an urban revival, quickly regaining its status as a sophisticated and fashionable cultural center.

Districts

Shanghai's relatively small city center makes it easy to navigate. It consists of two basic districts, Pu Xi (western town) and Pu Dong (eastern town), which face each other across the Huang Pu River. As a general rule, Pu Xi embodies "Old Shanghai" and Pu Dong represents "New Shanghai." This is characterized by the stark contrast of the modern and historical architecture that like on either side of the river, namely the early 20th century architecture of the Bund on the Pu Xi side and the most conspicuous modern architecture of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Grand Hyatt Shanghai on the Pu Dong side.

Where To Stay

Befitting its role as China's most cosmopolitan city, Shanghai boasts a bewilderingly large number of business and luxury hotels. Most of them are not cheap, leaving little variety and few options for the budget traveler. But if you want to travel in style, there is no better place in China to do it than Shanghai. Travel within Shanghai proves fairly fluid, and getting across town is generally hassle-free. Hotels abound, and travelers with sufficient funds can get finicky about location necessities and desires.

Dining and Drinking

As with its economic development, Shanghai's restaurant scene is perpetually evolving and improving itself with each new establishment pushing the envelope for higher standards. One can dine very well in Shanghai with budgets small and large, though ambiance, service and fare vary from the two CNY street corner kebabs, to a CNY 200 glass of wine imported from the Ashanti Dome vineyards in South Africa. Shanghai’s authentic international cuisine allows diners to complement Mexican tacos and margaritas with a side order of live mariachi band at JJ Mariachi's, or down a pint of Guinness pulled by a Dubliner at O'Malley's Irish Pub, or have chicken tandoor prepared the way it is meant to be prepared by Indian chefs. So for authentic French, Japanese, Korean, or Italian food (the list goes on and on), Shanghai has just the place.

When it comes to Chinese food, there is no exception. A resurgence in Shanghai chic has resulted in many eateries designed in sleek modern style while serving homestyle Shanghainese food. There are also numerous Cantonese restaurants that rival their Hong Kong counterparts, serving excellent food in stylish surroundings. The following restaurants are only a handful of many recommended places to eat.

Entertainment

Considered China's most innovative and fashionable city approximately a century ago, today's Shanghai is rapidly regaining that title. Along with its economic progress, the city's vibrant rebirth in its arts and entertainment scene are progressing rapidly.

Art
All forms of art in Shanghai now enjoy a renaissance, with many galleries devoted to showing both contemporary and traditional Chinese works. ShangArt often exhibits avant-garde works by Chinese artists, while the Shanghai College of Fine Arts Art Institute features works from young, up-and-coming students. For more traditional fare, the Chang'an Gallery shows traditional Chinese paintings.

Cinema
Shanghai's many large movie theaters screen both Chinese and Hollywood movies. Also, various organizations show foreign movies with English/Chinese subtitles. The Cine-Club de l'Alliance shows French films with Chinese subtitles, and the German Consulate Auditorium features German films. Judy's Too Movies and Shanghai Film Art Center often feature Hollywood blockbusters.

Dance
Several of the city's venues showcase dance performances. The Shanghai Grand Theater, a first-class international standard theater, often showcases international acts, while the Shanghai Stadium, the Majestic Theater and Grand Theater also provide sites for both Asian and Western performances.

Museums
The Shanghai Museum, located at People's Square, claims title to the most popular museum in Shanghai. Designed to look like an ancient Chinese vessel, the museum's modern exterior stands out as a showpiece. However, the museum's interiors are also worth investigating. The museum features superbly displayed, first-class exhibits of ancient Chinese artifacts and archaeological finds with Chinese and English explanations. The scientifically inclined may enjoy the Natural History Museum, which features a curious assortment of dinosaur bones and pickled human remains. On the other hand, the romantically inclined will find the somewhat unusual Exhibition for Chinese Ancient Sex Culture interesting. This rather liberal museum aims to educate visitors on the history of sex in China.

Music
The Shanghai Grand Theater, the Majestic Theater and the Grand Theater provide good places to enjoy classical music. Jing An Chamber Music offers weekly chamber music concerts every Sunday evening at the Jing An Hotel.

Rock/Pop/Jazz Music
Various clubs in the city offer live music. For blues and jazz, the long-running and popular Cotton Club proves the place to go for the best live blues music. Scintillating live jazz music tantalizes the ears nightly at the cozy and funky Hot Chocolate on Dong Ping Road. Some bars and nightclubs, such as M-Box and Full House I, feature live music ranging from rock to pop to jazz and performed by local bands.

Opera
Definitely not for everyone, traditional Chinese opera is mostly recognized for its high-pitched vocals (somewhat akin to caterwauling). However, the visual spectacle of a Chinese opera portrays a lavishly striking event. For a Chinese opera experience, try the Yi Fu Theater or the Great World Entertainment Center. Western operas perform at any of the major venues mentioned above, but usually only when an international operatic troupe tours through China.

Theater
The Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai Theater Academy offer modern theater, but you must call for a schedule and show-time listings. Unfortunately, most of the plays are spoken in Chinese. While considered rather touristy, Chinese acrobatics reveal amazing feats, and Shanghai Circus World, the Great World Entertainment Center and Shanghai Center Theater afford interesting acrobatic shows.

Getting Around:

There are numerous means of getting around Shanghai. Public buses are difficult to use without a comprehensive understanding of Mandarin, but the city's metro system operated by Shanghai Municipal Public Transportation ( +86 21 0500 2300 ) is user friendly. Taxis are also easy to use provided you have your destination written in Mandarin. Some of the biggest dispatch companies include Friendship Taxi ( +86 21 6258 4584 ) and Dazhong Taxi ( +86 21 6320 7207 ). Bicycle rental is uncommon since road conditions are extremely dangerous.

Shanghai by the Numbers

Population: 13,000,000
Elevation: 25 feet/ 8 meters
Annual Rainfall: 45.2 inches/ 114 centimeters
Average Winter Temperature: 40 degrees F/ 4 degrees C
Average Summer Temperature: 83 degrees F/ 28 degrees C

Quick Facts:

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin plugs are standard
Time Zone: GMT+ 8
Country Code: +86
Area Code: 21

Did You Know?
Shanghai is the world's busiest seaport. It has several nicknames including "Paris of the East", and "Queen of the Orient".

Orientation:
Shanghai, the largest city in China, is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River. It is situated Southeast of Nanjing. The city is divided by the Huangpu River into the areas of Pudong and Puxi.


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