Destination Guide
Shanghai
Shanghai is the face of China's future.
Destination Guide Shanghai
How I See Shanghai
Shanghai is a wonderful assault on your senses. Whether you’re wandering traditional laneways or gazing at the futuristic skyline, contrasts coexist magnificently and the city preserves an elegant complexity that is almost bewitching. There’s much more to Shanghai than what meets the eye. Prepare to be enchanted.
When in Shanghai, You Must
EAT
Sichuan Citizen
378 Wukang Rd
DRINK
Charcohol
245 South Maoming Rd
SEE
Yu Garden & Old City
218 Anren St
SHOP
Tianzifang
210 Taikang Rd
Know Before You Go
Break the great firewall and stay connected to the internet with a secure VPN.
Talk Like a Local
Learn the slang from the streets.
真的吗?!
Zhen de ma?!
Really?!
-Luis, I've missed you so much! -Aw, zhen de ma?!
Neighborhoods to Explore
Beyond the architectural grandeur of The Bund and the ultra-modern Pudong skyline, Shanghai recedes to a more intimate scale. From the French Concession’s leafy streets to the timeless restaurants and storefronts in Xintiandi, this city has it all.
1. Xuhui, Luwan, and Huangpu Districts
With their tree-lined streets and beautifully preserved European architecture, a visit to Shanghai’s areas of former foreign influence are an absolute must. A plethora of restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutiques adorn the streets and distinguished homes and lush gardens add to the area’s charm. Get your walking shoes on. There’s discovery around every corner.
2. Jing’an
Named after a Buddhist temple that sits in the middle of one of its busiest streets, Jing’an feels a bit more like a shrine to commerce and luxury goods than a historical or cultural site. This hip, young neighborhood is known for its high-end shopping, stellar restaurants, and superb bars. The temple itself, which dates back to 247 AD, is an active place of worship and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is where culture and couture meet.
3. Xintiandi
Xintiandi is famous for its shikumen style housing that sheltered residents during the 19th century. Modernization lead to the near extinction of this architectural style, but the city rebuilt an entire cluster of them in Xintiandi, turning the area into a lifestyle and entertainment complex, complete with swanky restaurants and luxury boutiques that cater to tourists and upper-crest locals. Don’t let the crowds scare you away. There’s a reason why this is one of Shanghai’s hot spots.
4. The Bund
Located on the west bank of the Huangpu River, the Bund is one of Shanghai’s most upscale districts. Its grand, Neo-Classical buildings, once home to international banks and trading houses, have been replaced with gourmet restaurants, high-end bars, snazzy clubs, and five-star hotels. The promenade extends for a mile along Puxi and is the ultimate place to snap photos of the famous Pudong skyline. Those yearning for a glimpse of the past can head inland, to the Old Town, which preserves an essence of what Shanghai used to be.
No.66 Lvshun Road Shanghai
starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3360
Ultimate Access to Shanghai
West Bund Museum Project x Centre Pompidou
2600 Longteng Ave
Shanghai’s West Bund has become the new destination for those looking for art and design. Their new collaboration with Paris’s Centre Pompidou will attract even more art-lovers, with three semi-permanent exhibitions and ten feature exhibitions, including some that focus exclusively on Chinese contemporary art.
Luis Reynaldo Peña / Insider
West Bund is not just for art and design. This year, 7.2 kilometers of additional track will be laid along the Huangpu River and stations will be set up every kilometer where walkers and joggers can rest, change their clothes, or even take a free shower.
Madame Mao’s Dowry
207 Fumin Rd
Treasures like authentic propaganda posters and news photographs fill Madame Mao’s Dowry. In addition to their own label design wares, the shop has a curated selection of works by contemporary designers living and working in China.
Luis Reynaldo Peña / Insider
From books to tea towels to enamelware—this is a great place to grab souvenirs before heading back home.
Heritage by Madison
600 Zhongshan Dong Er Rd
Chef Austin Hu is a local celebrity within the F&B scene in Shanghai. Heritage by Madison is his newest project honoring his roots in China and time spent in Taiwan, Paris, Japan, and New York. I had the best octopus of my life here and if you’ve never had a Banana Old Fashioned, you’re in for a treat!
Luis Reynaldo Peña / Insider
Ask to sit at the bar, where you can see directly into Austin’s playground, and get ready for an awesome playlist. The music playing overhead comes direct from the chef himself.
SHAKE
46 Maoming South Rd
Shanghai’s house of funk and soul, SHAKE is an intimate supper club and nightspot with live music six nights a week, soulful fusion by award-winning chef Danyi Gao, and bold cocktails by veteran bar manager Colin Tait. Here you’ll find inventive cuisine, nostalgic design, warm acoustics, and friendly regulars.
Luis Reynaldo Peña / Insider
Plan ahead and reserve a table. They aren’t many and surround the dance floor, offering you a seat to collapse to after dancing the night away.
Either / Or
DETOX
ZnB Fitness
Various locations
Z&B Fitness is a boutique fitness studio offering the best and most up to date group and private classes. They offer a wide variety of fitness classes for all tastes, including MYbarre, Zumba®, ZCycle, TRX, Body Pump, Body Combat, and Yoga.
Packing List
1. Date night outfit
Date or no date, Shanghai is a city of 27 million. You never know who you might meet, so dress to impress.
2. The right accessories
The Shanghainese are never without the right accessories. Go local with a pair of Feiyue sneakers.
3. Personal products
You can find most things in Shanghai, but if you’re partial to a particular brand of daily necessities, make sure you bring it along.
4. Portable power bank
Your mobile device is your best friend in Shanghai, with map, translation, photo, and payment apps sucking up a lot of juice.
W Shanghai - The Bund
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