city guide.
shanghai
NEIGHBOURHOODS
JING’AN TEMPLE/NANJING WEST
Impressive skyscrapers; upscale hotels and luxury boutiques; the city’s central downtown shopping area
FORMER FRENCH CONCESSION/HUAIHAI RD
Popular tourist destination; Art Deco architecture; trendsetting boutiques; tucked-away cafes
XINTIANDI
Pedestrian-only shopping; local speciality shops mixed with designer boutiques; traditional shikumen buildings juxtaposed with modern architecture
THE BUND
Riverside opulence; striking architecture; luxury lifestyle complexes and speciality stores; fine dining
HENGSHAN RD/XUJIAHUI
Upscale, multicultural neighbourhood; plenty of shops, cafes and bustling bars; underground business circles; historical architecture
PEOPLE’S SQUARE/NANJING EAST ROAD
Bustling, pedestrian-friendly Nanjing Road; Shanghai’s oldest and largest department stores; home to the Museum of Contemporary Art
PUDONG
Modern urban charm; impressive skyscrapers that juxtapose old and new architecture; bustling riverside dining; shopping at Superbrand and IFC Mall
TIANZIFANG
Flourishing photography shops and rich cafe culture; meandering lanes
M50
Thriving, inspirational art scene; over 100 open studios; major galleries
CHANGNING
The modern Hongqiao Airport for domestic flights; Zhongshan Park, Global Harbor and Raffles Changning shopping malls
YU GARDEN/SOUTH BUND
Popular tourist attractions and picturesque gardens; textile markets
HONGKOU
Developing neighbourhood; art and antique shops along narrow lanes; cultural sites of former writers and artists
48-HOUR RECOMMENDATION
SHANGHAI CITY GUIDE | 48 HOURS
Wake up at...
Okura Garden Hotel, a historical building that was formerly The French Club in the 1920s and has accommodated many important political figures. Kick off the day with a standard Shanghainese breakfast at Yang’s Fry Dumpling on the second floor of 269 Wujiang Lu. The juicy pan-fried buns and soup wontons are worth the trip. Then make your way to Xinle Road for the flagship store of Comme Moi – a contemporary womenswear label founded by former model Lv Yan. The store design, featuring four sequential chambers linked by flowing metal rails, is from famous Shanghai-based interior studio Neri & Hu. Also check out the nearby NikeLab X158, one of the few Nike concept shops stocking only limited editions and latest designs. Just opposite it, Al’s Diner serves up amazing pancakes and innovative ice cream.
Spend the afternoon...
Having lunch at Egg, the brainchild of Shanghai Supper Club founder Camden Hauge on Xiangyang Road. Be sure to bring cash as international payments are not accepted. Once full, walk down Julu Road to shop modern Shanghai design at The SHC Shop for its statement-making jewellery, luxe pyjama sets and ceramics. Nextdoor, Yours offers fun and quirky local fashion and accessories. Get a coffee at RGF in a glass flower house under the shade before heading to Xintiandi Style Mall – the ultimate mall for contemporary Chinese womenswear labels, many of which show at Shanghai Fashion Week and in international showrooms.
Spend the evening...
Dining at Maurya, a stylish Sichuan restaurant with Tiffanyblue decor on Taicang Road – the same road that houses some of the best dining options in Shanghai in traditional shikumen buildings. Afterwards, turn to nearby Xinle Road to find Bar Constellation, one of the few branches of a Japanese cocktail bar where you can relax over cocktails and some mellow jazz. Xintiandi’s Xixi Bistro or Cobra Lily are also perfect for a cocktail.
Wake up at...
Twelve at Hengshan, a Starwood Preferred Guest luxury hotel designed by famed architect Mario Botta. For breakfast, you can either go to Green & Safe cafe at 6 Dongping Road, or, if you are having a late start to the day, grab brunch at nearby Blackbird. Designed by Xi Wei, a young architect from OHA who also designed Bar No 3, this new restaurant prides itself on a Nordic design aesthetic. Two Italian chefs cook up a simple yet well-crafted menu heavy on continental European food to complement the minimalist setting. Afterwards, make your way to The Mix Place – a multifunctional space showcasing arts and culture as well as a relaxing lifestyle as the city spins faster on its wheels. The merchandise here is quite varied, spanning a broad range of bilingual books, indie magazines, newspapers, apparel and accessories
Spend the afternoon...
Having lunch at Xiao Bai Hua (小白) – a home-style Shanghainese restaurant nestled down an old lane. You will need an early reservation to secure a table. Must-haves include vegetarian duck made of tofu and pork rib in sweetand- sour sauce. Getting a taxi in Shanghai can be tricky: the metro is a safer bet or you could try using Didi Chuxing which now available in English to call a taxi before you go. Spend half a day getting your arts fix at the Power Station of Art – pioneering Chinese contemporary art in a power station turned venue. Then further your art journey on the West Bund for two of China’s best private museums – Yuz The Mix Place Museum and Long Museum.
Spend the evening...
Having dinner at Wujie, an upscale vegetarian restaurant with beautifully presented dishes. The stuffed lotus root is a must try. Alternatively, cross the road to find Unico at 3 Bund. The Latin-inspired creative tapas, eye-opening yet reasonably priced cocktails, and well-dressed customers are all reasons to go. On your way there, check out the stunning skyline from the other side of Huangpu River. If you prefer somewhere near the hotel, Barber Shop is a retro-styled gentlemen’s barber on the outside and a mysterious speakeasy one floor down that flourishes on the recent bar-behind-a-deceiving-facade trend in Shanghai – making it another hotspot on the Hengshan Road nightlife scene.
SHANGHAI CITY GUIDE | FAST FACTS
PUDONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (PVG)
PVG is located on the eastern edge of Pudong, 30km (18mi) from the city centre. It is the primary airport for international flights in Shanghai. Taxis to the city centre run around ¥180 and take approximately 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
HONGQIAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SHA)
SHA is located in the Changning district, 13km (eight
miles) from the city centre and 40km (25mi) from
Pudong airport, and is used mainly for domestic flights.
Taxis to the city centre cost around ¥60 and take
approximately 30-40 minutes.
metro
Shanghai’s subway system, the Metro, is clean, safe and efficient. Fares depend on trip length, typically ¥3-5 within the city centre and maxing out at ¥11.
TAXIS
Taxis are the preferred mode of transportation for visitors. Fares comprise a ¥14 surcharge for the first three kilometres (1.8mi), ¥2.5 per kilometre for the first 10km (6.2mi) and ¥3.6 per kilometre after. After 11pm, the surcharge is ¥18, ¥3.1/km for the first 10km (6.2mi), and ¥4.7/km after.
Taxi Companies include:
Qiangsheng: 86 21 6258 0000 | Jinjiang: 86 21 96961 | Help hotline: 86 21 962288 – referred to as the “magic number” by the city’s expatriate population, this hotline provides free services in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese and Italian.
tipping guide
Although China does not have a tipping culture,
expect hotel restaurants and bars to charge a
minimum gratuity rate.
SHOPPING HOURS
Boutiques and shopping centers are open Monday-
Friday 10am-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 9:30am-
10pm. Markets are open daily 10am-6pm.*
* This is a general guideline as hours are flexible and different for
each store. Please check store websites or call for more specific
information.
other
Time Zone: China Standard Time (CST) GMT+8
Electricity: 220-240V
Common Language: Mandarin and Shanghainese
