Head to the thriving metropolis of Shanghai for gleaming skyscrapers, tree-lined avenues, colonial restaurants and trendy bars. Sip cocktails on The Bund whilst looking across the river at the futuristic Pudong skyline. Or discover quirky boutiques on the shady boulevards of the French Concession.
You can broadly divide Shanghai into Pudong and Puxi districts (east and west of the Huangpu River). There was almost nothing in Pudong in the early 1990s, but its ultra-modern skyscrapers now form one of the world's most spectacular skylines. On the other side of the river, you'll find The Bund area, home to many of China's best international restaurants. Further west is the French Concession with its Parisian architecture and tree-lined avenues. Head south of The Bund for the Old City's typical Shanghai brick shikumen townhouses and the classical 16th-century Chinese Yu Garden.
Savour international flavours and fine wines at one of the restaurants on The Bund as you gaze out over the neon-lit Pudong skyline. Take the lift 862 feet up the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower for stunning city views, or a boat trip down the Huangpu River to get your bearings. Relax with Chinese tea and dumplings in the ornate Yu Garden, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Then discover the funky boutiques of the French Concession area. At sunset head to Xintiandi for chic late-night shopping, glitzy bars and outdoor gourmet Chinese cuisine.
Immerse yourself in Ancient China's culture at the fascinating Shanghai Museum on large, open People's Square. Or head to the Moganshan Lu, Shanghai's artists' quarter that brims with small galleries. Savour Shanghai's xiaolongbao speciality dumplings in the Old City and wander down Shanghai's traditional alleyways lined with brick shikumen houses. At nightfall, dine in one of the French Concession's many colonial-style restaurants, then head to a courtyard bar to sip gin and tonics under the stars.
The futuristic Shanghai Pudong International Airport, 31 km from central Shanghai, is linked to the city by the world's fastest Magnetic Levitation train, which reaches speeds of over 290mph. The Mag-Lev, which cost US$1.2 billion to build, takes just eight minutes to get to Longyang Road Metro Station on the eastern end of Line Two.
