Weekend in Shanghai
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
This year, the hottest ticket to China may be to Beijing for the Olympics in August, but China's most exciting city is still Shanghai.
Shanghai is a mix of fast-paced modernity and youthful energy with hints of old Chinese tradition. When it comes to cuisine, entertainment, culture, shopping and fashion, Shanghai has it all and more.
What do you do if you only have a weekend in Shanghai? Here's a quick guide to what to see and do in this exciting city.
The Bund
There is no place better to admire the city's old grandeur than along the Bund. The Bund, which lies on stretch of Zhongshan Road, features some of Shanghai's most impressive Western classical and modern architecture.
The name ``bund'' is derived from an Anglo-Indian word for embankment. Many foreign companies set up shop along the Bund, which then was a muddy embankment in the mid-19th century, and remained there until the Cultural Revolution in 1949.
Interest in the Bund was renewed in the late 1990s, sparking the entry of many high-profile tenants. Some of the interesting, well-preserved structures are the Bank of China building, HSBC building and the Customs House (featuring a clock and bell similar to London's Big Ben).
One of the best-preserved Art Deco buildings is the Peace Hotel, built in the late 1920s. Currently, the hotel is closed for renovations.
For a great view of the Bund, take a walk through Huangpu Park, China's first public park which was infamous for the sign ``No dogs or Chinese allowed.'' For a different angle, take a cruise boat down the Huangpu river. Cruise boat tickets range from 35 to 120 yuan.
Lujiazui
If the Bund is ``old Shanghai,'' the future of Shanghai is on the opposite side of the Huangpu river.
From the Bund, you can head over to Lujiazui via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel. Contrary to its name, there is no actual ``sightseeing'' in the tunnel. Instead, visitors board a tram that passes slowly through a dark tunnel, which features a light-and-sound show. Tickets are 40 yuan for one-way, and 50 yuan for roundtrip. When you emerge from the tunnel, you can make a quick stop at the China Sex Culture Museum for only 20 yuan.
Lujiazui is littered with gleaming, ultra-modern skyscrapers and construction sites for more buildings.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is hard to miss, with its distinctive, spaceship-like structure. There is no shortage of crowds, and you'll have to wait at least 30 minutes before boarding the elevator that brings you to the top. Unfortunately, the view is not as spectacular as you might expect. Admission ranges from 85 to 280 yuan.
To discover the city's rich history, make a stop at the Shanghai History Museum located at the basement of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
The Jinmao Tower, described by Lonely Planet as a ``slim Art Deco pagoda,'' has an observation deck (tickets are 70 yuan) and a bar, Cloud 9, where you can drink and enjoy the view.
Right next door is the stunning Shanghai World Finance Center, currently being finished but is already the tallest building in Shanghai at 492 meters. The world's highest observatory on the 94th and 100th floors will offer stunning panoramic scenes of Shanghai.
Yuyuan Gardens
Yuyuan Garden is a more than 400-year old classic Chinese garden, with its leafy trees, tranquil ponds and exquisite buildings. The garden's history goes back to 1577. Throughout the centuries, the garden has been placed under different owners. Its restoration began in 1956 and was opened to the public in 1961.
Today, the Yuyuan Garden is anything but tranquil, with thousands of tourists visiting every day. There are classical pavilions, ceremonial halls, ponds teeming with fish, and interesting rock formations. Admission is 40 yuan.
Souvenirs, ranging from refrigerator magnets and silk scarves to bags and watches, can be found at the Yuyuan Bazaar. Dozens of food stalls also offer a wide range of Chinese snacks.
One of the most famous restaurants is the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, which serves the popular pork and crabmeat dumpling called xiaolongbao.
Art Scene
Beijing may have its 798 Art District, but Shanghai has its own 50 Moganshan Road Art Center. This industrial center has been transformed into an art hub. One of the first contemporary art galleries in the city, Shangart Gallery (www.shangartgallery.com) is located here.
Numerous art galleries are sprouting up around the city, such as Room With a View (www.topart.cn) and Shanghai Gallery of Art (www.threeonthebund.com).
People's Square (Renmin Square) is the place to go if you want to check out several major museums in one go. Set aside a few hours, if not a whole day, to explore the wealth of Chinese culture and history at the Shanghai Museum. Admission is 20 yuan.
The Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art features the works of many internationally acclaimed artists, while the Shanghai Art Museum is the venue of the Shanghai Biennale (www.shanghaibiennale.org), which opens in September.
Korean Historical Site
Busloads of Korean tourists always make a quick stop at the headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. It was established in 1919 as a government in exile based in Shanghai while Japanese occupied Korea.
Built in 1925, this building is one of the sites used by provisional government, but is the most well preserved site.
Considered as a shrine to the Korean independence movement, the museum is home to numerous memorabilia, photographs, dioramas and other historical artifacts. There are interesting videos explaining the history of the provisional government. Most of the information is in Korean or Chinese language. No photography is allowed inside the museum.
Shopping Malls
Shopaholics will do well in Shanghai, where you can find anything from cheap shirts to the most expensive luxury goods.
East Nanjing Road is probably Shanghai's most famous shopping area. You'll find shops selling electronics, silk, shoes, clothes, watches and all kinds of souvenirs from the ubiquitous Olympic mascot goods to hand crafted chopsticks.
Check out Shanghai no. 1 Food Store for literally a taste of Shanghai's popular snacks and fast food. If you get tired of walking, you can board a tram that takes you from one end to the other.
The Super Brand Mall, located a stone's throw away from the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, is the biggest shopping mall in Shanghai. Imported beauty products abound in Sephora, and stylish clothes at Zara and Next. Cheap chic finds can be found at Swedish chain H&M, known for its stylish collaborations with top designers Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld, as well as superstars Madonna and Kylie Minogue.
Raffles City is another shopping mall, located near People's Square, that has many shops like Miss Sixty, Mango and French Connection, as well as an IMAX theater.
Perhaps because of hallyu or Korean Wave, there are many Korean restaurants and shops like The Face Shop and Basic House in the shopping malls.
Plaza 66, a posh shopping mall on West Nanjing Road, is home to many of the world's top luxury brands. You'll find Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Hermes and Cartier at Plaza 66. However, luxury goods in China are at least 30 percent more expensive than in Europe.
Relaxation
If all the sightseeing in Shanghai has worn you down, treat yourself to an invigorating massage or soothing spa treatment. There are many massage centers around the city that offer Chinese body massage for as low as 135 yuan. There are even massage parlors that employ blind masseurs.
Many hotels offer luxurious spa treatments that will have you feeling so relaxed and pampered, you'll probably want your weekend in Shanghai to last forever.