Discovering the beauty of Shanghai

Huxinting Teahouse, a 150-year-old teahouse just outside the entrance to Yu Garden, gives off light in the evening. / Korea Times photos by Jung Min-ho

By Jung Min-ho

SHANGHAI ― Shanghai offers plenty of attractions that you would expect from traveling in big cities, including beautiful skyscrapers and swanky shopping malls, but it may not sound attractive to those who have already experienced such things in other parts of the world.

Don’t worry. This cosmopolitan city offers some beautiful glimpses of traditional China, too. In Yu Garden, you will see a sort of beauty that you cannot expect elsewhere. On the streets beside traditional Chinese architecture, you may recall the old kung fu or jiangshi films of your childhood.

Spending an evening at Huxinting Teahouse

How do you like the idea of having a cup of tea at a 150-year-old teahouse next to a lake?

Huxinting Teahouse has been sitting outside the entrance to Yu Garden since 1855. Situated between the classical garden and the Yu Market, the teahouse offers decent Chinese teas and a gorgeous view from above.

The best time to visit the teahouse is in the evening. During the daytime, the place is usually packed with tourists. But after sunset, you may be able to get a seat on its second floor.

Tourists take pictures of Yu Market.

On the way to the teahouse, expect to be amazed by the beauty of its exterior. Decorative Chinese patterns are brightly colored in black, white, red and yellow, and the light reflecting off the lake makes the structure even more magnificent.

The inside is surprisingly cozy and quiet, which contrasts with a big crowd just outside. The interior design is reminiscent of ancient China. The teas are pricey, but not terribly. A cup of oolong tea is about 60 yuan ($9), which could be deemed cheap considering all the benefits.

Now, it is time to enjoy the great view with the tea. A couple of hours there will certainly be one of the highlights of your Shanghai travel.

Shopping at Yu Market

Located next to Yu Garden, Yu Market is a wonderful place to enjoy the charm of traditional China.

There are hundreds of shops in the market, selling unique items, including Chinese medicine, panda dolls, bamboo walking sticks, silks and goldfish. The place also has many restaurants, where you can eat authentic Chinese dishes.

Together they create a unique atmosphere you can find only in the market, which makes it a must-visit place whether you have things to buy or not. Some stores are very modern inside, but their exterior design looks traditional.

To avoid elbow-to-elbow jostling with the crowds, you may want to visit the place early in the morning or in the evening.

From the Shanghai Tower's observation deck, visitors can look down on some of the world’s tallest buildings, including the 101-story Shanghai World Financial Center.

Looking down from skyscrapers

In April, the Shanghai Tower, the world’s second tallest building after Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, opened to the public. It offers a 360-degree view of the city from the 118th floor, which is another experience you should not miss during your trip to Shanghai.

The 632-meter tower has the world’s fastest elevators that can take you to the observation deck on the top floor in less than 55 seconds. The view from there is beautiful throughout the day, but the best time to enjoy it is the evening.

One of the cool things about the observatory is that you can look down on some of the world’s tallest buildings, including Shanghai World Financial Center (492 meters) and Jin Mao Tower (421 meters).

A spectacular view from Vue Bar at the Hyatt on the Bund.

Having a view of old and new Shanghai at one place

Vue Bar at Hyatt on the Bund, or Waitan, is a great place to have the view of old and new of Shanghai at the same time.

Located on the 32nd and 33rd floors of the hotel, the modern bar offers gorgeous vistas of the Huangpu River, which divides the city into the traditional Pushi and the futuristic Pudong.

Non-resident guests have to pay the cover charge of 100 yuan, which is well worth it.