Ten UK members choose Shanghai to:
- See the contrasts between classic and contemporary architecture
- Experience the unique history and culture of China's most modern city
- Enjoy its first-rate hotels, restaurants and bars
Shanghai is China's cultural and commercial hub: a vibrant blend of East and West that offers great food, world-class shopping and luxury hotels. Ten UK travel expert Peter Cook says:
TAKE A STROLL
You can't visit Shanghai without taking a stroll along the Bund in the Huangpu District. Members say this stretch of road sums up the contrasts of this evolving city. On the west side you can see its colonial past, perfectly preserved in its historic European-style buildings, the oldest of which is the Jin Jiang hotel, built in 1906.
Look to the east and you can see the Pudong area, home of Shanghai's modern buildings, such as the space-age Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The tower is topped and tailed with distinctive illuminated bubble-domes and is a striking example of modern Shanghai architecture.It dominates the skyline and members say it offers the best views over the city.
Ride one of the six lifts up to the observatory platform 342m above the city to see Shanghai spread out below you. The second bubble is 267m high and houses a rotating restaurant so you can dine as you watch the world turn.
ORIENTAL PARIS
Shanghai and shopping are synonymous, which is why it has won the nickname ‘Oriental Paris'. One of the best areas for retail therapy is Nanjing Road. It's divided into two halves, east and west, with the eastern stretch being the busiest.
Browse for bargains in the many department stores, including the aptly named No. 1 Department Store that sells a little bit of everything. If you don't want to brave the crowds of shoppers, you can hop on a tourist bus that travels the length of the road.
Members say that they've been tailed by ‘shopping assistants' when visiting some of the department stores. If you don't want their help, politely tell them to leave you alone and you can browse in peace.
HIRE A GUIDE
To get to know Shanghai like a local, Ten can hire you a guide or driver who'll show you the sights of the city. Your guide will have extensive knowledge of Shanghai and can tailor the trip to your interests. We can find guides that will help you avoid the tourist traps rather than take you to them.
PARK LIFE
Ornamental gardens are a big part of Chinese life and a walk in the park is a popular family pastime in Shanghai. One of the most beautiful is Lu Xun Park, named after the famous Chinese writer who is buried there.
It's one of the largest parks in the city and offers boating, fishing and badminton. At the weekend, crowds of people gather to sing traditional Chinese songs, play cards and watch amateur artists paint.
DUMPLINGS AND COCKTAILS
Shanghai is famous for its xiao long bao pork dumplings and one of the best places to try them is the Crystal Jade Restaurant (1F, House 6-7, Lane 123, Xingye Lu, Xintiandi Plaza). The 300-seater restaurant is always full, a testament to its excellent food, and Ten can recommend others.
Members praise Australian chef David Laris' venture (Laris, 6th Floor, Three on the Bund), which serves contemporary fusion food on the waterfront. Indalo (4-1, Xiang Shan Road) is also popular for its Spanish-Portuguese tapas and intimate atmosphere. Ask Ten to recommend a restaurant or book you a table.
Members enjoy injecting a little glamour into their trips with cocktails in the Glamour Bar (6/F, No. 5 The Bund, at Guangdong Lu). The sumptuous décor more than lives up to its name, with polished wood floors and a brushed metal bar decorated by hundreds of suspended glasses.It's got a vibrant atmosphere and it serves a mean Martini, according to members.
It's one of the few places where the view inside rivals the one out of the window to the Bund. DJs spin tunes there every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and the bar's open from 5pm ‘til late every day.
HOTELS
Ten can book you into any of the hotels in the city but members recommend the Grand Hyatt on the Bund if you want to be at the heart of the action. The Grand Hyatt is situated on the 53rd to 87th floors of the Jin Mao Tower in the centre of Pudong, Shanghai's financial and business district. It provides easy access to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shanghai World Financial Centre and the International Conference Centre.
If you're in town for an event at the exhibition centre, members recommend the Ritz Carlton as the most convenient place to stay. Ask Ten to book you into the best room.
JADE
Jade (or ‘yu' in Chinese) is considered the most precious stone in China and its history as part of the culture stretches back 6,000 years. The stone is meant to bring good luck, good health and protection.
You can pick up beautiful jade objects from the vendor stands in Longhua Temple in south-western Shanghai, but beware of fake jade. It's hard to spot, but if you see tiny air bubbles in the stone then it's not real.The best jade is almost transparent. It's a vivid medium-green with a total absence of veins or interior structures and complete evenness of colour.
