Three Perfect Days: Shanghai

Sponsored

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Once in Shanghai, you’ll likely be up early from the jetlag. Take advantage and head to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower first thing. The city is a hotspot for domestic tourism and increasingly popular among international tourists, so sites can get crowded quickly. Even on a weekday morning, lines can be an hour long.

Inside TV Tower, visit any of the three dome-shaped observatories, one with an indoor skywalk where you can see the city through the floor. Pro tip: If you want to avoid long wait times, purchase a package of entry tickets plus a meal at the restaurant and bypass the lines.

Shanghai History Museum

Explore three floors of Shanghai history outlining the city’s social, political, economic and cultural evolution. You’ll be transported back to 4000 BC, then walk through the centuries and dynasties and end up at the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The museum is located inside the TV Tower and takes about one hour to finish.

Yuyuan (Yu) Garden & Shanghai Old Town

Dating back to the Ming Dynasty in the 1600s and impeccably preserved, the Yuyuan Garden is an oasis of greenery and traditional Chinese architecture tucked away in the middle of the city. Discover exquisite jade rock formations, glimmering pools of fish and lush trees and flowers native to China.

Shanghai is also the birthplace of xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, a steamed dumpling filled with pork or crab and soup broth. Take a small bite of the soft dumpling, drink the broth and then eat the filling. Nanxiang Mantou Dian is (allegedly) the place where xiao long bao were invented and remains a popular spot, but forewarning, there is always a line.

Xintiandi

By this time, you might need a place to relax and recharge, perhaps have a drink, maybe people-watch. Xintiandi, known in English as the French Concession neighborhood, is filled with European architecture, luxury shops and bistros and bars with patios for an afternoon drink. Nearby, you can also visit the building where the Chinese Communist Party was founded in 1926.

Dining and drinking outside is not common in China, but has become more popular in recent years thanks to improved air quality, and it’s part of what makes this neighborhood unique.

Where to eat and drink

Yang Dumpling

This is a popular Chinese fast-service chain where you’ll often find locals eating a quick lunch of noodles, wonton soups and various types of dumplings.

Shanghai Tang

For something a little more elevated, Shanghai Tang is considered one of Shanghai’s go-to places for Peking duck.

Things to do and see

Zhujiajiao ancient town

About an hour drive from the city center or accessible by metro is Zhujiajiao, an ancient water town that was once a commercial hub for Shanghai’s trade. Locals sometimes call the city “the Venice of the East,” complete with historic bridges and an option to take a canoe through the canals.

Along the waterways, storefronts no bigger than bedrooms sell everything from fermented rice wine and medicinal herbs to hand-made scarves and stacks of dried pork. For about $14 USD, you can even buy an oyster with pearls inside. There are many half-day and full-day tour options to explore this historic town.

Nanjing Road and the Bund

Nanjing Road: Times Square’s older, busier sister. The street is closed to vehicle traffic, save for periodic scooter crossings, and is home to various luxury shops and historic buildings.

It takes about 30 minutes to walk from end to end. You’ll begin at the large public park at People’s Square and start weaving through the crowds, popping into stores along the way. With Shanghai’s metropolitan status comes serious fashion and street style, and you’ll find lots of Asian brands not available in the U.S. On the other end, you’ll reach the Bund, a public riverwalk with skyline views.

Fairmont Peace Hotel

This Art Deco building nestled on the corner of Nanjing Road and the Bund is like stepping back to the 1920s. On our first trip, my husband and I ended every night at the Jazz Bar, listening to The Old Jazz Band, named because it is literally the oldest jazz band in the world (the average band member age is 80). There’s also a small museum dedicated to the hotel’s long history of hosting Shanghai’s most elite artists, musicians and movie stars.

Where to eat and drink

YONE & ROOF at the Shanghai Edition

Given the striking skyline, visiting a rooftop bar is a must in Shanghai. Luckily, the city has plenty to choose from, like ROOF at the Shanghai Edition, an open-aired lounge with cocktails and some of the best views of the city. You’ll need a reservation, and if you want to sit by the glass railing maybe a connection, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Haidilao Hotpot

This is a popular chain that’s found its way to the U.S. Hotpot is like Korean barbecue or fondue. Diners cook meat, vegetables and noodles in a boiling broth that is prepared to their preferred spice level (beware, spicy means spicy).

Though the food is great, the customer service is what makes this restaurant fun, like free manicures while you wait for a table, or noodles pulled by hand tableside.

Things to do and see

China Art Museum

The bright red exterior of Asia’s largest art museum is an art exhibit in itself. The enormous ruby pavilion was built for the Shanghai World Expo in 2010 and now houses an array of modern and contemporary art by Chinese artists, plus rotating exhibitions. During my visit, the museum was temporarily showcasing ancient Buddhist statues and wall paintings of the Mogao Caves, an ancient system of over 500 temples near Dunhuang, China. The best part? Entrance is free, and the special exhibitions only cost a small fee.

Where to eat & drink

Lyceum Shanghainese Cuisine

To try traditional Shanghainese cooking, which focuses on local ingredients and minimizes food waste by using every part of the plant or animal, check out Lyceum Shanghainese Cuisine. One of my favorite dishes to eat at home and out is hong shao rou (braised pork belly). Don’t sleep on the hairy crab tofu (Autumn is hairy crab season) or the local, seasonal greens that are only available in Shanghai. And for dessert, you must try tangyuan, sticky rice balls filled with sesame paste served in a rice wine broth.

For anyone who loves big cities or is ready to explore beyond Western culture, Shanghai is a great place to start. Its art, food, fashion and modern architecture mixes with historical landmarks dating back hundreds of years, making it a vibrant and exciting trip for travelers.