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Best of Shanghai in a nutshell: A Visitor’s Guide to World Expo City
Posted on May 25th, 2010 19 comments
Shanghai was the largest and most prosperous city in the Far East during the 1930′s and has remained the most developed city in mainland China. In the past 20 years Shanghai has again become an attractive city for tourists from all over the world. The world will once again have its eyes on the city when it is hosting the 2010 World’s Fair, where nearly 200 countries and 70 million visitors are expected.
Leave it to Shanghai to pull out all the stops for this year’s “Better City, Better Life” Expo, the largest fair the world has ever seen.
What to SEE & DO
Shanghai icons
For many it’s the symbol of modern Shanghai. The 468-metre, red-bulbed Oriental Pearl Tower is a spectacular sight from any angle and can be scaled (by lift) for some sensational panoramic views (100-150 yuan, 1 Century Avenue, Pudong, 5879 8888, 8am-9.30pm daily). The Yuyuan Gardens (40 yuan adults/10 children, 132 Anren Street, Nanshi, 6360 0830, 8.30am-5pm daily) is a Ming-era dynasty site with liberal sprinklings of flowers, carp-filled pools and pretty pagodas, while the Jade Buddha temple is delightfully serene (20 yuan, 170 Anyuan Road, Jing’an, 6266 2668, 8am-4.30pm daily). Shanghai’s much-hyped Expo runs until October 31 and although queues can be maddening — the event is expected to draw 70 million visitors — it’s worth going just to see the quirky pavilion designs. (www.en.expo2010.cn).Culture
More than a millennium of Chinese history is crammed into the Shanghai Museum (free, 201 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu, 6372 3500, 9am-5pm). For top-notch opera, book a seat at the Grand Theatre (300 Renmin Avenue, Huangpu, 6386 8686, www.shgtheatre.com), or go to nearby Yifu Theatre for performances of China’s myriad regional dance styles (701 Fuzhou Road, 6322 5294, tianchan.com. Contemporary art galleries are sprinkled across Shanghai; try Hongkou’s Duolun Road Cultural Street, an area of restored old houses once home to some of China’s leading literary figures.Foot work
Avoid it at weekends, unless you want to rub shoulders with what seems like half of China, yet a stroll along the Bund is unmissable. The kilometre-long stretch fringing the muddy Huangpu River is lined with art deco and neoclassical-style bank and consulate buildings that date back to the city’s glory days before World War II. Another fabulous place for a wander is the former French Concession district. Navigating its wide, leafy avenues, you’ll appreciate why Shanghai’s nicknamed the Paris of the East. For an insight into how most Shanghainese live, hit the ungentrified backstreets of the Old Town.Follow the leader
Scores of tour companies offer boat trips on the Huangpu. Head down to East Jinling Road dock on the Bund, or the Pearl Dock in Pudong but consider a night cruise — when buildings on both sides of the river are lit up. For hop-on-hop-off tours, Shanghai Sightseeing Buses ply 50 routes, taking in top attractions (ticket office and station, Shanghai Stadium, 666 Tianyaoqiao Road, Xihui, 6426 5555). Shanghai’s Jewish history can be explored on a half-day guided tour (400 yuan a person, 6283 9235, www.shanghai-jews.com).
Taikang Lu Art Centre, a treasure trove filled with boutiques, art galleries, wi-fi cafes, restaurants and bar, is a perfect antidote to Shanghai's oversized malls and intimidating skyscrapers.
Where to EAT & DRINK
Cafe culture
A cool place for latte and brunch is in the warren-like lanes of the Taikang Road Art Centre (also known as Tianzifang) — a little community of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and galleries housed in uniquely Shanghainese shikumen buildings (ostensibly late 19th-century and early 20th-century blocks fused with Western and Asian-type architecture). The Kommune Cafe is a hive for an creative, artsy crowd (210 Taikang Road, Luwan, 6466 2416). If you’d prefer tea, frequent one of Shanghai’s 4500 teahouses. De He serves sublimely sweet Golden Osmanthus, a honey-shaded green tea scented with the fragrant yellow flower that usually blooms in autumnal Shanghai (135 West Jianguo Road, Luwan, 5468 1117).Snack attack
A clutch of steaming, sizzling cheap eats are hawked in and around Yunnan Road, a short walk from Renmin Square. Gorge on skewered chicken, mutton and beef, fluffy pork and vegie buns, juicy meat dumplings and hand-pulled noodle soups before checking out sugar-coated pastries and cakes in the neighborhood’s many bakeries. Rather more high-brow, Peruvian chef Eduardo Vargas’s Azul Viva lounge gets rave reviews for its mouth-watering Spanish tapas with a South American twist (8 Dongping Road, Xuhui, 6433 1172). Issimo serves stylish Italian-themed dishes at the boutique hotel JIA (931 West Nanjing Road, 6217 9000 www.jiashanghai.com).Top of the town
Touted as the world’s highest restaurant, the Grand Hyatt’s 100 Century Avenue stretches from the 91st to the 93rd floor of the Shanghai World Financial Centre and serves up a sophisticated selection of Chinese, Japanese and Western dishes (100 Century Avenue, Pudong, 6888 1234, www.shanghai.park.hyatt.com). Celebrated Shanghainese fare such as hairy crab and drunken chicken, so called because it’s marinated in local Shaoxing wine, are on the menu at Fu 1039, an intimate Chinese place set in a restored 1930s villa (1039 Yu Yuan Road, Changning, 5237 1878). The newest of many French eateries in Shanghai is Allure, on the 11th floor of Le Meridien Hotel. Bargain set lunches — rustled up by chef Michael Wendling — from 128 yuan, dinners 488 yuan (789 Nanjing East Road, Huangpu, 3318 9999). Classy outdoor restaurants fill the revamped shikumen area of Xintiandi (corner Taicang and Madang Roads, Luwan, www.xintiandi.com).By the glass
The bars along the Bund are prime places for fine wine and cocktails and attract a suitably sharp-dressed crowd. Take your pick from Glamour (6F, 5 The Bund, 6322 0099, www.m-theglamourbar.com), New Heights (7F, 3 the Bund, 6321 0909, www.threeonthebund.com), Bar Rouge (7F, 18 The Bund, 6339 1199, www.bar-rouge-shanghai.com) or, for the best views of all, Vue (33F, Hyatt Hotel, 199 Huangpu Road, 6393 1234, www.shanghai.bund.hyatt.com). O’Malley’s (42 Tao Jiang Road, 6474 4533, www.omalleys-shanghai.com) is the place to kick-start a night on Hengshan Road, while the Windows bars enjoy cult status (www.windowsbars.com).
Obama Club: Bringing change to Shanghai's nightlife or just more of the same?
Where to Play
Live music
Once derided for its lamentable live music scene, Shanghai now attracts some top performers — those who pass China’s strict censorship rules, anyway. Shanghai Grand Stage (Shanghai Gymnasium, 1111 Caoxi Road, Xuhui, 6217 2426) has hosted the Rolling Stones, Christina Aguilera, Eric Clapton and Michael Bolton rolls into town on June 3. Top DJs hit the decks at M2 Club; John Digweed and Ferry Corsten recently performed sets (4F, 283 Huaihai Road, Luwan, museshanghai.cn). For live punk and alternative music, dive into Logo (13 Xingfu Road, 6281 5646, www.logoshanghai.net). Sax appeal slithers through the smoky House of Blues & Jazz (60 Fuzhou Road, Huangpu, 6323 2779).Nightclubs
Shanghai’s clubbing scene is in a state of permanent flux, with venues forever coming and going. One veteran still luring night owls is Club Bonbon (2F, 1329/1331 Central Huaihai Road, 2193 9299, www.clubbonbon.com), while the it-crowd flocks to Baby Face (No. 101, 138 Huaihai Road, Huangpu, 6375 6667, www.babyface.com.cn). Revellers hunting Latin exuberance, salsa-themed parties and table dancing should try Zapata’s (5 Hengshan Road, 6474 6166 or 6433 4104, www.zapatas-shanghai.com). A stylish newcomer, the 2000-capacity Obama launched in April with a theme night dedicated to the US president (The Garden Plaza, 2088 West Yan’an Road, Gubei, 6082 5511).
Shanghai's top street to shop has always been Nanjing Lu, where the most modern and the most traditional modes of retailing commingle.
Where to SHOP
To market
For a vibrant, ramshackle slice of Shanghai, head to Dongtai Road Antique Market and nose through dusty, second-hand memorabilia from the Mao era, opium pipes and eye-catching porcelain. Don’t bank on everything being top quality but do expect a raffish atmosphere and plenty of haggling (Luwan, 9am-6pm daily). At the Shiliupu Fabrics Market, talented tailors can conjure up made-to-measure clothing from silk, cashmere, linen and cotton. A business suit should set you back about 500 yuan ($84), (168 Dongmen Road, Huangpu, 10am-6pm daily). Cha lovers should seek out Tianshan Tea Market (520 Zhongshan Xi Road, Changning, 10am-6pm daily).Go shop
Shiny new malls, overflowing with the latest Gucci and Armani fashions, seem to sprout almost every month in Shanghai. The flashiest is Super Brand in the Pudong district’s ever-growing forest of gleaming high-rises (168 Lujiazui Xi Road, www.superbrandmall.com). Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road are the city’s tried and trusted shopping arteries. If you can handle the crowds, don’t miss the Yuyuan Bazaar, which is chock-a-block with souvenir stores selling teapots, woodcuts, lacquerware, pearls and calligraphy (19 Wenchan Road, Nanshi). Nifty boutique shops are all the rage in Shanghai, with Suzhou Cobblers renowned for its lovely hand-sewn silk slippers (17 Fuzhou Road, 6321 7087, www.suzhou-cobblers.com).
A revamped classic, the Fairmont Peace Hotel, reopens this winter after a three-year hiatus.
WHERE TO STAY
Budget
China’s new wave of youth hostels are great value, with one of the cosiest, the Mingtown Hiker, just a five-minute walk from Shanghai’s People’s Square; dorms are 60 yuan ($10) and doubles only 200 yuan (450 Jiangxi Road, Huangpu, 6329 7889, www.yhachina.com). Bargain alert: Motel 168 has branches all over Shanghai; one in the former French Concession offers rooms from 208 yuan (1119 West Yan’an Road, Changning, 5117 7777, www.en.motel168.com). Fairly frill-less but clean, functional and easy on the wallet, Home Inn has 25 chains in Shanghai; rooms from 169 yuan (400 820 3333).Mid-range
The towering art deco-style Park Hotel is a relic of Shanghai’s 1930s glamour days; from 1005 yuan for a double (170 Nanjing Road, Huangpu, 6327 5225, www.parkhotelshanghai.cn). Another venerable old-timer sporting a 21st-century facelift, the Astor House Hotel is a stone’s throw from the famous Bund and counts Charlie Chaplin, Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russell among past guests; online B&B specials from about 700 yuan (15 Huangpu Road, Huangpu, 6324 6388, www.astorhousehotel.com). Hedged by some of Shanghai’s coolest shopping and dining spots, the sleek Yun’s Paradise Hotel has doubles from 675 yuan (789 East Fuxing Road, Huangpu, 6335 6666, www.hotelyun.com).Luxe
Next to the lovely Fuxing Park, the Pudi Boutique Hotel has 52 rooms with dark-hued furniture and funky artwork; from 1577 yuan, if booking online (99 Yandang Road, Luwan, 5158 5888, www.boutiquehotel.cn). Getting high is compulsory at the Grand Hyatt; it occupies the 53rd to 87th floors of the shimmering shard-like Jin Mao Tower, while its Cloud 9 bar has stunning 360-degree views of Shanghai; from 2000 yuan for a double (88 Century Avenue, Pudong, 5049 1234, www.shanghai.grand.hyatt.com). A short taxi ride from Shanghai’s extravagant Expo site, the luxuriant St Regis has doubles from 2070 yuan (889 Dong Fang Road, Pudong, 5050 4567, www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis).Lash out
A long-time favorite for Westerners and affluent Chinese, the swish, centrally located Portman Ritz-Carlton has doubles from 2000 yuan a night (1376 West Nanjing Road, Huangpu, 6279 8888, www.ritzcarlton.com). The 235 rooms at the new, five-star Peninsula have art deco and Oriental flourishes, while an in-house spa promises extreme pampering. From 3200yuan for a double; the ultra-lavish Peninsula suite — with two bedrooms, an enclosed balcony, private gym and whirlpool — is yours for a mere 85,000 yuan (32 The Bund, Huangpu, 2327 2888, www.peninsula.com). A revamped classic, the Fairmont Peace Hotel, reopens this winter after a three-year hiatus. Taking reservations for stays from September onward, the refurbished rooms start at 2300 yuan (20 Nanjing Rd, 6321 6888, www.fairmonthotel.com/peacehotel).Business
Etiquette
* Business in China is all about ‘guanxi,’ which, loosely translated, means relationship building. If you build the relationship, the business will come.
* Business attire consists of Western-style shirts and ties. Women should wear conservative suits or dresses.
* Offer and accept business cards with both hands. Cards should be exchanged one by one. Do not deal your business cards to several people at a time, as this is considered extremely rude.
* Address people by their family names only. For example, Mr. Yang or Ms. Wu. Don’t try to inject casualness by insisting that your Chinese counterparts address you by your first name.
* In China, it is assumed that the first person to enter the room is the head of the group.
* It is appropriate to bring a wrapped gift to a business meeting to show you are interested in building a relationship.
* The concept of “losing face” is still alive and well in China, so make sure that no one ever has to in your business dealings.
* Part of business is a large banquet dinner (or lunch) — and many rounds of toasts with baijiu. Do not refuse a toast of a (potential) business partner.Internet access
* There are four wireless internet service providers in Shanghai: China Telecom’s Tianyitong, China Unicom’s CDMA 1X, China Netcom’s Mobile Office and China Mobile’s E-Traveler.
* Pre-paid wireless Internet cards can be purchased at the business centers of most four- and five-star hotels.
* While several large chains have either axed their WiFi services or have started charging for them, there are numerous cafes, restaurants and malls that still offer free wireless.Money
* The Chinese currency is the yuan (Y), and is also known as renminbi (RMB, literally ‘the people’s money’). In Shanghai, you may also hear it referred to as ‘kuai,’ an informal term similar to ‘buck.’
* The largest bill denomination is RMB 100.
* Exchange rates in China are fixed by the government daily, so they will be the same at branches of the Bank of China and hotel exchange desks. Other rates are illegal.
* ATMs all accept Union Pay, the local banking system.
* Some ICBC and China Construction Bank ATMs now take Cirrus and MasterCard. All Bank of China ATMs accept the Visa/Plus card system.
* Counterfeit bills counterfeit bills are still abundant in China. Although not foolproof, one easy test is the collar rub. Rub Chairman Mao’s collar and, if the bill is legit, you should feel a raised pattern.Emergency info
In event of emergency dial one of the following numbers:
* Ambulance: +86 21 120
* Police (emergency): +86 21 110
* Police (traffic): +86 21 5631 7000
* Fire: +86 21 119
* International SOS (24-hour service): +86 21 6295 0099
* ParkwayHealth (expat hospital): +86 21 6445 5999
* Public Security Bureau Division for Foreigners: +86 21 6357 6666
* Shanghai Call Centre (information hotline in English): +86 21 96 2288
* LifeLine Shanghai (free confidential and anonymous counseling, crisis intervention): +86 21 6279 8990Hot Tips
* Weather-wise, spring (April to mid-May) and fall (late September to mid-November) are the best times to visit. Summers are hot and humid; winters are cold, misty and gray.
* Tipping in China is tricky. Once frowned upon, the practice is becoming more commonplace. Tour guides and bellhops expect tips. Waiters and taxi drivers still do not.
* Shanghai (along with the rest of China) is on Beijing time, which is eight hours ahead of GMT.
* Tap water throughout China is not safe for drinking. Drink only bottled water, which is widely available in stores and provided in most hotel rooms.
* Shanghai’s main varieties of dumplings are xiaolongbao (steamed round sacks with a nob on top), guotie (fried crescent shaped dumpling) and shengjianbao (fried, round balls with a flat bottom). If you get meat (rou) dumplings, be careful when you bite into them, there’s hot oil from the meat inside.
* Restaurants will not serve ice water (bing shui) unless you ask for it.
* The international country code for China is 86. The city code for Shanghai is 21.
* Most public restrooms have squat toilets. Many restrooms do not have toilet paper, so carry around some of your own.
* The electrical current in China is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC), so most American appliances cannot be used without a transformer. A universal adapter is useful as wall outlets come in a variety of configurations.
* Call 962288 to reach the Shanghai Call Center, a 24-hour hotline that will answer almost any question you have about the city — in English.Getting There
By air
All international flights arrive at the ultramodern Pudong International Airport, located about 45 km east of downtown Shanghai. The airport is easy to navigate, with departures on the upper level and arrivals on the lower level.
Taxis, lined just outside the arrival hall, are cheap and convenient. A ride to the Puxi side of downtown Shanghai takes about an hour and costs RMB 140-190. Getting to the Pudong side takes about 40 minutes and costs RMB 100-130.
The are now also two economical way to get to the airport. You can transfer from Pudong is via the official airport bus (+86 21 6834 6612). There are numerous routes to other transportation stops, including the Hongqiao International Airport, which is used primarily for flights within China. Additionally the Pudong and Hongqiao airports are now connected by Metro Line 2 (the green line). It takes a bit more than 90 minutes to travel between the two.
Another way to get into town is Shanghai’s jet-like magnetic levitation (MagLev) train. It’s the fastest railway system in commercial operation in the world, with a designed speed of more than 500 km. Although it’s much faster than taking a taxi, the Metro or the bus, dragging luggage in and out of the station can be a hassle and you’ll likely have to transfer to a subway (Metro Line 2) or hail a taxi to get to your final destination.
To get info on either the Pudong or Hongqiao airports go to www.shairport.comGetting around
Taxis
For short distances, taxis are a good option. They are reasonably priced staring at RMB 12 and easy to find (except during rainstorms, when flagging one down is nearly impossible). Few taxis have rear seat belts, so sit up front as locals do if you’re alone.
To pay with a transportation card (bought in Metro stations), say “yong ka” before the driver stops the meter at the end of the ride. Say “fa piao” to get a receipt, which has the phone number of the taxi company and ID number of the driver. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
The color of a taxi indicates which company it belongs to. The most reputable colors to look for are:
* Teal/Expo taxis: +86 21 96822
* Yellow: +86 21 6258000
* Light green: +86 21 96840
* Royal blue: +86 21 96333
* White +86 21 96961
Subways
If you’re in Shanghai for long enough, buy a transportation card from a booth in the subway station. Give them RMB 100, say “mai ka” and they’ll give you a card with RMB 70 on it. Before you leave the city, return the card to the booth in subway station and you should receive your RMB 30 back.
For longer distances, the subway can save time and money. There are currently 11 subway lines in Shanghai, and all major tourist sights are accessible from the first four. Determine your fare by finding selecting you starting and final location on the map at the ticket-vending kiosks. Don’t lose your ticket — you’ll need it to exit.Buses
Public buses may be the most economical way to get around town, but they are usually hot, cramped and can be difficult for non-Chinese speakers to use. Drivers do not give change so it is good to have a Transportation Card. Some buses have you pay at the driver while others will have a fare collector who sits by the back door.
Pay close attention to your belongings to prevent pickpocketing.-
What to See & Do in Shanghai
Top Ten Shanghai Must-See Attractions
Visitor’s Guide to The Bund: Shanghai’s Newly Opened Waterfront Landmark
Modern Architectural Wonders of Shanghai
Exploring the Water Villages – Excursions from Shanghai
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Where to Eat and Drink in Shanghai
Taste of Shanghai – A Guide to Shanghai’s Best Food
Shanghai Nightlife and Drinking Guide: Best Bars & Clubs
- Where to Shop in Shanghai
Shop till you drop – Shanghai Shopping Guide
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Where to Stay in Shanghai
Top Ten Ritziest Hotels in Shanghai
Attractions 景点, Feature, Food and Drink 美食与美酒, Guide 指南, Hotel 酒店, Nightlife 夜生活, Shopping 购物, Travel 旅游 Shanghai18 responses to “Best of Shanghai in a nutshell: A Visitor’s Guide to World Expo City”
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Shanghai Expo for Kids
Here are some of the most attractive exhibitions for children younger than 10 years old.
Good news: children under 1.2 meters tall get in free.Free chocolate – Belgium Pavilion
Everyone gets free chocolate and kids can eat their fill.A chocolate factory offers a view of the chocolate-making process.Everyone gets free chocolate and kids can eat their fill. Some of the chocolate will be made into figures of Shanghai’s landmark buildings.There’s a quiz and lucky draws for children. First prizes are a trip to Belgium and a diamond cut in Belgium.Alpine tram ride – Switzerland Pavilion
The chairlift ride is enormously popular. The 10-minute journey takes visitors on a tour and carries them up and outdoors to the roof garden. The pavilion also features a 10-meter-high screen in the atrium, showing the IMAX film “The Alps,” about a mountaineer who died in conquering one of the notoriously treacherous peaks – and his son who followed him and succeeded.Cirque du Soleil – Canada Pavilion
World-famous Cirque du Soleil, which only performed in China in 2007, brings its “Quidam” show to the Expo. Children will be able to get up close with performers.
The 6,000-square-meter pavilion in a zigzag shape is designed by the troupe, so the exhibitions are very performance-oriented, giving children fresh, vivid experience.Tiny houses on Happy Street – Netherlands Pavilion
The pavilion is open air and features 26 small, distinctive houses on streets shaped in a figure “8,” a lucky number in China. In each of the houses actors and actresses dress in Dutch costumes and typical dress, work, play and greet visitors. Visitors gather in front of the houses and watch what’s happening inside, learning about Dutch innovations in urban planning and handling issues of energy, water, air and space.Big fun park – Sweden Pavilion
A cartoon girl guide greets visitors to the Sweden Pavilion, which has been turned into a fun park for children around the world. Pippi Longstocking, a nine-year-old girl famous as a fictional character in children’s books by Astrid Lindgren, will guide visits. Many electronic devices let children play while learning about the Swedish spirit of innovation.Santa Claus – Finland Pavilion
The Finland Pavilion has recreated the North Pole Santa Claus Village in Lapland and St Nick himself is there to send greetings and give gifts to children around the world. At a Santa Claus Post Office children can send a real postcard to their friends, signed by Santa Claus and postmarked by the Santa Claus Post Office at the North Pole. As last year’s Christmas celebration, Santa left his home in the remote mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland Province to visit the Finland Pavilion, which was under construction.Fairy tale world – Russia Pavilion
Giant strawberries, flowers and trees create a comfortable city close to nature. Children walk along a path as if in a fairy tale. Along the way they meet giant foods and plants. The City of the Sun is a hall in which the sun always shines, coming through every window to create a translucent labyrinth with virtual displays. The City of the Moon focuses on space exploration.Little Mermaid – Denmark Pavilion
Children can sit near the Little Mermaid and listen to the story in many languages. The national treasure sculpture has been moved from Copenhagen Harbor to a 20-meter-wide pool in the center of the pavilion. Visitors can walk barefoot through the shallow water and get as close as 5 meters of the iconic statue.
Miguelin is a 6.5 meters tall animated baby that Spain has created for its pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. (Miguelín, el bebé gigante del Pabellón de España en Expo Shanghai) -
KittyKat June 6th, 2010 at 02:23
Here are three great dining options in Shanghai. All within a 15-minute drive or a 20-minute subway ride from the World Expo venue.
• Noble House, with several branches in the city, specializes in seafood. I dined at the outlet in the Babaiban neighborhood of Pudong District, inside a replica of an old Shanghai dwelling decorated with Chinese ink-paintings hung on the wall and tall blue-and-white ceramic vases on tables. Our favorite was the so-called Superior Baked Cod Fish. The fish, served atop a flaky pastry crust, was brushed with a concoction of light soy and oyster sauce that was the perfect complement.
679 Shangcheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai, 011-86-21-5879- 3179; http://www.noblehouserestaurant.cn/. A four-course meal costs about $60.• Laofandian, near Yuyuan Gardens, is a four-centuries-old, Chinese-style garden and 10-minute walk from the historic riverside promenade known as the Bund. We were seated in a large banquet hall adjacent to a wedding party and several drunken reunions. It’s loud, brash and crowded — the perfect embodiment of Shanghai. Specialties include Steamed Duck with Eight Kinds of Specialties and the sweet-and-sour croaker, which had an overpoweringly fishy smell that no sauce could mask. A better bet was the fried shrimp with soy sauce. I tried to order the Dongpo Pork, a classic dish comprising a Rubik’s Cube-size block of belly meat in a sweet sauce, and gave up after I was told it would take an hour to cook. My ears couldn’t survive the noise that long.
242 Fuyou Road, Shanghai, 011-86-21-6311-1777; http://www.laofandian.com . A four-course meal costs about $60.• Crystal Jade, originally from Hong Kong, is arguably the best for dim sum. Its menu is full of tasty Cantonese standards, such as har gao and siu mai.
No. 6-7 South Block Xintiandi, Lane 123, 2nd Floor, Xintiandi, Shanghai, 011-86-21-6385-8752; http://www.crystaljade.com. Dim sum starts at $3 a plate.
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世博攻略
通过近似疯狂的两天长达26小时的世博园区内切身体验和总结，本人认为游世博在享受各种文化带来的乐趣的同时，也是一个体力活，如果你不是你不具备超强的体力、惊人的耐心，哪么游世博就需要有善于思考的脑袋，如何提升观赏的效率而又不把自己搞的非常疲惫就显得得非常重要，因此在疯狂体验后，我个人总结了一下几条经验。
1、 早上进门选择冷门以提升入园的效率。
整体看来，位于鲁班路的一号门人最少，基本上20分钟左右可以入 园，但是如果要拿到中国馆的预约票，建议在8.45之前到达排队，这个门拿到的中国馆预约票大多 是4:30-5:30的，反正我两天来看到的都是这个时间段，个人感觉时间段不错，据说也有其他时间的，没有考证啊。中国馆预约票发放很快，通常9：30 之后就没有中国馆的预约票发放了，这个时间是一号门，其他门则快的超乎想象啊。
2、 合理安排入园后的行程以降低热门场馆的排队时间。
从一号门进入后，不要在浦西片区逗留，立即前往轮渡码头，乘坐前往亚洲区或者欧洲区的轮渡。如果去亚洲区，上岸后，最近的是沙特、日本和韩国馆，迅速进入想去的一个，游览完毕后再稍微排 队就可以游览另外一个；如果进入欧洲区，建议先进入热门的法国或者德国中的一个，出来后若发现另一个人不多，可以排队等候，多的话，则立即前往意大利馆， 然后进入俄罗斯馆，按这个顺序进行的话，所有场馆都不需要排队很长时间。当然，如果你穿越欧洲区直接进入美国馆排队也不会太长，但是只能看美国一个热门馆了，附近的加拿大馆人流不是非常多，即使这样，效率也比从8号门进入美 国馆高不少。这个流程走完之后，再去慢慢散步，享受世博园区的建筑博览会，并去非热门场馆感受各国独特的民族和文化，到点别忘了拿着预约券参观规模最大的中国馆哦。
3、 世博园内饮食品种丰富，但自备仍为良策。
世博园内提供的饮食种类非常丰富，中外品种皆有，只要找，总能找到适合您口味的，但 是，要找到适合自己消费能力和口味的，需要时间和脚力，所以如果情况允许，自备食品是一个不错的选择，节约时间和体力，而且，世博园内休息场所众多，找个 椅子休息吃饭绝对没有问题。偷偷的告诉你，创意大厨房不要去了，标榜的创意不知道哪去了，贵且烂。
4、 忠告：不要迷恋热门场馆，小的更有看头，纯朴。
俺的经验是，热门场馆唯一的就是人多排队，就如沙特，动辄就是三个小时以上的 排队等候，进去10分钟搞定，就是看看大投影，与外观比起来，简直是没有创意。很多场馆都是这样的。反而小的场馆，如非洲联合馆，中美洲联合馆等因为预算 有限，较好的展现了原生态的文化和特色，值得一看。中国馆期望展现的历史与现代科 技的交融，但是，我怎么感受到的是现代科技对传统文化艺术的冲击，钢筋混凝土取代了艺术实用并举的传统工艺，视角问 题，俺out了。
5、 请为相机预留足够的存储空间或足够的胶卷以及足够的电力。
世博场馆的建设各具特色，不经意间我就两天消耗了4G的存储空间， 所以建议1G以下存储卡的参观者，谨慎拍照，以防删无可删的尴尬境地出现，胶卷用户，请背包携带。拍照狂人，携带拖车。
6、 雨伞仿淋防晒功能二合一，乃必备良品。
上海即将进入梅雨季节，而且上海的夏天酷热难当，因此，无论男女，雨伞是必备物品，应时刻随身携带，当然，准备点防晒油之类也是很好的，但不能取代雨伞，就是想变成古铜色，也不宜在中午进行。当然避暑良品风油精啊、人丹啊之类的也多多备点，关键时刻用点，排队等候的时候带个小板凳，也不错，当然，最好能带轮，哈哈，不用起来移动，直接滑动。
7、 让舒适战胜美丽，请穿合适行走和站立的鞋子。
在世博区域内，想不走路，那是不可能的，即使您不暴走，但总是要排队和浏览的， 此时，鞋子就非常重要了，如果一个美女穿着一个高跟鞋游览世博的话，你在吸引眼球的同时也在折磨你的神经，不论是你的玉脚、长腿还是蛮腰，都会向你传导一 种感觉：酸痛！这一刻，舒适才是第一位的。
上海世博园阳光谷世博轴 -
ニャンゴロ June 6th, 2010 at 10:02
新天地（シンティエンチー／シンティエンディー）は地下鉄1号線の黄坡南路駅の南側に広がる重厚かつ美しいレンガ作りの街。2001年に第一期の北里、 2002年に第二期の南里が建設された。上海近代建築の石庫門でかつてのフランス租界の面影を再現している。同時にここには高級ブティックやレストラン、バーなどが建ち並び、上海最先端の流行発信地にもなっている。現在も開発はつづいており、上海きっての観光スポットになっている。
「透明思考 TMSK」
琉璃細工をあしらった幻想的な店内が日本でも有名なカフェバー＆レストラン
住所: 太倉路181号 新天地北里11号楼単元2
時間: 13:30～深夜1:00
電話: （021）6326 2227「T8」
リゾート風のお店は１階がコンチネンタルレストラン＆バー、2階は会員専用フロアです
住所: 太倉路181弄8号楼
時間: 11:00～14:30、18:30～深夜1:00
電話: （021）6355 8999「鼎泰豊（ディンタイフォン）新天地店」
日本にもチェーンあり、言わずと知れた台湾発の有名な小龍包のお店
住所: 興行路123弄 新天地南里6号楼2階
電話: （021）6385 8378「シャンハイ トリオ」
フランス人オーナーがデザインした、ハイセンスでモダンなシノワズリブランド
住所: 太倉路181弄「上海灘 SHANGHAI TANG」
香港人デザイナーのポップでビビッドなデザインが印象的な高級シノワズリブランド
住所: 太倉路181弄 新天地北里15号
時間: 10:00～22:00「ANNABEL LEE SHANGHAI」
中国の伝統に各国デザイナーが新しいセンスを吹き込んだ洗練されたシノワズリ。
住所: 太倉路181弄 新天地北里3号楼単元3
時間: 10:30～22:30
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Elias Kellerman June 6th, 2010 at 10:02
Shanghai: Nachtleben
In den letzten Jahren hat das Shanghaier Nachtleben eine explosionsartige Entwicklung an neuen Optionen erlebt. Die Stadt bietet unweigerlich für jeden etwas an, von Tanzabenteuern zu Techno, Salsa oder Hip Hop bis hin zu gepflegter Bar- oder Kneipenatmosphäre. Eine Nacht in Shanghai ist vergleichbar geworden mit dem lebendigen Trubel auch solcher Städte wie Hong Kong und sogar Bangkok.
Für die abendliche Unterhaltung bietet Shanghai eine breite Anzahl an Bar-Gegenden wie bspw. in Maoming Nanlu, wo sich darüber hinaus jeden Samstag-Abend eine Art Straßenparty abspielt. Wer es mag, kann sich unter die Massen mischen und mitfeiern.
Weiterhin stehen in der Stadt Massen an Tee- und Café-Häusern zur Verfügung. Auch Kinos gibt es, aber leider nur wenige, die Filme mit englischen Untertiteln oder gar in englischer Sprache anbieten. Beispiele für untertitelte Filme stellen das Peace Cinema, die Ultimate Movie Experience und die Studio City dar. Clubs und Diskotheken ziehen die besten DJs von überall aus der Welt an und bieten eine belebte Unterhaltungsmöglichkeit in der Stadt. Beispiele sind das Real Love oder die Rojam Disco. Auch die Restaurant-Szene hat viele Veränderungen erfahren; vornehme internationale oder typisch chinesische Lokale sind entstanden. Auch Live-Musik wird in Clubs wie der Old Jazz Bar im Peace Hotel oder im Cotton Club geboten. Auch die Theaterszene blüht, und Opernhäuser locken mit klassischen Unterhaltungsvorführungen.
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世博一日自助游之浦西攻略
作为只有一天时间游览世博园区的游客，想要最大限度地享受上海世博会魅力，手持一份攻略是必要的。本攻略结合开园以来各方攻略之优，为大家提供这份世博园区一日游的指南仅供参考。在前往世博园之前，务必关注媒体每天各种最新世博新闻及资讯，掌握最新信息以便更好的游览世博园。入园必知：
上海世博会的举办场地在上海市中心，主要位于南浦大桥和卢浦大桥之间的滨江区域(即浦东浦西)，并沿着上海城区黄浦江两岸进行布局。
园区开放时间：9：00~24：00，共15个小时。展馆开放时间为9：30~22：30，共13个小时。每天，园区21：00禁止入场，大多数展馆在22：00禁止入馆。(部分热门场馆延迟到晚上23点)浦西千万不要错过的场馆：
汽车馆(开往未来)
上汽集团—通用汽车馆是浦西第一馆。2030美好的城市交通理念结合一个关于爱的故事传递给大家，动感摇椅带领你一起体验2030城市交通，新型概念车环保科技完美结合，体会不一样的爱车世界。
石油馆(油的历史)
石油馆是以石油为主题，延伸城市梦想。其中有油立方，梦幻的外墙，4D电影，你所不知道的石油等等精彩看点。
城市未来馆(城市的历程)
城市未来馆的理念是未来在这里，以及一个告达35米高的范特西。全新的能源技术结合未来的城市完全不同的城市体验，未来和你相遇在这里。让我们现在就开始前进，走进这风情万种的世博园：
世博园区划分为A、B、C、D、E五个功能片区，其中A、B、C三个功能片区分布在浦东地区，D、E两个各功能片区分布在浦西。今天我们要逛的是浦西的D、E片区。
建议从世博园鲁班路进入世博园区，从D片区开始世博游。这一片区共有11个展馆，其中有世博会博物馆、思科馆、城市足迹馆、石油馆、国家电网馆等。各个展馆都有自己独特之处，可以根据喜好进行游玩。本次推荐去路线：城市足迹馆→石油馆→上海企业联合馆。
在城市足迹馆，你可以感受城市历史的变更，珍贵的文物，以及运河的全景。通过观赏城市的历史来体验人类文明的发展史。接着来到石油馆可以展开体验4D电影，感受石油发展史，石油和我们的生活息息相关等石油理念。而上海企业联合馆里的庄周梦蝶，废旧光盘外墙，机器人厨师，市民拍的“上海”等等典型展示上海的风情的景观。
上面3个场馆逛完差不多是中午时分了，这个时候正是午餐时间，你可快速走过高架到汽车馆右手边的餐厅吃午饭或者就着世博园区的椅子坐着吃自带的干粮。这个时候应该是比较累了，建议事先预约好的汽车馆可以首选，在午饭后直接从预约通道进入参观，不仅可以感受浦西人气馆的风采，还可以坐在汽车馆的摇椅上欣赏到美妙的影片。一举两得，切忌事先网上预约好门票。
浦西第一明星场馆将带领你领略来之2030年别样的城市交通生活。通过IMAX的2倍的巨屏，观赏一部名叫《2030，行！》关于爱的主题电影，体验F1型座椅的精彩，领略高科技环保概念车的风采。在汽车馆，你可以提前感受2030无堵塞、无交通事故、无停车问题、自动驾驶等完美城市交通生活。未来的车是什么样子？未来的停车场是什么样子？未来的交通是什么样子？一系列的疑问将在这里得到答案。
看完汽车馆后有想去浦东的朋友可以直接从汽车馆前的轮渡到达浦东，或者坐汽车馆正对面的越江专线去往浦东。如果上午进园子幸运预约到浦东场馆，可以现在参观，如果没有可以就近过去参观。推荐香港馆(中国馆前方)、澳大利亚馆、芬兰馆、丹麦馆。不去浦东直接在浦西游玩路线：万科馆→中国航空馆。
万科馆在汽车馆的斜对面，万科馆由5个尊重的故事组成，通过5个桶的不同方位来展示。航空馆在万科馆的对面，航空馆内有地乘展演，模拟机驾驶等多种感受。
上面3个馆中，除掉人气馆汽车馆馆是可以网上预约的，其余的均需馆内预约或者排队等候。建议计算好时间，进行参观。参观完上面的场馆后已经是晚上了，可以直接就着休息椅子吃干粮或者去西边的案例馆处吃国外表演大餐。夜里的案例馆路线：城市未来馆→宁波滕头馆。
出航空馆后沿路往西走，就可以看见一个大大的烟囱温度计，那就是城市未来馆。这里有三十五米的范特西，还有未来城市模型。而宁波滕头馆里有鸟语花香中的彩虹，大型电子相册等一系列设计别具特色。
逛完案例管后往东走少许，即可到达3号安检口，直接出去走5分钟即可到4或者8号线西藏南路站路口，直接坐地铁换乘或者打世博TAXI均可，就此为你的世博一日游画下圆满的句号。小贴士：
1、散客各展馆需现场预约，势必进园后直接去领取预约票或者到预约机前提前预约。上汽集团—通用汽车馆提供网上预约的形式，可提前预约。
2、务必带好有效证件和门票。
3、带好空水杯，及少量干粮和水果。
上汽集团—通用汽车馆 -
Chloé June 7th, 2010 at 11:18
Expo Universelle 2010
La France en zone C expose les chefs d’oeuvres du Musée d’Orsay (Jean-François Millet, Edouard Manet, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, Pierre Bonnard et Auguste Rodin) dans un pavillon sur la “ville sensuelle”.
Les métros :
Pour les secteurs D et E (industrie, commerce, institution, ville…)
Ligne 4 :Luban, Xinzang, Nanpu Bridge S (pavillons Alsace et PACA)
Ligne 8 :Xinzang
Ne pas prendre Madang sur la ligne 9, c’est trop compliqué si vous n’avez pas de billet d’accès pour le site.Pour les secteurs A, B et C (pavillons nationaux)
Ligne 7 :Houtan, Changping (coté pavillon France), Yaohua, Yuntai, Gaoke
Ligne 8 : YaohuaDirectement de l’aéroport de Pudong :
Aux heures de pointe :
Prendre le maglev (400km/h) puis changer au terminus station Longyang et prendre la ligne 7 (juste à la sortie du Maglev)
3 000 nouveaux taxis (en +) pour l’expo, des Touran flambants neufs
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Kilian D. June 12th, 2010 at 06:53
50 Moganshan Road
Chinese contemporary art is a market that has been drawing headlines for several years now, Christie’s auction house continues to report record-level sales (Zao Wou-ki commanded a USD $43 million-dollar bidding war for his abstract paintings in May 2010), proving that China’s art market is more than just propaganda posters and watercolors of old mountains.
Since the 1980s, the epicenter has been firmly ensconced in Beijing. But now flashy Shanghai is developing into a formidable outpost for young art stars. Just like the 798 Art Community in Beijing, M50 is a blossoming arts district that now is the center of Shanghai’s art scene. Leading the charge is Shanghai’s most pedigreed gallery, ShangART, run by the Swiss-born Lorenz Helbling, which represents many of the sizzling young talents like Yang Zhenzhong, Yang Fudong and Wang Guangyi (50 Moganshan Road, Building 16-18; Tel. 021-6359-3923; http://www.shanghartgallery.com). Others to check out are Art Scene (2nd fl, Bldg 4), Eastlink Gallery (5th fl, Bldg 6,Tel. 021-6276-9932) which exhibits painting, sculpture, video, installation and performance art and Two Cities (2nd fl, Bldg 0) which specializes in 3D art.
Address:50 Moganshan Road, Putuo District,Shanghai
Address(Chinese):上海市普陀区莫干山路50号
Directions: Take a taxi here, or if you like to walk – it’s about 1 kilometer west (across the river) of the Shanghai Railway Station (Subway Lines 1, 3 and 4)
Tattoo 4 | Chinese Landscape | Huang Yan | Eastlink Gallery | Shanghai -
SoccerGuru June 13th, 2010 at 08:20
Where to watch World Cup 2010 in Shanghai
Pretty much every bar has a special going on, you can even catch a match at the South Africa and Brazil Pavilions at the Expo, but a special few deserve recognition for going above and beyond the call of World Cup duty.
Watch at the Shanghai Expo: Both the South Africa and Brazil Pavilions are planning on showing World Cup games. Rumor has it South Africa will show it in 3D. Catch is you’ll have to fight your way into the Expo grounds with the rest of the crowds, and more importantly, the Expo will still only be open to midnight with the last admissions at 9pm.
Windows Scoreboard
The newly reopened sports bar cuts the grime of other branches, with a massive bar area, nine televisions (expect more soon), and a pretty view of Fuxing Park. Anticipating crowds to fill the restaurant, Scoreboard is sectioning off a VIP area with free-flow drinks. Prices aren’t set yet, but expect something around RMB 250-300.
11/F, 527 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Chengdu Lu 淮海中路527号11楼. 近成都路, +86 21 5382 7757
The Camel
For selected matches they’ll have an entry fee of RMB 100, but that comes with three drinks. There are also deals on buckets of beer. With 16 televisions and two large-screen projectors, there is no way you can’t see every play of your favorite World Cup match. There is even one in the toilet. Anticipating huge crowds, the Camel has added two extra bars — giving you a total of four places to get a drink.
1 Yueyang Lu, near Dongping Lu 岳阳路1号, 近东平路, +86 21 6437 9446
Zapata’s and Sasha’s
Zapata’s and Sasha’s are teaming up to bring a refreshing, outdoor barbecue experience to Shanghai World Cup crowds. In the legendary garden, there will be two big screens broadcasting the match. RMB 120 gets you two drinks (Carlsberg draft or wine) and a chance to wine a trip to Sanya. RMB 150 for an all-you-can-eat barbecue. Get the combo deal for RMB 250. Also, there’s talk of giving away a plane ticket to Frankfurt, courtesy of Lufthansa.
5 Hengshan Lu, near Dongping Lu 衡山路5号, 近东平路, +86 21 6474 6628
O’Malley’s （欧玛莉餐厅)
Although O’Malley’s a pretty much a given viewing spot for any major sports tournament, we’d be remiss if we kicked it from our list simply for that reason. The World Cup setup is huge here, the Mecca of Irish Pubs. We’re talking stadium seating huge. O’Malley’s has a capacity of 1,700-2,000, and they expect to use it. Amazingly, it’s arranged so as not to be overwhelming. There is a 150-seat stadium (tickets are RMB 200 and includes two liters of Carlsberg), a garden with a 5.5 meter screen, and the bar. Not to mention a VIP terrace where RMB 350 gets you three hours of free-flow beer wine, and house pours. Sounds good?
42 Taojiang Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu 桃江路42号, 近乌鲁木齐路, +86 21 6474 4533
British Bulldog (英国斗牛犬俱乐部)
With its Filipina barmaids and by-the-book English pub styling, this place is not so much British as firmly located in expat land. Nevertheless, it pulls in sports fans when there’s a big game on, thanks to the big screen, while the upstairs pool table has a loyal following. The pub food is so-so, but there’s McEwan’s Ale, Kilkenny and cider on tap. Happy hour is 11:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday and 18:00 to 19:00 on the weekend. 1 South Wulumuqi Rd, French Concession, Xuhui, Shanghai 上海市徐汇区乌鲁木齐南路甲1号, + 86 21 6466 7878
Big Bamboo: Multiple locations make this chain of sports bars an easy go-to for any sports, and the World Cup is no exception. You’ll find more Americans here them most Shanghai World Cup viewing locales, and good food and drink specials to boot.
Blue Frog: Break out of the bar concept all together with the Blue Frog locations, all of which will be showing the games. The Blue Frog in Super Brand Mall is also kicking things up a notch with a beer garden as well. Food and drink specials in all locations, and you get a free Tiger if you wear your team colors on game day (with another purchase). Multiple locations, Blue Frog at the Super Brand Mall, 1/F, Super Brand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Lu, near Lujiazui Huan Lu 陆家嘴西路168号, 正大广场1楼, 近陆家嘴环路, + 86 21 5047 3488
Watch the World Cup online: Tudou (土豆网), one of China’s largest online video platforms, has cut a deal with CCTV to stream the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Tudou will be able to stream all World Cup games, opening and closing ceremonies, as well as all official programming around FIFA produced by CCTV. If you don’t want to leave home to watch the World Cup and don’t have satellite TV, this is your best solution. -
Jamaal Mccullors July 8th, 2010 at 02:29
For me, the ultimate question is, despite all the ups and downs of the USA Pavilion, how was it? Did America embarrass itself on the world stage, as it has done at a number of recent world expositions, with a half-assed effort? Can you even be half-assed when you spend $60 million on a pavilion?
U.S. pavilion at the site of Shanghai World Expo 2010At that price, one would think success or failure would be rather full-assed. But it’s not. The U.S. pavilion underachieves when measured against the possibilities and the opportunity. On the other hand, its very existence gives it points. As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said when asked about the pavilion, “It’s fine.” Translated, that means “It exists.” And the pavilion birthing process was so difficult, so messed-up, that the only thing worse would have been insulting China by blowing it off entirely, which almost happened.
Failure to participate in Expo would have been a diplomatic faux pax of the highest order. So the U.S. pavilion might be judged by Woody Allen standards: 80 percent of success is just showing up.
The U.S. pavilion can point to some tangible positives. When I visited at the end of June, officials told me that an estimated 45,000 people per day were lining up for two-hour-plus waits to see inside. That’s a good crowd. At that rate, the pavilion will be seen by seven to eight million Chinese who are eager to learn what America has to offer. The pavilion plans to conduct a scientific survey to see what the Chinese thought of it.
One of the elements of the U.S. pavilion that has generated positive buzz is the Student Ambassador Program. One hundred and seventy American students fluent in Mandarin are helping to staff the pavilion, and impressing the Chinese with their language skills and interest in the East. I had a chance to talk with a couple of them from Washington state and they seemed to be the essence of the bright, clean-cut youths American was once known for sending abroad to engage with people overseas.
Connecting at the human level is much of what the USA Pavilion is about. The pavilion features three film elements. The first, while you wait for the first of two shows, is man-on-the-street film clips of everyday Americans and a few celebrities trying to greet the Chinese in Mandarin (“ni hao!”). Watching us mangle, or master, a basic greeting is funny and the Chinese seem delighted by it. The most visible celeb is NBA star Kobe Bryant, who is not there by accident. According to pavilion staff, he is the most recognized U.S. sports figure in China, and this was confirmed to me when a young Chinese World Cup fan I was talking later allowed that she loved the LA Lakers and swooned at the mere thought of Kobe’s cuteness.
The next film features greetings from President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, then goes on to talk about kids and education. School children show us their drawings of ideas for the future, and (mostly) spokespeople from pavilion sponsors like Chevron and GE tells us about the importance of education.
The final, “4-D” film experience is much better. It’s a wordless film called Garden, that tells the story of a young American city girl who dreams of transforming a vacant inner-city lot into a lush neighborhood garden, and by dint of will and vision, she inspires and recruits her reluctant neighbors to join the cause. This directly addresses the “Better City, Better Life” theme of the fair, and its message is schmaltzy and inspiring. It is a very American kind of story: the individual can make a difference by energizing fellow citizens, by making dreams a reality.
Still, one is hard-pressed to see value for the $60 million spent on the pavilion. It’s no skin off the taxpayers’ nose since all the funding came from private sponsors. The pavilion itself, said to resemble an eagle form, is uninteresting. (Oddly, it was designed by a Canadian.) There are plenty of national pavilions that outclass it architecturally or aesthetically, including biggies like the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and China, but also the likes of Taiwan, Norway, Latvia, Denmark, and Finland.
The U.S. can console itself with the fact that it is not the only major pavilion to underperform.
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Janis Haggermaker July 13th, 2010 at 16:08
Exploring Temples in Shanghai, China
A reclining Buddha at the Jade Buddha Temple in ShanghaiThe Jade Buddha Temple
This is where you will find the famous Laughing Buddha. Now, there are only a few temples active in Shanghai. One of these is The Jade Buddha Temple (Yufo Si). Built between 1911 and 1918, the temple houses a beautiful statue of Weitu, guardian of the Buddhist faith, in the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwang Dian). Worshippers visits the Jade Buddha Temple every Lunar New Year to pray for wealth and happiness.
There is a legend that tells of a monk from Putoshan named Hui Gen (Wei Ken) who travelled to Burma trough Tibet. He came back to China with five wonderful jade Buddhas. Upon returning, the monk raised money for the temple’s construction. This makes the 1.9 meter tall jade Buddha (Yufo) the pride of this temple, and has its own hall upstairs.
From the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the first courtyard will lead you to the Great Treasure Hall (Daxionbao Dian). This is where worshippers pray to tree buddhas seated on magnificent delicately-carved thrones; they are the buddhas of past, present and future.
The Confucian TempleBegin your exploration at the Confucian Temple (Wen Miao) in the Old Town. The temple, built in dedication to the sage, dates back to 1294. But it was relocated in 1884 due to the mass destruction throughout China by Taiping rebels. Today the lovely little temple stands in a beautiful area with lush magnolia and pines. The Dacheng Hall (Dacheng Dian) is the main hall for the worshippers to pay respect to the legendary sage. You can also notice that the door outside is covered with garland. Outside the hall stands a wonderful statue of the great philosopher. Leisurely walks about the area and the singing of the birds transports you into another time.
Jing’an Temple
Originated in 247 CE, Jing’an Temple is another of Shanghai’s remarkable temple. The temple nearly met its complete destruction during the Taiping Rebellion. It suffered some more damage in the Cultural Revolution. Until now, the temple needs renovations on some of its parts. What were already wonderfully restored and worth seeing are the drum and bell towers. -
John12812 August 26th, 2010 at 15:46
The dignified twin-spired St Ignatius Cathedral (Xujiahui Tianzhutang), built in 1910 on the grave of Paul Xu Guanqi (Matteo Ricci’s Personal assistant and first Jesuit Convert), is a major Xujiahui landmark (the district’s name Xujiahuì, means “Xu Family Village”). This largest of Shanghai’s cathedrals, with space for more than 2,500 inside, sports a gargoyled roof and twin red-brick spires which were destroyed in the Cultural Revolution (1966076) and rebuilt in 1980. Its vast interior of altars, stone columns, Gothic ceilings, stained-glass windows, and paintings of the Last Supper and Stations of the Cross, is yet another chapter in Shanghai’s living history of European architecture.
158 Puxi LU, Xujiahui District, Shanghai
Metro:Xujiahui (exit 3)
Phone:021-6438-2595
Services: Mon-Sat 6:15am, 7am, with an additional 6pm Mass on Sat; Sun 6am, 7:30am, 10am;
Open to visitors: Sat-Sun 7:30-11am and 1-4pm徐家汇天主堂
上海最大的天主教堂,位于“徐家汇商业区旁边”，这里却“没有喧嚣和嘈杂”。教堂是“华丽丽的哥特式建筑”，“大气的”红色外墙，“彩绘的”玻璃镶嵌，“漂亮的”小广场，“一大排、一大排”的椅子，整体感觉“神圣而庄严”。开放日“参观免费”，还有义工“在那里做讲解”。听“清澈的童音回荡在古老教堂的穹顶”，“钟声响起”的霎那，一切烦恼都“随之飘远”。现在又蛮多新人会选择此地作为拍摄或者婚礼举行的场地.
别名：圣·依纳爵天主教堂
地址: 徐汇区蒲西路158号(文定路)
营业时间:平日弥撒：6:15 7:00 周六弥撒：6:15 7:00 16:30 18:00 主日弥撒（周日）…全部平日弥撒：6:15 7:00 周六弥撒：6:15 7:00 16:30 18:00 主日弥撒（周日）6:00 7:30 10:00 18:00 英文弥撒：主日 12:00 周六下午2点至六点义工接待教外朋友参观取消
公交信息:42、44、72、89、178、855、920、923、926、958、大桥六线、大桥六线区间、观光巴士1路、南佘线、徐闵线、地铁1号线徐家汇站 -
* 喜欢中国馆的大红色建筑，那个红啊···哈哈···我就是特别喜欢这个中国馆的红····很壮观··国宝清明上河图，被做成动画效果，确实体现了中国的高科技水平，就是得排队啊，不过这不能说怪谁，整个世博园区哪里都是人，去那个场馆都要排队的，能够看一下中国的动画国宝，排队也值得啊.
* 沙特馆真的是绝对的热门啊,外面排队的人山人海,排了4小时的队，号称是全球最大的IMAX屏幕超嗲，配上音乐，好像回到了中东神话里. 顶上的花园倒是真的不错，白天有点晒，晚上应该很漂亮。
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NY-Erik August 27th, 2010 at 21:55
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Shyam S. September 5th, 2010 at 12:15
The sheer scale of it all overwhelms me — super-fast traffic, winding flyovers, gigantic billboards flashing the latest Western fashion, a rainbow of red, orange and green neon wrapping the city in a rainbow haze… Shanghai is certainly China’s showpiece city!
Our introduction to this fast-paced city is the ride on the sleek, German-designed and Chinese-built Maglev train (short for magnetic levitation), which floats friction-free and brings us from the glitzy Pudong International airport to the city in eight minutes flat, reaching upwards of 400 km an hour! This makes it the fastest commercial train in the world.
We ride on the gargantuan cable bridge, the Nanpu Bridge, past traffic gridlocks and a landscape from a sci-fi movie — a glittering mass of high-rise buildings.
As we watch the lights come on one by one, the buildings metamorphose into giant screens with advertisements and multi-hued images of butterflies and orchids.
On the other side, we can see lit Colonial-era buildings, a legacy of the city being the financial centre in the late 19th Century. Past, future and the present all come together in a mesmerising melee.
We are in Shanghai at the time of opening of the Shanghai Expo that showcases modern urban living — ‘Better city, better life’. We see the endearing blue mascot everywhere, and watch the city geared up for about 70 million visitors! The eye-catching red China Pavilion, pavilions shaped like sand dunes, even green apples, and the Australian pavilion in shades of the outback made of steel and copper are the talk of the town
As we walk on the main shopping mile — Nanjing Lu, with giant screens, milling crowds, and even a tourist tram — it’s easy to imagine we are in some big American city. All the Western symbols of success are visible — glass and steel edifices, a glittering mass of luxury stores selling designer clothes, sunglasses, hip eating joints…. But, we also catch glimpses of parks, a Chinese hawker, someone pushing a cart and peddlers hawking knock-offs, reminding us that this is Asia.
Past perfect
For a taste of Old Shanghai, we visit the crowded Yuyuan market around the City God Temple. Laundry draped around windows, bowls of steaming noodles on plastic tables, fruits piled in baskets on shoulder poles across the backs of wizened women — this is a slice of China as we imagine it to be! The market is a crazy labyrinth of shops in the Ming and Qing architectural styles, with upturned roofs, wood-latticed windows and curved beams. There are endless rows of souvenir shops, traditional snacks, and a giant pond with people feeding the carp food.Varied fare
Pearls, tea, bags, beads, calligraphy brushes, silk dresses, old bank notes, tea-pots in every shape and color and silk umbrellas are on sale. The language barrier is as pronounced as the high-rise buildings in this city — any attempts to negotiate is met by the whipping out of a calculator followed by the theatrical “You killing me” or “My boss kill me”. We get adept at bargaining, and slowly fill up our shopping bags with small treasures!We then drive to Zhujiajiao Water village on the shores of the Dianshan Lake, more than 1,700 years old. This is a Chinese Venice with 30 old bridges, waterways, alleys with old houses in Ming and Qing architecture, black-tiled roofs, all in theme-park perfection. We trawl through the narrow streets, and past half-closed wooden doors through which some unknown, tantalising, aromas waft through. There are peddlers selling rice dumplings with beef, sweet sticky rice filled in hollow bamboo sticks, gelatinous rice pudding, candied fruits on skewers and crustaceans of every size.
It’s fitting that we saw Shanghai as a prologue to our Chinese sojourn — it can never match the history of Beijing or Xian or the sheer scenic beauty of Guilin, but this is a city of energy and constant flux, which makes us want to return someday.
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Larry Jay September 13th, 2010 at 23:48
Thanks for the great post,keep write in your blog.
Bookmarked(: -
LeliaWise September 23rd, 2010 at 15:40
Shanghai named China’s sexiest city
Shanghai has topped a list of the “sexiest” cities in China, with respondents saying that the World Expo host city was more than twice as sexy as its nearest competitor Hong Kong.In a survey featured on the ifeng.com website of Hong Kong-based Phoenix television, 17.3 percent of respondents from 30 Chinese cities said that Shanghai, with a renovated Bund, gleaming Expo infrastructure and stunning skyline, was the sexiest destination in the country. Hong Kong’s international vibe and celebrity appeal earned it a second-place finish with 8.4 percent of the votes while Chongqing’s attractive female population, good food and mountain scenery saw it placed in third place with 4.7 percent of votes. China’s capital city, Beijing, was ranked fourth, with respondents praising its variety, its rich history, the legacy of the 2008 Olympic Games and the spirit of its residents. Rapidly growing Chinese holiday destination Sanya was ranked eighth and the country’s gambling haven Macau came in tenth place.
Top Ten China’s Sexiest Cities
1. Shanghai
2. Hong Kong
3. Chongqing
4. Beijing
5. Guangzhou
6. Shenzhen
7. Hangzhou
8. Sanya
9. Dalian
10. Macau
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MJBOrlando June 5th, 2010 at 11:28
SHANGHAI EXPO TICKETS
In the U.S., tickets are available at http://www.worldexpochina.net. One-day passes are about $23, three-day passes about $58, and seven-day passes for $131. Half-day tickets, starting at 5 p.m., are available only at the Expo gates. In Shanghai, you can purchase one-day passes at the Expo gates and at corner stores and post offices around the city.
WHERE TO STAY
Peninsula Shanghai, No. 32 the Bund; 2327-2888, http://www.peninsula.com/Shanghai/en/default.aspx. Peninsula, a newcomer to the Bund, is offering special Expo packages, including transportation to and from the fair, starting at $366 for a superior room.
A Suite at Peninsula ShanghaiURBN, 183 Jiaozhou Road; 5153-4600, http://www.urbnhotels.com. Urbn bills itself as China’s first carbon-neutral hotel. Near the heart of the city, it offers cooking and tai chi classes, as well as in-room traditional massage treatments. Doubles start at about $230.
Old House Inn, No. 16, Lane 351, Huashan Road; 6248-6118, http://www.oldhouse.cn. Located in a cozy lane house in Shanghai’s French Concession, Old House Inn is one of Shanghai’s best values. The hotel is decked out in 1930s decor and is walking distance to Metro Line 7, which heads directly to the Expo gates. Doubles from about $73.
WHERE TO EAT
South Beauty, 881 Yan’an Zhong Lu; 6247-5878. South Beauty serves up contemporary Sichuan cuisine in a gorgeous renovated lane house near Shanghai’s center. Try the eggplant and the Mongolian beef.
Din Tai Fung, Shop 11A, 123 Xingye Lu, Xintiandi South Block; 6385-8378, http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/. The Din Tai Fung chain originated in Taiwan, but don’t let that stop you from sampling some xiao long bao, Shanghai’s signature soup dumpling.
Guyi, 89 Fumin Lu; 6249-5628, You may have to wait at this Shanghai institution, but its fiery Hunan dishes are well worth it. Try the chili-covered ribs and dry hot pot, then finish the meal with sugar-crusted bananas.
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Carla L. June 5th, 2010 at 01:55