Shanghai

Consequently, this melting pot of Chinese and foreign immigrants transformed Shanghai into the modern, high rise metropolis we see today with little in common with the historical nature of Beijing and everything in common with 21st slick commercialism. After centuries of turbulent history and revolution, Shanghai is more than open for business. And, as with many highly developed Asian cities there is a massive disparity between social groups causing the prostitutes and child beggars to seem almost anachronistic against the highly polished steel and glass of the skyscrapers and shopping malls. So, what does China's biggest and busiest port have to offer?

Most people associate Shanghai with having the most fantastic shopping in China. Not only is the city renowned for it’s international selections of merchandise, but the quality and standards of it’s products are second to none. Shopaholics might try Nanjing Donglu (Nanjing Road East), a curious place where modern designer shops punctuate the architectural remnants of Communism and where the only ‘M’ you’ll see will be for McDonalds instead of Marx or Mao. Nevertheless, the range of shopping in Shanghai could just about entice the most hardened of scrooges to part with a few notes. The area around Huaihai Lu, known as Frenchtown is a veritable mecca for shoppers, packed with massive department stores such as Printemps, Parkson and Isetan on roads lined with colourful flower boxes. For bargain deals, hit XiangYang Market whilst gifts and antiques can be found in the area around Yu Yuan ( Henan Lu, Old Shanghai Street) but for art and designer knockoffs check out Shanxi Lu, Mao Ming Lu, Henan Lu and XiZang Lu. There are countless gleaming shopping malls, underground bazaars and plenty of opportunity to relieve yourself of some cash.

On a more cultural note, across the Huangpu River from the ordered, high-rise jungle of modern Shanghai is what is often referred to as the symbol of the city itself - the Bund. The Bund is the shoreline area that translates from Anglo-Indian as “muddy waterfront” and offers the visitor a taste of Shanghai from the 1920's and 1930's when the European influence was ineffably strong. This stunning display of architecture from Britain, France, China, America, Russia and Japan to name a few, is one of Shanghai’s most popular and fascinating sights and is one of the most attractive urban landscapes in the world. Many of the buildings were the finest in Asia for their time and now host a whole range of companies and organisations, from the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corp, to the Shanghai People’s Broadcasting Station. No visit to Shanghai is complete without a stroll through this former gentlemen’s club paradise.

Keeping in the cultural vein, the new Shanghai Museum is brimming with some of China’s most beautiful antiquities from sculpture to painting; from Ming and Qing furniture to ancient Chinese bronze and for any self-respecting culture vulture is well worth a look. From culture to fun, drop into the Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar. With a history of 400yrs the gardens, covering a total area of over 20 thousand square metres are full of zigzag paths and attractions such as the Urban Mountain Forest, the Most Enjoyable Water-Stone Site, Treasure in the Universe and the bizarrely titled Garden within Gardens. Whilst verging on the tacky, the Yuyuan Gardens are plenty of fun and there are over one hundred restaurants and shops to take a break and fill your boots before setting off again. It would take an immense amount of time to list all there was to see and do in Shanghai, there is modern commercialism, international architecture as well as a generous helping of Chinese culture and history. So, if you’re looking for a Shanghai Surprise…..look no further.

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