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District in Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Photo: Marcin Wichary from San Francisco, U.S.A., CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Beijing Opera or jīngjù (京剧) can be seen in the opera house on Fuzhou Lu 701, on the first corner on your right if you walk down Fuzhou Lu coming from Renmin Square. Chinese opera is very different from its Western counterpart, and you may want to listen to a sample to decide if you'll survive for three hours. Some operas include acrobatic stunts or martial arts displays (Jackie Chan was trained in Chinese opera), other focus more on singing, and sometimes a tourist-oriented mash-up is performed that includes "the best bits" from various works. Interest for this art-form is low from tourists and Shanghainese alike, so getting a ticket is not a problem. Show listings and staff are Mandarin-only though. Price is around ¥80.
上海当代艺术博物馆
Locating on the Huangpu River, this place used to be a power plant and a pavilion for Expo 2010, now the first state-run contemporary art museum in China. It also holds the Shanghai Biennale of contemporary art. You can see the industrial relic of the power plant and the contemporary artworks as well.
On the east side of People's Square in the old British district.
福佑路清真寺
The mosque traced its origin from 1870 during Tongzhi Emperor of Qing Dynasty. It then underwent renovation in 1897, 1905, 1936 and 1979 to what it is today.
豫园 Yù Yuán
Beautiful traditional Chinese garden in the heart of Shanghai, next to the City God Temple.
江海关
An eight-storey building on the Bund featuring a highly visible clocktower nicknamed "Big Ching". Built in 1927, it is seen as one of the symbols of the Bund.
The grandest building on the Bund is now home to the Pudong Development Bank.
黄浦公园 Huángpǔ Gōngyuán
At the northern tip of the Bund, was the legendary home of the "No dogs or Chinese" sign — which in fact never existed, although Chinese not accompanied by foreigners were indeed banned until 1928. The Bund Historical Museum located here is also worth a quick visit.
人民公园 Rénmín Gōngyuán
Entry into People's Park on the north half of the square is free, but all attractions listed below are on the edges of the park, not inside.
The Opera Palace is often listed as one of the ten best opera houses in the world. Performances are normally "classic" Western-style opera.
上海博物馆 Shànghǎi Bówùguǎn
The museum has a huge collection of ancient Chinese antiques, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy works, painting, jades and sculptures. The Gallery of Ancient Bronze on the first floor is particularly impressive, containing some of the best antiques in China. The exterior evokes a bronze urn, which is appropriate since the museum holds the world's greatest collection of Chinese bronzes. The collection is well-presented and state-of-the-art. Directions and information are presented in Chinese and English, and the facilities are world-class. The multilingual audio guide, ¥40, is excellent, especially if you do not know much about Chinese art. Also, there are often volunteer tour guides providing free service. Some of them speak English.
An art gallery by the park.
上海城市规划展示馆
More interesting than you'd expect given its name, this museum documents the history of Shanghai and attempts to chart its future, with changing exhibits on the first two floors and a permanent exhibition on the rest. Many historic pictures from the 19th century introduce still-existing historic places. There is a heavy focus on eco-friendly satellite cities with spacious public centres and loads of greenery. Particularly worthwhile is the massive scale model of what Shanghai should look like in 2020. Plan to spend two hours or more here.
Former club house of the Shanghai Race Club
The Race Club building (1934) has an imposing, 10-storey tall tower which was long a landmark of central Shanghai. The clubhouse's exterior has a neo-classical structure, with eclectic details. Read more on Wikipedia about the Shanghai Race Club. - The museum's large collections focus on the approximately a hundred years in the history of Shanghai from the opening of the port in 1843 to the communist take-over in 1949. The museum's oldest relics are from 6,000 years ago. It features a cannon used in the first Opium War, a sedan chair, and two bronze lions that used to "protect" the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp on the Bund. Other exhibits teach us about the history of art, culture and industrialization. Technical info: There are two buildings: east and west. The main block is the east building, entrance is below the tower (north). English audio guide, available for ¥20 (+¥200 deposit), covers only the east building.
At the Bund's southern ferry port with the following: One hour, two-hour and three-hour cruises on the Huangpu. There is a large number of ticket offices and the prices differ slightly.
For those on a budget or short on time, you can take the ferry across to Pudong. This takes about 15 min and costs ¥2. One of the wharves is located at the Jinling East Road Zhongshan East 2nd Road crossing, as our map shows. Buy the plastic coin or use your metro card. The ferry will drop you in Pudong at the end of Dongchang Road. The best experience is to walk from there, but you can take line 1, which is a red bus probably waiting a few meters away when you arrive. The bus displays "陆家嘴金融城1路" meaning Lujiazui Financial City line 1, and it gets you to the Oriental Pearl Tower.
A slow-moving tram, through a comically low-tech tunnel with bizarre commentary in English and Chinese. It is marketed as a Sightseeing Tunnel, however there are no sights other than 80s-era rope lights, lasers and some inflatables that look as though they belong in a car dealership. It is a rather surreal experience. This is the fastest way of crossing between the Bund in Puxi and the Pearl TV Tower in Pudong but also the most expensive; it is essentially a tourist trap. After arriving you'll be dropped off in a hall full of tourist-trap shops, which should come as no surprise since the entrance is a few meters from the TV Tower and this is a mode of transportation that locals rarely use. Not recommended for those sensitive to strobe lights or mediocrity — unless you are prepared to spend some cash to look at flashing lights instead of walking 5 minutes to the South and taking the ferry or walking 5 minutes West to Nanjing Road East metro station and taking the Metro. On the other hand, it is also significantly less packed than either of those during peak hours.
大娘水饺
Part of a chain of dumpling (饺子 "jiaozi") restaurants around the country. Think of it like the McDonalds of Chinese dumplings. Some of the cheapest food on the Nanjing Rd. pedestrian mall, but be prepared with either a phrase book or a Chinese friend. Dumplings are ordered in "fen". "san fen" (三分) is three fen, a normal-sized plate. To order dumplings: number + "fen" + filling (pork, vegetable, etc.) Soup is also available.
Indian cuisine with a new concept of grille on the table.
Close to the Bund, great views of the Pearl Tower from the second floor location. Food is reasonably priced and caters to Western palates.
贾大娘乐山跷脚牛肉
Very popular hot pot, with some great other meat and veggie dishes. The "glutinous rice dessert" is delicious.
Open for over a decade, Shanghai's original "new" western restaurant. Attention to detail is given to freshness, quality and presentation. There is an excellent selection of wines to complement your meal and the desserts are extremely tempting. Miele considers it one of the best restaurants in Asia. Also has magnificent views of Pudong from the 7th floor on the waterfront.
K5
The location is atop the colonial-era racetrack clubhouse. The racetrack has now become People's Park and the clubhouse has been restored as the Shanghai Art Museum. The menu offers gastronomical global cuisine with French influence. The views from the glass-encased rooftop and garden terrace are spectacular.
Part of an Australia-based chain with several locations in Shanghai and others around China and the Pacific Rim. Coffee and Western food of good quality, and a range of beers. Patio. Prices are on the high side by Chinese standards, but competitive with other Western restaurants.
A magnificent dance club and bar with a terrace on the 7th floor, overlooking the Huangpu River. If you order their signature drink (Bar Rouge), they set the bar alight.
A cheaper bar near the Bund, on the roof of Captain's Hostel. Low-key but welcoming atmosphere, popular with backpackers and visitors to Shanghai, Captain's caters to a younger, less pretentious crowd — a rarity in the district (Cheap mochito for ¥50).
Average rooms (which have seen better days), cheap dorms, unbeatable location. Rooms are not clean, some smoky. There is a fantastic rooftop bar directly facing the Bund and the river. You should be aware that while the Bund is swarming with tourists by day, affordable nightlife is sorely lacking in the surrounding area. A taxi ride to the more happening French Concession area is about ¥20.
Another supurbly located hostel only moments from the Bund. Excellent beds, friendly staff (several with good English skills). Relaxed atmosphere, bar with free pool and DVDs. Three free internet terminals. Hot water is turned off noon-7PM. This hostel will also arrange train/aeroplane tickets. Airport pickup is possible.
If all the youth hostels are fully booked, which happens frequently, this is the next cheapest option on the Bund.
Near the Old City, about a 15 minute walk from People's square. The hotel is entirely renovated, and offers very clean rooms with TV and Internet connection.
Comfortable rooms at a good quality price.
碧云花园服务公寓
This apart'hotel is located in People's Square, close to the Shanghai Municipal Government Building, Huaihai Road shopping district and Shanghai Museum. Each apartment, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments has a kitchen, living room, fitted bathroom, and Wi-Fi access.
Offers 164 refurbished rooms, all of which have air-conditioning, satellite TV, and high-speed Internet access. Some of its amenities include The Magnolia Hall that can accommodate up to 50 guests theater-style; business center that offers copy service, courier, fax, printing; and concierge that assists in airline, car rental, and tour inquiries.
The hotel offers 182 rooms, of which 13 are suites, this hotel has of one of the best locations in the Huangpu District. It's a 15-min walk from the Huang Pi Road Subway Station, and is within proximity of business and conference venues, shopping districts, and cultural attractions such as The Bund and the Yuyuan Garden.
This splendid 1930 Art Deco hotel offers 137 rooms and has facilities such as a Chinese restaurant, a lobby bar, and number of conference and meeting facilities. Centrally located, just 0.5 km (0.3 mi) away from The Bund, and easily accessible from Shanghai International Convention Center.
It offers 165 air-conditioned guestrooms, all of which have mini-bar, cable TV, and room safe. Their restaurant called Shanghai Town serves Beijing and Shanghai cuisines.
Offers air-conditioned rooms, all of which have room safe, telephone with voice mail, and high-speed Internet access. Some of its amenities include Jinmen Club (spa and beauty salon), badminton and swimming facilities, and free shuttle bus to and from Hongqiao Airport.
Offers 94 air-conditioned rooms with mini bar, television, telephone, and free high speed Internet access.
上海金波大酒店
Typical nondescript mid range hotel located across the bridge on the north side of the Bund.
Four-star hotel, situated north of the bustling business area where many of Shanghai’s largest financial establishments, businesses, and foreign consulates can be found.
5 star hotel opened in 2007 as part of the Grand Hyatt brand. Equipped with state of the art business and meeting facilities including 2 ballrooms and a glasshouse for special events.
The hotel is located on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, surrounded by popular shopping malls and other business outlets with only a short walk away to the Bund. This 66-storey building offers 761 guest rooms with views of the Huangpu River, People’s Square, or the Shanghai skyline. The hotel is in modern French style and offers diverse cuisine choices from its 6 dining venues.
Right on the Bund opposite the ferry terminal, the Les Suites Orient lives up to its name. The free breakfast is not to be missed.
4-star hotel located close to it are The Bund, Yu Garden, and Shanghai Great Theatre. 255 rooms, all of which have air-conditioning, satellite TV, and a mini-bar with refrigerator. Amenities include Chinese, Japanese and Western restaurants, health club, and internet room.
A convenient jump-off point for exploring Shanghai since it is located at the west end of Nanjing East Rd, near the Bund and several Shanghai landmarks.
国际饭店 Guoji Fandian
Tel. 6327 5225. Another Art Deco masterpiece, the Park Hotel was once the tallest building in the Far East with 22 soaring stories, but in today's Shanghai it looks like a refugee from Gotham City among the surrounding glass and steel skyscrapers. Convenient location, but the rooms with good views facing Nanjing Xilu and the Park also have to deal with the road's traffic noise. Doubles around US$100.
和平飯店; Hépíng Fàndiàn
Shanghai's grand old hotel, in 1930s Art Deco style and ideally located on the Bund. Perhaps somewhat overpriced given the lacklustre facilities and the spotty service. It has, however, a great cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, as well as some jazz music played by the famous "Old Men's Jazz Band" made up of old musicians who played in the same hotel in the 1930s. In 2007, the hotel closed for a 3 year renovation and the North Building reopened in 2010 as the Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai. The hotel offers 269 deluxe guestrooms and suites with a selection of eight restaurants and lounges. A low-rise extension has been added to the rear of the hotel, housing guestrooms as well as a sky-lit swimming pool and spa. The renovation also preserved many elements of its historical 1920s and 1930s past.
This hotel is connected to the New World department store and has easy access to most of Shanghai via the Metro.
The first all-steel high-rise in the area covering The Bund, Huangpu River and Nanjing Road. This 5-star hotel features Spanish-style furnishings and diverse cuisines in each of its three restaurants.
Offers air-conditioned guestrooms, all of which have Philips LCD TV with satellite channels, premium beds draped in Picasso cotton beddings, and free high-speed Internet access. Some of its amenities include Yun’s Paradise Health Center, Yun’s Paradise Porch (sells various Jiangnan products), and Harvest Festival Restaurant (serves Jiangnan and Ningbo cuisines. It also features a banquet hall and private room).
南京路 Nánjīnglù
It is certainly Shanghai's best-known shopping street, and probably China's. At around a million shoppers a day, it is also one of the world's busiest. It has been busy for generations; Amy Tan's novel The Kitchen God's Wife mentions a figure of 100,000 visitors a day in the 1940s. Nanjing Road starts on the riverside at The Bund and goes about 6 km west from there to Jing'an Temple. It continues beyond the temple, gradually changing from intensively commercial to more office and residential use.
Houses the nation's flagship Armani store as well as several critically-acclaimed restaurants.
上海市黄浦区福州路17号
Beautiful hand-embroidered, Chinese-style silk shoes, slippers, handbags and accessories. A rare combination of historic and modern Shanghai styles.
By car
There are good roads into the area, notably Yan'an Elevated Road coming in from the west, a road running north-south along the river front — Zhongshan Road coming in from the south, a tunnel that…
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