Shanghai (上海) is a truly special city for both tourists and those that live here. It offers an interesting history and wonderful shopping, architecture, art, and food. This is a culture that is easy to adjust to and fall in love with, making the city a great place to visit many times. In the past five years Shanghai has risen to the status of a truly international city, with elements that are very Chinese mixed with significant components that most foreign visitors will recognize from home. Where else in the world can you easily spend hours shopping at one of the most expensive shopping malls in the world (Plaza 66) and then spend 50RMB for a fantastic local dinner? Unlike many cities in China and around the world, Shanghai has managed to maintain a balance between the western influence that caused this city’s growth in the early to mid 1900’s with the charming Shanghainese people, who offer warm and boisterous personalities that make this city exciting and in constant flux. In parts of the city you will find beautiful European architecture and cafes, in other parts you will find Chinese townhouses with storefronts selling delicious local street foods. In still other areas you will see futuristic architecture that you never imagined actually existed. This enormous city can be done in three days if it is all the time you have, but you could live here for years and never see it all. Come ready to explore and enjoy the everyday activities of this wild city that will impress and most likely change your opinion of China.
Fast Facts About Shanghai
| Location: Population: People: Language: Local Cuisine: Dialing Code: Getting There: Getting Around: Weather: Claim to Fame: |
East coast of China. On mouth of Changjiang River and Pacific Ocean. Between 15 and 20 Million Predominantly Han Chinese Mandarin (普通话) and Shanghainese (上海话) "Shanghai Style" - A mixture of Huaiyang and Zhejiang styles. Shengjian Bao, Xiaolong Bao. "+86 21" from abroad. "021" from within China. Air, train, bus. River and ocean water transport. Huge city! Extensive subway and bus system, taxi, ferries. bicycles less common. Does not freeze during winter. Hot in summer. High humidity. Comfortable spring and autumn. Huge international city, The Bund, called "The Pearl of The Orient" |
Yu Gardens is one-half shopper’s paradise and one-half complete nightmare. With what sometimes feels like thousands of people crowded into a relatively small space, this important tourist attraction often gets a bad rap. Sidetracked by the numbers of people, the overbearing architecture, and the entertainmen 
"Nanxiang Steamed Buns Restaurant" is well known to both Shanghai locals and one-time visitors as THE place to eat Xiaolongbao (小笼包). What really makes these pork and crab roe dumplings special is the broth inside.
The Tea Market is my new favorite place in Shanghai. Definitely off the beaten track, the market is only mentioned in one of several Shanghai guide books I own. 
