With a population of over 13 million people, Shanghai is one of the world’s ‘mega-cities’. Shanghai is hosting some of the football events at its stadium. Shanghai might have the cultural icons of Beijing, but the city is a good reflection of China’s booming economy. The city is also hosting the 2007 Special Olympics and the World Expo in 2010.

Getting to Shanghai

By plane

Shanghai has two airports. Pudong International is mainly for international flights and Hongqiao for domestic flights. It does pay however, to check which aiport your flight is coming in to and leaving.

Hongqiao Airport

Located 18km away from the Bund area, Hongqiao airport can be reached by taxi in around 30 minutes depending on the traffic. Shanghai’s traffic can be pretty horrendous so you should give yourself plenty of time if you are traveling during the rush hour.

Bus 925 leaves from Renmin Square and a taxi will set you back around 50 to 70 RMB.

Phone: 5114-665

Web: Shanghai Airport

Pudong International Airport

Phone: 6834-6467

Web: Shanghai Airport

Getting around Shanghai

Shanghai has a fairly extensive and efficient subway system. There are four lines and they are color coded for easy navigation.

Taxis are plentiful, but can be difficult to flag during peak periods.

Many buses in Shanghai are electrically powered.

If you are feeling adventurous (or a little crazy) these three wheeled bikes will take you where you want to go.

Things to see and do in Shanghai

People’s square

The largest public space in Shanghai, the People’s Square is a great spot for taking a break from the bustle of Shanghai. Within the area you can also find Shanghai City Hall, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theater and the Shanghai City Planning Exhibition hall. People’s Square can be reached from the station with the same name on metro lines 1 & 2.

Shanghai Museum

Shanghai Museum was built in 1952 and is a gallery of Chinese arts. A new building was completed in 1996. The museum has a collection of over 120,000 objects, in 11 galleries including bronze, ceramic, calligraphy, coins and jade pieces, showcasing China’s long history and ancient arts. The museum is located in the People’s Square at the southern end.

The Bund

The bund has come to represent the city of Shanghai. Gothic style buildings were built in Shanghai’s heyday of the 1930’s and you can look across the Huangpu River to see the ultra modern Pudong with its glittering towers and buildings. The walk along the Huangpu River will offer many photo opportunities. The area is busy with Chinese and foreign tourists and while it is not one of the quietest places it does have something of a carnival atmosphere in the evenings.

Oriental Pearl Tower

Love it or hate it, you can’t miss the Pearl Tower. It was built in 1994 and looks over the Huangpu River and the Bund. It is an impressive 468 meters high and the tallest tower in Asia and the third tallest in the world. Somehow McDonalds got their golden arches placed at the bottom of the tower, making sure that they appear in photos taken across from the bund.

Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar

The Yuyuan Gardens is famous for the Huxinting Teahouse. A fantastic place to sample one of the many varities of Chinese teas. The whole area around Yuyuan Gardens unfortunately has become extensively commercialized with Chinese souvenir shops.

Jing An Temple

Built in AD 247 the temple was mostly destroyed in the Cultural Revolution and now is being restored. The temple can be reached by line 2 of the metro.

Free Wifi

Free wifi is available in a few hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
American-style coffee spot.
Unit 02-03, Block 10, Xintiandi
6387 4248

Blue frog
86 Tongren Road (near Yan’An Road), Shanghai
Tel: 6247 0320
Website: www.bluefrog.com.cn