"Shanghai - a classic blend of the old and the new" Top 5 Page for this destination Shanghai by lindyz
Shanghai Travel Guide: 3,740 reviews and 7,671 photos
On our plane trip from Guilin to Shanghai, it was my first and only time with a window seat, and I took full advantage of that. I knew Shanghai was a BIG city but I never knew exactly how BIG until we were coming in to land. The weather was nice, the sky was clear and you could see for miles and miles. I took a lot of pics of what I saw out that window, and it was then that I knew for sure that I was going to like Shanghai! A lot of travellers dont particularly like big cities, BUT I DO! Not only do they have all the modern cons to offer, they are also jam-packed with everything ancient and historical.
Our Hotel in Shanghai was a perfect blend of the old and the new. I really liked the Metropole, a Hotel built in the 1930's with history and a certain old world charm about it.
Shanghai was also easy to get around it, via either taxi, the subway or by simply walking. We did sooooooo much walking in China that I came home 2kg lighter! Taxis were in abundance and, even though the drivers spoke very little english, they were courteous and fair. We caught the subway several times to Xinyang Markets and twice across to Pudong to see the amazing towers and buildings there.
That is my next heading ...
Tracy and I were constantly mesmerised and amazed at the enormity of Pudong. Seen either from the Bund area, or from the ground in Pudong or from one of the 3 main tall buildings in Pudong, either way you will be blown away.
The 3 main buildings I was encouraged to concquer were:-
1. Oriental Pearl Tower
2. Jin Mao Tower
3. The newest addition to the family - The Shanghai World Financial Centre.
And ... yes indeed ... we did concquer all 3 of them, and enjoyed every moment of it. Apart from being way up in the clouds at times and not being able to see a thing! We went up the second highest observation deck at the Pearl Tower and were lucky to be there on a clear day. We went up to the 100th floor of the SWFC - but were up in the clouds and saw very little. We also had a drink or 2 at the Cloud 9 Skylounge in the Jin Mao Tower on the 87th floor, which is reported to be the highest bar in the world.
Once again, we were drinking up in the clouds - up in heaven!
I guess the only historical point of interest we visited in Shanghai was the Yu Yuan Gardens and Bazaar, a place we both thoroughly enjoyed. The gardens and the buildings, even the pathways, were very tranquil, serene and beautiful to look at and also to photograph. It was kind of a weird feeling to be walking through the peaceful gardens, knowing you were close to the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world.
I am told that Shanghai has a population of around 20 million people in inner Shanghai and approximately 60 million in the entire Shanghai province.
That is a rather large amount of people. But, when you were inside the Yu Yuan Gardens, you didnt feel like you were anywhere that busy and crowded, it was quiet and peaceful. Plus, there was absolutely fantastic shopping in the surrounding shops! Unfortunately, we left it until our second last day in Shanghai to visit, we really should have gone there first!
My memories of Shanghai are all good ones, many funny ones, and also many amazing ones.
I know for a fact that I will return to Shanghai one day ...
I simply must return, for there are many things we did not get around to doing. Like visiting the Jade Buddha Temple, walking the Bund, Huangpu River cruise, exploring the Peoples Park and Square, a day trip to Suzhou and riding the Maglev.
PLEASE ALSO HAVE A LOOK AT MY ACTUAL CHINA PAGE, AS THERE ARE A LOT OF TIPS AND INFO ON THAT PAGE THAT RELATE TO CHINA AS A WHOLE :)
- Pros:Perfect blend of the old and the new
- Cons:Hectic chaotic busy - but thats their way of life!
- In a nutshell:Shanghai is a city full of FUN things to do!
Reviews (42)
Powerpoints in Hotels
Warnings Or Dangers
(6)
I was unclear as to what adaptor to take from Australia, so I took two. The one with 2 round prongs and one with 2 flat... more travel advice
Show 'n' Tell on the Bed
Things to Do
(14)
It has become a fun tradition for Tracy and I to have Show 'n' Tell on our bed the day before we are due to come home... more travel advice
People watch in Shanghai - the kids are...
Things to Do
(14)
I love observing local people and how they go about their daily life when I am in a foreign city. But, what I especially... more travel advice
A bird's eye view of Shanghai
Things to Do
(14)
If you are flying into or out of Shanghai and you are lucky enough to have a window seat on a clear day (as I was!) then... more travel advice
lindyz's Related Pages
Shanghai Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Sex and the city... so to speak."
- "Shanghai"
- "Essence of Shanghai"
- "Shanghai! Its a lively city"
- "Shanghai - a classic blend of the old and the new"
- "5 Days in Shanghai"
- "Check out my blog - www.shanghai-eats.com"
- See All...
Explore the World
Badges & Stats in Shanghai
- 42 Reviews
- 107 Photos
- 313 Forum posts
- 11 Comments
- 3,937PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (7)
Have you been to Shanghai?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Shanghai
- Replied to UNMONO's Travel Shanghai Forum Forum Question "What to wear in Shanghai"
- Commented on gaolei's Shanghai Page
- updated a Shanghai Travel Page "Shanghai - a classic blend of the old and the new"
- Wrote a Review Powerpoints in Hotels in Shanghai Warnings Or Dangers
- Uploaded a Photo to "Powerpoints in Hotels"
Photos in Shanghai
See All Photos (107)
Top 10 Pages
-
Hong Kong
Intro, 81 reviews, 283 photos
-
Phuket
Intro, 68 reviews, 227 photos, 3 travelogues
-
Sydney
Intro, 45 reviews, 185 photos, 6 travelogues
-
Beijing
Intro, 44 reviews, 178 photos, 3 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Hamilton Island
Intro, 55 reviews, 165 photos, 4 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Wollongong
Intro, 42 reviews, 164 photos, 4 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Shanghai
Intro, 42 reviews, 107 photos
-
Thailand
Intro, 18 reviews, 83 photos
-
Vietnam
Intro, 17 reviews, 65 photos
-
Xi'an
Intro, 22 reviews, 59 photos, 1 travelogue
Friends
See All Friends (63)
Budget Travel
Spa and Resort
Food and DiningLatest Shanghai hotel reviews
- Holiday Inn Downtown
- 401 401 Reviews & 401 Opinions
Latest: Feb 17, 2012 - Ramada Plaza Shanghai
- 211 211 Reviews & 211 Opinions
Latest: Dec 31, 2011 - Motel 168 (Shanghai Pudong Airport)
- 316 316 Reviews & 316 Opinions
Latest: Feb 19, 2012 - Astor House Hotel
- 556 556 Reviews & 556 Opinions
Latest: Feb 7, 2012 - The Westin Bund Center
- 759 759 Reviews & 759 Opinions
Latest: Feb 22, 2012 - Peace Hotel Shanghai
- 255 255 Reviews & 255 Opinions
Latest: Feb 20, 2012 - Pullman Shanghai Skyway Hotel
- 338 338 Reviews & 338 Opinions
Latest: Feb 18, 2012 - JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square
- 444 444 Reviews & 444 Opinions
Latest: Feb 15, 2012 - Grand Hyatt Shanghai
- 1058 1058 Reviews & 1058 Opinions
Latest: Feb 21, 2012 - YMCA Hotel Shanghai
- 111 111 Reviews & 111 Opinions
Latest: Feb 16, 2012 - Jin Jiang Hotel
- 438 438 Reviews & 438 Opinions
Latest: Feb 21, 2012 - New Garden Hotel Shanghai
- 32 32 Reviews & 32 Opinions
Latest: Dec 15, 2011 - Les Suites Orient
- 356 356 Reviews & 356 Opinions
Latest: Feb 22, 2012 - Four Seasons Shanghai
- 423 423 Reviews & 423 Opinions
Latest: Feb 19, 2012 - Shanghai Qianhe Hotel China
- 130 130 Reviews & 130 Opinions
Latest: Feb 2, 2012
Comments (9)
Hi, lots of good info - thanks. I'd love to try the maglev.
Toilet is a hard to master from the pinyin. Just say Sir Swore (and rub your hands) and they will usually get your drift. Also a lot of toilets have small plastic pans full of water. Thius is so you can clean yourself and then use paper to dry your hands.
You really do have to experience the maglev, and it is much cheaper than taxi.
HI Lindy, great shopping page, cant wait to get there and get some bargains.
"Shanghai is a city full of FUN things to do!" Could not agree with you more, great pages lindyz! And at last mine are finnished, for now lol...enjoy!
No FB ..sounds great! I always wanted to visit this city right from when I lived in HK for 9 months back in '86/87. Planned to take the steamer. Had a romance with a Belgian girl who lived there for 6 years and she spoke fluent Chinese..
I was only in Shanghai for 1,5 days but I liked it a lot. I'll let you know when my page is done.
Wonderfully funny picture of you on the glass bottom floor, hehehe....I think my wife would love the Dragonfly...and yes, that baby is really cute! Did not know they had no Facebook! Lol on the toilet...Norman :)
I'm looking for Bob Dylan, heard he was a VA of yours. Where is he?
1 - 9 of 9