"Paul2001's Four Fascinating Days in Shanghai" Shanghai by Paul2001

Shanghai Travel Guide: 3,044 reviews and 8,029 photos

The Bund at night. - Shanghai
The Bund at night.

If you want to see Modern China in it's making, then you should need to go no further than Shanghai. This city is the epitome of the 21st century China. In fact if some economists are right in there predictions of China's role in the global economy, a visit to Shanghai may be a glimpse into the future. Shanghai is the engine of the new and booming Chinese economy.
The city is so modern in it's recent developments that it is hard to think that it does have a past. However the past is very visible in places like the Bund and in its magnificent Shanghai Museum. However as interesting as these attractions are, it is modern Shanghai that dazzles. The skyscrapers and towers here are amongst the tallest in the world. The subway/metro system is the finest I have ever traveled on. It has the best nightlife of any of the cities in China that I visited. Finally the shopping here is almost incomparable and certainly amongst the finest that you will find in the world. It all comes at a cost. Shanghai is more expensive than other Chinese cities. Also like so many other Chinese cities, the historical past as been flattened for the sack of progress. The result is that the city can be somewhat sterile. It is still fascinating just the same and I do not think that you can leave China and really get a complete idea of how it's developing economically and socially without visiting Shanghai.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Great shopping, nightlife and good museums
  • Cons:Expensive. Somewhat sterile
  • In a nutshell:Where you can get your best glimpse of Modern China.
  • Last visit to Shanghai: Nov 2006
  • Intro Written Feb 5, 2007
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Reviews (12)

The pedestrian mall along Nanjing Lu - Shanghai Strolling Nanjing Dong Lu Favorites (2)

Nanjing Dong Lu is considered the most famous shopping street in China. The street starts from Xizang Zhang Lu and the... more travel advice

A tanker loading up. - Shanghai Take a Cruise on the Huangpu River Things to Do (4)

Okay let me warn you before you do, that geographically there is nothing spectacular about the Huangpu River. It is only... more travel advice

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower from the Bund. - Shanghai The Oriental Pearl TV Tower Things to Do (4)

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the symbol of modern Shanghai and perhaps even all of China The tower is a 468m high... more travel advice

The Bund and the crowds visiting during the day. - Shanghai Stolling the Bund Favorites (2)

The Bund is the historical waterfront of Shanghai along the Huangpu River and the Zhongshan Lu. It was here that the... more travel advice

Comments (5)

  • Reply
    hopang's Profile Photo
    Aug 22, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    Excellent Shanghai page with lovely photographs! Yu Yuan and Shanghai Museum certainly look wonderful to visit and explore. Bring back fond memories of our trip to that city several years ago. ~ho & pang

  • Reply
    Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Dec 20, 2008 at 12:59 PM

    Interesting tips on modern Shanghai. I especially enjoyed reading your assessment of the Shanghai Museum.

  • Reply
    SWFC_Fan's Profile Photo
    Apr 29, 2008 at 2:46 PM

    Wonderful tips and photos, Paul! I shall be visiting this dynamic metropolis next month...and I can't wait! I've booked a hotel in the heart of Nanjing Road - close to the bright neon signs and hopefully lots of good local food! :-)

  • Reply
    globetrott's Profile Photo
    Feb 17, 2007 at 2:14 PM

    what an interesting place to go ! Paulaner Brauhaus in China, yes I have heared of it as an answer to all the chinese food in germany !

  • Reply
    traveldave's Profile Photo
    Feb 13, 2007 at 1:48 PM

    Shanghai is the city I want most to visit in China. I think it will eventually surpass New York as the world's most important financial center.

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