Shanghai Off the Beaten Path Tips by mke1963

I'm not sure if a zoo really counts as off-the-beaten track, but Shanghai Zoo is one of the better ones in China, and if you have children it can be a pleasant break from museums, shopping and temples. Personally I don't really like the whole concept of zoos, but I have two children who are fascinated by wild animals. Their interest extends way beyond the big ones, and there is particular current interest in Hoolock's Gibbons and spider monkeys. Both can be seen in Shanghai, and the former are particularly attractive and - unusually - will interact with visitors who stay for a while by their enclosure.
The zoo is trying very hard to create a better environment and the spacious grounds allow plenty of opportunity to do that.
It is crowded, and you will see plenty of stupid people feeding everything (despite the signs) but it *seems* a good place with good intentions.
Recoomended as a breathing space from the high-rise, manic rush of Shanghai.

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If you are in People's Square, look to the south-east corner, where there is a tall non-descript thin, modern skyscraper - Harbour Ring Plaza. It's a slightly odd shape and clad in silver panels lower down.
It's not widely known that this is designed by the same studio that designed most of the classic huge buildings along the Bund, including the Peace Hotel.
The architectural studio of Palmer & Turner designed most of the Bund 'greats' but left Shanghai after the Communist Revolution. They continued in Hong Kong and returned to Shanghai in the 1980s. The first building designed on their return was Harbour Ring Plaza.
Just wanted to share that little snippet with you!

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