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Shanghai

Shanghai received a spruce-up for the 2010 World Expo, with a plethora of new subway lines, old brick homes painted a cheery red, and traffic islands beautified with palms and flowers. But the charm of the city remains its street life and traditional shikumen houses, connected by alleyways draped in drying laundry. Take part in the shopping, eating and drinking the city has become famous for, but wake up early at least one morning for a bao (steamed bun) from a street vendor and tai chi in the nearest park with the locals.

 

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01
Essentials

01 Learn two phrases: "Ni hao" will earn you winning smiles from locals. "Bu yao" (said repeatedly) will keep the hawkers at bay.
02 Pedestrian crossings mean nothing - wait for the green man (and even then... ).
03 Bargaining is part of the fun in the fabric and fake goods markets. As a general rule, start at about a third of the asking price.
04 Taxi drivers do not speak English. Always carry the names of destinations written in Chinese characters.
05 Baijiu (Chinese grain alcohol) is a popular and extremely potent banquet toasting drink. Beer is an acceptable—and wise—alternative

Hotels


Independent and easy
The Water House
1-3 Maojiayuan Lu (off Zhingshan Nan Lu)
+ 86 21 6080 2988
waterhousesshanghai.com

Dependable chain
Hotel Indigo
585 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu
+ 86 21 3302 9999
hotelindigo.com

Premium
The PuLi
1 Changde Lu
+ 86 21 3203 9999
shanghai.grand.hyatt.com


Dining

Fast breakfast
Element Fresh
Shanghai Centre,
1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
+ 86 21 62798682, elementfresh.com

Business breakfast
Jing'An
1 Changde Lu
+ 86 21 2216 6988


Mid-morning coffee
Baker & Spice
195 Anfu Lu
+ 86 21 5404 2733

Working lunch with colleagues
Crystal Jade
2F, 6-7 South Block Xintiandi Lane 123,
Xingye Lu
+ 86 21 6385 8752

Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Maison Pourcel
6F, 35 Shaanxi Nan Lu
+ 86 21 6215 8777
maisonpourcel

Lunch on your own
Noodle Bull
291 Fumin Lu (entrance on Changle Lu)
+ 86 21 6170 1299

Afternoon tea/drink
Jasmine Lounge, Peace Hotel
20 Nanjing Dong Lu
+ 86 21 6138 6886
fairmont.com/peacehotel


Dinner on your own
12 Chairs
3F, Bldg 26F Sinan Mansions,
45 Sinan Lu
+ 86 21 3330 3920


Private dinner
Fulton Place
570 Yongjia Lu
+ 86 21 3461 1775

Big dinner with partner/clients
Lynn Modern Shanghai Cuisine
99-1 Xikang Lu
+ 86 21 6247 0101

Late Drinks
El Coctel
47 Yongfu Lu
+ 86 21 6433 6511
el-coctel.com


Late Bite
Mr & Mrs Bund
6F, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
+ 86 21 6323 9898
mmbund.com

Night on the tiles
Muse
68 Yuyao Lu near Xikang Lu, inside the New Factories
+ 86 21 5213 5228

Reading

Garden Books
325 Changle Lu
+ 86 21 5404 8728


Thank yous
Song Fang Maison de The
227 Yongjia Lu
+ 86 21 6433 8283

songfanftea.com

Shopping

Something you can't get anywhere else
Platane
156 Taikang Lu
+ 86 21 6466 2495

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
West Gate Mall
1038 Nanjing Xi Lu
+ 86 21 6272 1111

Something for the kids
Kid's Republic
262 Yuyuan Lu
+ 86 21 6248 9033

Something for someone you love
Decoster Living
2F, 6 South Block, Xintiandi
Lane 123, Xingye Lu
+ 86 21 3331 2968
decoster.com

Something for yourself
Shang Xia
1F, South Tower, Hong Kong Plaza
283 Huaihai Zhong Lu
+ 86 21 6390 8899

Two hour tour

01 Shanghai Sideways
Guided tours of the city in a 1930s replica BMW motorcycle sidecar, with champagne.
+ 86 138 1761 6975
shanghaisideways.com.

02

Chine Cycle Tours
Guided cycling tours—day and night—in the old French Concession.
+86 21 137 6111 5050
chinacycletours.com

03


Fuxing Park
2 Gaolan Lu by Sinan Lu,
between 06.00 and 09.00.


Limousine/car

Shanghai Limo Service
+ 86 21 5611 7687
s-limo.com


Transport

Flag a taxi—they’re abundant (unless it’s raining), cheap and the best way to weave through traffic. The metro also goes everywhere and has English signs.

 

Fitness


Good Gym
One Wellness
2F, 98 Yanping Lu Block C
+86 21 6267 1550
www.yoga109

Alternative Diversion
Boot Camp China
In People’s Square and Xiangyang Park
+86 21 6215 1519
www.bootcamp-china