A Guide To Shanghai
Ling Liu 01.05.2008
Shanghai (Chinese: 上海), situated on the bank of the Chang (Yangtze) River in East China, is the economic capital of mainland China. In terms of population (18 million) and area (6,340 sq km), Shanghai is also the largest city in China.
Meaning of the name The name Shanghai consists of two characters, the sign for "above/onto" (shang) and the sign for "sea" (hai).
Climate Subtropical climate, very hot and humid summers, very mild winters. For this reason, the time from September to November and April to June is best for travel. In July and August, the heat in Shanghai is almost unbearable. The yearly average temperature is 15.4 degrees Celsius.
Currency The currency in China is Renminbi. Credit cards and US dollars are widely accepted in hotels and major shops. The basic unit of RMB (Renminbi) is the yuan (¥), also known as "kuai," divided into 10 jiao, which is again divided into 10 fen. Yuan notes come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, and 100.
Customs Visitors to China must fill out a customs form upon arrival. When you enter the country you are asked to declare electrical goods and luxury items such as cameras, computer equipment etc. Keep this form until you exit to avoid paying duty on goods you brought into the country. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency you can bring into the country. However, one must declare any cash exceeding US$5,000 or the equivalent.
Emergency Call Numbers Police 110
Fire Services 119
Ambulance 120
Mobile Phones Network accepted in Shanghai is GSM.
Shopping and Business Hours Shops are usually open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. everyday.
Banks and Government offices Banks and Government offices are open from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays only.
Tipping Tipping is generally not expected in mainland China.
Electronic maps http://www.smartshanghai.com/maps/smsh_map.php http://maps.mychinastart.com/ http://www.urbanrail.net/as/shan/shanghai.htm
Places we will stay and work:
Donghu Hotel (http://www.donghuhotel.com/), a four-star hotel located in the north eastern part of Xuhui district , and bordering Huaihaizhong Street, a bustling street of malls and specialty shops.
Fig. 1 The location of Donghu Hotel
Pudong Expo (http://www.pudongexpo.com.cn/) sits in the political and cultural center of Pudong New Area District, between the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum and the Shanghai Oriental Art center. The address of Pudong Expo is: 201 He Huan Rd (cross Yingchun Rd) Pudong New Area District Shanghai - China 200135
Tel: +86 21 5269 4890 Fax: +86 21 5269 4891 Email: [email protected]
Fig. 2 The location of Pudong Expo
Transport 1. From Donghu Hotel to Pudong Expo a. Walk to “Changshu Road” station (See Fig. 1) b. Take metro line 1, and get off at “People’s Square” Station c. Change to metro line 2 at “People’s Square” station d. Take metro line 2, and get off at “Shanghai Science & Technology Museum Station (exit 3)” e. Walk to Pudong Expo 2. From Pudong Expo to Donghu Hotel a. Walk to “Shanghai Science & Technology Museum Station” b. Take metro line 2, and get off at “People’s Square” station c. Change to metro line 1, and get off at “Changshu Road” station d. Walk to “Donghu Hotel”
Shopping
1. Near Donghu hotel
Huaihai Road Middle was built in the early 20th century, and is well known for its elegant and flourishing business. The road is Shanghai's most fashionable one, embodying the prosperity and vigor of the city, with shopping malls standing along it. You won't feel boring in shopping here as so many brands and stores are set here. Walking along the road, with its phoenix trees and top-class office buildings, especially at night, will bring you a feeling of romance. You can take Metro Line No.1 and get off at Huangpi Road S. or Shaanxi Road S. to reach this road.
• Parkson Department Store Young people like shopping here due to the great variety of fashionable goods, as well as frequent sales promotions all year round. Parkson is regarded as the most popular store on Huaihai Road.
Address: No.939, Huaihai Road M. near Shaanxi Road Opening Hour: 10:00-22:00
• Pacific Department Store, Huaihai outlet (* I recommend it!) This is the Huaihai Road branch of Pacific Department stores. It offers goods similar to other big department stores, and is very popular due to its comfortable shopping environment and relatively long history.
Address: No.333, Huaihai Road M. near Huangpi Road S. Website: http://www.pacific-shanghai.com.cn/ Opening Hour: 10:00-22:00 Traffic: Metro Line No.1 (Huangpi Road S. Station)
2. Near Pudong Expo
• Yatai Shenghui Market Address: metro line2 Shanghai science & technology station Website: http://allaboutsh.com/Shopping/YTSHmart.html
Places to eat
• Xiaoshaoxing Restaurant: famous for plain boiled chicken
Address: 75 Yunnan Road, Tel: 021- 63281826
Xiao Shaoxing plain boiled chicken is a famous specialty of Xiao Shaoxing Restaurant, founded in 1943. In addition, the chicken porridge, chicken and duck's blood soup are also its specialties.
• Gongdelin Restaurant:
Address: 445 West Nanjing Road , Tel: 021- 63270218
It is a famous old vegetarian restaurant in Shanghai. Specializes in delicate and unique vegetarian food, especially famous for fake meat dishes.
• Xiao Yang’s (awesome baozhis)
Wu Jiang road — a pedestrian food street Cab to Nanjing Rd and First Shi Men Rd
• Canglangting (delicious noodles)
Huaihai Road
This restaurant has 60 years’ history, and is a very popular restaurant for noodles. The price is reasonably cheap, about 30-50 RMB/person.
• Quan Ju De (roast duck delicious)
Huaihai Road
Very famous traditional Chinese dish. One roast duck usually costs 150 RMB, and can easily feed two or three people.
Sites to See
• The Bund The Bund (外滩 pinyin: Wàitān) is an area of Huangpu District in Shanghai. The area centres on a section of Zhongshan Road (East-1 Zhongshan Road) within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River, facing Pudong, in the eastern part of Huangpu District. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas.
The Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠塔; pinyin: Dōngfāng Míngzhūtǎ,) is a TV tower in Shanghai, China. The Oriental Pearl Tower is located by side of Huangpu River, opposite The Bund of Shanghai.
It was designed by Jia Huan Cheng of the Shanghai Modern Architectural Design Co. Ltd. Construction began in 1991 and the tower was completed in 1995. At 468 m (1,535 feet) high, it is the tallest tower in Asia, and the third tallest tower in the world. The Oriental Pearl Tower belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers. There is an observation tower at the top.
• Yu Garden & Bazaar
Yu Garden is a classical garden in downtown Shanghai, boasts a history over 400 years. Each pavilion, hall, stone and stream in the garden expresses the quintessence of South China landscape design from Ming and Qing Dynasty.
The bazaar is tacky but fun, and easy to get lost. Once I am in the bazaar, I cannot find the way back. In the end, I have to take the taxi.