Shanghai

Shanghai was once an international settlement divided between Britain, America and France. Now the beating heart of a booming China its past, present and sense of future have coalesced to make one of the world's best cities to visit.  I wasn't leaving Asia without seeing it. 

Nanjing Road

Strolling out of my hostel on Nanjing Rd, I wasn't prepared for the onslaught of shopping mania. Hawkers everywhere ten steps luring tourists to stalls and the unofficial around-the-corner, back-of-a-car designer gear. There are a few scamsters - I paid well over the odds for a tea ceremony - but nothing harmful. Walk the gauntlet and don't take the hassling too seriously.

The Bund 

At the end of Nanjing Rd is The Bund, a promenade where you can took over the river and the financial services skyline of Pudong. This is the picture everybody takes when in Shanghai. I'd recommend going at night.  The Bund itself is the centre of old world colonial architecture, a complementary image to what's across the river.

Pudong 

There's a Bund Sightseeing Tunnel that goes under the river to Pudong. The tunnel itself is a bit of a tourist trap. There's a ferry at the end of the Bund that goes every ten minutes. I did the tunnel one way and the ferry back. 

In Pudong you can climb the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, which is the tallest of its kind in Asia and third in the world, to the revolving restaurant at the top. 

Shopping

Shanghai is shoppers' heaven. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a shopper. My sources tell me that Hui Jin Department Store  is great for clothes and Metro City best for electronics.

Old Town 

There's no bigger indication of Shanghai's international nature than the fact that this feels like a China Town. The Old Town Bazaar or Yu Market is where you can pick up Mao's Little Red Book and other souvenirs. Don't be afraid to bargain on price! It's part of shopping in China.

French Concession

Tree-lined streets, colonial architecture with the convenience of living downtown, it's no wonder this is Shanghai's ex-pat centre. Once the centre of French Shanghai, the European influence extends to its range of cafes and western-style eateries. This isn't somewhere to go and see as much as somewhere to sit, have a coffee and take it in.  

Shanghainese Cuisine

Did somebody mention food?

Caramelised strawberry kebabs mean spring has come to Shanghai. A sugar-laden string of strawberries on a stick is probably the sweetest thing I've ever tasted. Although it took lots of washing to the stickiness off my hands, it was worth it.

Drunken crab - raw crab in alcohol - is one Shanghai speciality I really liked. The food has sweet undertones not present in other Chinese areas. Shanghai is comparable to other big, international cities when it comes to the variety of food - cuisine from all regions of China and all over the world are there. There are also the Chinese staples of dumplings, seafood, chicken and tofu dishes everywhere you go.