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| Shanghai, China |
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Learning the Ins and Outs of Shanghai, China
Shanghai is one of the most populated and developed cities in all of China. The city has a population of over 18 million residents. It is best remembered as being one of the largest cities in the Far East during the 1930's decade, and one of the most important cities in the history of Communist China. Tourism interest for Shanghai has increased steadily over the past two decades. Whether you are seeking enlightenment, education or entertainment there is plenty to do in Shanghai.
Hotels in Shanghai
Seeking accommodations in China can be pricey, particularly if you want to "splurge" and find a luxury hotel. The luxury prices of China will match the luxury prices you are used to, and are booked for a minimum of $100.00 US dollars a day. Some of the most popular luxury hotels include the Grand Hyatt, which is located atop the Jin Mao Tower in Pudong, the Peace Hotel and the Gothamesque Park Hotel. You will notice many of these luxury hotels are build in the style of 1930's Shanghai, when the city was at its peak. If these prices are too high for your budget, then consider booking a stay in one of the smaller hotels. There are plenty of options, as many local Chinese travelers would also rather stay in an affordable hotel and save on the luxury. Some mid-range hotels include The Xinkaifu Dajiudian on North Sichuan Roadm, as well as the Silk Road Hotel. Some of these hotels actually cater to western tourists and charge as low as $50.00 a night. Finally, you have budget hotel rooms, such as the Shanghai Music Conservatory and the Le Tour Shanghai in the Putuo District, which are clean but simplified accommodations that cater toward younger people, including students.
Fine Dining in Shanghai
What about eating and drinking in Shanghai? Shanghai cuisine is actually one of the less commonly known styles of Chinese food. Shanghai chefs concentrate on seafood and try to give entrees an oily and sweet taste. What are some specialties you can look forward to ordering at a Shanghai restaurant? There is xiao long baozi, which is an old standby in many restaurants, and included small steamed dumplings filled with broth and meat. You bite a hole into the dumplings, sip the broth and then dip them into rice vinegar to enhance the taste of the meat. Another popular dish is known as dazha xie, a winter season specialty, and xiefen shizitou, which is a serving of pork meatballs with crabmeat. What are some of the finer restaurants in the Shanghai area? If budget is the most important ingredient in your vacation then consider restaurants along Wujiang Road, such as Yang's Fry Dumpling and Wuyue Renjia. There is also an alternative Vegetarian Life Style restaurant, which offers organic vegetarian foods that resemble meat or fish dishes. What about drinking in Shanghai? You can easily find mineral water, including all of your favorite brands, as well as soda pop choices. You can also find Tsingtao Beer and Snow Beer, and both of these drinks are considered China's finest drinks.
The nightlife of Shanghai is also a huge attraction, for drinking and for interaction with many beautiful people, local residents and other tourists. Some popular nightlife locations include M on the Bund, a stylish European restaurant with a sophisticated 1930's feel, ARK Live House, Crystal Jade, ZIN Wine Bar and Grill and the three-story Villa du Lac. Many of these Shanghai nightlife establishments have their own distinctive theme and cuisine style, from European tastes, to Spanish or Chinese style.
Seeing the Best of Shanghai
After you get a full meal then it's time to sample the best feature attractions of Shanghai, China. What can you expect in the way of historical landmarks? There are several historic towns that you might enjoy visiting, including Jiading, which has an F1 track and a Confucian garden, Qibao, a town dating back centuries ago, and Xitang, an historical canal town with ancient bridges and houses (that you can even lodge in). Suzhou is a special town, renowned for its beauty, and one that has been praised by emperors and ancient poets for centuries.
What can you do in Shanghai for fun? Some popular activities include visiting the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the tallest one in Asia at a height of 468 meters. You can also journey to Shanghai Xintiandi, a rebuilt area of stone-gate houses and one that holds a cinema complex, shopping mall, various bars and cafes along with art galleries. The Shanghai Zoo holds plenty of exotic animal life and is said to be far more pleasant than the zoo in neighboring Beijing. The zoo even lets one child of a family in for free!
What's the best way to get around in Shanghai? There are a variety of ways to get around town, including the Metro Train, which is cheap and fast, along with taxicabs and bus. However, once you reach your hotel, you may decide that a city this beautiful is worth walking, especially in older parts of the city since they are magnificent tourist attractions. Come see the living history of yesterday and one of the most exciting destinations of today. |
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