48 Hours in Shanghai - The Guide

Shanghai has exploded onto the map. With its vibrant mix of Art Deco architecture and a futuristic skyline, this city has everything. Leave the map at home and just get lost – you won’t be disappointed.

Eat

Budget

Lu Bo Lang
(131 Yu Yuan Rd, Huangpu District)
Famous for its delicious Shanghai dim sums, you can eat with the locals in this Old Town God Temple eatery.
From $15-20 per person.

Lao Zheng Xing
(556, Fuzhou Rd, Huangpu District)
One of the oldest Shanghainese restaurants, extremely popular with the locals.
Try the fried prawn and stir-fried eel. $10-$15 pp.

Top end

Whampoa Club
(3 Zhongshan Dong Yi, Three on the Bund, +86 21 6329 1003, threeonthebund.com)
A sophisticated restaurant on the Bund, it serves modern Shanghainese food in a superb Art Deco setting.
Also has three different rooms just for enjoying the ancient traditions of the tea ceremony. $75-$90 pp.

Bars

Bar Rouge
(18 Zhongshan Dongyi Rd, Huangpu District, bar-rouge-shanghai.com)
Recently overhauled, it’s the ultra-cool bar for a buzzing night on the Bund. If you like the idea of someone on the decks and sitting back with a few pricey drinks, this is the place.

Jiao Bar
(68 Jinling Lu, near Jiangxi Zhong Lu, Bund)
Small and private, Jiao Bar is an up-market local with plenty of nooks and crannies.
Known for their Japanese shochu, it’s perfect for a romantic couple seeking to see off jet lag with a few drinks.

Barbarossa Lounge
(Inside People’s Park, 231 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huangpi Nan Lu)
The Barbarossa Lounge is an institution.
A sophisticated three-storey Moroccan bar set in the middle of a pond within the incredible setting of the People’s Park, it’s a must for any thirsty traveller.

Things to do

Massage
Cheap and trusty massages are available all over Shanghai.
Visit the Dragonfly, on DongHu Rd, for an out-of-this-world relaxation experience.
Fit for anyone’s budget, prices start at about $15 for 90mins.

The Bund
Also known as Zhongshan Dong Yi, Shanghai’s famous waterfront was originally the international settlement, and therefore reflects this more worldly and cosmopolitan history.
Today its jammed with amazing Neoclassical and Art Deco architecture and is a symbol of the new Shanghai.

Psychedelic Tunnel
Set beneath the Huangpu River, this tunnel makes for a fun alternative to crossing the river.
It runs between the Bund in Puxi to the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower in Pudong.
Board a modern glass portal car and zoom past flashing Christmas lights, giant projections of underwater scenes and “molten magma”.

Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
Meizhou Rd, Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District An hour’s drive from downtown Shanghai, this little village was built on the water during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is a relaxing alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city.
An interesting way to see life as it was.

Shopping

Dongtai Rd Antique Markets
Dongtai Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu Full of antique treasures including lovely Art Deco pieces and lots of Cultural Revolution memorabilia.
A bustling place where you have to dig for gold.

Underground Markets
Beneath Science and Tech museum, 2000 Century Avenue, Pudong A collection of “secretive” shops selling all the latest in knock-offs.
Be prepared to haggle, and generally only pay at most half of the first stated rate.

Shanghai Museum
(201 Renmin Ave, +86 21 6372 5300/132, shanghaimuseum.net)
Thanks to the Cultural Revolution and the departing Nationalists packing a few trinkets for their trip to Taiwan, the Chinese museums are actually quite poor. This is an exception.
Packed with exceptional ancient artefacts like jade, calligraphy, ceramics, coins and bronze.
Nanjing Road Originally called Park Lane, Nanjing Road is China’s premier western shopping street. It’s the bright buzzing capitalist centre of China.

Stay

URBN Hotel Shanghai
(Jiao Zhou Lu, urbnhotels.com)
China’s first carbon-neutral hotel, its in a great location in the heart of the French Concession area.
A cosy boutique hotel with exposed recycled brick interior walls and even old suitcase leather used as furnishing.
It’s the best of the new China. Avg $183/night.

CACHET Boutique 
(931 West Nanjing Rd – entrance on Taixing Rd – cachethotels.com)
Another boutique gem in Shanghai, the apartment hotel is a private chic retreat in a 1920s building in the heart of the city. Avg $219/night.

The PuLi Hotel & Spa
(1 ChangDe Rd, JingAn District, thepuli.com)
An urban resort in the heart of the city with minimalist design, health spa and full resort facilities, The PuLi has beautiful views of Jingan Park and Shanghai’s skyline.
Avg $259/night.

Les Suites Orient 1
(Jinling East Rd, Bund Shanghai, hotelsuitesorient.com)
This 23-story Art Deco tower in the heart of the Bund is sophisticated, muted and modern.
Great views over the Bund, the river or the glittering Shanghai city skyline. Avg $188/night.