Shanghai

Shanghai (上海 shanhai) is a bustling city known for its food.

Places to See

• Taikang Lu area

  This is south of the ex-pat restaurant area of Xintiandi (subway S Huanpi Rd) in the "French Concession". Taikang Lu is a slightly boho neighbourhood with interesting shops, cafes, restaurants and galleries. It's a pretty spot for a day/afternoon of wandering. There is a newly opened cafe called Shanghai Cupcake Cafe & Chocobar. It's at Lane 210, Taikang Lu, No. 10 near Jianguo Rd (tel 021-64741279). It's very un-Chinese but it's a lovely cafe with great food. The owner is really interesting too - originally from Djibouti, but having lived all over the world. I love the whole area between Xintiandai and Taikang Lu, though not Xintiandai itself.

• Shanghai World Financial Center

  Currently the 3rd tallest building in the world (but by the time you read this, it'll probably have fallen out of the top 10). It's 492m high and to get to the 100th floor, it will cost you 150RMB (!!!), or if you go to the 94th floor, it'll cost 100RMB. It's a pretty impressive view from the top and you can look through bits of the glass floor all the way to the ground from the World's Highest Observation Deck. It's pretty expensive, but it is spectacular.

• Jingmao Tower/Oriental Pearl Tower

  Didn't go up either of these but they look pretty amazing when looking down from SWFC or up from the ground.

• Views from Bar Rouge at sunset

  In the former HQ of the Bank of India , Australia and China. It's now in a complex of swanky shops called Bund 18. It's a superb spot to watch sunset over the Bund and over to the Financial District of Pudong. Drinks from about 60RMB - their fruit smoothies are delicious! Don't know what the night-scene is like here. It's one of the best nightspots in Shanghai apparently. It's pretty quiet in the late afternoon though.

• Jade Buddha Temple

  Lovely temple, but a bit out of the way. The Jade Buddha Vegetarian Restaurant at the Temple is excellent. About a 25 min walk from Shanghai Railway Station.

• Sun Yatsen Memorial home - French Concession

  Former HQ of the Communist Party (in Xiantiandai), Nanjing Lu (Shanghai's most famous shopping street).

• Xiantiandi - French Concession

  Some pretty nice looking restaurants but not particularly interesting. Some very swish restaurants.

Food and Drink

• Vedas - No.550 Jianguo West Rd, Xuhui Dist, Shanghai (By Wulumuqi Rd)

  A fab Indian restaurant in the french Concession Area. Food is superb - it's apparently the best Indian restaurant in Shanghai and IMO, very, very good food. There is also a loungebar there where they will show the cricket! check Vedas

• Jade Buddha Vegetarian

  Attached to the Jade Buddha temple. A great place with a load of delicious options.

• Vegetarian Lifestyle - 258 Fengxian Rd, JiangNing

  There are a couple of restaurants in this chain around Shanghai. food is amazing. Some of the best food I've had anywhere. Very delicious, great value and appropriately very popular. Both of the branches we visited were excellent. Quite a bit nicer than the Jade Buddha Restaurant.

Accommodations

• The Phoenix

  This is a new hostel located close to People's Square. Dorms/twins/doubles available with bathrooms. Deluxe twins go for 230RMB. It's great value and is a lovely place to stay. Facilities are good and staff are great. The owner, Freya, is a British ex-pat who bends over backwards to help out. There is a restaurant/bar on site with free internet (though only 2 terminals for the whole place - which is massive!).