Shanghai Travel Guide - Top Ten Attractions Define the Paris of the East

For history, culture, modernism, and glamour,was built around the principles of the lucky figure
there's no other city quite like Shanghai. Here iseight, and lends its floor space to offices and a
our list of the top 10 Shanghai attractions - theluxury hotel.
places, districts, and streets which define it.6. Xintiandi
1. The BundA favourite among tourists and locals for its
Stretching along the Huangpu waterfront on thecharming reclaimed shikumen buildings, Xintiandi is
western side of the river, the historic Bund is linedthe original 'lifestyle hub' in a city which now
with colonial-era buildings including bankingboasts many. It is home to a mix of restaurants,
headquarters and luxury hotels. These buildingschain coffee houses, malls, craft vendors, and
are also home to bars, restaurants, and nightclubs,boutiques, and alleys.
and the newly refurbished promenade brings the7. Tianzifang
picture-postcard skyline alive.The network of alleyways between Taikang Road
2. Nanjing Roadand Sinan Road in the Luwan District of the
One of Shanghai's premier commercial boulevards,French Concession make up the Tianzifang
Nanjing Road runs from the Bund past People'scomplex - a collection of independent shops, art
Square, Jing'an Temple, and the northern reachesgalleries, and street cafés which attract a more
of the French Concession. With Chinesebohemian crowd than nearby Xintiandi.
department stores, modern luxury boutiques, and8. Maglev Train
some iconic buildings along its way, a stroll downReaching an optimum speed of 431 kilometers
Nanjing Road will give you a cross-section view ofper hour and zipping to Pudong Airport in just
the city.eight minutes from Longyang Road metro station
3. Yu Garden and Bazaaron Line 2, the magnetic levitation rapid transit train
The Yu Garden (or Yu Yuan) is one of Shanghai's(Maglev) is an engineering wonder. At 50 RMB for
rare historic treats. Located in the Old City southa single ticket, it might not be the most
of the Bund, the garden and surrounding shoppingeconomical form of public transport, but it's an
bazaar are among the most popular Shanghaiiconic Shanghai attraction all the same.
attractions. The Ming Dynasty gardens are a9. The French Concession
tranquil oasis in the bustle of the modern city, andThe former French Concession spans Xuhui,
the bazaar is the place to go when you want toLuwan, and Changning Districts, and is famed for
buy traditional Chinese gifts for friends and familyits winding, tree-lined streets flanked with colonial
back home.villas and Art Deco apartments. Many of the
4. Jade Buddha Templehistoric houses have been converted into
You'll have to head up north to the Putuo Districtrestaurants and bars, especially along Hengshan
for this one, but it's well worth the short taxi ride.Road, and it is a popular residential area for
The temple was built in 1882 to display two jadeexpatriates.
Buddha statues which a traveling monk brought10. Shanghai World Financial Center
from Burma. As well as some stunningLast but most certainly not least is Shanghai's
architecture, the temple is surrounded bycurrent tallest building. The imposing silver spear of
excellent vegetarian restaurants.the Shanghai World Financial Center juts 492
5. Jin Mao Towermeters into the sky above Lujiazui. A trip to the
The second mega-skyscraper to be built in thehighest observation deck costs 150 RMB, and is a
Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, the 421-metersmall price to pay for the loftiest view in mainland
Jin Mao (or 'golden prosperity') occupies a placeChina.
among the more modern Shanghai attractions. It