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Shanghai Attractions

Taikang Lu Shopping and Art Galleries

Taikang Lu offers yet another noteworthy shopping experience in Shanghai.  Like Xintiandi, Taikang Lu offers shops that are locally owned, yet decidedly upscale with a boutique feel. ...
Taikang Lu offers yet another noteworthy shopping experience in Shanghai.  Like Xintiandi, Taikang Lu offers shops that are locally owned, yet decidedly upscale with a boutique feel.  But unlike Xintiandi, the Taikang Lu area developed as an inexpensive warehouse district for up-and-coming artists. Cheap rent was originally offered for storefronts and work spaces. As the area developed it became an vibrant combination of upscale boutiques carrying high end jewelry and clothing, along with fantastic offices for artists and creative companies alike. 
  
While Taikang Lu has been cleaned up a fair amount, it is unlike Xintiandi in that it still maintains all of its original buildings. An authentic Chinese alley way and courtyard next to two historic warehouses set off Taikang Lu make up the primary shopping area. Shops have now begun to spill out onto the somewhat downtrodden Taikang Lu. 
 
A few of my favorite shops include:
 
L’Atelier Mandarine – Read my review on this wonderful shop carrying only a few very special items.  
  
Jooi DesignJooi Design – This is an ultra cool showroom and shop on the 2nd floor of the International Artists Factory (the same building in which you will find L’Atelier Mandarine).  The store carries primarily handbags and pillows with a few other unique accessories mixed in.  Their designs are bright and eye-catching due to the unusual fabrics and images that are used to make the items. Their products are also sold at Simply Life in Xintiandi.
www.jooi.com  
 
Casa Pagoda – This wonderful home furnishings store is one of the few shops that have spilled out onto Taikang Lu, offering a glimpse of what the street is to become. The Casa Pagoda designs are a mixture of modern, clean lines with Asian accents.  Beautiful leather sofas and chairs are contrasted with stained wood armoirs and bookshelves. Scattered around the showroom are great lamps and rugs that will definitely spice up your living room!
www.casapagoda.com
Address: No. 15 Taikang Lu 
 
InSH – This is a great stop on your way into the alley off Taikang Lu. InSH marks the entrance to the warehouse and courtyard area of Taikang Lu. Selling unique clothing and accessories, this store offers particularly tasteful Shanghai souvenirs with their fantastic “I love Shanghai” T-shirts. 
Address: No. 210 Taikang Lu  
 
Be sure not to miss ShirtFlag, Woe Scarf, and many other fun and unique shops in the courtyard area.  New artists and boutiques are also always popping up in the International Artists Factory, as well as the recently renovated smaller warehouse directly behind it.  Take time to explore the many floors in the two buildings, because you simply never know what you might stumble across! 
 
For a snack, coffee or lunch, try:
Kommune or Ups Café – both offer diverse menus and awesome coffee. 
 
How to get there: Lane 210 Taikang Lu is between Ruijin Lu and Sinan Lu.

Jade Garden

After a day at the Jade Buddha Temple battling tourists, I headed to Jade Garden with a couple of friends for a late Dim Sum lunch on the other side of town. We were pleasantly surprised by the calm décor and delicious food. I will certainly go back to this exceptional restaurant.  ...
After a day at the Jade Buddha Temple battling tourists, I headed to Jade Garden with a couple of friends for a late Dim Sum lunch on the other side of town. We were pleasantly surprised by the calm décor and delicious food. I will certainly go back to this exceptional restaurant.  
 
Jade Garden is located in a large building on Zhao Jia Bang Lu at the intersection with Taiyuan Lu (太原路). Despite its location on a busy street, the restaurant was very quiet and nearly empty, although I’m told that the place is packed on the weekends at dinner time and for early lunches.  We ordered several Dim Sum items, all of which were delicious.  Our particular favorites were the BBQ pork baked pastries, the pork dumplings in soup, the Shanghai style spring rolls (with pork and cabbage), and the grilled rice cakes. These cakes, a former staple of Shanghai street food, are now often served in restaurants as a reminder of old times.  For dessert we had a delicious mango and pomello pudding that was fresh and palate cleansing.
 
For the three of us, including one large beer, the bill came to 100RMB – a steal for three very happy stomachs.
 
Those who come ready to eat should definitely order the fried eggplant and pork; I’ve been craving this dish from the minute I finished my last one.  Jade Garden also serves an excellent version of traditional Shanghainese noodles.
 
How to get there: A taxi is probably the most convenient and pleasant way. Alternatively, take Metro Line 1 to Metro City at Xu Jia Hui, and then head east on Zhao Jia Bang Lu for about 15 minutes. However, this is a busy street – not my favorite to walk on. Jade Garden is on the left side of the street, just past the intersection with Taiyuan Lu.
 
Other Locations:
 
No. 895 Dalian Lu (虹口区大连路895号(近飞虹路))
Tel: +86 (0)21 5595 5385
 
No. 877 Dongfang Road (浦东新区东方路877号(近潍坊路))
Tel: +86 (0)21  5058 6088
 
No. 1121 Yan’an Zhonglu (静安区延安中路1121号(近华山路))
Tel: +86 (0)21 6248 5155
 
No. 127 Maoming Nanlu (卢湾区茂名南路127号(淮海中路口))
Tel: +86 (0)21 5403 7028

Shikumen Bistro

Shikumen Bistro provided me with the most memorable meal I have had yet in Shanghai, and remains among the top 5 meals I have ever had.  While Shikumen is a well respected restaurant within Shanghai, it is not on the radar like Jean Georges or M on the Bund.  It absolutely should be though. Despite its Chinese name, Shikumen features a French Mediterranean menu, but so subtle I did not detect any particular influence – I only noticed that I desired everything on the menu.
 
To start with we ordered drinks (the Shanghaipolitan was the big winner), and appetizers.  We then ordered three appetizers; a delicious fresh and salty tuna tartar, can’t miss lamb meat balls, and baked, garden-fresh zucchini fritters.  Each of the four of us ordered a different main course. We were each so pleased with our selection that we were practically unwilling to share! My choice was the lamb shanks with gnocchi. The dish was so hearty and rich that I’m still dreaming about it right now.  We also loved the vegetable ravioli, the mushroom and foie gras risotto, and the lamb chops with fresh vegetable.  Our waiter replenished individual servings of fresh baked bread throughout the meal. The meals were so filling that we sadly had to skip dessert, but I have no doubt it would have lived up to the high standards set by the rest of the meal!
 
The total per person, with drinks, appetizer and a main course, was about 500RMB.  If your budget allows, do not miss Shikumen Bistro!
 
How to get there:  Take Metro Line 1 to the Huangpi Nanlu Station. Head south on Huangpi Nanlu, and look for the sign for Shikumen Bistro on the right side of the street at the edge of the Xintiandi complex.

Park 97

The Lan Kwai Fong Entertainment Group consists of Baci Italian Cuisine, KazBar Lounge, California Club, Lux Shanghai, and Park 97.  Park 97 offers a great selection of late night entertainment for many groups in Shanghai.  Appealing to the well connected as well as full pocketed popul...
The Lan Kwai Fong Entertainment Group consists of Baci Italian Cuisine, KazBar Lounge, California Club, Lux Shanghai, and Park 97.  Park 97 offers a great selection of late night entertainment for many groups in Shanghai.  Appealing to the well connected as well as full pocketed populations in Shanghai – you will see many westerners, nouveau-riche Chinese, and American Born Chinese dancing and drinking amongst the two large floors at Park 97.
 
Upstairs at Park 97 often offers a band, although very little room to dance – I’m not sure what the reasoning behind that is. The last time I visited Park 97 there was a great Latin Band and many people had tried to create a dance floor in the only walking space available, I don’t really blame them, I wanted to dance too – but it made for a pretty claustrophobic environment.
 
Despite the claustrophobia, you can definitely come here on a Friday or Saturday night and find a great, engaging night. If you want a change of venue, head over to Guandi, only a few steps away, also in Fuxing Park.
 
Drinks are not cheap, but typical of expat bars – about 45-60RMB each. Depending on the evening you may or may not find a cover charge; call before you go to be sure if it makes a difference to you.
 
To get there: Take Metro Line 1, Huangpi Rd Station. Head west on HuaiHai Rd, passing under the overpass. Take a left on Si Nan Lu, then a right on Gaolan Lu into Fuxing Park.

HaYa's Mediterranean Cuisine

Owned and operated by an Israeli family, Ha Ya’s is far and away the tastiest and most authentic Israeli cuisine in Shanghai.  Israeli food incorporates Mediterranean and European flavors to create a deliciously fresh menu full of unique veggie and meat dishes. Following kosher pract...
Owned and operated by an Israeli family, Ha Ya’s is far and away the tastiest and most authentic Israeli cuisine in Shanghai.  Israeli food incorporates Mediterranean and European flavors to create a deliciously fresh menu full of unique veggie and meat dishes. Following kosher practices, this restaurant is perfect for vegetarians, as meat and veggie dishes are carefully labeled on the menu and cooked separately.
 
The décor is simple, open and clean with bright Mediterranean colors tastefully placed throughout the restaurant.  It is the food here, however, that makes the restaurant worth a visit.  Do not miss the homemade hummus and pita (simply delicious, and also for sale at the international grocery store, City Market), and the tzatziki for starters.  We also loved the Israeli and Greek salads as a compliment to our main courses, which were amazing.  I recommend the falafel, chicken shawarma and the schnitzel – all healthy servings that ensure customers will not leave hungry!
 
Check out HaYa’s website.
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Huangpi Lu  Station. Head north on Huangpi Lu and pass by Yan’an Zhonglu.  Take a left on Dagu Lu., Ha Ya’s will be on your left. It’s a 15 minute walk from the subway station. (Edited by Xiaoqing)

Tapas Bar

Tapas Bar is a well liked restaurant on the somewhat depressing Maoming Lu. Better days for the once popular bar and restaurant alley have long since past. There are a few great spots on the street (House of Jazz and Blues, Blue Frog), so do not just wholly pass it by. Still, don’t be surprised by the clearly run-down bars that endured extreme popularity three years ago when neon lights and drunk partiers spilled out onto the now dark and lonely street. 
 
Tapas Bar is a two story bar and restaurant that offers great specials (cheap tapas and drinks during happy hour), but keeps customers coming all night for its inexpensive and tasty food. For tapas, we particularly liked the calamari, bruschetta, and Gambas, which were all priced around 30 – 40RMB.  The selection of main courses is smaller than the tapas style menu items, but we loved the veggie penne, with fresh, not over-cooked, veggies and pesto (45RMB).  Drinks cost around 45RMB; I recommend trying the Sangria.
 
Tapas Bar is a cheaper, but not quite as good an option for tapas than Azul and Viva, a great choice for a swankier evening.
 
Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Road Station. Head south on Shanxi Lu. Take a left on Fuxing Lu, and then a right on Maoming Lu. Tapas Bar will be on the left side.

 

Tatami Bar & Gallery

Maoming Road creates a T with Yongjia Road, a quiet tree lined street that offers bars with a different flavor than that of Maoming Road.  Tatami Bar & Gallery is a low key, ’Japanese-cool’ , bar that offers a quiet and nearby alternative to Judy’s or Windows.  E...
Maoming Road creates a T with Yongjia Road, a quiet tree lined street that offers bars with a different flavor than that of Maoming Road.  Tatami Bar & Gallery is a low key, ’Japanese-cool’ , bar that offers a quiet and nearby alternative to Judy’s or Windows.  Easily recognizable from the exterior, the bar’s door is lined with bamboo and hardly inviting.  The door is generally closed and there are no windows on the façade, making the interior something of a mystery. Still, the name of the bar tells a lot about what is going on inside.
 
The décor is “Japanese garden” with an outdoor feel due to the terraced ceiling and foot massaging stone floor. Flanking the stone floor are about 10 Japanese tatami rooms (no shoes allowed). The separated spaces are perfect for groups of 2 to 8 people to relax and enjoy a space that provides a seemingly faraway refuge from the pace of busy Shanghai. Drinks are around 45-50RMB and average. I suggest choosing drinks that do not take a lot of work, such as beer.  The ambiance here is definitely the draw.
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Shanxi Rd. station. Head south on Shanxi Road for three blocks. Then take a right on Yongjia Road. Tatami Bar & Gallery is on the right side of the street before Yongjia Road ends at Ruijin Road.

Zao Zi Shu

Zao Zi Shu is an excellent Buddhist restaurant that has been a mainstay in my restaurant repertoire since moving to Shanghai. It serves easily appreciated Chinese food in a very clean location.  The menu is great, as it features tons of classic Chinese dishes that use creative meat alterna...
Zao Zi Shu is an excellent Buddhist restaurant that has been a mainstay in my restaurant repertoire since moving to Shanghai. It serves easily appreciated Chinese food in a very clean location.  The menu is great, as it features tons of classic Chinese dishes that use creative meat alternatives along with fantastic teas and fresh juices.  
 
Be sure to order the spinach jiaozi (dumplings), and the cucumbers and miso for starters. For a main course I love the fried tofu and peanuts, which is similar to but even better than Kung Pao (Gong Bao) chicken. The ginger chicken, stir fried noodles, and beef and peppers all come highly recommended.  There are plenty of options on the menu which I adore, but there are a few dishes that try a little too hard to be meat dishes and fail miserably. Stay away from the ribs, which have edible bones that are indeed quite strange.  I was also not crazy about the “scallops,” which lacked the consistency of a true scallop. Otherwise everything on the menu has been a success!  For me, the best aspect of Zao ZI Shu is that you can try all those unusual Chinese dishes made with faux meat, that might otherwise make you a bit nervous at a typical local Chinese restaurant (like boiled intestines - I have no idea how Zao Zi Shu makes this dish out of tofu).  Be adventurous!
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Huangpi Nanlu Station. Exit onto Huaihai Lu and head east.  Take a right on Songshan Lu.  Half way down the street on the left there is a small alley with a lighted entrance. Zao Zi Shu is on the left side of the alley.
 
Other locations of Zao Zi Shu:
 
No.258 Fengxian Lu, by Jiangning Lu, Shanghai (上海市奉贤路258号)
Tel: +86 (0)21 6215 7566, 5228 0693
 
No.848 Huangjin Chengdao, by Shuicheng Nanlu, Shanghai (上海市黄金城道899号)
Tel: +86 (0)21 6275 1798

Bella Napoli

Bella Napoli served its purpose as a pleasant meal. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, despite its location just a block away from the bustling Nanjing Road, the Portman, and Plaza 66.  The restaurant’s simple interior décor felt a little like Italy, with a something of a ...
Bella Napoli served its purpose as a pleasant meal. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, despite its location just a block away from the bustling Nanjing Road, the Portman, and Plaza 66.  The restaurant’s simple interior décor felt a little like Italy, with a something of a Trattoria feel.  I particularly liked the large window between the small dining room and the kitchen that integrated the chef into the experience.
 
We ordered a good, hearty vegetarian meal of appetizers, pasta and dessert.  We started with bruschetta (fresh tomatoes with lots of garlic) and a salad caprese sprinkled with delicious fresh mozzarella.  The servings were generous and the food was a perfect amount for four of us to split.  For our main course each of us ordered a vegetarian pasta dish.  Everyone was content with their dish, although they were nothing to write home about.  The desserts, an apple pie and a Tiramisu, were simply delicious.
 

Take Metro Line 1 to Jing’An Temple Station. Walk east along Nanjing Lu (南京路) for about 10 minutes. Take a left past Plaza 66 onto Xikang Lu (西康路). Bella Napoli is on the right.

Top Shanghai Tours

$238 Per Day

Private Hangzhou Day Trip from Shanghai by Bullet Train

Take in the highlights of beautiful Hangzhou on a private full-day tour from Shanghai. After hotel pickup and transfer by high-speed train to Hangzhou, your private guide takes you to see some city attractions, such as Faxi temple. Moreover, enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Longjing village. There, learn about the process of farming and producing dragonwell tea, the region’s most famous product. Finally, enjoy a scenic boat cruise on UNESCO World Heritage-listed West Lake before returning to Shanghai.

This is a private, full-day trip from Shanghai to Hangzhou. After you are picked up in your hotel lobby in the early morning, you will take a bullet train to Hangzhou. This is the fastest way to Hangzhou and you can experience train speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. Your tour begins at one of Hangzhou's signature sites, the West Lake. Enjoy a lake cruise to see the top ten West Lake scenic views. You will then be taken to experience the wonderful cuisine of Hangzhou at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will visit Faxi temple, a well-known Temple dating back to the Jin Dynasty. See its famous wooden Buddha. Here, you will see fewer tourists and more locals. Finally, enjoy a cup of green tea when you visit the famous Longjing village to see wild fields of Longjing tea bushes where the locals produce the world famous green tea- Longjing Tea. In the village, all locals are tea farmers and you will see the entire procedure of making the famous tea and will get the chance to taste the best quality emperor tea. Afterwards, you will take the bullet train back to Shanghai and you will be returned to your hotel.


$70 Per Day

Bike Tour - "Shanghai by Night"

What would be a better way to experience the “City That Never Sleeps” than hopping on one of our vintage Forever bicycles and explore a whole New World after dark? Follow our foreign expert Tour Leader on a multi-themed route from the narrow streets of the Old Town all the way to the dazzling lights of the Bund. Meanwhile, cycle around the famous landmark Yu Garden, learn about Ghost Wedding rituals, visit a Traditional Chinese Medicine outlet and get to learn more about the "Paris of the East". Finally, tickle your taste buds with some delicious street food in order to immerse yourself deeper into local life. In just one evening, we'll explore the many faces of Shanghai that make this city so unique. Easy and accessible ride for all!

USEFUL INFORMATION

- English-speaking (for other languages, please contact us)  

- About 9 km ride, easy ride for all.

- From 18:15pm to 21:30pm

- Up to 6 participants

- Departure and arrival at our Culture Shock Office in Xintiandi district.

- Minimum height is 1.50m. Tandem bikes are available for kids below 12

- Prices are all inclusive (Snack food, a bottle of water, a foreign experienced guide, a helmet and single-gear vintage bike rental with all lights)

- Join-in Group every Tuesday/Friday/Saturday (USD 70 per person)

- Private Tour possible every day (USD 210 in total for 2 participants)

$2202 Per Day

Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai 10days study tour

Day 01 Arrival at Beijing

On arrival in Beijing, you will be met by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel in Beijing. Free for the rest of the day.

Day 02Beijing (B L)-- Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Beijing Zoo

After breakfast at your hotel, start your tour with the visit to Tiananmen Square(40minutes), the largest public square in the world. Then move on to the Forbidden City(2hours), the Chinese imperial palace from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Lunch at a special restaurant.

Then move on to Beijing zoo(1.5hours), which is one of the oldest zoos in China and has one of the largest animal collections in the country. The zoo and its aquarium has over 450 species of land animals and over 500 species of marine animals. In all, it is home to 14,500 animals. More than six million visitors come to the zoo each year. The zoo was founded in 1906 during the late Qing Dynasty. Like many of Beijing's parks, the zoo's grounds resemble classical Chinese gardens, with flower beds amidst natural scenery, including dense groves of trees, stretches of meadows, small streams and rivers, lotus pools and hills dotted with pavilions and historical buildings.

Day 03 Beijing ( B L )--Mutianyu Great Wall, Olympic Green, outside look the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, Shaolin kungfu school

Morning excursion to the most beautiful section of the Great Wall - the Mutianyu Great Wall. The hike takes about 2-3 hours. After lunch at Chinese Restaurant, Then head to the Olympic Green to have an outside look at the Bird's Nest and Water Cube(1hour). Shaolin Kung Fu is a huge scientific system, not the general sense of the "branches" or "boxing kinds". Chinese martial arts enjoy a huge structure complex with many branches, among which shaolin kung fu has the dominant place by its long history, the complex system and excellent technology boundary. Back to your hotel.

Day 04 Beijing-Xi'an( B L )

Hands-on D.I.Y Chinese dumplings(2hours) at the local family in Gaobeidian, enjoy these with other Chinese dishes and this will be your Lunch. Afternoon learn the Art of paper cutting, visit the gaobeidian school. After the tour, we go to the train station to Xian. Overnight on the train.

Day 05 Xian ( B L )--Big Wild Goose Pagoda square, Muslim Bazaar, Xi'an City Wall

Arrive in Xian, pick up. Breakfast at hotel. The Muslim Bazaar, the Muslim quarters lies 100 meters west of the Bell tower in downtown Xi'an.The 500 meters long avenue paved by bluestones are dotted with many unique stall,souvenir shop,coffee and bars which are mostly run by Muslim people. We visit massive Xian City Wall. Have a nice walk in the North Square to view the fully illuminated Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Musical Fountain Performance.

Day 06 Xian ( B L )-- Qin Terracotta Army, Shaanxi Historical Museum

Morning pick up by local guide. Enjoy your full day visit to the Qin Terracotta Army, one of the world's most important archaeological finds, with troops, horses and carriages in battle formation. Afternoon, visit the Shaanxi Historical Museum. Among the 400,000 items on display are treasures from many of the Dynasties, including some magnificent bronzes and porcelain, many of which have never been on permanent display before.

Day 07 Xian--shanghai ( B L )

Visit Bell tower and Drum tower. Farmer paintings, and learning the painting. Then go to airport to catch a flight. Pick up by shanghai local guide, only transfer to hotel.

Day 8 Shanghai ( B L )-- Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden, the Bund

Breakfast at hotel. Visit Jade Buddha Temple. Jade Buddha Temple is a key temple in Shanghai that thriving with flows of disciples every day, especially on the 1st and 15th day of every lunar month as well as all the traditional Buddhism festivals. Visit pearl factory, it's a nice place to buy a necklace or bracelet. It is very good gift from China. Visit the lovely old Yuyuan Garden look nine zig zag bridge with golden fish pond, bridges and pavilions. Explore the Bund in the evening.

Day 9 Shanghai ( B L )--Shanghai Museum, People Square, Nanjing Road, Oriental Pearl TV tower, Children's Palace

The Shanghai Museum which is the largest museum of ancient Chinese art in Shanghai. Visit the People Square and Nanjing Road for shopping. Visit the Oriental Pearl TV tower 2nd level. Visit the Children��s Palace 30-45minutes.

Day 10 Shanghai ( B )

Your China Experience is over all too soon as you transfer to the airport and board the homebound international flight, bidding a fond farewell to this ancient land.