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Shanghai Attractions

Pasti

The owners of Pasti have a great concept – a friendly atmosphere, big menu, home made pasta, and great prices.  While I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Pasti, I have to admit that the atmosphere was a little lacking.  It was definitely “friendly,” but in a corporate wa...
The owners of Pasti have a great concept – a friendly atmosphere, big menu, home made pasta, and great prices.  While I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Pasti, I have to admit that the atmosphere was a little lacking.  It was definitely “friendly,” but in a corporate way. I’m left to wonder if they don’t have plans to make Pasti a chain… as that’s what it already feels like.
 
Despite the fact that Pasti didn’t quite feel like a typically charming Italian trattoria, the food was great. Furthermore, the wait staff was accommodating and at the end of the night the bill was surprisingly low. For a starter we were given a free plate of tapenade bruschetta – who doesn’t love it when a restaurant gives you free stuff! We each had pasta for our main course, and were all satisfied with our choices.  The pesto gnocchi (46RMB) and the mushroom and bacon fusilli (46RMB) were particularly popular.  We each had a drink and were given delicious almond biscotti (free) after our meal.  The total, for four, was 250RMB , not too shabby.
 
Pasti is near Nanjing Lu, but far enough off the main pedestrian strip to make the prices a deal compared to everything else on Nanjing Lu. Give it a shot after a day of shopping at Plaza 66!
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 2 to Shi Men Road Station.  Exit Nanjing Lu and head west, away from the Bund. Take a right on Xikang Lu.  Walk up two blocks to Beijing Xilu, take a right. Pasti is on the left about 20 meters down the street.

Iiiit!

Iiiit is an excellent locale whose healthy conscious menu focuses on western style gourmet salads, sandwiches and pizzas.  Iiiit is the kind of restaurant which always leaves guests happy no matter what they are in the mood for! The sandwiches feature amazingly fresh and creative breads alon...

Iiiit is an excellent locale whose healthy conscious menu focuses on western style gourmet salads, sandwiches and pizzas.  Iiiit is the kind of restaurant which always leaves guests happy no matter what they are in the mood for! The sandwiches feature amazingly fresh and creative breads along with some very tasty dips. I love the sun dried tomato hummus (18RMB).    

 
The menu is not too big, but anyone can certainly find at least a dozen choices on it that sound great.  The Barbeque Pulled Pork Panini (48RMB) and the Provencal Vegetarian Panini (38RMB) are great standbys. If I can’t make up my mind, I always go for one of those.  For something a little more unsual, try the Louisiana Muffalata Sandwich (38RMB) or the Curried Tuna Sandwich (38RMB).  For a fresh and healthy drink I highly recommend a smoothie or fresh squeezed juice. Iiiit also makes awesome chocolate chip cookies – easy to get addicted to.
 
Located within the compound of the snazzy Summit Club apartment complex, Iiiit is easy to miss, so pay attention to addresses on your way!  There is great outdoor seating and spacious indoor seating.
 
 

Take Metro Line 1 to Changshu Lu station.  Exit onto Changshu Lu., and then take a left onto Wuyuan Lu after one block.  Take a right on Wulumuqi Lu, and head north about two blocks.  Iiiit and the Summit Club will be on the right. (Edited by Xiaoqing)

Azul and Viva

To be completely honest I am a little unclear about the difference between Azul and Viva. They appear to be the same restaurant, and share the same business card, but they are listed separately in directories. They do say that the downstairs is a tapas bar and the upstairs is the restaurant, bu...
To be completely honest I am a little unclear about the difference between Azul and Viva. They appear to be the same restaurant, and share the same business card, but they are listed separately in directories. They do say that the downstairs is a tapas bar and the upstairs is the restaurant, but I have eaten on both floors and the menu has been the same.  Either way, the atmosphere is cool and the food is great. Call it Azul, call it Viva, this is a wonderful place to have a fine meal and choose from a wide array of items on the menu. 
 
I love tapas, because they give me the opportunity to sample a lot of different things. However, after eating tapas I often leave a little unsatisfied, a little hungry, and missing my main course. Fortunately Azul and Viva has mastered the perfect serving size, and I never leave feeling hungry! Do not miss the Seared Tuna Carpaccio with Spicy Soba Noodle Salad & Wasabi Aioli (78RMB), the Calamari (38RMB) or the Sesame Prawns (98RMB).  The restaurant also offers larger plates, but the tapas are always what I remember the next time I go back.  Last, but not least, be sure to taste their sangria wine – I like the original the best.
 
How to get there: Take Metro Line 1 to Hengshan Lu Station.  Exit onto Henghsan Lu, and then head north. Take a left onto Dongping Lu about 8 minutes walk from the subway stop. The restaurant is on the right side.

Studio 78

Studio 78’s Official Website

  
Studio 78 is one of about 15 bars that have set up shop in the newly developed bar district on Tongren Lu catering to expats. While the ...

Studio 78’s Official Website

  
Studio 78 is one of about 15 bars that have set up shop in the newly developed bar district on Tongren Lu catering to expats. While the bars in this area can be something of a meat market, Studio 78’s second floor location provides some seclusion. As a result, it usually hosts a smaller crowd (i.e. less of a meat market).  If  the chaos at Blue Frog, Judy’s, or M-Zone is too much for you, try Studio 78. 
 
The drinking environment is entertaining, to say the least, as it transports patrons back to the 1970’s disco era.  The bar takes advantage of the 70’s fun décor with everything from disco balls to mod velvet couches.  The music, however, stays up to date unless there is a special themed party. Those in the mood to dance should move towards the small, makeshift dance floor whose brightly colored lighting will entice you to bust a move.
 
Drinks are standard prices for Tongren Lu at RMB45 for a mixed drink and RMB35-40 for a bottled beer.  Saturday evenings from 8pm-10pm is Cheesy Sounds night featuring unlimited martinis and music from the Rat Pack for a RMB100 cover charge. After 10pm the music changes to 80’s and 90’s.
  
How to get there:
  Take Metro Line 2 to Jingan Temple Station. Exit onto Nanjing Rd, and walk east. Take a right on Tongren Lu, Studio 78 is on the left side about 10 minutes walk from the station.

CJW (Cigar Jazz Wine)

If your heart pulses with a jazz beat, Shanghai has a surprising collection of music venues ranging from international names to more humble, yet eager, Chinese clubs . The most luxurious choice and arguably the best jazz club in China, is CJW.

CJW has two locations, one in Xintiandi and t...

If your heart pulses with a jazz beat, Shanghai has a surprising collection of music venues ranging from international names to more humble, yet eager, Chinese clubs . The most luxurious choice and arguably the best jazz club in China, is CJW.

CJW has two locations, one in Xintiandi and the other in the Bund Center by the Westin Hotel. Visitors with limited time in Shanghai should head for the CJW locale on the Bund. Situated on the 50F, it offers spectacular night views of the Huangpu River.

The music is genuine jazz and all musicians are “imported” from overseas.  Just recently CJW played host to the luscious Arlee McLeonard. The venue now boasts Craig Haynes, son of famed jazz musician Roy Haynes, as part of the house band. Musical selections range from swing beats to jazz to old classics.

The décor and layout resembles a scene from a Turkish palace with silk swathed crystal chandeliers and velvet seats. If headed to CJW as part of a bigger group, I recommend booking in advance. A reservation for a spot around the edge of the venue offers an encompassing view, plenty of privacy, and plush sofas to lounge on. There is a 800RMB minimum. The minimum might sound like a lot to some, but with cocktails at 80RMB, it really is an easy target to hit.

The manager, Eric Zhang, originally hails from Taiwan, and has lived in Hawaii. He speaks fluent English, brings a tremendous sense of fun, and reliably offers a warm welcome to all of his guests.

CJW Xintiandi is a smaller venue, but it still offers the same outstanding talent.

Make sure to reserve a spot on the weekends, as CJW almost always fills up quickly. While there are no strict guidelines on dress, I would still recommend appearing half decent on a Friday or Saturday night.

CJW at Bund Center, 50F, No.222 Yan’an Donglu, Shanghai
TEL:+86 (0)21 6339 1777 OR +86 (0)21 6339 2777

CJW at Xintiandi, House 2, Lane 123, Xinye Lu, Shanghai
TEL:+86 (0)21 6385 6677 OR +86 (0)21 6385 2277

Yes

Okay, this bar is unbelievable. Yes is not just a bar; it is a lonely hearts club, promoting dating and love. The music is the best of all things saccharine. The menu contains not only bar offerings, but also dating advice, affirmations and motivation. This bar is the newest version of “pim...

Okay, this bar is unbelievable. Yes is not just a bar; it is a lonely hearts club, promoting dating and love. The music is the best of all things saccharine. The menu contains not only bar offerings, but also dating advice, affirmations and motivation. This bar is the newest version of “pimp” I have ever seen.

You are greeted at the door by a welcome chorus of waiters in Las Vegas style silk shirts who lead you to your seat. Once nestled into your seat, the staff then scurries about playing cupid, hoping to make a match between two people looking for love.

All joking aside, I love this bar because of its honesty. Being a total romantic, I like the idea that there is a bar in Shanghai (or indeed ANYWHERE in the world) that is promoting love that lasts longer than two cocktails, a slow dance and a taxi ride home.

With cocktails at 40RMB and a funky neon interior, Yes is well worth a visit. Couples out there who observing these creatures (AKA single people) in their natural habitat will particularly enjoy a night at Yes. Singletons  out there don’t be shy! Yes is a great place to try and meet that special someone.

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.


$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.