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Longhua Temple and Pagoda

 
Longhua Temple and Pagoda was originally built in 247 AD, making it more than 1700 years old and counting. The temple has since been reconstructed time and again as a result of damage caused by many wars. St...
 
Longhua Temple and Pagoda was originally built in 247 AD, making it more than 1700 years old and counting. The temple has since been reconstructed time and again as a result of damage caused by many wars. Still, classic Song dynasty stylistic architectural elements remain well preserved. The temple, covering an area of five acres, is the largest in Shanghai, but receives few visitors due to its location on the south side of the city.
 
However, at certain times each year, the temple teems with tourists and locals alike who make the trip down to witness annual ceremonies.
 
One notable ceremony takes place on the eve of the Chinese New Year when 108 monks climb the drum tower in the park to usher in the new year. Herds of Chinese Buddhists flock to the temple to burn joss sticks with the hope of bringing luck for the coming year.
 
A few weeks later, when the park’s beautiful cherry blossom trees begin to bloom, the annual temple fair is held. The event usually begins in early March depending on the lunar calendar. The temple’s grounds come alive as pilgrims, tourists and locals arrive to pay their respects. A normally quiet area suddenly bustles with activity.
 
Regardless of the time of year, Longhua Temple is worth a visit. For just 10RMB, visitors are treated to  a special combination of Buddhist style courtyards, hexagonal windows with classic Chinese elements of beauty. As an added bonus, the temple also boasts its own vegetarian canteen offering delicious fare at a very reasonable price. Longhua Park is just next door to the temple, while the Shanghai Botanical Gardens are down the road. This area of Shanghai makes for a relaxing alternative day trip to the chaos of downtown. For those with little ones, a makeshift amusement park complete with fairground games, wraps itself around the Pagoda juxtaposing new and old China side by side!

Either take a taxi to Longhua Lu/Longshui Bei Lu or metro line 3 to Longcao Lu. From the metro station follow tourist maps for the five minute walk to the temple.

Local bus routes: No. 41, 44, 56, 73, 104, 803, 864.

 

Shanghai Circus World - Era

Shanghai Circus World is the city’s most well known venue for Chinese theater and live performances. Circus World is the place to go for a quality live entertainment. With Era as its newest show, Circus World has managed to once again live up to its impressive reputation.

...

Shanghai Circus World is the city’s most well known venue for Chinese theater and live performances. Circus World is the place to go for a quality live entertainment. With Era as its newest show, Circus World has managed to once again live up to its impressive reputation.

Era was unveiled to much press and hype in September 2005. Having seen it, I can confirm that it IS a masterpiece. Blending acrobatics with multimedia and effects, it is a spellbinding show. The show tells a tale which journeys through past, present and future with a live orchestra to weave you through the visual narrative. The show successfully combines a plethora of theatrical elements leaving the audience feeling like participants rather than spectators.

With tickets starting at 80RMB, this is a perfect night out for the entire family. Unfortunately, infants are not permitted. Circus World also hosts many child friendly shows including ’Happy Circus,’ so check the venue’s listings upon your next visit for show offerings and times.

 

 

Take Metro Line 1 to Shanghai Circus World Station.

Local bus routes: No. 95, 46, 253, 912, 916, 114, 893, 210.

Shanghai Botanical Gardens

Located in the southern reaches of Xuhui district, Shanghai botanical gardens is tucked away from the main strips of the city. For those in desperate need of refuge from the noise and bustling pace of Shanghai, the  botanical gardens guarantee a spot where visitors can enjoy much needed pe...
Located in the southern reaches of Xuhui district, Shanghai botanical gardens is tucked away from the main strips of the city. For those in desperate need of refuge from the noise and bustling pace of Shanghai, the  botanical gardens guarantee a spot where visitors can enjoy much needed peace and quiet.
 
15RMB is the entrance fee to the park, but for 40RMB an "all-access ticket" makes all areas available including the “Tropicanium” conservatory. Situated in the northeast section of the park, this giant greenhouse is an authentic taste of the tropics, complete with mosquitoes! The greenhouse’s interior is so warm that a rather impromptu and rapid stripping off of clothing often takes place just inside the entrance, much to the amusement of the Chinese staff. 
 
For true tranquility, find Penjing Garden which offers a place to perch, to reflect, or to snooze whilst enjoying the Bonsai trees.

 


Official Website (Only in Chinese)

Take metro line 3 to Shilong Lu station then follow tourist maps.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum Shanghai

Open since 2006, the Madame Tussauds Shanghai is the sixth Madame Tussauds Wax Museum following its predecessors in London, Amsterdam, Las Vegas, New York, and Hongkong.

Madame Tussaud is a French artist who fabricated life-sized statues lively for favorite celebrities. She established&nb...

Open since 2006, the Madame Tussauds Shanghai is the sixth Madame Tussauds Wax Museum following its predecessors in London, Amsterdam, Las Vegas, New York, and Hongkong.

Madame Tussaud is a French artist who fabricated life-sized statues lively for favorite celebrities. She established her first permanent exhibition on Baker Street in London in 1835.

Madame Tussauds Shanghai has been divided into seven motive sections: "Behind the Scene", "Charming Shanghai", "Celebrities in History", "Film", "Music", "Sports" and "Speed".  More than 70 lifelike celebrity was sculptures are displayed in the museum and all of them were meticulously fabricated in the workroom, which has a history over 200 years in making wax statues, in London.

Not only Chinese superstars like NBA player Yao Ming and famous hurdler Liu Xiang, but also overseas celebrities like Michael Jackson, David Beckham, Michael Jordan, Tom Cruise, Marilyn Monroe, Einstein, Princess Diana, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, etc. are all under one roof. They, standing or sitting, with a smile or with a posture, seemed chatting merrily with inmate friends. I am sure you'd lose discrimination in the musuem. Believe or not?

Shanghai World Financial Center

Shanghai's " bottle opener'' skyscraper--the World Financal Center ,is the third-tallest building in the world surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Taipei 101 in Taipei.

It has 101 floors and stands 492 (1,614 feet) meters hight . he US$1 Billion building opened in August 2...

Shanghai's " bottle opener'' skyscraper--the World Financal Center ,is the third-tallest building in the world surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Taipei 101 in Taipei.

It has 101 floors and stands 492 (1,614 feet) meters hight . he US$1 Billion building opened in August 2008.Among its 101 floors, 70 are dedicated to offices , 14 to hotel space, and the rest to entertainments and observation decks.

The 3 observation decks  are the Sky Arena on the 94th floor - a lounge with a bar and spectacular sights,the Sky Walk on the 97th floor- a long walkway painted white, and the Sky Walk 100-the ultimate viewing platform on the 100th floor at the bottom od the trapezoid. The highest deck is completely made of glass.whenever you look, the skyline is visible .From here you can appreciate the two other Shanghai giants,the468-meter Oriental Pearl TV Tower &the 420.5-meter Jinmao Building.You can stand on glass flooring and look down. When standing on the Sky Walk 100,you may feel you are standing in the clouds above the city, especially on a foggy day.

Metro Line No.2 to Lujiazui Station or Dongchang Road Station.