Shanghai is a window into the rest of China, a model in which other cities aim to emulate. Over the last decade, every part of its facade has been changed and renovated. The city has taken on a shiny new veneer without loosing much of its charm.

Landing in Shanghai's Pudong airport, I was impressed by how spotless and organized it was compared to major hubs in the United States. Customs were exceedingly efficient and getting my luggage out of the airport took only a few minutes.

Shanghai completed its Maglev line early last year and it's the only way one can experience traveling 430km/h or 270 miles per hour on the ground. It is fast, clean, and gets to Longyang road in Pudong 7 minutes compared to 45 in an automobile.

The city is divided into two districts, Pudong, East of the Huangpu river, and Puxi, West side. Pudong is the new financial district deemed a priority in the early 90's and is home to many multinational corporations while Puxi's where the heart of the City is.

Shanghai is known for it's food, fashion and nightlife. Walk down any street and your senses will be bombarded by exotic sights and smells. From the Neon lights on Nanjing Boulevard, to the elegance of Xintiandi, there's always something to do. The food is delightful with many simple homestyle restaurants serving up a good meal for less than five dollars. Shanghai's cuisine is a medley of flavors from around the nation and increasingly around the world.

Hengshan and Maoming roads are the center of nightlife in town with clubs and bars all the way down. One of my favorite is on Huaihai Road and is called MBOX. It is sophisticated and classy club for those who enjoy a relaxing night in town. There is usually a live band singing Chinese and Western favorites. There was also a beautiful Canadian performer singing her own songs and between the acts were these ladies dancing on pillars to hip hop. If you're only with the guys you will often be swamped by beautiful escort girls. Beware, these ladies are there to make money and if you accept their presense, you will have to pay at the end of the night whether they go the extra mile or not. The Massages in Shanghai are also nice with reasonable prices and professional service and after a 20 hour plane ride, you'll need one.

Shanghai's also home to the world's tallest hotel and bar, the Grand Hyatt on the Jinmao plaza. The restaurant has an amazing view of the city and is a high class buffet with a plethora of chefs catering to your needs. The desserts were especially excellent with chocolate fondue, creme brulee and a variety of imported chocolates. There are also attendents that open the bathroom door. However, prices are eye popping and a lunch for 4 runs about 200 dollars.

Shanghai can be a crowded and heectic city but there are numerous squares and parks where you can take a break and enjoy a breath of fresher air. Century Park and People's Square are the most popular and they're surrounded by Shanghai's amazing skyline on the Pudong and Puxi sides respectively. A trip to Shanghai isn't complete without a stroll on the Bund where old west and the new east meet but it can be ridiculous crowded as many Chinese tourists also swamp the area.
wher

The city's amazing lights make it look better and more distinctive at night. A stroll on Nanjing road at night is unforgettable. The smog can be bad on certain days especially around construction sites but it has gotten better lately as more stringent emission control comes into place and the city has been blessed with a variety of green belts and the intense planting of trees. There is also an the advent of electric and natural gas powered vehicles. There's a distinct divide between the have and have nots but even the old Longtang's look decent from within if you have an opportunity to visit a native's home.

The shopping in Shanghai is unbeatable as the world wants a piece of the market. From the largest LV boutique to countless malls and department stores, there are deals to be found. The goods at the Xiangyang market off of Huaihai road are of good quality and an untrained eye hard can be hard pressed to find any difference between the real thousand dollar bag and a 20 dollar bag there. Be sure to bargain at least 75% off the asking prices as the merchants are unscrupulous with foreigners believing they have more money.

Since my first visit in 1998, i have been back 3 times and the changes have amazed me. In 1998, there were those without air conditioning and having a Large television set and a computer was rare. In 2004, everyone I've met have cellphones and computers. However, rule of law can be shady in China and much of the city was probably built on corruption. However, the people of the city have almost unlimited social and economic freedom in constrast to what is perceived in the west. However, compared to the West, the rundown areas in which many of the migrants live still show there are improvements to be made. The political oppression can also be stifling as anything anti-China, anti-CCP is unheard of.

If you are looking for a whole new experience and a great metropolis to spend time and expand your horizons, make sure to make Shanghai your first destination in China as a window into where the nation is headed. Shanghai is also pretty westernized so the culture shock is much less.



Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Singles
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May