Shanghai, China

The world-famous Pudong District as seen from the other side of the Huangpu river.

Mainland China has always been home to one of the richest histories this side of the planet. Tell that to Shanghai and she would be appreciative of the past, at the same time more excited of a bright future for this growing metropolis. A city of over 24 million inhabitants - the most populous city in the world - has Shanghai buzzing over experiencing the blend of the past, present and future all at once. From the Old French Concessions, the Bund, Shanghai Museum, to the fantastic night life over at Xiantiandi, the busy shopping district that is Nanjing Road, and the futuristic Pudong District on the other side of the Huangpu river, and the world's second tallest building just right within the horizon, with "The Happiest Place on Earth" closing in on completion, every traveler going to China ought to make Shanghai part of the itinerary for city-hopping around this big nation.

There are definitely a lot of sights and sounds to experience in Shanghai that even locals and expats alike often refer to this city as the "Paris of the East", the "Pearl of the Orient" and "Asia's New York". Shanghai has also established itself as a global financial hub, housing the biggest financial institutions and stock exchanges in the world, at the same time becoming a favorite tourist destination that certainly puts itself on the map because of its unique environment that sets itself apart from China and from any other Asian city. The best part: China is relatively cheaper in terms of food, transportation, accommodations, shopping and attractions than Hong Kong and Macau!

Just like traveling to any other place, there are always the "best" and "worst" times to travel, and as always, try to avoid  the holidays and other special occasions that China celebrates (Chinese New Year sometime between mid-January to February and China's National Holiday on the first week of October, for example). Because for a country with a billion and a half people and having no work or school on those days, where do you think at least 20% of the population would go? At those famous attractions, of course! And that certainly would not be fun because of the hassle and the crowds that could push and pull you out of that. Before booking that flight, check if your schedules do not time with any known holiday. Even during off-peak seasons, expect large crowds all around as always, because after all, that's China!

And one more thing: make sure to keep your Mandarin in check - if you know how to speak, listen and read one. Not all establishments post English translations and not all people can speak in English. Most younger adults tend to understand English, though, so it is recommended that you can approach any of them when confused with the language.

Best Time to Visit China

China is a four seasons country with a humid subtropical climate, which means there will be seasons that are too warm for summer and too cold for winter. With China being known to invest a lot in beautification projects every year and every season, the colors of the city are more noticeable in autumn, and the temperature is just right to experience Shanghai where it is not too warm nor too cold. October is considered to be "China's golden season", the best month to visit the country. Just try to avoid the first week though, as the country celebrates its National Day, a week-long event.

How to Get There

For Filipino travelers wondering, YES, you need a Visa to enter Mainland China, unlike in Hong Kong and Macau. You may apply for a single entry or multiple entry.

By plane. Shanghai has two fully-operating airports, probably to diversify the air traffic that comes in and out of the city. We arrived at the newer Pudong International Airport from Manila via Cebu Pacific.

This way to the Maglev.

The airport is quite far from the city proper (about 50km), and the quickest way to get there is the Maglev (short for Magnetic Levitation), a bullet train that moves at almost 430km/h without touching the ground, and passengers arrive in Shanghai in just 7 minutes or less! Since we arrived at around 12 midnight, we missed out the train, so we took the long road to our hotel.

By Train. If you are coming from some other city in China, like Guangzhou or Beijing for example, the High-Speed Rail of China is a good alternative to get to Shanghai quicker - aside from flying - and gives you a view of the other regions of China. The commercial train service cuts travel time by almost half, compared to the older versions.

Where to Stay

Being the tourist destination that is Shanghai, there are various accommodation options available in the city, and they are quite cheaper than the usual during off-peak seasons (unless you are planning to go 5-star on your visit). Just make sure you get to choose a place where the people around can at least speak and understand decent English and it is close by to establishments and with easy access to public transportation like the bus and Shanghai Metro, hailed as having one of the most extensive network of routes in the world.

What to Do in Shanghai

• Top of the list: The Bund and Pudong District

Strolling around the look of old Shanghai...

If you're in Shanghai and you never got the chance to see this magnificent view, then I have no idea where you have been strolling around! Shanghai is split into two by the historic Huangpu river; on one side is Puxi district, home for the Bund (which literally means "embankment"), a fine collection of early 20th-century architecture, with famous establishments and financial institutions getting a vintage feel of the buildings have been well preserved over the years because of its status as the icon of Shanghai.

...while walking towards the future - and face - of this city

On the other side of the river comes Pudong District. It was once hard to believe that over 20 years ago the other side was nothing but a small village with a huge farm land. Ever since the emergence of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower (the double-lollipop looking one on the left) in the late 90's, Pudong aggressively started changing in form, with a number of high rise buildings drawing attention and interest for a sightseeing attraction from across the Bund that one must not miss out when in Shanghai. The most notable buildings in Pudong are the Jin Mao Tower, famous for being a strict observer of Feng Shui; the Shanghai World Financial Center, once the tallest in China, known for the giant "bottle opener" on top; and the Shanghai Tower, now known as the 2nd tallest building on earth at over 600 meters high, created as the "Vertical City". From both sides of the river alone, it is clearly evident which is China's biggest city and the one that will carry the modern look of the country for many years to come.

Impressive architecture in The Bund that lasts

Even with the development on the other side, this place continues to shine at night.

• Shanghai from the Top

Worm's eye view of Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Want to grab a bird's eye look over the vastness of Shanghai? We highly recommend going up the observation decks for any of the high-rise towers in Pudong District - the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center. The Shanghai Tower has yet to open during our visit, but for sure they would have their own.

Getting to Pudong comes with a variety of ways: a sightseeing tunnel from The Bund, the train, or crossing through the spiraling Nanpu Bridge, known to be the biggest cable-stayed bridge in the world that connects central Shanghai to Pudong via the Huangpu river.

Our opportunity came on the 88th floor of the Jin Mao Tower observation deck (Admission is CNY 120; we got ours for free because it came with the Big Bus Tours 48hour tour package). We did not really get a clear view of Shanghai from the top as the sun was about to set at the time, but it was still a good look on how big Shanghai is and how this city is able to house over 20 million people at one time. What amazed us on the Jin Mao observatory was we got a bird's eye view of what's inside the tower: the Grand Hyatt Hotel which is about 34 floors from the top directly to the hotel atrium!

Covering 34 floors, Grand Hyatt Hotel Shanghai, just inside Jin Mao Tower, with a view straight to the atrium!

Shanghai's Big 3 located just near each other!

Oriental Pearl Tower from the 88th floor

• Stroll and shop around Nanjing Road

No cars and buses. Just people and trams all around.

The header says it all.

The premier shopping district for Shanghai, and China in general, and one of the busiest in the world, sits in the 5.5 kilometer stretch known as Nanjing road, also considered as the longest shopping district in the world. This road length starts from People's Square all the way up to the Bund. From left to right, there are so many shops everywhere that you end up exhausted where you really want to shop! You could actually just walk your way through and you could end up on the Bund if you want to. There still was not much of a "crowd" when we went there in the morning, but when the clock strikes late afternoon up to night, especially after the usual office hours and when the lights start turning on, creating a colorful scene, a crowd of no less than 100,000 would be no surprise.

• A tour inside - and outside - Shanghai Museum

Located just within the People's Square, Shanghai Museum is one of the country's modern museums of ancient art. We did not get a chance to get inside, because the action outside the museum is actually good enough: the People's Square is the home of Shanghai's government headquarters, the fountain just right across it, the Urban Planning Museum, and of course, the people that move in and out of the park, just staying in the moment and relaxing.

Just outside Shanghai Museum, in time for a fountain show

• All-day entertainment at Xintiandi

Quiet by morning. Busy by afternoon. Lively by night.

Being the world-class city that is Shanghai, it also boasts of a luxurious shopping, eating and entertainment center along the city district, popularly known as Xintiandi. This lifestyle center is known to be the most expensive place to reside in China, and it is clearly evident with the shops, bars, restaurants and the class of people that roam in this district. While some structures here may look old because of the well-preserved stone gate houses, Xintiandi eventually developed as the place to be on a Friday night, on a date, or on any day where you can unwind and have a great time with friends. Of course, hanging out here would be costly, but hey, it's all part of the experience!

An old walk way on the French Concessions

• A throwback walk on old Paris

There is a legitimate reason why some people prefer calling Shanghai the "Paris of the East": the atmosphere and architecture of a place right in the heart of the city was once a French settlement back in the 19th century, and the influence is clearly evident with the houses, roads and infrastructure that have stood the test of time or have been well preserved ever since the French have left China about a century ago.

• Cruising down Huangpu river

• Gather around Yu Garden

• Paying homage inside Shanghai's famed temples

• All around food trip!

Where to Go Next

Shanghai Hongqiao Train Station. Where bullet trains leave almost every 5 minutes!

See you in Beijing!