Getting Around the Bund
Shanghai has been transforming at a fantastic pace and it is unmatched as the best destination in China to see a dynamic collage of the modern marvels of the 21st century merged with the antiquities of ancient China. The best place to take in the vibe of the city is at The Bund, also called Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu in Chinese. This is the famous waterfront running parallel to the west bank of Huangpu River from the Waibaidu Bridge to Nanpu Bridge. It runs 1500 meters in length and is surrounded by amazing examples of colonial architecture from the pre-Communist era. Across the river, the futuristic high-rises in Pudong look like something out of a science-fiction TV-series thriller. Visitors from all over the world come here to get a view of the Huangpu River in all its glory. You can watch the Chinese boats and ships sailing to and fro accentuating the massive economic changes that have changed this city and country forever. Shanghai is a city at a crossroads with the old and new of China.
Familiarizing Yourself Around Town
The business section of Shanghai is posted with many signs in English, quite different from many other cities on the mainland, signifying its acceptance of international tourism and influences. Shanghai’s history is steeped in a long history of trading. After the Opium Wars of the 1840’s, the British forced China to open up the city to foreigners, thus beginning the reign of foreign trade until the Communist Party took over much later. There are always expensive and trendier areas that cater to the elite, which are like anywhere in the west and then there are areas with a more local feel and most definitely cheaper prices for everything. You can ask locals where to find these different areas who speak English to help you. Most people working in the hotels or students at universities will speak English to some degree, so these are good places to be at or near. It is usually easy to find someone to help you as usually younger Chinese who want to practice their English while helping you find your destination-it’s always a fair trade off in this endeavor. There are a lot of beggars around The Bund and other popular tourist places, but you will be able to differentiate them from rather quickly from well-intentioned people.
Markets, Entertainment, and Nanjing Road
There are many markets to peruse in and get a feel of Chinese culture. However, beware, because many markets selling animals for fresh meat have no understanding about animal rights as we do in the west, so it can be quite shocking to witness the treatment of animals firsthand. Yu yang Garden is a beautiful place to see rock sculptures and manicured trees and shrubs.
Nanjing Road is one of those ideal places to experience the sheer immensity of Chinese culture and the population. The road is inundated with modern shopping malls, stores, and hotels. There are many performances and shows, but one stands out as the best, which is The Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, which is absolutely amazing. The lithe bodies of these famed contortionists and acrobats will leave you breathless wondering if what you saw is actually possible. The Shanghai Museum is another fantastic example of Shanghai’s extravagant architecture and has large collections of ceramics, antiques, and sculptures that only the privileged could view in times past. The Shanghai Science & Technology Museum encompasses many of the modern marvels of the new century and also has a wonderful exhibit of Yunnan’s natural landscape entitled “Spectrum of life”. Shanghai Ocean Aquarium has a wide spectrum of specimens from all over the world to appreciate including seals, eels, and freshwater fish like snakehead, arowana, and Chinese sturgeon.
Cuisine Is Out of This World
No trip to China would be complete without eating what is possibly some of the most exotic and fascinating food in the world. If you get a chance to eat with Chinese people, which is more than likely, then you will soon find out that dining in this country is very communal with all the dishes being shared around a round table. There is usually always vegetables, rice, and noodles available at every meal-table. The most common dishes in Shanghai will be available to try such as smoked duck, snake soup, and steamed dumplings. And there will inevitably be more exotic dishes also such as “drunken prawns”, jellyfish, and maybe even donkey dumplings, as anything that crawls, walks, or swims is fair game in China.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tobias Carlson is a writer and businessman. He often visits Shanghai because of his Service Apartments in Shanghai business.
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