Shanghai is a world in itself. Since it has had such an illustrious history, there are many different neighborhoods each with their own character. Some of the more famous tourist destinations to visit if you're a short-term visitor are The Bund, Yu Yuan Garden, People's Park/People's Square, Xintiandi and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. If you plan on staying longer than a few days, venturing outside of Shanghai by plane, train, bus or automobile to a neighboring city is a perfect getaway from the fast-paced lifestyle of Shanghai.
Shanghai's famous waterfront, The Bund, overlooks the Huangpu River and makes up the eastern border of old downtown Shanghai. During the 1840s, foreign powers erected their Western-style banks and trading houses along the shore which eventually developed into the thriving commercial and financial center Shanghai is today. From the Bund Promenade, you have marvelous views of the Bund as well as the colorful and odd-shaped skyscrapers that make up the Pudong skyline. Today, some of the historic buildings are still banks but a majority of them have been transformed into upscale shopping venues and ultra chic restaurants and bars.
Yu Yuan Garden is a well-contained classical Chinese garden. Built between 1559 and 1577, it is a maze of Ming Dynasty pavilions, elaborate rockeries, arched bridges and goldfish ponds all enclosed by a wall with a dragon motif. Just outside the walled garden you can find souvenir shops for all types. Jade, traditional clothes, tea leaves, bags, paintings and other trinkets are just waiting to be bargained over.
People's Square is the political, cultural and commercial center and the hub of traffic in Shanghai. It is Shanghai's "Central Park". Formerly a horse-racing track, the 30 acres is now home to People's Park in the North (complete with a small lake, rock garden, a Museum of Contemporary Art and amusement rides) and People's Square in the South (which comprises an underground shopping arcade, the central subway station, the Shanghai Museum, the Grand Theatre, the 20-story Municipal Hall and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall).
Xintiandi is Shanghai's trendiest lifestyle destination. This 2-block complex of historical cultural legacies features a multitude of specialist, retail, entertainment, cultural, recreational, commercial and residential facilities in restored Shikumen (stone-framed) houses. It is the local and foreigners' paradise because of the availability of so many cuisines and nightlife activities in such a compact space. Definitely worth visiting if you're feeling a bit homesick.
Towering high up in the Pudong New Area, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower has been the landmark of Shanghai. The tower consists of 15 spheres of different size at different levels creating an artistic conception of "large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate". There is a revolving teahouse and a sightseeing platform, which can accommodate 1600 people in the largest ball. Here visitor can get a panoramic view of the Bund and Pudong New area.
Not too far from Shanghai, there are two popular and easily accessible cities to visit: Suzhou and Hangzhou. Both destinations are close enough to visit for a day and yet far enough to give you to a totally different perspective from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai. The most efficient way to reach either of these cities is by rail but if you have access to a car, driving there can give you a glimpse of the how far Shanghai has advanced as the skyscrapers slowly fade away giving way to smaller houses and farmland along the way.
Hangzhou, only 2½ hours away from Shanghai by train, is renowned for its beautiful scenery and is regarded as "Heaven on Earth". The city is most famous for West Lake. It is considered the most beautiful lake in China. Around the West Lake are numerous grottoes, statues and ancient architecture, all of which are artistic treasures of the country. The well-known Dragon Well Tea (Longjing Tea) is produced here as well. A short bus or taxi ride from West Lake to the village where the tea is produced is a nice side trip if you're a tea lover. Buying tea leaves direct from the growers saves you a lot compared to buying from local tea shops in Shanghai.
Suzhou, only 1 hour away from Shanghai by train, is known as "Venice of the East" due to the vast network of canals and streets. Over 40% of the county is under water. The city is famous for its classic Chinese gardens and its embroidery and silk factories. With a history of over 2500 years, classical gardens in Suzhou hold a unique position in world gardening history. More than 60 gardens are maintained in Suzhou and a series of them have been listed in the World Heritage List. Other smaller water townships close to Suzhou include Zhouzhang, Mudu and Tongli; each also having their own networks of canals running through the town.
Some more notable cities located further away from Shanghai include Beijing, Chengdu, Nanjing and Hong Kong. Beijing, the country's capital, is the nation's political, economic, cultural and educational center. Here you can see the rich history of China on display at locations such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, sections of the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is the economic and cultural center of China's most populous province. For a period during the Five Dynasties era (907-960 AD), the city was the capital of China. Places of interest include The Giant Panda Breeding Research Institute, Mt. Qingcheng, one of the places where Taoism came into being, Mt. Emei, the highest of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains in China and the Great Buddha statue at Leshan which is a staggering 331 feet tall. Nanjing, once the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, is home to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, solemn and austere; the Great Changjiang River Bridge, spanning over this natural moat; Jinling Hotel, soaring all the way to the sky; Xuanwu Lake and Mochou Lake, the Ming Tombs and the Ancient City Walls, displaying architecture from Ming and Qing Dynansties so full of primitive simplicity. Nanjing. On July 1, 1997, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, ending more than 150 years of British colonial rule. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China with a degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs. Cantonese is the primary language but Mandarin is quickly becoming the 2nd language behind English. Hong Kong is a mecca for mainland Chinese to spend a weekend shopping, eating, and sightseeing. Some things to do and places to visit on your trip include taking the Peak Tram up to Victoria's Peak, especially at night, catching the Symphony of Lights show from the Kowloon side of the river. Visiting the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island or taking a ferry ride to Lamma Island to enjoy its golden beaches, hiking trails or the delicious seafood, spending a day at Hong Kong's Disneyland or Ocean Park. Hong Kong definitely has more than enough activities to keep you entertained.
These are a just a small sample of the endless cities that China has to offer. If you're the adventurous type, there are smaller cities and villages tucked away in all over China that are just waiting to be explored. Just be prepared, bring a map, bring a translator if necessary, and bring an open mind. There is so much to see and learn from China.
