Shanghai, China Travel Guide
About Getting Around Attractions Hotels Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Intro to Shanghai
Shanghai Shimmer. Shanghai Swelter. Shanghai will seize your heart, pump up its surging blood through your veins and leave you panting. This is the height of the Shanghai experience. But in the summer, Shanghai’s heat and humidity make for some dense, almost sauna-like, climate. Shanghai’s definitely not a city for countryside dwellers. If you like people – lots of people – fashion, lots of fantastic urban and modern things to do, relaxing in cafes, nightlife, abundant choices to eat at and all around exciting experiences, Shanghai’s your place.
Shanghai’s a cosmopolitan city of lights, sparkling neon and noise. It definitely likes its shopping. I think some huge clouds in heaven opened up and poured down some heavy retail hail one day. Check out Nanjing Lu. Nanjing Lu’s pores even emit retail, shop, retail, shop. Shanghai is much more affordable than Hong Kong and is a great alternative. The Chinese in Shanghai, however, aren’t as westernized or open-minded as the Chinese in Hong Kong are. But, we’re talking about mainland China, where you need a visa to enter. There are less historic monuments, per se, in Shanghai than in Beijing. However, as a disabled traveler, the people in Shanghai are much more receptive than the kind folks in Beijing. That’s not to say people were rude or offensive in any way. Just less stares.
Shanghai may appear like it’s all modern and European style buildings but there are nice blends of natural scenery too. For example, take a stroll in People’s Park and down the French Concession. You’d be surprised at how quaint Shanghai is. As well, the Bund offers a nice waterfront view and you can take a jaunt to Xitang, one of the ancient, water cities and the shooting location for Mission Impossible III. Lastly, don’t forget to check out the absolutely fantastic Chinese acrobatic show. This will leave you breathless, just as Shanghai will.
Remember, Americans need a passport and visa to visit Shanghai (mainland China).