Traveling to Shanghai is like taking a trip to the future. Adjectives fall short to define this incredible city of more than 24 million inhabitants that, with each blink of an eye, seems to grow in all directions. And, after almost three years of being closed to international tourism due to the covid pandemic, Shanghai has returned with force to the top of the most interesting cities in the world to visit.
And it is that, due to its dizzying pace, its dimensions, its prosperity and its capacity for constant change, having the help of an expert who, in addition to its places of interest, knowing the pulse of Shanghai, is essential to make the most of our visit. For this reason, Magazine Livestyle has contacted Felicia Chen, a Civitatis guide in Shanghai, to find out the best tracks and tricks for getting around the city.
And the first thing we must know is that, to enter from Spain, we must present a negative PCR test carried out 48 hours before arrival. Once in Shanghai, what most attracts a traveler's attention is perhaps its size, its imposing skyscrapers and highways, the great distances...
What is an ordinary day in the capital like for a local inhabitant?
Shanghai is a new and modern city but at the same time old. As in the rest of the country, the people of Shanghai are very hard-working. After breakfast, he goes to work and, to avoid rush hour traffic, he takes the subway. The metro lines are well-developed but always crowded with passengers, so we recommend travelers to do a combination of metro and taxi. After work, we like to go to the mall with friends or family for dinner and shopping, or also prepare a sumptuous dinner at home for the family.
And for the traveler, is it easy to discover and visit?
It is true that Shanghai is a big city, and that the international airport is about 45 kilometers away, but most of the tourist attractions are in the center of the metropolis, which is what we recommend to know for travelers who only stay a few days .
So, in the center of Shanghai, what must-see places would you recommend us to visit?
Of course, the Bund, Yu Garden, Pudong skyscrapers and Zhujiajiao traditional village, in Quingpu district. We could also have lunch in the old town and stroll through streets like Lujiazui, Xintiandi, Sinan or Hengshan.
Among all the skyscrapers and futuristic shopping mall, is there anything left of the traditional Shanghai?
Of course! The ancient city, Yu Garden, and Buddhist temples such as Jinan Temple and Jade Buddha Temple are very traditional places. In addition, in Tianzifang, a residential area of typical houses with two or three floors, where people live upstairs and set up their businesses downstairs, such as clothing stores, bars, galleries... it is a good place to learn about life here and have fun.
Shanghai also has a rich architectural heritage of European heritage. What could you tell us about it?
Many outsiders have heard that Shanghai once held the British Concession and the French Concession. Therefore, there are still many European-style buildings left and some of the buildings are a fusion between East and West. This is also one of the reasons why many foreigners decide to live here, on the Bund promenade, where there are many such buildings. It is worth visiting this area both during the day and at night. In the evening, travelers can take a cruise to see the beauty of the district from different perspectives.
And in the vicinity of the city, what places would you recommend us to visit?
On weekends, he goes out a lot around the city, to go on excursions by car. Hangzhou, 180 kilometers from Shanghai, is a very beautiful city, not to be missed is the West Lake and the Lingyin Temple. Suzhou is 100 kilometers away and is famous for its gardens and canals; Humble Garden, Tiger Hill and Shantang Road are the tourist places worth visiting.
What would be the best time of the year to travel to the city?
Better to travel to Shanghai in spring and autumn. Summer temperatures (July and August) can reach over 40 degrees. And in winter (December, January and February) it is very cold: some days, the temperature drops below zero.
The gastronomy is also very varied. What is the most typical dish that we should try?
The xiaolongbao, a very typical Shanghai filled dumpling, is highly recommended. It can be found in the old city and in many restaurants in Shanghai.
What are the best areas to stay? What kind of hotels are there?
We recommend travelers to stay in the center, around the Nanjing Pedestrian Street. It is an area where there is everything: shopping centers, restaurants, subway stations and even the Shanghai Museum. There are options for all budgets, from luxurious hotels such as the Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Center or the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World, to cheaper ones, such as the Ji Hotel or the Jinjiang Inn.
Finally, what advice would you give to a traveler who has never been to Shanghai?
Most of the young people in Shanghai speak English, but the older ones don't. If you need help, you have to ask the youngest who are happy to lend a hand to travelers. You also have to try, at least once, Chinese cuisine during the trip; if you don't like it, in Shanghai there are also foods from all over the world. And we don't have the habit of tipping in the restaurant (you only have to do it in some western restaurants).
