Adding on to the number of travel advice threads. I guess the travel season is in full swing. I will be departing in about 10 hours. Any solid advice on sights, food, shopping? Thanks in advance.
Best dim sum dumplings house in Shanghai: --"Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant", 85 Yuyuan Road, Old Town God's Temple (there are several different levels w/ corresponding dumpling quality - walk up and get a table on at least the 3rd floor)
Be prepared for flight delay when you depart PuDong IA. U might end up sitting in the plane for hours and still find yourself at the runway.
I am currently staying in Shanghai for a total of two months. I would recommend getting Pleco, which is an app that translates words into Chinese. Also, I would recommend picking local restaurants that have pictures on their menu if you don't know Chinese. The metro is really easy to use, cheap, and will get you to most places around town. Places to go: The Bund - former European district. Great view across the Huangpu River of the skyline People's Square - Go see the Shanghai Museum (free) and walk around East Nanjing Road - Pedestrian road that lights up at night. Lots of Western shopping Yuyuan (Yu Garden) Jing'an Temple Longhua Temple Observation deck of one of the towers Xintiandi - Western area, shopping Tianzifang French Concession I like xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings. My favorite place is Jia Jia Tang Bao, just north of the People's Square metro station For electronics, some people recommend the Xujiahui area. I have not personally checked it out yet.
I disagree. It's overpriced for what you get - there are many other great places that serve xiaolongbao that are just as good and cheaper. Also, the whole Yu Garden area feels touristy and overrated. If you like luxury shopping, go to the Jing'an Temple area. OP, make sure to walk on the Bund at night. As BB007 mentioned, the view of the Pudong skyline from the Bund is really cool. Also, as we are in the middle of rainy season, make sure to have an umbrella handy.
The Oriental Pearl Tower (OPT) was pretty cool. Great observation deck with a glass walkway. Also a very good museum on Shanghai history. To get a sense of the crazy development of China at the OPT there is also a timeline of shots showing the Pudong from 1991 to the present. Also take a night cruise on the Huangpu. That is pretty cool seeing the light show of Shanghai.
I think I prefer american chinese food than chinese chinese food. You might underwhelmed by the restaurants there.
Damnit, now I want dim sum... I may have to take a trip to Vegas just so I can hit up Noodle in the Bellagio.
Yeah, it certainly is different from American Chinese food. They use very little meat in most dishes and really do not eat much chicken or beef. Anything termed "meat" is probably pork. However, I do think they do a good job of cooking the pork and incorporating it in different dishes, such as the soup dumplings. I wouldn't recommend eating much food directly off the street. I had some grilled lamb skewers that really did me in during my first week here.
