Did you know the Chinese National Day
Did you know 1st Oct is the Chinese National Day? It’s been 70 years, the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. Celebration are in full swing, major cities like Shanghai obviously Is a cool show piece, whilst the rest of world has been through tear and wear, such as financial crisis, conflicts of political ideology, drama of Brexit and etc, China has been unstoppable rising to a formidable superpower. Credit should be given when it’s due.
Bund (wai tan) is a must to visit for the locals and visitors, you’d be lucky to get through during the main festival time, like in National Day. Police closely watch over, one of the main reasons is to keep the crowds in order, this is to respond the tragic accident a few years ago, when 39 people died due to the traffic chaos.
It was great fun to get to the point, when you seet the east side of Shanghai in the front, after wiggling through pedestrian area at Nan Jing Road, we took a photo shot at that famous view, as we have done many times, still not bored. Our Bund walk was not shaken by the typhoon this time.
Check on our blog wai tan
Shanghai Night we took this video at La Terrazza at Bulgari Hotel Shanghai.
Share your thoughts and tips and experience in Shanghai.
Did you know more flights available to Shanghai …
Did you know more flights available from London to travel to Shanghai directly? Gatwick has opened its “gate” since March, at the time of writing this blog, price is at £468 end of Summer, operated by China Eastern.
Did you know it just takes more than 11 hours to Shanghai (Pu Dong international airport) directly, over 12 hours on the way back. With time difference, it makes sense to switch your body clock to the destination time zone before your travelling. On arrival, ready for all actions.
To celebrate its 100 years in business, British Airway is offering promotion prices, which includes return flights from Heathrow to Shanghai on £508 (check out its dates). Good for them, however, watch out you top it with the check in luggage.
Please let us know if we can be of any helps.
Our blog image is from Mo Gan Mountain (easy access from Shanghai), a cool choice to see the rural China over the weekend.
We are happy to help your flights choice if needed. You can share your favourite Shanghai images with us (we can flaunt them on our Instagram).
How to make the most of weekend in Shanghai
How to make the most of weekend in Shanghai? It takes time to get to know a place though, we sums up some tips here if you are only there for a short spell.
Head to Yu Garden, If you want to see the traditional architecture, which is located in the old town.
Not far from Yu Garden, an area which has been revamped and became a show piece, XinTianDi, you can see Shanghai’s typical eye catching residential style. You will also visit the premises of the 1st Chinese Communist Party conference. Plenty of bars/restaurant, highly possible to keep you entertained.
Even just for a weekend, still possible to enjoy walks around the city. Xu Hui where I grew up, is a must ‘go’ to me, Within walking distance, you bump into Russian poet Pushkin’s statue, Shanghai Orchestra, Music Academy..,. You can spend all day or just one afternoon in this area, in its galleries and museums, This time I went Propaganda Art, well worth visiting despite its confusing location (in the basement of one building), .
When you are in Shanghai, hardly miss out the Bund, the epitome of metropolis Shanghai, which has done it lots of proud over the years, enjoy the evening view. You can visit East side of the river, PuDong, have a drink at the “cloud”..
To make the most time of a weekend. If you are into history or anything arty, some of options here, ‘Shanghai History Museum’ on People’s Square, pleasantly informative. Some of touristy spots for the evening chill out, check on our blog about the oldest band in town (Peace Hotel).
Our blog image shows flamingos dancing around the lake at Shanghai Zoo
It will be cool if you’d like to send over your tips on the new hang outs.
More About Shanghai Walk v05
More about Shanghai Walk, it’s the time to venture out to the south bank of Bund, where Shanghai marina is located. As this part of the old town is going through transformation, highlighted by the authority, aims to be part of the grand metropolis attractions.
It’s such a transformation from the old shanty town to the current developing trendy area, all the buzz and cosiness, our image here only captivates the front sight on the bank.
We left the Shanghai Fabric Market, which we will follow up with the shopping guide later. It’s just walking distance to the South Bank. Still some of the shanty towns remain, we have a couple of images taken for our own record, pretty sure those shanty town will disappear in no time.
We arrived at Shanghai Marina. Chic promenade stretches out on the river bank, gone are those stubby old blocks. Marina has been there back in the 11th century, when Shanghai was initially just a fishing port. Fast forward to the 18th century, the Marina took the role to receive the goods and the imports from the inland, East Asia and the far beyond, where they started their first legs of journey into China. It has played the irreplaceable part to transfer the goods deep into the mainland.
From here, you had to take barges to the other side of Huang Pu river (Pu Dong), replaced by the metro lines and the bridges now. Apart from the restaurants, boutiques, still a lot are in the proceeding of development, we feel this area gives a different perspective to see Shanghai, from the grandiose north river bank does, where the old commercial titans dominate its storytelling. This area maybe more Chinese or with the sense of local culture and humility.
Quite refreshing to see that Shanghai showcases its appreciation to its own humble history, its struggling over the passages of time. South Bank was magnetic in the past, it has plenty to offer when looking forward.
Oh, what are the Fun or Something Cool
More about Shanghai Walks v04
More about Shanghai walks, today we stretch out to the border of Xu Hui district, where the new Shi Ku Men lanes are revamped lately.
Just passing by Shanghai Orchestra, we are at Jian Guo west Road, the lanes are neatly knitted and feel like in the maze of beautifully structured waves of red brick walls, we saw a boutique (like one of the many in the area), we step inside the porch and patio, we discovered a perfume boutique “Facon”. The idea of the scents was conceived in Shanghai and produced in Grasse. A restless kitten was running inside the store cheerfully, the lady in the store showed us an article about its creator Mr. Bonzom, I think he is very brave to do so in such a competitive market. we are given some samples before left.
This area has been turned into a string of luxurious villa, Jian Ye Li, owned by Capella. It’s cleverly done, the villas with two or three bedrooms have own entrance, facing the courtyard, quietly nestled in the heart of the city. On the opposite of the road, we stood in awe, we saw the shops lighten up on the ground floor alongside the road. It is amazing, where traditional architecture brings you to the 30s at this moment and the interiors chic and contemporary.
We continued our walk before dusk, back to the buzz of Shanghai itself. I am always amazed about the adaptability of this city, where one style can seamlessly merge with the another. My friend suggested not to stop, a lot to see at Xu Hui, one of the coolest neighbourhoods by TimeOut. Happily, consented, I know not far we will be sitting in a cool place, sipping our favourite drinks.
Interested in the area? Read more our blogs
Oh, what are the fun & tell me more
More about Shanghai Walk v03
Our third part of more about Shanghai Walks. We are heading to the north of Shanghai, the celebrated Shanghai Ghetto. Less than 50 yards of Ti Lan Qiao stop off the metro line 12, we are at the Jewish quarter in Hong Kou district. Back in the 30s and early 40s, about 30,000 Jewish people lived in this area, once supposed to the only area where Jews felt safe in the world in that time.
Jewish people has been historically associated to Shanghai for commerce and business interests since 1840s, Sasson and Hatton are the most influential ones among them, they left their brilliance in Shanghai’s landmark. However, you get more insights about Jewish life in Shanghai when you visit the Ghetto, where you learn the story how this city accommodated their arrival, especially in the turmoil of the war in Europe.
Jewish Quarter remains much the same structure as it was, refugee’s shelter, white horse inn, Synagogue (now it’s converted into a museum, our blog image), Former distribution committee, HoShan Park, office of treasury. The former Synagogue is renovated to its original look, open to the public, volunteers give the tour guides. Some previous residents contributed their possessions to the museum and their stories are simply moving. Currently about 14000 survivals name are engraved on the right wall, every now and then more names are added with visitors’ information.
The neighbourhood is an reserved area, where the local authority takes pride for preserving its authenticity. Café (White Horse Inn) and Park (HoShan Park) are carefully maintained their characters, on the back of the park, the former JDC building is restored by Israeli government’s fund.
You will need about a couple of hours to visit this area, a worthy trip to get to know about the city.
How to get the most of Shanghai Walk
How to get the most of Shanghai Walk?
A favourite walk of mine is at the old Shanghai French concession, where some of interesting houses hidden away from the traffic, the lines of plane trees cover the streets, little boutiques sit quietly among the residences. Around the area, quite a few museums and galleries have established themselves over the years.
Around 10am, we set off from Wu Yuan Road (just off Metro line 1 & line 7, Chang Shu Road). On the road, one of the late artists Le Ping Zhang’s residence was turned into a museum, his art works are displayed. A very popular caricaturist, children worshipped him. Next, we took the left turn to Fu Xing Xi Road, where you can visit another celebrity (a late author Ke Ling) residence. Our blog image is taken outside his house. Authority prioritises the area of the maintenance for tourist interests, you can find enough celebrities’ houses available for public visits.
Plenty to see. We had to march on, quickly we found ourselves at Shanghai Propagandar Art Centre. Located in one of the blocks basement at Hua Shan Road, it has been there almost twenty years. The authority started funding it since 2012. Majority of its collections are since 1949, I got the bulk buy of postcard at its souvenir shop. A friend of mine felt Einstein is out of the place on the propaganda postcard. The great man once said “truth is born out through the test of experience”, perhaps that made him into the league. Chinese is renowned for being pragmatic.
We took a couple of turns, where Shanghai Drama Academy is in the middle of enrolling students, passed Wu Lu Mu Qi Road, we browsed “Safari Photography Exhibition” on the 3rd floor of Shanghai Hotel. Almost 2pm, after we visited late Yuan Pei Cai’s old residence, we must take a break, we were so relieved to find a cosy restaurant at Chang Shu Road, just opposite the old Little Theatre.
We were happy.
How to get ready for summer in Shanghai
How to get ready for summer in Shanghai? Wow, is summer actually a festival? Why get ready? Pretty simple, it’s noisy, busy and no need to stay put the humidity, get ready, so much fun in summer.
Grew up in Shanghai, I know that it’s hot in summer, and it seems the temperature in summer gets higher over the time. If you haven’t developed the resilience over the heat and humidity yet, it’ll put you in a cool state to enjoy what the heat throws. Anyway you can always resort to the indoors. Fair enough, there are TV festival then Shanghai International Film Festival in Jun. it’s suppose that the films will be interesting this year, highlighted to address the hot issue of ‘belt and road’, which the countries along the new silk road get chances to bring out their works.
At the moment, the annual Lavender Festival is in full bloom at Pu Dong, Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts zone. This festival runs till the end of June, you can make insta-friendly trips. For any sporty person, Dragon Boat Festival can entertain you mid Jun with its traditional rhythm, plus its colour vibrancy. Seasonal staple Zong Zi is already available, you can taste the traditional treat with sweet or savoury fillings.
If you feel like to venture out of downtown, Song Jiang can be an option (the previous blog mentioned “Go Chong Ming”). Rich in history, Song Jian has a lot to offer with parks, temples, cathedral, mosque, plus an English themed Thames Park, nicknamed as “Small Britain in Shanghai”. Check on Song Jiang, to see anything of your picks.
See our picks, visit China Art Museum and enjoy Huang Pu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights, if your trip is a flying visit (see our blog One Day Only).
Happy summer!
How to get around in April Shanghai
How to get around in April Shanghai? Mirrored to the Easter, there’s Qing Ming festival in April, where the families pay tributes to their deceased members, as called “sweeping the gravestones” by the locals. Traffic tends to gridlock on the way out to the outskirt for the weekends. People enjoy the traditional dim sum “Qing Tuan” (glutinous rice dumplings).
Drizzling April has its charm and it brings the hope that Spring is on the door step. In the school, Chinese kids learn the great poem of Tao Yuan Ming, which celebrates April’s idiosyncrasy: How to get around it drizzles endless during the rainy season / travellers along the road look gloomy and miserable / when I ask where I can find a tavern / a shepherd boy points a hamlet nestling amidst apricot blossoms in distance. (translation quoted and modified from the edition of XianYi Yang & NaiDi Dai).
Outdoor and nature are the prime choice in April, an exhibition of variety of flowers in Chong Ming runs from March to July. April seems a wise choice considering the temperature at the time, Go Chong Ming Island. This weekend comes with the first practice of Chinese F1 Grand Prix at Jia Ding district. Plenty going on to suit different tastes for culture and entertaining, including a Tibetan heritage show .
For a city which strives to be the best with never ending metro lines and sky scrappers, it has come around to preserve its celebrated unique culture: alleyways and backstreets where you discover the local living, those gems hidden behind the glittering shopping malls and office buildings, will get a makeover, How exciting. We recommend the tours, for the authentic local food as well as with walk.
Expats in Shanghai form own sense of being a local, ask them where to go or what to do, follow TimeOut to check on any seasoned tips.
Read more on our Blog Best time to visit Shanghai
Read more on Alleyways will get a makeover in Shanghai
How to enjoy the water towns around Shanghai
How to enjoy the water towns around Shanghai? It’s getting warm, time to go out, go for those trips.
Why not enjoy the water towns around Shanghai – discover another piece of jigsaw in Chinese culture, delight yourself in these places.
Zhu Jia Jiao of Qin Pu is the one in our blog last year, Water Town Zhu Jia Jiao it often comes to the top of the list for its size and the distance, its history and its gardens.
Far away from the noise, water town is a symbol of the tranquil life in Southern China. In the olden days, these water towns possess rural charms, epitomised the simple lifestyle of easy living and harmony, just like the drawings affectionately done by Feng ZiKai (ZiKai Feng Paintings).
Late artist YiFei Chen put the images of the water towns in some of his masterpieces (Chen YiFei Paintings), they have drawn attention from the visitors ever since. Easy access attributed to the recent development, most of those places are not yet completely commercialised, though not everyone may be sharing this opinion. A fabulous table on China Highlights can expedite your decision making (“Water Towns Nearby Shanghai”), you can choose to suit your plan.
Image of this blog was taken from water town TongLi. Different from the much celebrated Zhou Zhuang, which frequented in YiFei’s paintings, you find Tong Li quietly situated between Shanghai and Su Zhou, make it an ideal en route to Su Zhou.
If time is precious, the nearest to Shanghai, Qi Bao can always be the option, it is still part of Shanghai, so expect the crowds.
Whether you have or have not been to the water towns nearby, we’d love to hear from you.