Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

So I'm going to Shanghai with a friend. We booked a hotel but that's about it. To be honest, of our five day trip I wouldn't be suprised if we didn't even use the hotel everynight.

I'm not much of a touristy-tourist (I don't wait a tour guide) so that should explain the reasoning behind my first two questions:

1. Can I just walk around and stumble upon cool stuff everywhere?

or

2. Are all the cool things far apart and need planning in advance?

I went under the assumption of (1) when I went to Tokyo and after getting lost numerous times, I ended up relying on a couple of local friends to guide me about and show me all the "cool".

If I stay around the Pudong area (by the water), is there enough by way of cool stuff to keep me going? I have a Lonely Planet Shanghai book I can whip out if I'm ever in a bind, but I'd still like some guidance before hand.

Also, I'm a vegetarian. I know Shanghai is not a veggie-friendly city. What are the names of some common, veggie-friendly dishes? I'm definitely not adverse to street food.

What are some absolutely awesome places I should go to while I'm there? If you tell me I'll scribble them down in my book. Thanks

[crazy_arcade]

Shanghai definitely has it's moments...
If you go on the lonely planet site, you can download different chapters for a couple bucks each. Rather than buying the entire China book, you should just download the Shanghai chapter.

but 5 days might be overkill

3 days in Shanghai and then 2 day trips or a trip to Nanjing or something else in the Jiansu might work better. Personally, I enjoyed my couple of days in Jiansu province more than I did in Shanghai.

Take the super-crazy-ultra-fast-magnetic train from the airport for sure.

I did lots of walking and also used busses.

Pudong looks cool from across the river and it's worthwhile to go up the tower, but that's about it.

I like the area around the Bund and the French Concession.
The turkish area was pretty cool too.

China is quickly becoming worse and worse for travelling...and Shanghai is leading the pack. They're tearing down old architecture and replacing it with new facade antique architecture in droves. In addition, the number of starbucks and burger kings thrown right in the middle of places where they shouldn't be is mind boggling.

[waynehead]

If you go to nanjing lu prepare to be harassed beyond belief by touts.

[Tiger Beer]

[crazy_arcade]

Yeah you'll get hassled by "university students" and "teachers" at Nanjing Lu (shopping district/walking street)

They just want to help you explore Chinese culture by bringing you to their favourite tea shop to experience a traditional tea ceremony. It's a win win situation, you get to experience something cultural and they want to help you so much because they really just want to practice a little bit of English.

Afterwards, you get to experience the traditional price jacked up times a thousand and a traditional Chinese gang beating if you don't pay up.

Beware tea and art scams galore.

[crazy_arcade]

There's lots to do in Shanghai, but I got really bored by the end of my second day. I was travelling alone though and pretty anxious to get moving to other more exciting places.

[D.D.]

bar rouge is nice if you like expensive in the bund. windows is cheap bar if you like hip hop and dancing and cheap drinks. bund is good to see, dont do the tunnel under the river.

its just fun to cruise around shanghai and drink and party and eat. barborossa is also a popular bar. dont go with the tea house students like the guy said. the chinese circus thing is very cool.

[IncognitoHFX]

[D.D.]

Electronics are expensive in China.

[crazy_arcade]

[oni]

I went there a couple of summers ago.
There are loads of great veg restaurants there My friend and I had big shared feasts for about $10 each.
there's a nice one I think called Gongdelin near the big Shanghai museum.
I liked the Shanghai history museum in that futuristic tower in Pudong but can't remember the name.
Also the art galleries in old warehouse complexes are worth checking out.
they're mentioned in the LP guide
And the Propoganda centre

[IncognitoHFX]

Hey... I'm back. Went to Shanghai and got back tonight. I had a great time. Lots of interesting stuff to see and do. I went all over the Bund, Pudong, Old Town and the French Concession, but like everyone said, there isn't enough to warrant an entire trip. We had seen everything by the third day and were nearly bored on the fourth. The main problem was that it was a city for shoppers and we don't like shopping.

Still, great time... should've spent two days in Beijing though.

[bangbayed]

Guess it's too late now, but Suzhou and Hangzhou are great day trips out of Shanghai.

[NoExplode]

Just got quoted:

60,000 + TAX 109,100 = 169,100

Pretty cheap. I paid twice that last time I went.

[barbbui]

Ding Tai Fung
2/F, South Block, Xintiandi

The best dumplings ever!