The Shanghai Buzz

Wow Shanghai! This city has this electric energy, buzz that is hard to describe. They say that Shanghai is filled with Movers and Shakers. Now I can see why. Even with all the action in Shanghai, we were able to relax a bit because the central area is relatively small and the major sights can be seen in one/two days. We stayed at the Renaissance Shanghai) using points (I love it that working for the "Man" still has its perks). Seriously it was the bomb! We had an amazing corner room with a great view and the gym was fabulous. We worked out every day and loved it! And it was also the first time we were able to have “regular” eggs for breakfast. Yum! Every morning I ordered an omelette and Darsh got the American Breakfast, which included eggs, bacon, sausage, bread (and several pastries...which meant Darsh had a few chocolate croissants), fruit, cereal, coffee, and juice which we totally shared and were full for hours.

In Shanghai, you’ll want to stay close to the Bund or the French Concession where most of the restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars are….it’s also just good people watching. Luckily we were right in between the two. The Bund is right on the Huangpu River and is made up of the most eclectic collection of buildings. Well I thought it was eclectic because it was a hodge-podge of architecture – some very European, some Chicago, and some New York. It didn’t feel at all like I was in China. Shanghai was once occupied by the French, British, Japanese, Americans (apparently pretty much everyone) and was a major Trading Port for opium, silk, and tea....this is why many of the buildings have such a different look/feel to them. Some of the buildings are government buildings, banks, consulates, but others have been renovated into high end shops, restaurants, and hotels.

On the opposite side of the Huangpu River, in Pudong, are Shanghai’s ridiculous skyscrapers. We went to the top of the JinMao Tower (Park Hyatt Bar) and the Shanghai World Financial Center. The SWFC is the third tallest building in the world and I will say the view is pretty insane although it was a bit smoggy….. The top floor (Floor 104) had a really cool skywalk with glass floors….definitely not good for those afraid of heights. :) There are several ways to get across the river – taxi, boat, ferry, etc. We took the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel which was a bit weird but an easy way to get across.

We also walked around several of the shopping districts. West Nanjing Road is like the Santa Monica Promenade on steroids. It seriously amazes me how many malls, shops, and stores there are on every street. And they are all packed! We were in Shanghai on a holiday weekend and seriously I have never seen so many people!

One of our favorite chilling, people watching areas was the French Concession and specifically Xintiandi. It is the cutest area filled with art deco buildings, shops, cafes, galleries, and restaurants in restored Shikumen (Stone gate houses). This is where you’ll find many Expats, tourists, and wealthier Chinese. We spent a couple afternoons here eating at Paul (best chocolate croissant ever), Kabb (good happy hour specials), and Vegetarian Lifestyle (really fresh, organic vegetarian food).

I will say that while it was fun to experience the high-end European café, shop, etc. part of Shanghai I was happy that our hotel was also right next to some of the older, more traditional streets. It was such a contrast to walk through Central Fangbang street (also known as Old Street) filled with street vendors, fruit stands, and trinket shops. It felt more like what China should feel like (or at least what I had pictured in my mind).

One night we were lucky enough to see the New Shanghai Circus. It was the best acrobatic performance I've ever seen. The Chinese really know their acrobatics....and they sure are bendy! :) The performers could do things with their bodies that really looked impossible. Crazy! I really have no words to describe it and unfortunately we couldn’t take pics. It was a great experience especially since the theatre seemed to be packed with locals (I think anyway).