After reading the FAQ section here, I noticed there wasn't a link to a thread with this title.

We will be traveling in Jan on MU - JFK-PVG-BKK..BKK-PVG-JFK
On our way back through PVG, instead of a 5 hour layover on 1/10, we decided to make a 29 hour layover to experience a bit of Shanghai.
As a US passport holder, it appears that TWOV will be no problem and I'm assuming that MU wouldn't give me any hassles about the itinerary.

As Beijing and Guangzhou have an active thread on this topic, I wonder if i can get some assistance.
After doing some basic research, I know that my wife would like to see a top self acrobat show - Circus World looks like it might fit the bill - what experience have others had with these shows?

I am Diamond with Hilton and Gold with Marriott - which of these chains would be my best bet as far as location, upgrades and lounges go?

After spending 2 weeks in Thailand with the appropriate clothes for that climate, it looks like Shanghai will generally be in the 30's and 40's that time of year - I'll have to put some thought into how to pack for that 1 day.

Any another suggestions for this thread would be appreciated.

Stay in the JW Marriott. You should be able to get a high floor suite upgrade as gold.

I'd vote for the Hilton, assuming the rate is >40% less than the JW... old hotel (by Shanghai standards), but better location.

Regarding that "one day in Shanghai" thread, I've thought about starting it several times. The problem is that SH isn't nearly as straightforward as BJ. You see, some people want to see Yuyuan and eat dumplings, some want to hit the water towns, and some just like walking down Fuxing Road. There really isn't a universal formula.

ETA: mnredfox: you might as well link to this thread from the sticky; it will surely contain useful information at some point in the near future.

OP, thanks for starting this. I'll add the link.

Edit - Done

Can you suggest a few "must see" for a day in Shanghai?

The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, East Nanjing Road, and the Urban Planning Museum.

You're right. This thread is a disgrace to our forum. I really enjoy toting guests around BJ because I never get tired of the tourist sites (apart from the Forbidden City), but since Shanghai lacks tourist sites of significant interest, I tend to direct people towards shopping, eating, drinking, and walking around the French Concession.

Anyway, here are some key points:

-aquarium followed up by some sushi at Suntory (that's honestly all you need to see in Pudong, though Hooters and the Binjiang Starbucks are worthy of honorable mentions)
-Maglev to or from PVG (you don't need to it both ways)
-Bund/Yuyuan (keep this short, but a glass of wine at the House of Roosevelt and XLB at Yuyuan could be fine)
-walk on Xingle Lu, Changle Lu, and/or Fuxing Lu (the former two for shopping, the latter because it has nice trees)
-get a foot massage or two (Taipan is the most western friendly, but any place where you see 足 will provide a good experience, as long as they don't upsell you)

A few more additions, here. Since I love swimming and spas, I must add this to my list.

-If you're traveling during the summer, stay at a hotel that has a nice outdoor pool (e.g. Portman)
-In the event the Portman exceeds your budget, stay at a cheap hotel, and go to Mingducheng's pool (y80 pp)... it has a bar in the middle (Las Vegas style)
-I started a spa thread years ago, in which I plugged various bathhouses, but the only one that is still relevant to this thread is the Xiaonanguo in Gubei
*even now, the entry fee is still dirt cheap (~y60), though the value added services are not
*you must be comfortable being around naked people (this took me a long time to get used to, but now I don't care at all)
-after Xiaonanguo, you can check out Laowai Jie, which is directly across the street

But my opinion is that if you are coming to Shanghai for 1 day, don't spend it at the pool. Go see the sights.

Okay. The pool stuff is for day 2, but if you come to SH and don't get a massage, you are missing out.

I'll add the Shanghai (Art) Museum.

The Modern Art Museum in the park next door (a bit hard to find with the winding paths and taxi drivers cannot find it from the street address) can be worth a quick visit, depending on the current exhibit. It's free if you show a LRM room keycard.

What do you think about Guyi Garden in Nanxiang?
Looks to be accessible easily from Line 11 on the Metro. Proabbly a bit far out for a 1 day stay but if time allows, is it worth it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guyi_Garden

What kind of massages are special in Shanghai & Beijing?
Therapeutic similiar to Thai or Shiatsu or Deep Tissue? Or all of the above?
I am interested in couple of those to shorten jet fatigue, etc.

I tend to prefer small, nonbranded establishments because they provide the best bang for the buck. But, if you want to go one level up, chains like Taipan and Congen are also a good deal... and they throw in free amenities like tea, juice, and pork buns.