One day in Shanghai
 

This thread is more difficult than "one day in Beijing" because Shanghai is not as interesting as Beijing, but let's have a go at it.

1. Get a hotel in jing'an
2. Urban history museum
3. Shanghai museum
4. Aquarium
5. Flair

Self-guided Walking Tour
Food tour (I know you can just eat, as well, but for me - esp in foreign cities, and for markets, I like someone else who knows the language - and the vendors - helping me pick out what to eat ;-)

I read your linked article, but honestly can't endorse it. Basically, walking is a sensible plan in Beijing if you just do FC to Nanlouguxiang, but Shanghai's sites are more spread out. By way of example, I never cross the river unless I have to, but tourists should certainly go to Pudong (walking is not an option). That having been said, picking a hotel in a nice part of town should be a top priority.

We did 2-3 portions of those walking tours and quite enjoyed them. I don't think we did any one of the walks from start to finish. What I liked was that I had the descriptions of what we were seeing (self-guided and all). I enjoyed it (I enjoy these sorts of self-guided walking tours all over the place). Sure, they're not for everyone. But what is?

If you mean that it would take too long and not be the best use of time for ONLY one day in Shanghai, I could probably agree with that ;-) We also walked the entire Bund after our night market tour. We had several large beers along with the delicious food and the tour ended way at one end. We opted to walk back to our hotel (Hyatt on the Bund) - not sure that's a decision we would have made sober, but it was a lovely night and a beautiful walk. And probably needed after all we ate...

Post 5 is a picture of Flair. You will not find a better view in Shanghai. The drinks are expensive, and the food is even more expensive (i.e. apart from afternoon tea, I avoid it), but we are paying their rent when we go there.

Does Bund fall buried in one of the 5? Not sure how one wouldn't do Bund and

1-3 agree
Can't see why Aquarium is worth it or special in Shanghai versus other places ( should I visit, LOL ), swap it for Bund
5) I guess Flair includes time in Lujiazui
6) Yuan Garden
7) Zhujiajiao

I am from Boston, and our aquarium is supposedly world class, but I must say that the Shanghai aquarium is simply better.

I generally don't do tourist traps like Yu Yuan, but the museums are certainly worthy of a visit.

Apart from the aquarium, 陆家嘴 isn't my style. I feel a bit guilty for liking Flair so much, but it honestly is stunning. The Hyatts and SL simply don't compare.

You can see the Bund quite well from Flair. You probably think I work there, but this is not the case.

Much depends on what you like to do when you travel. I'd far rather get some buns from a street vendor, a beer, and sit on the Bund people & boat watching for a couple hours than go to an Aquarium or Museum if my time is that short.....I can do the Museum on Day 2, but would skip an aquarium entirely ;-) I really like to walk & see buildings, people, parks etc

I like Shanghai view better than Ozone Bar in Hong Kong...closer in. Although HK has a much more impressive skyline...when you get to higher elevation it diminishes the overall picture.https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f10fefebdd.jpg

I suppose I am more fond of the aquarium than most people, but it really is quite nice, and justifies crossing the river.

Of course I agree with you about staying in Jing'an or Xuhui. People's Square, the Bund, and LJZ are worth a look, but lack character. As you know from the Mobike thread, I also love biking. The thing is, many tourists like to cross the river for a look see, and this is not really possible via bike. The Y2 boat is a good way to get over there (e.g. extremely cheap "river cruise").

The urban history museum may honestly be one of my favorite museums in the world. Absolutely fascinating. I recommend it to anyone who ever asks me about Shanghai. The Shanghai Museum is outstanding too. I enjoyed the small Shanghai History Museum exhibition at the base of the Pearl Tower quite a bit as well, but I think it has moved to a more permanent location since I was last there. At the former race club maybe?

I'm not sure I would do the aquarium if I had just one day in Shanghai, but it would be the first thing I did on Day 2. I'm originally from Chicago so a world class aquarium was not far away, but the Shanghai aquarium is on par and has a unique collection of animals and exhibits that I don't think you can really find anywhere else. At least not presented as well as it is in Shanghai.

I do think walking The Bund at night is something everyone needs to do at least once so if you're only making one visit to Shanghai, I'd probably cap my night doing that. That skyline view is iconic and as incredible as the view from Flair at the Ritz is, there is something to be said about being at the river's edge looking across to Pudong.

I must admit that I do discount the Bund because I've been there over 100 times, and don't care for many restaurants there. This might seem to conflict with my fondness for Flair because it's just as expensive as Bund venues, and the food is nothing to write home about. I guess I simply like being outdoors.

That having been said, I do agree that the Bund is a must see for first time visitors.

FC
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...568e7a1f43.jpg

Hot Pot

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4f616a74bb.jpg
HuangPu river cruise
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...46179f36a1.jpg

Shanghai Tower
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a35dd18473.jpg
Bund
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...38bfb26a03.jpg
Hairy Crab
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bf742acc6d.jpg

MD's Hang out

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6cd408ad27.jpg

I live near Hongqiao Road Station on Line 10. I regret not living a little closer in, but Line 10 is extremely convenient.

I'm not a Hilton expert, but I will say that the original Hilton is well located in Jing'an. Having said that, I've heard that it is seriously overpriced for an old hotel these days.

RIP XY Market...that was always on the one day Shanghai itinerary.
Can you get me a Hermes Birkin bag for 20 bucks? Yeah sure you want croc or ostrich?

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...86a75668e5.jpg

Wow, that's a blast from the past! Huaihai Lu is now nearly 100% fancy from start to end.

Reagan told the Chinese at Fudan University...if you cooperate...you can pave your streets in gold.

That Hilton is no longer a Hilton hotel. You're either at the WA on the bund, the Hilton near Gubei, the DoubleTree in Pudong, or a new HGI out west of you in Minhang.

I lived in Xujiahui and miss how much the back side of my apartment building (Huijin Plaza) did not feel like Shanghai/China.

Apart from the WA, all of these hotels are far away from town. Personally, I could back the Hongqiao Hilton because I like the area, but I can't recommend it for short term tourist visits.

I agree with the Hongqiao Hilton. Stayed there a few times myself but you're right in that none of the hotels are great for a short term tourist.

Moondog, hope not to highjack your post, I'm staying at the WA. After doing a bit of reading here, seems that the bund is the place to see. Seems that there is quite a few places to visit at night. All of the views are amazing. I will have about 24 hrs in the town.
Seems I need to pack my walking shoes or maybe rent a bike?

I'm amazed no one has mentioned the Bund Sight seeing tunnel. Truly a marvel!

[It's really horrible but so bad, it's almost worth it]

If you find yourself in LJZ during rush hour, and want to escape without enduring Line 2, it's not a bad option.

Shanghai 's answer to Turn On Tune in Drop out.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...92ee641e2b.jpg

Now I just need to figure out how to get ot my hotel. Looks like line 2 will be the one. Not sure about the MagLev

I'll put in a recommendation for URBN Hotel. Great little boutique hotel on a quiet street in Jing'an.

I am no Shanghai expert, but I would say that my two favourite things to visit, not including museums are the French Concession and the Bund.

Every tourist manual recommends Nanjing road, which is extremely underwhelming.

I agree that YuYuan is a complete tourist trap: however, I really enjoyed having tea at the teahouse on the lake: the prices are high, but not that much higher than tea-houses in general, and the quality of the tea was pretty decent.

I've not been to the aquarium, but my wife/ daughter have: I can't say they thought it was better than Boston aquarium, but they enjoyed their visit...

tb

I can support the URBN, not because I love it, but because Yanping Road is really nice these days.

well, I had to miss my trip to Shangahi due to a family emergency. I left a day early and had to cancel my stay at the WA on the Bund.
Hopefully next year I can return and bring the wife along.

Thanks to everyone who has been contributing to this thread.
Have my first transfer at Shanghai next April. Unusually for me, it won’t just be me and LapChild. MrLapLap will be travelling also.
We’ll arrive at PVG at 7:30am and leave for NRT 9 hours later.
Am assuming we just need to collect luggage, check it back in and will have about 5 hours to roam around. That’s the norm for PVG, isn’t it? Or is China Eastern Airlines now an exception?

On the way back we will arrive at Hongqiao Airport 17:10 and then transfer to Pudong Airport for departure flight at 1:45am. As we’ll have luggage with us, am expecting to just get the airport to airport bus transfer service. Looking at a map, the Metro line 2 seems logical, but I am getting the feeling that it wouldn’t be.
All of us are violently taxi averse (even my kid hates travelling in cars, preferring buses and trains)

Yes Airport Bus Line 1 would be the easiest option. Considering your arrival time, there may be a bit of traffic on the way but it shouldn't be too bad. It's the morning rush hour that's usually the worst.

However, the bus leaves from Hongqiao T2, which is quite far away from Hongqiao T1. I presume since you are doing an international transfer that you're flying into T1? If you are going into T1, then a taxi would really be the easiest option as otherwise you'll have to move yourself over to T2 first which isn't really easy with luggage.

Taking the Line 10 subway from T1 is an option but you'll need to transfer twice. First you'll have to get off at East Nanjing Rd Station to get onto Line 2, and then off again at Guanglan Rd Station as normal Line 2 trains terminate here and get onto a Pudong Airport train. The subway may be very crowded depending on when you exit Hongqiao T1.

If you really want to you can take the Line 10 subway for one stop and get off at Hongqiao T2 and then move onto the Airport Bus.

That’s a great rundown on our transfer options, tauphi. Absolutely corrrect, we are arriving Terminal 1. Thanks for letting us know about the airport bus not servicing that Terminal.
If our initial flight is delayed this sort of information will really help us secure assistance in Japan (where I expect it may be easier to get the airline’s co-operation)

Taxi is definitely last resort for us. It doesn’t matter how hard I try I can’t ever seem to stress enough how much we hate and will avoid using them.

With that 7 hour layover, I suggest that you at least have dinner in Shanghai. Take line 2 to JA, find a good place to eat, and then take a bus to PVG.

That’s what I was wondering about. Wasn’t sure which was the best nexus point between the airports.
So you are recommending Jing’an Temple on metro line 2 and then the bus to Pudong Airport from City Terminal Building.
Gotcha.

If anyone has any restaurant recommendations in that specific area - not too expensive, and with at least a couple of non spicy options for the kid, I’d be glad to have them. MrLapLap is a BIG eater and he’s going to be ravenous.

Am seriously considering afternoon tea at Flair on the initial route transfer (PVG-PVG) especially if they can give the child a discount. MrLapLap can continue to fill up the hole that Flair won’t fill elsewhere.

This may have been mentioned earlier, but I highly recommend the walking tours organized by Historic Shanghai. They offer an amazing insight into old Shanghai, focused on architectural style of different areas of the city.