Shanghai

The new Shanghai Museum is situated on the People's Square, the political and cultural centre of Shanghai. The square boasts a giant musical fountain and several attractive green recreational areas where locals dance and fly kites. It is surrounded by the City Hall, an underground shopping centre, and the Grand Shanghai Theatre. However, the Shanghai Museum, opened in 1996, draws the most interest from tourists. The building is shaped like a giant bronze urn, and the museum contains a collection of about 123,000 cultural artefacts in 21 categories. The permanent galleries of this impressive museum include: Chinese Ancient Bronze, Chinese Ancient Ceramics, Chinese Paintings, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Ancient Sculpture, Chinese Ancient Jade, Chinese Coins, Ming and Qing Furniture, Chinese Seals, and Chinese Minority Nationalities' Art. There is a restaurant and an art store within the museum. If visitors do not speak Chinese, they should look out for the museum's advanced audio tour, which is offered in eight languages. As the lines can get rather long, it is worth getting to the museum early. If it is a hot day, visitors should enter via the south entrance rather than the north, as it is possible there to queue undercover.

Address : 201 Renmin Avenue

Website : www.shanghaimuseum.net/en

No trip to Shanghai would be complete without a walk along the famous Bund. This picturesque street, Shanghai's waterfront promenade, stretches for one mile (2km) along the bank of the Huangpu River, and was once the most famous street in Asia. It is still renowned for its strip of Art Deco buildings. One of the grandest of these buildings, formerly the City Communist Party headquarters, is now the home of the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. On the skyline, visitors can see the Jin Mao Tower, one of the tallest buildings in China. The wide riverfront promenade on the east bank of the river provides a captivating view of Shanghai, particularly at night.From the Bund visitors can take a river trip down the Huangpu to the mouth of the Yangtse. Boats leave regularly from the Shiliupu Pier south of the Bund and the trip takes about three hours. Those preferring to see an aerial view with a drink in hand could visit Char Bar of the Indigo Hotel for an astounding view of the Bund. However it's done, this area promises incredible photo opportunities and is a good way for travellers to familiarise themselves with what Shanghai has to offer.

Address : Zhongshan East 1st Rd, Huangpu

The Yuyuan Gardens or the Gardens of Contentment, date back to 1559 during the Ming Dynasty, and are the best example of Chinese classical gardens in Shanghai. While Yuyuan is a popular tourist attraction, it is still a peaceful refuge from the city, with koi ponds amidst the trees and pagodas. The relatively small gardens are laid out in an intricate design with pavilions, rockeries, ponds, and a traditional theatre arranged in an ornate maze. The gardens consist of six sections: The Grand Rockery, the Hall of Heralding Spring, the Hall of Jade Magnificence, Ten Thousand Flower Pavilion, Inner Garden and Lotus Pool.The gardens are on Yuyuan Street in downtown Shanghai and can be reached via the Town God Temple Market, a warren of shops and stalls that is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist bazaar. The market boasts both international staples like Starbucks and Dairy Queen, as well as unique local stalls. After the bustle of the market, the gardens provide welcome shade and calm. It is best to visit the gardens during the week because they are very busy during weekends and the crowds can detract from the spirit of the place.

Address : 218 Anren St, Huangpu, Shanghai

E-mail : [email protected]

Website : www.yugarden.com.cn

Telephone : 021 6326 0830