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| Nanking Road and the street's toy-like train. |
As the country with the largest population in the world, China has the potential to hold the world economy in its hands. But this was the last thing on my mind as I landed in Pudong Airport; I had been travelling for 24 hours and was on my last legs.
Fried chicken feet
A German who moved to Shanghai in 1989 said that back then you couldn't find anything in the city. Today, it has all the comforts of a city in Western Europe. My hotel was in the city centre, walking distance from Nanking Road, a popular spot with tourists. The hotel receptionist gave me a small card, which had the names of the city's 10 major landmarks on it in Chinese and English. Sadly, I only realised this when I found it in my pocket upon my return to Istanbul; it would have saved me many frustrating taxi rides! Equally frustrating was my experience with authentic Chinese fare. I went to a Chinese restaurant looking forward to showing off my chopstick skills, but soon realised that that there was nothing on the huge menu that I could eat! How would you like split goose heads, fried chickens' feet or sauteed pigs' tail? This was nothing like the Chinese restaurants back in Istanbul! I lived on a diet of hamburgers and pizzas for the rest of my trip.
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| Nanking Road. |
The tallest building in Shanghai
The tallest and most eye-catching building in Shanghai is the 468-metre high Oriental Pearl Tower-the tallest in Asia and the third tallest in the world. Until a few years ago it stood alone on the Shanghai skyline; today a number of new skyscrapers are rising beside it.
The metro system and a flying train
The Huangpu River runs through downtown Shanghai, and the Pearl Tower is located on a wide bend in the river. My hotel was on the opposite bank near the city's most interesting street: The Bund, or Zhongshan Road. Located on the bank of the river, one side of the street is lined with 52 historic buildings. These buildings were built during the first half of the 20th century by Europeans and the street is half-jokingly called the 'Museum of Architecture'. Come here in the evening and enjoy an affordable meal and a stroll among the crowds of locals and tourists. After my unfortunate experience with Shanghai's taxis, I decided to learn to use its metro system. A young Chinese woman who spoke perfect English offered to help me-in a city where hardly anyone speaks English, I was correct in assuming that she was from Hong Kong!
On my way back to the airport, I was in two minds about whether I should take the Maglev, the world's fastest train that works on magnetic levitation. I decided that I would do better to stick to a taxi.
Shanghai Guide
Climate
You can visit China all year long. The best months are September, October and May. Shanghai can be surprisingly cold. The best time to visit is spring and autumn.
Visa
China does not offer tourist visas. Therefore, you have to travel with a group or get a commercial visa.
Telephone codes
China: 86, Shanghai: 21.
How to get there
THY flies direct to Shanghai. THY: 4440849. Contact the Chinese Cultural Centre for group tours. Tel: 0212-291 71 05.
Where to stay
***** Grand Hyatt Hotel: The world's highest hotel boasts a stunning view of the Huang Pu river. www.shanghai.grand.hyatt.com Tel: +86 21/5049-1234. *****Pudong Shangri La Hotel: A 28-story hotel built in 1998. www.shangri-la.com Tel: +86 21/6882-8888. ***** Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel: A modern hotel built in 1990. www.ritzcarlton.com Tel: +86 21/6279-8888.
Where to eat
Bao Luo: This restaurant is so popular with the locals that you can end up waiting two hours for a table. Recommended for lunch. 271 Fumin Lu Tel: 021 6279 2827. Face: Located in a small room in a castle in the French quarter. The bar has a great atmosphere. Rui Jin Hotel No: 4 Building, 118 Rui Jin 2 Road. Tel: 6466 4328. Lan Na Thai: A great Thai restaurant in the same building. Hazara: Another restaurant in the same building. Serves northern Indian fare. Try to sit outside. Three On The Bund: This expensive venue boasts three restaurants. 'Jean Georges' is a very luxurious Swedish restaurant, ''New Heights'' is an outdoor bar that has the best view in Shanghai and ''Laris'' serves French and local fare in a stunning atmosphere. 5 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road Tel: 6323 3355; www.threeonthebund.com Creek Art Center: One of the most popular hangouts in the city, Creek Art Center is set in a converted 7-story factory. It has a great bar and a restaurant on the top floor. 101 Chang An Road Tel: 6380 6002 www.creekart.cn Must sees Located 1.5 km from Nanjing Road, the Old Town is Shanghai's oldest continuous settlement and features a completely restored Chinese garden and the traditional Huxinting Tea House.
| Helpful hints... |
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* Hotels, restaurants and taxis cost about the same as they do in Istanbul and are a lot cheaper than in Western Europe. However, the streets are not filled with great bargains. You can find fake replicas of famous brands, but the prices in the stores are in line with international prices: a pair of tennis shoes costs from 80-120 dollars. * Make sure to visit a local market to enjoy the exotic atmosphere and pick up some interesting items. Make sure to bargain. Chinese silk is particularly cheap, as is tailored clothing. Pick up a string of pearls at the pearl market on Li Shui Road. You should also visit the antiques market on Dong Tai Lu Road. The Xiang Yang Lu Fashion Market sells cheap knock offs of famous international brand names. |
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