Travel: China - Shanghai

[annkarin72]

Hi,


Planning to go shanghai in nov for 5 days. we have 5 of us (3A 2C). Never been to shanghai.

Any recommendations of place to stay? Or which area should I check to stay? And what and where to visit in shanghai?

Appreciate any replies.


Thanks n best regards
Karin

[jetsetter]

annkarin72:

Hi,


Planning to go shanghai in nov for 5 days. we have 5 of us (3A 2C). Never been to shanghai.

Any recommendations of place to stay? Or which area should I check to stay? And what and where to visit in shanghai?

Appreciate any replies.


Thanks n best regards
Karin

What's ur budget?
Areas of interest?
All 5 days in Shanghai only and no day trips to Zhou Zhuang?

[hquek]

Hi Karin,


Shanghai is extremely easy to navigate via taxis/subways. Main shopping street in Nanjing E Road. Family and I went joined day tours to Hangzhou, Suzhou and some water town - sign up at those tourist kiosks along that stretch (there are a lot). Figure the tours all about the same. Please note that the tour fees are negotiable and you should try to book early cos the seats run out. These tours are wayyy cheaper than what you get from hotels.

During the tour, there should be a guide that tag along - instructions all in chinese. You can opt to take lunch with the group (usually some chinese restaurant whose food nothing to shout about). We opted out of the lunches and brought along bread or just bought off vendors we saw. no tipping required. Believe they will also bring you to tourist traps but it's entirely ok not to buy, there is no pressure. These tours cater mainly to the prcs but they are generally alright.

There is a wildlife reserve that is wayyy out of Shanghai city. http://en.shwzoo.com/ If you like wildlife, do go for it. we took the mrt to the nearest possible stop and then transfer to public bus. It was about 2 hour journey. There are probably day tours and the cost reflects how far it is and how expensive those entrance tickets are. Reason why we went was to see liger (they have 1 or maybe 2 - but Mr Liger was absent when we reached). Kindly note that the chinese standard of animal rights is not exactly high and we couldn't watch a couple of those animal performances. the reserve is very very big so you may have to cater for 3/4 of a day.

[annkarin72]

Hi jetsetter,


thanks for reply.

actually really dont know whats there. Dont mind to go zhou zhuang.
any others places of interest. And for hotel, which area to stay like near shopping, places of interest.

thanks n best regards
karin


thanks

[hquek]

FYI only, I stayed at Modena Putuo - mainly because it was cheap, quite near to mrt (couple of steps away), and it’s loft concept…kids loved scrambling up and down the steps. After the expo, there are a lot of affordable hotels in Shanghai so you should have no lack. Booking.com, tripadvisor should have a lot of recommendations based on your requirements and budget.


(Seeing Jetsetter’s posting…yah, the water town we visited was Zhou Zhuang…very nice place)

Have a good time.

[MMM]

Used to like to stay at Citadines Jinqiao. It is 2-3 blocks away from nanjing bu xing jie, you can walk to the bund (15 mins walk), close to people square station. I like it as it is close to everything including the travel agents.


My parents travelled with me once when I was on business. During the daytime, they would go for local tours to zhou zhuang, suzhou, etc... so with our base out of this hotel was convenient for them as they just need to walk to the pick up point. We like the food options in that vicinity too.

http://www.citadines.com/en/china/shang ... types.html

It's service apartment style so for 3A2C, you can opt for 3 bedroom apartment and the cost is around RMB1500 per night. Around S$300+ for 5 pax.

For local tour, my local colleague told us that Wu zhen water town is nicer as less commercialize. I have not try that place though.

[jetsetter]

annkarin72:

Hi jetsetter,


thanks for reply.

actually really dont know whats there. Dont mind to go zhou zhuang.
any others places of interest. And for hotel, which area to stay like near shopping, places of interest.

thanks n best regards
karin


thanks

Most Singaporean families would prefer putting up in serviced apartments. You can try Frasers or Ascott Residences?

Frasers Shanghai
http://shanghai.frasershospitality.com/

Ascott Heng Shan Road Shanghai
http://www.the-ascott.com/en/china/shanghai/ascott_heng_shan_shanghai.html

Ascott Huai Hai Road Shanghai
http://www.the-ascott.com/en/china/shanghai/ascott_huai_hai_road_shanghai.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwnNqgBRDdgOitrZPj6yYSJACM86tDbP0ivo8au012RZf3WHsLTkKcSDfL7s79Gh9g5tH6khoCs0nw_wcB

++++
If u don't like aparthotels, u can look for hotels (mostly locally owned 3-4 stars) near Nanjing E Road 南京东路 （步行街）like hquek recommended. That's the pedestrianised shopping street which is lined with many LOCAL touristy shops and a couple of int'l ones. If u walk a bit further, you'll reach People's Square （人民广场）where Raffles City is. The Metro interchange is right there.

The int'l labels are along Huai Hai Road （淮海路）, where Times Square （时代广场）is. It's their so called Orchard Rd.

Another area is Jing'An （静安）which is very near to Nanjing W Road （南京西路）which has many small fashion boutiques.

If you prefer to stay on the opp side of Huangpu River, then book those 5-star Int'l hotels in Pudong where 东方明珠 is located, but they are no cheap and cater to business travellers. There are a couple of mega shopping malls in Pudong like 正大 to entertain u.

If you want a more hip n arty location, try Xintiandi inns 新天地...

+++

what to do? Depends on whether u r a history buff, a shopaholic, a clubber, an epicurean or culture vulture... :rotflmao:

[MMM]

jetsetter:

The int'l labels are along Huai Hai Road （淮海路）, where Times Square （时代广场）is. It's their so called Orchard Rd.

jetsetter, do you think it's worth to shop in Shanghai? Do let me know if there are any good lobangs that you found.

Personally, I find everything there so expensive that despite being a shopaholic, I don't even bother to visit their shops these days. The brand, range and the price.

[annkarin72]

Ladies,


Thanks so much for all the advises and tips .

Thanks n best regards
Karin

[jetsetter]

MMM:

jetsetter:

The int'l labels are along Huai Hai Road （淮海路）, where Times Square （时代广场）is. It's their so called Orchard Rd.

jetsetter, do you think it's worth to shop in Shanghai? Do let me know if there are any good lobangs that you found.

Personally, I find everything there so expensive that despite being a shopaholic, I don't even bother to visit their shops these days. The brand, range and the price.

MMM:
There's really nothing much we can buy in SH/BJ cos we already hv those imported labels!

I only go to their Flagship Bookstores to cart Chinese books and documentaries
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I also like to buy handmade organic blooming flower tea buds...
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If you're not moving btw cities, u may consider buying their pretty but highly fragile tea sets.

I think you can buy 金华火腿、板鸭、阳澄湖大闸蟹 (this season) from Shanghai as well..Personally, I've a targeted grocery shopping list (cooking sauces) each time I visit their local supermarkets :rahrah:

For my ILs or parents, I must buy their TCM from 北京同仁堂.

If you want to make cheongsams in SH, u need a few more days there.

I'm also into frivolous knick knacks from the roadside or museum shops. These may not interest u cos your kids are rather old The Qing Dynasty traditional costumes for lil princesses are uber-cute.
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