Shanghai
District Guide
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Shanghai's relatively small city center makes it easy to navigate. It consists of two basic districts, Pu Xi (western town) and Pu Dong (eastern town), facing one another across the Huang Pu River. As a general rule, Pu Xi embodies "Old Shanghai" and Pu Dong represents "New Shanghai." Excellent examples of this dichotomy are characterized within the architecture, with the early 20th century architecture of the Bund on the Pu Xi side such as the Peace Hotel and the conspicuously modern architecture of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the Grand Hyatt Shanghai on the Pu Dong side.
Pu Dong
Fifteen years ago, Pu Dong consisted of nothing but farmland, but in an attempt to elevate Shanghai to the level of a major Asian commercial center, the Chinese government created the Pudong New Area Open Economic Development Zone, with a fast rising skyline and loads of investment money. After 1992 the rapid economic development of the area changed the demographics of Pu Dong to a growing cosmopolitan flavor and it is seen as more culturally sophisticated than older Pu Xi.
Chiefly a financial district but also a growing community, Pu Dong offers increasingly more to do and see in this new and growing community east of the Huangpu River. The shops and eateries along Century Boulevard, designed to be a 21st Century main street to match the ultra-modern sky scrapers and business culture, will be a world class walking district by the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, supposedly the largest structure of its kind in Asia, and a symbol of Shanghai's prosperity, looms high over the city. The tower welcomes visitors and houses the Shanghai History Museum. Nearby Jin Mao Tower caps the Pearl’s view and is free to the public.
Pu Xi
Pu Xi is a warren of city districts that together make up the cosmopolitan flavor of Shanghai. Unlike Beijing’s city center, which centered on the Forbidden City and emanating outwards in rings, Shanghai’s districts each offer a different flavor and diffuse the “center” of the city into well connected neighborhoods: densely populated Huangpu; historic French Concession which spans Luwan and Xuhui districts; park-like Changning district; expat friendly Jingán district; crowded Putuo district; Zhabei district, home to the Shanghai Railway Station; clean living Hongkou district, where 20th Century writer Lu Xun made his home; and Yangpu district, home to Shanghai’s distinguished Fudan and Tongji Universities. Most of the places of interest to the traveler are in Huangpu and Luwan districts. The grid-like city plan makes it easy to find your way around Shanghai. The city has areas that range from the traditionally Chinese Yu Gardens to the modern urban bustle of Huai Hai Road. The following areas of Pu Xi and should not be missed.
Huangpu
Huangpu District houses several of the top sites of Shanghai, including the Bund, Nanjing Road, and People’s Square, where the incredible Shanghai Museum sits.
The Bund
Definitely one of Shanghai's major highlights, the Bund offers an impressive showcase of Shanghai's colonial past. Beautifully preserved art deco and neoclassical buildings face the waterfront which faces the developing Pu Dong skyline. In the early morning one can join in on tai chi practice. In the evening a stroll to watch the lit buildings along the water is highly recommended. For a taste of nostalgia, visit the The Peace Hotel, once Shanghai's premier hotel, it was THE place to stay during Shanghai's colonial heyday.
Nan Jing Road
Shanghai’s historical shopping street became an exclusive pedestrian thoroughfare in 2000. On the western side stands the massive Shanghai Center, a multi-complex that houses the Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel, commercial businesses, consulates and a shopping mall. The open area of the walking street gives it a carnival atmosphere all its own that is a real treat. At night the shops create a neon frenzy of color and glitter that has a long and famous tradition in Shanghai. Nan Jing Road is 6 km (3.7 miles) from east to west, starting at the Bund and ending at People’s Park. It has the reputation for being the busiest shopping street in the world, catering to over 1 million visitors a day.
Yu Yuan
A part of the Chinese governed Old City, Yu Yuan Gardens is a traditional Jiang Nan (south of the river) style garden. Popular with tourists and locals, it offers a rare visit to peace and tranquility from an older time to balance the quick pulse of most of the Shanghai experience.
People’s Square
In colonial days People’s Square Park, was a horse racing track. After 1949 it when gambling was banned it became a public square used for parades. With the rapid development of the 1990s, People’s Square became the residence of Shanghai City Hall, the Shanghai Museum stands now where the race track clubhouse once stood. The Shanghai Grand Theater, Shanghai Grand Theater and Shanghai Art Museum, also line the square, as does the JW Marriot Shanghai.
Jing An District
Jing An is a popular residential district for the city’s large expat community. Western oriented shops full of Chinese curios are in ample supply. Jing An is also a popular leisure district and as such the fitting home of the historic Great World Entertainment Center, featuring acrobatics and Peking opera, among other amusements. If you find you need someplace to relax and mediate after all the stimulation that Shanghai offers, head to theJing An Temple, a fairly new structure sitting on an ancient site (first erected in 247 AD!) this temple complex soothes the soul amidst the energetic and sometimes overwhelming city.
Old French Concession Area
Super stylish shops can be found along tree lines streets, especially along Changle Lu and Xinle Lu, in this historic neighborhood. The shikumen townhouses have been preserved and several bear plaques detailing their original purposes. The French Concession was where French law prevailed before the revolution. It was here that the Chinese Communist Party was started in 1921 and revolutionaries found refuge from the local Chinese police. The history of the era is well preserved in Dr. Sun Yat-sen Former Residence & Memorial Hall. Beautifully preserved, his home furnishes a place for visitors to walk the grounds. Huai Hai Road is by far one of the most popular shopping districts in Shanghai. Huai Hai Road is a bit cheaper than Nanjing Road, a bit less crowded, and has more European fashions available.
