Insight Guides - Explore Shanghai: The best routes around the city

How To Use This E-Book

This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With top-quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the worlds most exciting destinations.

Best Routes

The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destinations many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights, and there are also excursions for those who want to extend their visit outside the city. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments options are shown in the Food and Drink box at the end of each tour.

Introduction

The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.

Directory

Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised AZ of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafs and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, plus a handy language guide and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

Getting around the e-book

In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

Maps

All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

Images

Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

2014 Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

Table of Contents

Recommended Routes For...

Architecture

Shanghai is a city with a fabulous range of architecture, from wonderful Art Deco ().

Ryan Pyle/Apa Publications

Art enthusiasts

The main draw is the inspirational M50 Art District (), which showcase the countrys high-profile modern art scene.

Ryan Pyle/Apa Publications

Children

Across the river from the city centre, the Pudong district ().

Ryan Pyle/Apa Publications

Food and drink

There is a vast range to choose from in what is one of the worlds great culinary centres. Try authentic local food in the Old City ().

David Shen Kai/Apa Publications

Museums

The Shanghai Museum on Peoples Square () is well worth going out of your way to see.

David Shen Kai/Apa Publications

Parks and gardens

Peoples Park () are famed for their classical gardens.

David Shen Kai/Apa Publications

Shopping

Nanjing Road West () are great for souvenirs.

David Shen Kai/Apa Publications

Temples

The colourful Jade Buddha Temple () feels utterly authentic.

Ryan Pyle/Apa Publications

A Peking Opera performance

Photoshot

Explore Shanghai

Bold, brash Shanghai is Chinas glamour city, where the faded glory of its treaty port history exists hand-in-glove with a soaring skyline and a brilliant future. Prepare to be dazzled.

Spoil of the Opium Wars, Shanghai was opened to trade in 1842 and subsequently carved up into concessions by foreigners from around the world an experiment that gave the city its global soul, its thirst for progress and its knack for international commerce. However, such foreign dominance also created a cauldron for resentment, and the Chinese Communist Party held its first meeting here in 1921. Revolution marched alongside old Shanghais decadent ways, finally winning over the city in May 1949. Since the beginning of the era of reform and opening up in 1978, Shanghai has been on a vast growth trajectory, transforming its skyline and economy, building, booming and innovating. The result? A truly global city for the 21st century.

The Oriental Pearl Tower

Dreamstime

The routes in this book, arranged geographically, take in the different parts of the multilayered Shanghai story old and new, international and Chinese, business and cultural.