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A Tale Of
Two Shanghais
stay
Citadines Shanghai, Biyun (Ascott)
La Residence
R501 R549
Do’s:
• A smile and handshake is the best greeting for first-timers.
• It never hurts to be polite every time.
• Always give a good verbal bargain before buying merchandise at any street stalls.
Don’ts:
• Sticking your chopsticks upright into your rice bowl is very rude.
• Make sure the spout of the teapot is not facing anyone at the table.
• Beware of strangers who want to give you special buying deals for branded goods.
Once upon a time, Shanghai was the playground of foreign adventurers and socialites. Today, it is still one of the most influential cities of China and also a popular destination for shoppers worldwide.
The Lesser-Known Tales of Shanghai
Since you’re already in the city, let’s head off first to the quaint water villages of Zhujiajiao, Suzhou, or Zhuangzhou. Built on a network of waterways, you can take a lovely misty morning gondola ride through any
of these villages and see the Ming and Qing Dynasties architecture! In Suzhou you can visit a silk-spinning factory to see how Chinese silk has been produced for 600 years.
Unless you can’t resist the shopping any longer, travel away from the shopping paths of Nanjing Road or North Sichuan Road and go instead to the Hongkou District. Visit the spiritual heart of Shanghai’s Jewish community – the Ohel Moishe Synagogue. Built in 1927, it has been reconstructed to its original appearance and also features a photo exhibition from the war period.
Drop by the peaceful greenery of Huoshan Park where the Monument in Memory of Jewish Refugees now stands. A must-see stop for a bustling atmosphere of antique and curio
houses, calligraphers’ and painters’ studios and literary clubs, Duolun Road beams with its 1920s and 30s Art Deco buildings.
Then take a boat out towards Jiangsu Province to Tongli – an unforgettable water village founded in the Song Dynasty and built on seven islets with 15 canals and nearly 50 bridges. The Jiayin Hall (built in 1922) showcases more than 1,000 years of history and cultural heritage with a collection of over 100 well-preserved woodcarvings of classical Chinese figurines. Another interesting site to visit here is the China Ancient Sexual Cultural Museum. This very interesting and unique museum explores more than 6,000 years of human sexuality. It also features a large collection of historic and erotic artwork and artifacts relating to sexual culture in China.
Life in the City
Back in the city, the Shanghai Museum is one of the best
anthropological sites of China and it houses over 120,000 national treasures of art and historical relics.
Other interesting places in the city include the famous Bund, Jinmao Tower, Yuyuan Gardens and the Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse. And as you wonder through Shanghai’s magical concoction of east and west, old and new, you will find that each and every street and building truly represents the harmonious balance of the Chinese.
10 ENDLESS VACATION