Why Shanghai? 12 Reasons to Visit Right Now
Thanks to Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Shanghai is one of the world’s hottest cities. But with the Expo winding down soon, what else is there to experience during a visit to Shanghai?
While Expo 2010 Shanghai China runs only until October 31, 2010, the many other attractions of the city will continue to enchant visitors. With Four Seasons guidance, it’s easy to arrange an itinerary to fully experience Shanghai, one of the world’s great cities.
From shopping and dining to sightseeing and theatre, Shanghai has plenty to discover. Just talk to the Concierge for suggestions customised to your interests. To get you started, here are some ideas for distinctively Shanghainese experiences:
Shopping
From Old City markets to international designer boutiques, Shanghai has it all. One hour you’ll be shopping for traditional silk slippers and the next, the latest Chanel pumps.
1. Have a custom-tailored suit made in about a week at the South Bund Fabric Market. Select from the finest fabrics and be amazed by the quality of workmanship.
2. Create your own jewellery at Hongqiao International Pearl City—and have a lot of fun bargaining! From as low as US$5, you can take home a lovely strand of freshwater pearls.
3. Step into history at the Dongtai Lu Antique Market, the city’s biggest antique market with 125 booths. The artefacts may or may not be genuine, but the market’s charm most certainly is.
4. Shopping for the kids? Come to the Nihong Kids’ Plaza and stroll the stalls. Particularly adorable are the cute and colourful rain boots, alongside fun rain jackets and kid-size umbrellas.
Dining
With its international flavour, Shanghai can easily satisfy globetrotting palates—with cuisine from authentic Chinese to creative French.
1. For traditional Cantonese fare, come to Si Ji Xuan at Four Seasons. Lunch offers dim sum, while dinner presents Chinese specialties. If you’re here before November, try the hairy crab, a local delicacy only briefly in season.
2. Very popular, Mr & Mrs Bund offers modern French fare with a twist. The menu of over 200 dishes is designed for sharing and features classic and updated bistro fare.
3. Relax over elegant cocktails at New Heights where the wraparound terrace offers the best views of The Bund and Huangpu River. The menu features Western food with a nod to Southeast Asia.
4. At Lost Heaven, enjoy an exotic villa setting for cuisine from China’s Yunnan province. Richly spiced curries might remind you of Thai or Laotian fare.
Sightseeing and Theatre
The streets of Shanghai offer seamless transitions between ancient traditions and futuristic trends. The energy is genuinely exciting.
1. Enjoy a morning walk to Jing An Park—just 15 minutes from Four Seasons—where you’ll find hundreds of people performing their daily rituals of Tai Chi, martial arts and fan dances.
2. Take a ferry across the river to the modern business area of Pudong, where you can watch some of the world’s tallest buildings under construction. The view is best from the observatory at Shanghai World Finance Center.
3. Witness a spectacular acrobatic and circus show at the Shanghai Centre Theatre. Traditional Chinese costumes and awe-inspiring feats—from plate-spinners to hoop divers—will leave your jaw dropped in amazement!
4. Explore Taikang Road in the French Concession, where the tiny lanes and alleyways have become a bohemian arts area with galleries and outdoor cafés.
To start planning your Four Seasons adventures in Shanghai, learn more about the special Expo Package.
