Chinese literacy: a guide to Shanghai. Chinese letter: a guide to Shanghai The lot of residents of Vladivostok is to go on trips to Asian countries

We constantly find something new - be it an incredibly beautiful street in a large metropolis or a cozy pastry shop around the corner in a small town. We invite you to discover cities together. We share useful life hacks, interesting places, stories and crazy photos from different parts of the world. The second edition of The HSE guidebooks “In the Footsteps” from our authors, friends and readers

Author and traveler

, EP "Oriental Studies", 4th year

1. Preparing for the trip
2. 12 things to do in Shanghai
3. 12 places to visit in Shanghai
   Historical landmarks
   Modern landmarks
4. Lifehacks
5. Food and its habitats
6. What to read before your trip?

Preparing for the trip

Shanghai is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in China. Foreigners are hardly surprised here: the title of the largest financial center attracts expats from all over the world. Guests of this multifaceted city can visit the past, present and future at the same time. The Huangpu River divides Shanghai into two parts: Puxi in the west - older areas with pieces of European architecture - and Pudong in the east - a collection of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings of the city of the future.

Health

There are no mandatory vaccinations required before traveling to China. Of course, you can turn on paranoia mode and get vaccinated against all diseases found in the Middle Kingdom. But, in general, this is not necessary. Shanghai is a modern city: there is unsanitary conditions, you shouldn’t drink tap water, although the chances of catching something unusually scary are quite low. This is why most tourists neglect vaccinations, even on long trips. The most necessary medications may be antidiarrheal, cold and antiallergic medications. The first - because of the specific Chinese food, spicy and oily, which is often prepared under questionable conditions. The second is due to high humidity, temperature changes (highly air-conditioned rooms and heat outside) and large crowds of people, for example, in the subway. You can wear disposable medical masks, no one will even think that there is something wrong with you - now this is a fashion trend. And the last preparations are due to the exotic fruits and plants around.

Visas

You can stay in transit in Shanghai for 3 days without a visa; if you want more, you will have to tinker with documents. There are several types of visas for foreigners in China. For tourism purposes, an L visa is issued for one month. It can be issued directly at the consular department of the Chinese Embassy (cost - 3,300 rubles), but an invitation from a person or organization in China may become a problem. Because of this, many refuse the idea of ​​applying for a tourist visa on their own, shifting it onto the shoulders of an intermediary organization (from 4,000 rubles and above).

How to get there

There are a lot of direct flights between Russian cities and Shanghai, both from Aeroflot (the preferred option) and from Chinese airlines (not so comfortable planes and stupid troubles can appear out of nowhere). There are flights with transfers, but they are not always cheaper.

Shanghai has two international airports: Pudong and Hongjiao. You can get to the city center by metro (12 yuan), bus (long distance bus - 20 yuan) or taxi (180-240 yuan), but you can get scammed, so you need to look for an official taxi and ask to turn on the meter. There is also a Maglef high-speed train from Pudong (40-50 yuan), which is very similar to our Aeroexpress.

Where to live

In Shanghai you can find accommodation for every taste and budget: from world-famous hotels to tiny beds on the outskirts of the city with airbnb. The most comfortable area for a foreigner will be the area of ​​the old French Concession, where real estate, naturally, is the most expensive in the city, but it is here that there is the least amount of Chinese tin. In addition, it is close to the center, where there are many cafes and restaurants, and most importantly, many people who speak English - these are either expats or Western-oriented Chinese.

Language

Ignorance of the Chinese language can be a problem: most Chinese still do not speak English, and if they do, it is very poor and with a strong accent. If the suited Chinese in Pudong still try to answer your question, then you shouldn’t count on any taxi drivers. If you do know Chinese, then be prepared for the fact that instead of all the “sh” sounds, Shanghainese say “c”, even if they are trying to pass off Putonghua and not the Shanghainese dialect.

How to get around the city

Shanghai is about 6 times larger than Moscow, so getting around it takes quite a lot of time. The most convenient way, of course, is a taxi, although not the fastest. This type of public transport is well regulated by the government - all taxi services are official. The price for landing and the first three kilometers is 14-16 yuan, each subsequent kilometer is 3 yuan. From 23.00 - night rate, more expensive.

Drivers here don’t know their way around the metro map at all; it’s useless for them to name stations. You need to show them either the exact address or the name of the place in hieroglyphs.

Next is the metro. The price depends on the number of transfers and distance, from 2 yuan between neighboring stations to 18 yuan to the airport. The metro has signs in English, plus many metro stations are named after the attractions located there. Disadvantages of the metro: it closes early (at about 22.00), long intervals between trains and a huge number of people during rush hours. You can also travel by bus, but this is very problematic: you need to master Baidu maps (everything inside is in Chinese) with a huge number of routes, and the stops are very inconspicuous (small sign), so they are difficult to find. But this is the cheapest way - 2 yuan per trip.

Safety

In general, Shanghai is quite safe for a foreigner at any time of the day. What you really need to be wary of is theft of personal belongings. Don’t leave your bags anywhere, always zip them up, wear your backpacks on the subway on your stomach, not on your back (this is fashionable). But you shouldn’t be paranoid - now the police are better monitoring such things, and caring Chinese will tell you if you haven’t closed your bag. Another danger is posed by road traffic.

Firstly, turning right on a red light is allowed, so even when walking along a pedestrian crossing on a green light, you need to make sure that a bus doesn’t run into you at full speed (they are reckless drivers). Secondly, there are a lot of mopeds, sometimes there are special lanes for them, and they can also go on red.

12 things to do in Shanghai

1. Walk along the Nanjing Lu pedestrian street (南京路步行街) and to the Bund (外滩）

This ritual is recommended to be performed twice: during the day and after sunset. Nanjinglu (sometimes Nanjinglu - the local Arbat, leads directly to the embankment. There are always a lot of people and nice trams, which for 5 yuan will help you save some of your time and nerves. In the evening, neon signs light up, giving this place a special charm. From the embankment, which is also called The Bund, opens the famous panorama of skyscrapers and the Pearl TV Tower - the visiting card of the city.

2. Walk on the circular pedestrian bridge in Lijiazui District（陆家嘴）

The movie “Her” with Joaquin Phoenix was filmed there. It is in this place that you can feel like you are in the city of the future, take a closer look at the skyscrapers and look into the only Taco Bell in China with divine Mexican food.

3. Climb a skyscraper

The most common option is to climb the TV tower mentioned above (about 200 yuan) with a transparent floor, but it is not that high, plus you cannot see it itself. There is also an observation deck in the Opener Tower - Shanghai World Financial Center (上海环球金融中心). But a more interesting option is the numerous bars and restaurants in these same skyscrapers. For example, on the Huangpu side of the Le Royal Meridien hotel on the 66th floor there is 789 Nanjing Lu Bar + Lounge. And in Pudong, in the same “Otkryvashka” on 87th, there is a bar whose name I forgot.

4. Visit Shanghai Disneyland (迪斯尼）

A visit to Disneyland is really worth the money (370-500 RMB per adult depending on the day of the week) because it is the largest of the 6 Disneylands, with the largest castle and the cheapest entrance ticket. Getting there is quite easy: there is a metro station with the same name. For convenience, there is an application on your phone with a map and waiting time for each attraction. The main thing is to have time to take fast passes to the steepest hills, and you are in a fairy tale.

5. Be amazed by human capabilities at the Shanghai Circus（上海马戏城）

In the Chinese circus they do not torture animals - only people perform in it, but their art leaves no one indifferent. The technique of sophisticated performances, perfected down to the millimeter, more than once makes you hold your breath. Another nice bonus is that you can buy tickets of any price, this will not affect the impression in any way - the performance can be seen from anywhere in the hall.

Circus address: 上海市闸北区共和新路2266号. Tickets start at 250 yuan and are sold at the box office nearby.

6. Feel like a superstar by taking pictures with the Chinese

Guys in this country have a completely different idea of ​​personal space and standards of decency, so don’t be surprised if you are asked to pose for a joint photo by complete strangers (especially on the Bund), not to mention Chinese acquaintances. Or they will start doing it on the sly. Even in Shanghai they are not fully accustomed to foreigners, especially those with blond hair and blue eyes, but it is customary to photograph curiosities and store them in the phone’s memory...

7. Buy as souvenirs in the country where all the souvenirs in the world are produced

Many people have probably seen Chinese in Europe buying souvenirs made in China - this Chinese phenomenon is almost inexplicable and causes giggles. In Shanghai, souvenirs will be sold in all tourist places, but the most interesting ones can be found near the Yu Yuan Garden, in the alleys of Tianzifang and in Shanghai Venice - Qibao (see the list of attractions)

8. Visit the world of consumer goods and fakes

Everyone has probably heard that everything is very bad with copyrights in the Middle Kingdom. Despite the efforts of the government, every now and then you come across fakes of varying quality and all sorts. You can evaluate the scale of the results of the Chinese assembly line in several markets in Shanghai. A collection of Chinese fashion trends can be found at the exit of Tiantong MRT Station (天潼路), at Qipu Lu Fashion & Accessories Market. Only the Chinese themselves and savvy expats come here; there are fewer fakes and more authentic Asian rags. For fakes (bags, belts, clothes, small appliances, etc.) you need to go to Yatai Xinyang Fashion and Gift Market, which is located right at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum station metro station. If you want to admire or become familiar with particularly sophisticated and accurate fakes, ask the sellers about the Secret room, they understand English perfectly. Open from 9:00 to 17:30 Most importantly, don’t forget to bargain - the price can be reduced several dozen (!!!) times.

9. Try street food

I love it. In the center there is not a lot of this, it is tasteless and expensive, so it is worth going to some ordinary residential area. There, for example, there will be Shaokao kebabs next to almost every metro station. At first, the unsanitary conditions and cooking conditions may be scary, but the Chinese solve this problem by adding a huge amount of pepper. You can ask without it - but this is not the same, and the risks are higher.

10. Eat right in the store

Small shops like Family Mart and similar ones are very common in Shanghai: Kedi, All days and others. They sell ready-made food - sushi, meal kits, baozi (steamed buns), right in these stores you can heat them up (yes, sushi is also heated) and eat them - there will be a table and chairs. This also has a special Shanghai charm - many locals do this. Don't forget to pay attention to local snacks with unusual flavors, such as lime or tomato-flavored chips, and the main Chinese sweets - White Rabbit candy (大白兔）

11. Drink Coco

Many people have probably heard about bubble tea - tea with jelly balls. So, Coco is what it is, in all sorts of variations. My personal favorite is QQ牛奶茶 - in addition to the balls, there are also pieces of coconut. Very sweet (if you don’t ask for it without sugar), so it’s addictive and addictive.

12. Enjoy nightlife in Shanghai

Shanghai is famous for its nightlife. The city has many nightclubs to suit every taste and budget. You will be very lucky if you know any “club promoters” - these are very often different expats. He will tell you where and what parties are taking place that day (and they are there every day, even on Monday), and will tell you the password, thanks to which you can not only get into the club for free (more relevant for guys, girls always get in freely), but also count on free drinks: whiskey and cola, vodka and juice, beer or champagne. But you should be careful - all this may be of poor quality, and it’s easy to lose your head. “Where does such generosity come from?” -you ask. I report: a club in China is considered cool and fashionable if there are a lot of foreigners there, and free alcohol is a lure. The most pretentious establishment is Bar Rouge with a view of the skyscrapers of Pudong. The prices there are appropriate, about 90 yuan per cocktail.

Address:上海黄浦区中山东一路18号外滩十八号7楼(近南京东路)

Oh yeah, be prepared that most clubs have very small dance floors. The Chinese come there to drink and play dice.

12 places to visit in Shanghai

Let's start with the places that will make you feel like you're in China. Let this impression be a little deceptive: there is nothing truly ancient in Shanghai, but everything has been very beautifully restored.

Historical landmarks

1. Yu Yuan Garden and adjacent streets豫园

The private Garden of Joy began to be built in the 16th century, but it was almost completely destroyed during the Opium Wars, and it was reconstructed only in 1956. The atmosphere inside is very peaceful, if you ignore the crowds of Chinese tourists. It is important that the garden is only open from 8:30 to 16:45. Entry costs 40 yuan, student entry costs 20, so get ready to prove that this is your ticket to HSE. Outside there are many shopping streets with souvenirs of all kinds, but it is very difficult to bargain here, as the demand is too high. Located next to Yuyuan Garden (豫园) metro station. Disclaimer: do not agree to the tea ceremony - this is the main scam in this area, you will have to pay a very tidy sum for this ritual, otherwise they will threaten you with the police, and you will get very little pleasure.

2. Temple of Confucius

This temple was founded during the Yuan Dynasty, its history goes back about 700 years, it was destroyed several times, but in 1995 the Shanghai city administration carried out a major renovation. Students come here to pray to do well in their exams. The place is also notable for the fact that nearby there is a large book market with tools for calligraphy and a wide range of cute stationery.

Address: 上海市黄浦区文庙路215号, nearest metro: 老西门（Laoximen)

3. Jinan Temple 静安寺

The Buddhist monastery complex is located in the very center of the city, in the already mentioned French Concession. Admission costs 50 yuan, but rumor has it that it is free on the first day of the lunar calendar. Chinese Wikipedia reports that the temple was founded in 247, which means it has a 1,700-year history. It was completely restored and opened in 1998. Located at the station of the same name - Jingan Temple （静安寺）

4. Jade Buddha Temple

Another Buddhist temple, which was founded in 1882. It is distinguished from others by two jade statues of Buddha, brought to Shanghai by sea from Burma. The statues are human-sized, one weighs 3 tons. An impressive sight. Located at Anyuan rd, 170 (安远路170), also in the Jinan area

5. Shanghai Venice - Qibao （七宝）

There are several water cities around Shanghai, they are all very similar to each other, but this one is closest to the city center - about 18 kilometers, you can get to it by metro - Blue Line, Qibao Station (七宝). There are many streets with Chinese food, a lot of souvenirs and clothes. On weekends it can be a bit crowded, but that's ok.

6. Streets of Tianzifang (田子坊）

Here you can take a closer look at what is called Shanghai shikumen - two- or three-story houses that are built of wood and lined with gray brick on the outside. The first such houses began to appear in the second half of the 19th century as a symbiosis of Chinese traditional architectural principles (a courtyard inside a house) and a European atmosphere. Shikumen, like the medieval Beijing hutongs, are built close to each other (the result is a labyrinth), but the brickwork and the shape of the roof, according to some, give the impression of English terrace houses. Now it is home to many Chinese boutiques, restaurants, bars and knick-knack shops. Exact address: 泰康路210弄. Nearest metro station: Dapuqiao(打浦桥).

7. Shanghai Museum

Large Museum of Ancient Chinese Art. A special feature is the collection of ancient ceramics. Some of the exhibits date back to the Neolithic era. The architecture of the museum building - a round dome and a square base - symbolizes the ancient idea of ​​heaven (round) and earth (square). The museum has 5 floors and is very cool - take a sweater (I'm not kidding). Located next to People's Square - People's square metro station（人民广场）.

Modern landmarks

And now the places are more modern, Shanghai still tries to seem like a super-modernized metropolis.

1. Art zone M50

A haven for Shanghai hipsters. There is a lot of graffiti on the walls, modern art galleries (free to visit), fashion stores and expensive coffee shops. It is located near the Jade Buddha Temple, towards the embankment. Address: 上海市普陀区莫干山路50号M50创意园(莫干山路店)6号楼102, nearest metro: Jiangning Road (江宁路)

2. Shanghai Aquarium

Located right next to the Pearl Tower. All living creatures are divided into the regions in which they live (China, South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, etc.), and into depths. The coolest ones are jellyfish, they have very beautiful lighting. Unfortunately, it is also often crowded - especially in the summer, due to the influx of schoolchildren, but it depends on your luck. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Address: 浦东新区陆家嘴环路1388号(近东方明珠), Subway Station: Lijiazui（陆家嘴）.

3. Chinese Art Museum

It would be more correct to call it the “Museum of Contemporary Chinese Art.” There are works by contemporary artists hanging there, although sometimes using traditional techniques. It is considered one of the largest museums in Asia, and it is really very huge - if you decide to walk around the whole thing, then be prepared for a back ache. There are 6 floors and 27 exhibition halls, which, if you look closely, form the Chinese character 華.

Address: 上海市浦东新区上南路205号, nearest metro: China Art Museum (中华艺术宫)

4. Shanghai Zoo

Although it is located far from the city center, it provides a unique opportunity to see the giant panda. Even though it was excluded from the list of endangered species, it has not ceased to be a rare animal. The zoo, with an area of ​​740 thousand square meters, is divided into 5 zones: primates, herbivores, carnivores, birds and amphibians. To get around everything, you need to arrive early (opening hours: from 7:30 to 17:00) Located right at the Shanghai Zoo metro station of the same name (上海动物园). Also in Shanghai there is a Wild Animal Park 上海野生动物园, which is located even further from the center, but there are animals in large enclosures, and some you can touch. Walk 20-30 minutes from Wild Animal Park metro station （野生动物园), full address: 上海市浦东新区宣桥镇南六公路178号. Despite the fact that the territory of this park is twice as large as the first, there are fewer animals here, and also - this can be important for especially impressionable ones - predators are sometimes fed with game. They can let a piglet or a goat into the enclosure with tigers... I won’t explain what happens next

5. “Valley of Joy” amusement park and water park 欢乐谷

If you have an extra day, and in the case of the water park, even two, and for some reason you don’t want to go to Disneyland or have already been there, then you can go to Happy Valley, which is located quite far from the center. Overall, it's a good theme park with a few roller coasters, but don't expect too much from it. Yes, the rides may not be as childish as those at Disney, but the queues are still just as Chinese. A little life hack: arrive when the park opens and immediately go deep into the park, the main queues will be at the roller coaster right next to the entrance, but by the evening there will be no queues at all. The ticket costs 200 yuan for an adult. Working hours: weekdays 9:30 - 18:00, weekends 9:00 - 18:00. Address: 上海市松江区佘山旅游度假区林湖路888号, metro station: Sheshan （佘山), there are free transfer buses from the metro.

Lifehacks

• If you are traveling for a short time, buy yuan in Russia. Why? Because going to the bank and changing dollars takes a very long time. Be prepared to throw 1.5 hours out of your life. You need to take your passport, stand in a line of grandmothers, they will scan your documents, fill out a bunch of papers, show your unusual passport to the whole office, and giggle. Oh yes, banks are open until 4 o’clock, and with a lunch break (the bank doesn’t close, but only one of the slowest Chinese people remains there). You can still withdraw from the card, but the exchange rate will be unfavorable, you will be charged a commission, and sometimes ATMs give out counterfeit bills. I haven’t encountered it myself, but I’ve often heard about it.

Food and its habitats

This will be a little strange, but I most likely will not be able to recommend certain places with Chinese cuisine where you need to go specifically, and now I will explain why.

Firstly, Shanghai is a huge city, and it would be stupid to go somewhere special. Secondly, you should look for truly Chinese and at the same time delicious food in small, most often family-run eateries.

Pretentious restaurants are incredibly expensive and not at all like that. The number of these eateries is countless, the main thing you need to focus on is whether the locals eat there. If you see a line, go there, it’s definitely delicious. Even if the place looks unattractive, and this happens in 99% of cases. Most of these places have menus in Chinese, so here is a list of dishes worth trying, and yes, they all have the same name:

• dumplings to choose from: 小笼包 (xiaolongbao) - steamed dumplings with ginger added to the meat (we began to call them “meat in dough petals”). 馄饨 (huntun) - these are the so-called vottons - boiled dumplings with broth (or without) with various meat and vegetable fillings. 饺子（jiaozi） - fried dumplings.
• 宫保鸡丁（gōngbǎo jīdīng）-chicken gongbao (Sichuan dish of chicken with peanuts and chili peppers)
• 鱼香肉丝（yúxiāng ròusī） - so-called “fish-flavored meat” - pork in fish sauce (fried, cut into strips pork in garlic and hot pepper sauce, Chinese cuisine)
• 糖醋里脊 (tángcù lǐji) - pork in sweet and sour sauce
• 菠萝古老肉 (bōluó gǔlǎoròu) - also pork in sweet and sour sauce, but with pineapple
• 麻婆豆腐(má pó dòufǔ) - Sichuan-style spicy mapo tofu (fried, with minced pork or beef and pepper, in hot sauce)

Another indicator of quality and safety can be a blue sign with smiley faces next to the entrance - this is the assessment of the sanitary and epidemiological station. Red smiley - everything is bad, run away from there, yellow - real delicious Chinese food, green smiley - everything is perfectly clean, but I only saw it in large chain establishments, so I will give them as an example, however, not all of them will be Chinese.

Xiao Mei Yuan（小梅园）

The only Chinese place that will always remain in my heart. A chain cafe, there are 10 of them in Shanghai, there is one even next to People’s Square. The average bill is 20-40 yuan.

Xiabuxiabu(呷哺呷哺）

Here you can try the so-called “Chinese samovar”, in English Hotpot, in Chinese Huoguo. There is such a saucepan built into the table, it heats itself, they pour water into it, order the ingredients and cook them, holding them with chopsticks. This is how exotic it is. The price directly depends on your appetite; it’s worth going with a large group.

Ajisen Ramen, (Ajisen Ramen 味千拉面)

If you want incredibly tasty Japanese udon, then you should go here, there are a lot of them and they are located at almost every metro station. My forever love is udon with duck, it is not spicy at all, but thrill seekers also have something to taste. The rice here is also okay, but the appetizers are kind of mediocre. The price of a huge bowl of udon is 33-50 yuan.

Korean BQQ

If you love meat, then look for a Korean barbecue nearby. Each table has a built-in grill and a hood above it. They bring you appetizers and you order raw meat, most often pork. Then you put it on the grill and turn it over, at the very end, cut it into pieces with special scissors, wrap it in lettuce and throw in whatever you like from the appetizers. It tastes best this way. For a plate with three hefty pieces of meat (enough to feed one) you will have to pay about 40 yuan, sometimes there is “no limit” - the meat is served to you until you burst, for 80-100 yuan per person.

Co. Cheese Melt Bar

If you ever get tired of Chinese food and pungent smells, this cute little place in the French Concession will delight you with incredibly delicious fried sandwiches. This is a well-deserved first place among the snack bars in Shanghai. A standard sandwich costs 50 yuan, the same for a glass of delicious cider. There are about 25 types of cooking variations in total - the fifth number on the menu is my favorite.

What to read before your trip?

An unprepared tourist can be shocked by a lot after arriving in the Middle Kingdom. Here is a small list of literature that will allow you to explain the strangest things to yourself.

• Marina Kravtsova “History of Chinese Culture”, 2004

This is a textbook aimed at a completely unprepared reader, where you should start getting acquainted with the ancient Chinese culture - it links with a thin thread the traditions and spiritual values ​​of the Chinese from ancient times to the present day, forming a fairly holistic picture of the development of Chinese culture.

• Marcel Granet “Chinese Civilization”, 2016

This book by the French orientalist is considered one of the fundamental works in sinology. The author vividly describes various aspects of public and private life in ancient China, as well as the life of people: work, family and marriage relationships, food, clothing, rituals, ceremonies, codes of honor, social hierarchy, etiquette covering all aspects of life. It describes such a traditional China, of which there is less and less every year.

• Evan Oznos, The Age of Ambition. Wealth, truth and faith in the new China", 2015

And now to what China is today. This book is by an American journalist, who for some reason very often meets with Chinese dissidents;) The book is suitable for those who want to understand the real life of China and get away from most stereotypes, and understand why many modern Chinese women prefer to “cry in the back seat of a BMW rather than smile on a bicycle"

• William A. Callahan "China Dreams: 20 Visions of the Future", 2013

The book is somewhat similar to the previous one, but here the author turns to the ways of development of China, shows how the younger generation questions the model of economic development adopted by the leadership and the struggle between Confucian traditions and Western democracy.

• Wang Zhicheng “The History of Russian Emigration in Shanghai”

A book about the phenomenon called “Russian Shanghai”: stories about the political, social and cultural life of Russians in Shanghai. The author analyzed the periodicals of the 1920-40s and presented a comprehensive monograph to the world back in 1993, despite the fact that it was translated into Russian only in 2009, the book retains its historiographical significance.

• A project by the online publication “Magazeta” and Katya Knyazeva, author of the book Shanghai Old Town: Topography of a Phantom City about the iconic buildings of Shanghai.

This is a very large and original guide to Shanghai, which allows you to trace the past of the city while walking along its streets. If you have a lot of time in this city, and my humble guide is not at all exhaustive, this is a must-read.

Text: Diana Filina

Travel, shoot and send your guides to , and if they are cool, we will contact you.

If you take a high-speed train at Beijing's central station (the size of a good European airport), travel through half the country for five and a half hours through a haze that evenly covers it, not the most environmentally friendly type, then at the end you feel relieved. Not because there are any problems with Chinese high-speed trains, but simply because it is much easier to breathe in Shanghai: a large port in the Yangtze Delta, where Huangpu merges with Suzhou, the East China Sea is very close and, despite the subtropics and almost monsoons, there is much more air there than in the flat, open Beijing. At least it's more breathable.

It is this - free breathing - that could be made a metaphor for any trip here, but, avoiding cliches and literature, we will only say that this densely built and densely populated city seems a little more understandable and lively to the Western eye than Beijing with its wide avenues and huge squares that, however, are familiar to anyone born in the former USSR. In general, coming here from Beijing is a good idea, like any fresh contrast.

Bvlgari Hotel

Both there - in Beijing and in Shanghai - there is a Bvlgari hotel, and in Shanghai it opened just a few weeks ago, and they differ in about the same way as these cities, while fully maintaining the general design and style invented by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Weil. If in Beijing everything is on the ground - a garden, a restaurant, a terrace, a bar, then in Shanghai everything is in the air - Nico Romito's restaurant Il Restorante, Il Bar on the 47th floor and the highest, with the most enchanting view, La Terrazza, actually on the roof. This is all, of course, Italian - and Nico Romito managed to create in China one of the best Italian cuisines that can be, where even bread flour is brought from Italy. And the view from the local La Terrazza of Pudong with skyscrapers and the river with ships and barges is the most postcard, the most iconic and the best in the city.

There is also a restaurant on the ground: in addition to the newly built 48-storey tower, Bvlgari restored the old Chamber of Commerce building, which stands on the hotel grounds with a garden around it, an alley and a classical-style entrance arch made based on the Roman Arch of Constantine. They built a ballroom in it and opened a gastronomic restaurant of Chinese cuisine - Bao Li Xuan.

Historical Center and Bund of the Bund

Here, in principle, you can live without going outside, but if you do go out, you find yourself right in the Bund, the main historical district of Shanghai. You can just walk along it and walk, and wild-style skyscrapers and shopping streets with all the main international boutiques will be replaced by blocks of the 20s–30s, similar at once to birdhouses and our Khrushchev buildings, but in the Bauhaus style, with small benches below and clusters of air conditioners above, which, locals say, are completely impossible to live in, but which are the real Shanghai. They have been actively demolished over the past 20 years and continue to be demolished and built up with offices and hotels, although they promise to preserve something for reasons of historical importance (or rather commercial gain, so that there is something to show tourists as authentic Shanghai).

The embankment opposite Pudong - with an excellent promenade, where literally every tourist who comes here takes a photo - is lined with austere, beautiful buildings in the New York Art Deco style, and in general, architecturally, Shanghai does not allow the Western eye to get bored. Be amazed, horrified, happy or sad - as much as you like, but never get bored. A place where you can have lunch on the way is the Lost Heaven restaurant, which is not boring and moderately exotic for the stomach of a Westerner.

Quarter M50,
old town and French Concession area

Of course, in Shanghai you have to go to the M50 art district, where there are thousands of galleries - and the idea of ​​visiting at least half of them at a time should be abandoned immediately. The new Chinese art that the West is so passionate about now has spread from Shanghai, and here you can still find new and not yet incredibly expensive artists. Of course, you need to get to the old city and go to the Yu Yuan Garden, an exemplary Chinese garden, one of the most famous in the city. And, of course, you need to get to the French Concession, one of the most bohemian, cool, colorful areas of Shanghai, where the French used to live, and now there are fashion galleries and the most interesting shops.

Jujajao Village

But, if it does become cramped and stuffy in this dampness and generally tires the big city, there is somewhere to get out. For example, to the water village of Zhujiajiao. In fact, it is a small city, about an hour’s drive from the center, and guides call it “Chinese Venice.” It looks like Venice except for the central bridge, in which, however, you can guess the outlines of the Rialto, but the city really stands on a river and canals along which you can sail by boat, and it is indeed quite historical and practically not rebuilt. At its very beginning there is a contemplatively beautiful Chinese garden that belonged to an important local merchant, designed and built for his family with all the streams, bridges, rocks, pavilions and views from medieval Chinese scrolls, from different points - different.

While you are sailing on a boat, you see locals rinsing their clothes in the water - and you still decide to eat somewhere else, but it looks very picturesque. Then you walk along narrow streets, in a crowd of mostly locals (this is an important point for domestic tourism, there are few Western people here), past shops selling everything in the world: from pearls to hearts, horns and hooves on skewers (the Chinese eat everything possible offal) - and this is exactly the dose of exoticism that a white man needs. After driving a little, you find yourself in an area of ​​expensive villas where rich Shanghainese live, and you can eat by stopping along the way at the AhnLuh hotel-resort, which is stylistically completely opposite to Bvlgari. A 16th century gate at the entrance, specially brought here, a low gray stone perfectly integrated into the landscape, inside there is a large hall with an authentic 17th century interior, like in a good historical film about medieval China, also entirely with wooden columns and a carved gallery along the entire perimeter, brought here by an antique dealer along with the gate. A specific Chinese way of preserving historical heritage.

Chocolate studio in Shanghai

When you return to Shanghai, go to the small chocolate studio Il Cioccolato at the Bvlgari Hotel, where they make and sell exceptional quality and, of course, handmade chocolate - after garlands of all kinds of fried legs, it is the taste of chocolate that helps restore peace of mind. Well, bringing home excellent Italian chocolate from Shanghai is just an idea, far from all possible clichés.

Shanghai has two international airports, four train stations, countless bus stations and one of the longest subway systems in the world.

Airports

♦ Hongqiao airport (虹桥飞机场)
♦ Pudong airport (浦东飞机场）

Railway stations

All four stations can be easily reached by metro. The distances are vast, and sometimes it takes an hour or more to travel, so take this into account when planning and scheduling your day. Among other things, smartphone-specific devices will help you calculate travel time.

♦ Shanghai Central (Shanghai zhan 上海站)
♦ Shanghai South (Shanghai nan 上海南), next to Pudong Airport.
♦ Eastern (Shanghai Dong 上海东)
♦ Shanghai Hongqiao (上海虹桥火车站), next to Hongqiao Airport.

Maglev

Or “how to get from Shanghai airport to the center?”

Maglev is a super-high-speed train on a magnetic levitation, accelerating up to 440 km/h in the morning (I happened to catch it once, the entertainment is not for the faint of heart) and up to a boring 300 km/h the rest of the day.
A Maglev ticket costs 50 yuan, 40 yuan if you present your boarding pass for the plane arriving/departing on the day of your trip. The train travels from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road 龙阳路 metro station in 8 minutes instead of 45 minutes.

Time of day	06:45–08:45	09:00–10:45	11:00–14:45	15:00–15:45	16:00–19:00	19:00-21:40
Travel time (minutes)	8:10	7:20	8:10	7:20	8:10	8:10
Maksim. speed	311 km/h	411 km/h	341 km/h	399 km/h	421 km/h	441 km/h
average speed	224 km/h	249.5 km/h	224 km/h	249.5 km/h	224 km/h	224 km/h
Frequency	15 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes	15 minutes	20 minutes

Then, having saved more than half an hour, you can change to lines 2, 4 and 16 and then ride the regular metro. Naturally, having previously purchased a ticket.
If you don’t want to travel at super speeds and spend 40 yuan in 8 minutes, you can take the metro directly from the airport.

Metro

The fare depends on the length of the trip, tickets are purchased at the cashier's window (you must tell which station you are going to and the number of tickets) or at a machine that accepts yuan coins and gives out even more coins. Since in some areas of China these huge heavy coins are practically not used, it is advisable to try to get rid of them when leaving Shanghai.

Important! Every day and every time you need to buy tickets again, do not stock up in advance - they will no longer be valid for tomorrow. If you are in Shanghai for a few days, travel a lot and don’t want to waste time every time, you can buy a travel card, charge it with 50-100 yuan and apply it at the entrance and exit - it will automatically read the corresponding amount.

Sightseeing Tourist Bus

It goes through all the more or less interesting points of Shanghai and a tour of which can save you time and money. It's called an office City Sightseeing bus, the ticket costs about 40 yuan and is valid for 24 hours. Quite useful transport, considering that you can get on and off the bus at any of its stops without restrictions. This type of excursion is called hop-off hop-on. Cons: some buses are closed, sometimes they wait at stops for a long time, the audio recording in headphones is quite dull.

Big Bus (pictured on the left) is twice as expensive, their route is the same. The red route circulates along the left bank of the Huangpu River, the Puxi district (Puxi 浦西) “Western Pu”, the green route - along the eastern bank, the Pudong district (Pudong 浦东）, where all the iconic Shanghai skyscrapers are located.

click on the photo to view

On the red line you travel along the Bands embankment, past the Shanghai Museum and the area of ​​the former French concession, the Yu Gardens. The green line takes you between skyscrapers and observation platforms located on them, it finishes walking earlier.

I think this will be enough, for the sake of a few days there is no point in dealing with the system by bus, and the metro is more convenient and clearer. As a last resort, you can always take a taxi. This is not a cheap pleasure in Shanghai, so make sure it is necessary and follow.

Have a nice ride!

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Four thousand years ago, one of the world's oldest civilizations was born in China. This East Asian country has given the world a wealth of cultural, spiritual and scientific knowledge that has influenced humanity to this day.

In the materials of this guide you will find useful information on how to spend your leisure time in China: what to visit, where to eat and much more that will be useful during your trip.

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The cradle of philosophy with unique artistic traditions, historical monuments and customs that they witnessed, huge parks and monasteries, ancient temples and rich museums. Add to this the ancient arts of fighting and the diversity of flora and fauna in the botanical gardens, and you will understand that you will never forget China.

Beijing

The capital of China is Beijing. Here, despite the modern pace of development, the traditional lifestyle is still preserved. Monuments of past eras are perceived here with special reverent interest. It is full of mysterious temples and rich gardens. Since Beijing became the city of Chinese emperors, historical monuments have accumulated here over the centuries and now evoke awe of the centuries they witnessed.

In the electronic guide you will find the necessary information to understand how to move around the city, what to visit. You will also certainly need background information about the main attractions that primarily deserve attention, about restaurants and clubs, as well as information about the life of modern Beijing.

Just download our guide to use it at the right time. It will take almost no time of yours. One minute - and your faithful assistant will be in the memory of your smartphone or computer.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a cosmopolitan city with a high degree of development. His role in the life of China and the world cannot be underestimated. Here you can see the latest advances in technology, visit international exhibitions, and wander through the newest neighborhoods built with skyscrapers, teahouses, restaurants, etc. All this, of course, is of the highest level.

Right there, next to modern architecture, financial centers, the TV tower in the Pudong area and crowds of metropolitan residents, there are quiet islands of gardens, Buddhist temples, Catholic churches and Orthodox churches. Modern boutiques and traditional Chinese markets, which came from ancient times, coexist peacefully.

Our guide will guide you completely free of charge through the intertwining streets of Shanghai and help you get to the most interesting and significant places in this crowded and diverse city. From it you will learn about the best clubs and shopping centers, attractions that a meticulous tourist should not miss and, of course, will help you choose and bring with you wonderful Chinese souvenirs.

Hong Kong

Just some fifty years ago, Hong Kong was an unremarkable village inhabited by fishermen. Now it is one of the richest financial centers of modern China.

What is also surprising is that Hong Kong is located on more than two hundred and sixty islands directly in the South China Sea. It may seem strange, but skyscrapers are also being built here, and residential buildings sometimes reach forty and even fifty floors. In these communities, in addition to housing, all the associated infrastructure is located. There are kindergartens, shops and gyms, entertainment facilities and office blocks nearby. These buildings are connected to each other by multi-level roads, along which double-decker buses can easily travel.

The city's districts are interspersed with mountains, on the slopes of which nature reserves and parks are nestled. Hong Kong will greet you with an interweaving of Western progress and ancient cultural traditions of magical China.

With our free guide You won't get lost among the intricate network of roads connecting the islands of Hong Kong, and you can quickly and comfortably get directions to any point in this rapidly developing city. On its virtual pages you will find information about cafes and restaurants serving traditional Chinese cuisine.

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Here is a complete guide to Shanghai for 2019, in which you will find descriptions of more than 20 attractions in Shanghai. You will also find out how to get from Shanghai airport to the city, whether you need a visa upon arrival in Shanghai, which hotel to stay in, what the weather is like throughout the year, what transport to use when visiting the sights of Shanghai and whether there is a beach holiday here. It should be clarified that I was not able to visit all of the places described in person; however, I tried to tell as much detail as possible about all the interesting places in the city and how to get to them. The essential guide covering all of China.

The interactive map shows all the sights of Shanghai from the review. Please note that the description of each marker contains information about prices, schedules and tips on how to get to the place.

Sights of Shanghai on the map

Sights of Shanghai

Starting our review of Shanghai attractions, let's first talk about those located in the Pudong area. You can get around these attractions very quickly if you wish. If you're only in Shanghai for a few hours or a day, this is probably the best place to start exploring the city.

List of Shanghai attractions:

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Speaking about the sights of Shanghai, it is worth starting with one of its symbols - the Oriental Pearl television tower. At almost 500 meters high, it is the fifth tallest television tower in the world. A special feature of the “Eastern Pearl” is its revolving restaurant, located in a spherical room in the tower. Even if you don’t plan to visit the TV tower, don’t miss the moment when the lights turn on in the evening and the building begins to play with colorful lights. This sight leaves few people indifferent.

Opening hours and cost: daily from 8.00 to 21.30. Ticket prices range from 130 yuan to 220, depending on the choice of observation deck.

Shanghai Tower

This is the only skyscraper in Shanghai that I had a chance to visit in person. I highly recommend going up and looking at the beautiful city with your own eyes from a height of 546 meters. By the way, a super high-speed elevator will take you to the observation deck in just 10 seconds. The main thing is to take your passport with you; without it, the ticket will not be sold.

How to get there: Lujiazui station (Line 2).

Opening hours and cost: daily from 8.00 to 22.30 (ticket offices open until 22.00). Ticket prices are 180 yuan per adult, 120 for students (not older than 23 years), 90 for children and for pensioners (pensioners over 60 years old). A passport is required.

Shanghai World Financial Center

One of the most famous skyscrapers in the world, the Shanghai World Financial Center, is located in the Pudong district. This majestic structure can be admired both from the ground and by climbing to one of the observation platforms located directly in the center building. In the evening, the building is illuminated and photography lovers will have plenty to do.

How to get there: Lujiazui metro station (Line 2).

Opening hours and cost: open from 8.30 to 22:00. Ticket prices range from 100 to 150 yuan, depending on the chosen observation deck.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

The largest aquarium in Asia, Shanghai's attracts thousands of visitors every year. Here you will find more than 10,000 representatives of marine nature from various climatic zones of our planet.

Opening hours and cost: the aquarium is open from 9.00 to 18.00 (the ticket office closes at 17.30). Ticket for an adult is 160 yuan, for children 110, for pensioners 90.

Shanghai Municipal History Museum

Perhaps the most interesting and educational museum in Shanghai. The museum workers tried to recreate historical scenes of bygone times and they succeeded very well.

How to get there: Lujiazui station (line 2).

Schedule and prices: daily from 9.00 to 17.30, 35 yuan.

Jin Mao Tower

Another place for connoisseurs of panoramic views. Along with the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Jinmao skyscraper is one of the symbols of Shanghai and one of the main attractions. Climb to the observation deck located on the 88th floor and enjoy stunning views of evening Shanghai.

How to get there: Lujiazui station (Line 2).

Opening hours and cost: every day from 8.30 to 22.00. Ticket for adults is 120 yuan, for children 60 yuan.

Lujiazui Pedestrian Bridge (Lu Jia Zui)

A masterpiece of architectural thought, the Lujiazui Bridge has been decorating Shanghai for just six years. While walking around Pudong, do not hesitate to visit and photograph it.

How to get there: Lujiazui station (Line 2).

Undoubtedly one of the most famous attractions in Shanghai. The embankment is on the other side of the river from the Pudong area. Here you will not only find numerous tourists, but also fully enjoy the beautiful ancient architecture of Shanghai. The city authorities try not to distort the area with modern buildings, which allows even today to find pieces of old Shanghai in this historical place. It is worth visiting this place both during the day and at night, when the Bund of the Bund is illuminated with many lights.

How to get there: East Nanjing Rd (Line 2/Line 10 intersection)

Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum

During the difficult times of World War II, many Jews were forced to immigrate in all directions. Shanghai became a haven for many thousands of refugees. The exhibitions of the Museum of Jewish Refugees in Shanghai will tell us about those difficult times.

How to get there: Tilanqiao (Line 12).

Schedule and prices: daily from 9.00 to 17.00, 50 yuan.

Shanghai Postal Museum

Another interesting museum that tells how the people of China communicated with each other before the advent of trains, planes and the Internet.

How to get there: Tiantong Road (intersection of lines 10 and 12).

Schedule and prices: open on weekends, as well as on Wednesday and Thursday. The entrance is free.

Shanghai attractions. Yu Garden

Almost 500 years ago, the beautiful Yu Yuan Garden was created, which still delights the eyes of guests and residents of Shanghai. Divided into seven themed areas, the garden is a great place to stroll. Don't miss the opportunity to see and enjoy this wonderful spectacle with your own eyes when you are in Shanghai.

How to get there: Yuyuan Garden (Line 10).

Opening hours and cost: from 8.30 to 17.00, 40 yuan.

Shanghai old town

Gardens, markets, elements of the architecture of old Shanghai, all this can be found here. Spending some time exploring the streets of the old town will be a pleasant experience. Shanghai Old Town is located near Yu Yuan Garden, in the area of ​​Zhonghua Road and Renmin Road.

Find: Yuyuan Garden (Line 10)

Temple of Confucius (Shang Hai Wen Miao)

If you love and revere Confucius or are simply interested in beautiful temples, don't miss the Confucius Temple in Shanghai. The temple servants are ready to demonstrate the traditional tea ceremony to everyone.

How to get there: Laoximen (intersection of lines 10 and 8).

Schedule and prices: from 9.00 to 16.30, 10 yuan.

Nanjing Road

Paradise for shopaholics. Hundreds of boutiques, large and small. Here you will find the most fashionable and expensive things, you can dine in one of hundreds of cafes and restaurants, and just feel like a resident of a huge metropolis. In the evening it is no less interesting. Street musicians and neon house lights change this place beyond recognition.

Find: People's Square (intersection of metro lines 1, 2, 8)

People's Square

On the site of the former hippodrome, the city authorities decided to create a public square, which is also not deprived of the attention of tourists. The area is especially good in spring and autumn, when you can walk in the parks located here and enjoy the calming nature.

Find: People's Square (intersection of lines 1, 2, 8)

French Quarter (French Concession)

If you love French culture, the French Quarter should be right up your alley. Even today, buildings that received numerous immigrants in the first half of the 20th century can be found here.

Find: South Shaanxi Road (Subway Line 10).

Jade Buddha Temple

Founded in the 19th century, the Jade Buddha Temple may seem interesting to many. Buddha sculptures brought from Burma at one time, as well as several internal halls, will help you learn a little more about the history of Asia.

Find: Changshou Road (intersection of lines 7, 13)

Schedule and prices: every day from 8.00 to 20.00, ticket price 20 yuan.

Shanghai attractions. Long Hua Pagoda

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get into the pagoda itself; for fear of collapse, entry into it is strictly prohibited. However, it is not forbidden to admire the beautiful structure from the outside when visiting the temple complex.

How to get there: Longhua (intersection of lines 11 and 12).

Schedule and prices: from 7.00 to 16.30, 10 yuan.

Shanghai Zoo

This zoo is not a zoo in the usual sense. Instead of simply putting animals in cages and displaying them to the public, special pavilions were created with favorable living conditions for the animals. At the Shanghai Zoo you can see the symbol and pride of China - the panda.

Find: Shanghai Zoo (Line 10).

Schedule and prices: during the winter months the zoo is open from 8.30 to 16.30, from March to November from 8.00 to 17.00. Adult ticket 130 yuan, children 65. Children under six years old are free.

Visa to Shanghai for Russians

As such, there is, of course, no visa to Shanghai, but there are different options to see Shanghai. If you are planning a trip to China, it makes sense to take care of obtaining a tourist visa to China. A detailed article with up-to-date information on how to obtain a visa to China is published separately.

If you are flying through Shanghai in transit, you can use the 144 hour air transit rule in Shanghai. In this case, you can stay in Shanghai for no more than 144 hours, after which you must leave the country. In the case of air transit, you can only leave the country by plane; land or sea modes of transport are excluded.

To Shanghai from the airport

There is already a blog about Shanghai airport, in which I described in detail all the nuances of arriving at the airport and how to get from the airport to the city. Routes from both Shanghai International Airports are shown.

Transport in Shanghai (subway, buses, ferries, taxis)

In a huge metropolis like Shanghai, there must be plenty of ways to get around the city. Let's look at the main types of transport in Shanghai.

The most budget-friendly and often the most convenient way to see all the sights of Shanghai. The approximate cost of travel on the Shanghai metro is from three to ten yuan, depending on the route. The operating hours of each individual metro line vary, but on average, the Shanghai Metro's operating hours are from 05.30 to 23.00. At the moment, there are 14 different lines in Shanghai, below you can see the Shanghai metro map, and by clicking on the link you will be taken to the official website of the Shanghai metro.

"Shanghai Metro Map"

Buses

The city has a huge bus network. The vast majority of Shanghai's attractions can be reached by metro and then on foot. But there are places to which you have to go by bus. Typically, bus fare is two yuan. If it is a long-distance bus, the fare can reach up to five yuan.

Ferries

In the tourist and busy areas of the city, you can find ferry crossings. Swimming from coast to coast will usually cost 1-2 yuan. Ferries run frequently, every 10-15 minutes.

Taxi

Taxi prices in Shanghai start from 12 yuan per ride. Then 2 yuan for each kilometer traveled. At night, rates increase by 30%.

Shanghai Hotels

I decided to include a review of Shanghai hotels in a separate article. The choice of hotels in Shanghai is huge. There are budget hostels for 40-50 yuan per bed in a dormitory room, there are luxury 5-star hotels, and there is something in between. In this review article about hotels in Shanghai you will find specific examples for different price categories of hotels.

Weather in Shanghai

Beach holidays Shanghai

I tried in vain to find at least some positive information about what a seaside holiday in Shanghai is like. People who live in Shanghai for a long time unanimously claim that there is no quality beach holiday in Shanghai. There are a huge number of Chinese on the beaches, it is dirty, and the water quality in the coastal area leaves much to be desired. If you are interested in a beach holiday in China, you may find the guide to Hainan Island useful, which was compiled based on my personal experience on the resort island.

How many people are there in Shanghai?

If you are wondering how many people there are in Shanghai, it is not possible to get an exact answer. In addition to officially registered residents, Shanghai is home to many visitors and illegal immigrants. According to official data, about 25 million people live in Shanghai and its surrounding areas.

Now is the time in Shanghai

Online time widget for Shanghai

To find out what time it is in Shanghai, use a special widget.

It will show the exact time in Shanghai.

How do you remember Shanghai? Tell us in the comments!!!

4.6666666666667 (9 voted. Vote too!!!)