Three perfect days in Shanghai!

By ANDY TIDWELL
Special to the Saipan Tribune

When you live on an island like Saipan, you sometimes forget how exciting and exhilarating a big city can be. Shanghai is one of those incredible cities. With 18 million people living in Shanghai, it is bustling with many great things to do and see. You will find lots of history in old Shanghai and you’ll find all the modern luxuries in the newly developed part of Shanghai. Both parts of the city are worth exploring.

Getting to Shanghai is quite simple from Saipan. Asiana Airlines offers daily service that connects through Seoul making it a perfect getaway.

The Portman Ritz-Carlton is located in the heart of the city on the famous Nanjing Road and is THE place to stay in Shanghai. It’s easy to see why the Ritz-Carlton has been voted the number one employer in China for three consecutive years. Its central location makes everything easily accessible. The rooms are beautifully appointed and the hotel staff makes this a stay you’ll never forget. Whether you are using the state of the art fitness center, enjoying a relaxing massage in the spa, soaking up the sun by the pool or having the “bath butler” draw your in room Bulgari or Chinese herbal bath, you will enjoy your stay here. May I suggest the Ultimate Ritz-Carlton bath—which includes a glass of champagne and chocolate truffles. There is a nominal fee for the bath butler but it’s worth it!

Dining in Shanghai is nothing short of spectacular. The culinary talents that exist make this a world-renowned dining experience. Start your evening with a pre-dinner cocktail at the rooftop bar at “3 on the Bund.” The views are incredible and they offer some unique cocktails—a lavender martini for example. Following cocktails, walk across the street to “M on the Bund” for a delightful dinner. The beautiful setting overlooking the river combined with a great chef make this the perfect evening out. The caviar appetizer is delicious! Another great place for dining is “TMSK.” Here you will find that not only is the food delicious and the wine selection extensive, the architecture and interior design of this restaurant make this an evening you’ll remember for a very long time. Reservations are a must for both “M on the Bund” and “TMSK”. When dining at “TMSK”, make your reservation for 8PM and request to sit in the main dining room. There is live music at 9pm that is delightful.

On Day 1 in Shanghai, start with a trip to Yu Garden, sip some tea, and enjoy the Dongtai Lu Antiques Market. Afterward, work your way to the Bund for a stroll along the riverfront or take a relaxing cruise on the Huangpu River. Be sure to take a look at the historic Peace Hotel and finally walk down Nanjing Lu to experience Shanghai’s busiest street. This is a shopper’s paradise where you will find many local and international brands. Be sure to shop at the world famous Shanghai Tang. There are three locations in Shanghai. You’ll find great clothing along with beautiful and unique items for the home here.

On Day 2, take a trip to the Jade Buddha Temple. It’s a short taxi ride from the Ritz Carlton. Taxis in Shanghai are very inexpensive and are plentiful. Most taxi drivers do not speak English so be sure to have the hotel concierge write down where you want to go in Chinese so you can give it to the taxi driver. After the Jade Buddha Temple, spend some time people-watching in People’s Square, followed by a stroll through the Shanghai Museum and then a visit to the Bird and Flower Market.

Day 3 can be spent in Pudong where you can go to the top of the Oriental Pearl Tower or the spectacular Jinmao Tower—or why not both—for a bird’s eye view of the city. Fill any spare time you have by visiting any of the outdoor markets or enjoying a nice cup of tea.

You can fill your evenings by catching a show of the Shanghai acrobats or experiencing Shanghai’s happening nightlife. The Peace Hotel’s night bar offer’s a memorable view. To access the bar, take the hotel’s middle elevators to the top floor of the north building and then climb two flights of stairs to the roof. It’s worth every step!

Be sure to travel with your camera as there are lots of interesting photo opportunities in Shanghai and don’t forget to apply for your tourist visa to visit China at least four weeks before your trip unless you are prepared to pay rush fees. Safe travels!