When watching Chinese TV dramas, you’ll most likely come across one of the most recognisable landmarks in Shanghai, China.
It’s none other than The Bund, which encapsulates the glitz and glamour that the modern metropolis is known for.
Yet beyond Shanghai’s futuristic buildings and towering skyscrapers, there also still exist places in the city that retain their traditional touches. From temples to gardens, you get to admire all this while gawking at the city’s modern marvels.
You can start planning your Shanghai trip now and fly off in June. That’s because Batik Air will be commencing its daily direct route – from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 to Shanghai Pudong International Airport – on June 23.
The Bund
There is no place more synonymous with Shanghai than The Bund. This waterfront promenade stretches for over 1.5km along the Huangpu River.
It is often crowded in the evenings, filled with locals milling about while tourists busily snap photos of the surroundings.
You will definitely be among those who will marvel at the historic colonial-era European buildings that the area is known for. Then you turn around and look across the river, and now you’re marvelling over a skyline filled with futuristic, colourfully lit skyscrapers.
An interesting way to cross the river is by taking The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel. It is touted as China’s first under-river pedestrian tunnel, which connects Puxi to Pudong.
Jin Mao Tower
When you’re in the Lujiazui financial district, you can visit some of the tallest skyscrapers in Shanghai.
Jin Mao Tower may stand at only 420.5m, but the observatory on its 88th floor serves as a good viewing point for the city’s other skyscrapers.
Fun fact: The elevators here are so fast, they take only 45 seconds to shoot all the way up 88 floors.
From here you can see Shang-hai Tower (632m), Shanghai World Financial Centre (492m) and The Oriental Pearl Tower (468m).
Yu Garden
For a momentary escape from Shanghai’s fast-paced lifestyle, visit Yu Garden. This serene 400-year-old classical Chinese garden is a perfect place for a relaxing stroll.
Stop and smell the flowers (you’ll find dainty blossoms here in the spring), or sit at one of the pavilions and enjoy watching the schools of koi fish swimming leisurely in the tranquil ponds.
Of course, you can take tons of photos, too. You’ll even spot tourists dressed in hanfu (a traditional Chinese costume) for their photoshoots.
Cheng Huang Temple Commercial District
In the same area as Yu Garden is the Cheng Huang Temple Commercial District. At its heart, you will find the towering City God Temple.
If you have ample time for exploring, you can enter the Taoist temple to see its main halls. If not, you can check out the various shops and street food stalls, selling everything from local treats and souvenirs to branded items.
A must-try street food here is tangbao. Finding the stores for it is easy enough, just look for people sipping on what looks like an oversized xiao long bao.
Xintiandi
Shopping for luxury brands feels even more upscale when you’re doing this at Xintiandi. The place has a distinctive look to it thanks to its 20th century Shikumen architecture.
Shikumen is an architectural style unique to Shanghai. It loosely translates to “stone gate”, referencing the stone gateways found in the city’s olden day houses that blend Eastern architecture with Western architecture.
You’ll definitely be doing more than just shop here, you’ll likely be taking tons of photos of the beautiful restored Shikumen buildings, too.
China Pavilion
One of the most distinctive buildings in Shanghai is no doubt the bright red China Pavilion. It’s not just the colour that immediately attracts attention, it’s also the design, which looks traditional yet modern.
Housed within this impressive building is the China Art Museum.
Here you can see one of its most popular exhibitions: the recreation of Along The River During The Qingming Festival. It is an animated version of a handscroll painting by Song Dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan.
Shanghai Romance Park
Visit Shanghai Romance Park to watch jaw-dropping stage performances. The Romantic Show Of Shanghai is one of the must-watches here. You’ll be amazed by the water that “magically” pools on the stage for one scene, but then completely disappears in the next.
Choose a seat in the middle and you’ll get to see first-hand the “parting” of the audience. Basically, you’ll see one half of the seating area move to split the audience right down the middle, and a small runway will appear in between.
Other than enjoying the show’s theatrics, you can also wander the immersive cultural theme park to experience the different eras of Shanghai.
Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park
This one requires a little drive out of the city. Located about 30km away from the city centre is Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, in the Songjiang District of Shanghai.
The sprawling archaeological site is nicknamed “The Root Of Shanghai”. Once you visit the Guangfulin Culture Museum, submerged underwater in Lake Fulin, you’ll understand why. Here you will see cultural relics that date back to the Neolithic Age.
Shanghai old and new
Visit the City God Temple, or wander around the many shops in the area. Photos: FLOREY D. MIKIL/The Star
Shanghai’s towering skyscrapers can be seen from The Bund.
The Oriental Pearl Tower as seen from the 88th floor of Jin Mao Tower.
Yu Garden is perfect for photoshoots.
China Pavilion now houses the China Art Museum.
Guangfulin Culture Museum is submerged in Lake Fulin.
Guangfulin Culture Museum has cultural relics dating back to the Neolithic Age.
