SHANGHAI

THE FACTS 

SNAPPED FROM THE 100TH FLOOR OF THE SWFC   

People: 14.35m
Language: Mandarin, Chinese
Currency: Chinese RMB ¥
Climate: Winters are chilly and summers are hot and humid. The best time to go is Sep/Oct. China has a huge problem with pollution and on certain days the smog gets pretty heavy. If you suffer with allergies be sure to bring along your meds.      
Events: Spring Festival/Chinese New Year begins on the 1^st day of the lunar year and celebrations typically run for about four weeks. The 15^th day of the new year is when the lantern festival celebrations begin.
Safety: Shanghai is a pretty safe city. I found myself navigating the streets, markets and subway alone with no troubles. Just keep an eye out for pickpockets.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
So you’ve just stepped off the plane at Pudong Airport & are headed into town. You’ve got two options GET A CAB which will cost you roughly ¥150 and take about an hour. Or start experiencing what Shanghai has to offer right off the bat and ZOOM IN ON THE MAGLEV TRAIN. This high-speed train will take you directly from the airport into town at a whopping 430kms p/h clocking in at a mere 8min trip. A single ticket will cost you ¥50 or you may purchase a round trip for ¥80. Getting around can be quick, cheap and easy on the metro if squashing up like sardines on the train doesn’t freak you out. Otherwise cabs line the city and have really low fares. Make sure to have your destinations written out in Chinese though, as English is not widely spoken & be prepared to wait for up to 20mins if you find yourself seeking a cab during peak hour.

Day 1. ☑ The tourist checklist

Jade Buddhist Temple

1. Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple ¥20. Buddhism really fascinates me, and I can’t go the day without my meditation! Walk through this beautiful temple and be engulfed in the aromas of burning incense. Toss a coin into the sculptures for luck, kneel beneath the towering golden statues inside the great hall and see the incredible 3tonne Jade Buddha statue. Joining in on a prayer or meditation session with the monks of the temple is an incredibly moving experience and a great way to start your day.
2. Shanghai World Financial Centre ¥150 will get you a ticket to the top where you can see the city from the 100^th floor. If you’re afraid of heights don’t look down! Below your feet you’ll be standing on open glass panels and see the city buzzing beneath. Be prepared to wait in line at each sub section as you make your way up the tower.
3. Yuyuan Garden ¥40 I’d suggest spending a half the day wandering these gardens. Experience china for what it originally was and explore the chambers, corridors, pavilions, streams, gardens, trees and halls of this scenic area. The garden is also home to one of Chinas oldest tea gardens.
4,5,6. Oriental Pearl Tower, The Bund / Hungpu River & French Concession Area

Day 2. GO SHOPPING
With so much of your purchases at home saying ‘made in China’ you'd be crazy not to seek out the source. Shopping in China is an experience and attraction in its own right.
The main commercial streets of Shanghai are divided into four sections, at the heart of this is Nanjing Road one of the busiest shopping streets in the world.
For the big spender: Huaihai Road is lined with all the top desiger stores to lighten your wallet
For the window shopper: Nanjing rd or the Superbrand Mall are great places to stroll
For antiques: Dongtai Road Antique Market
For tailoring: Shanghai Shiliupu Cloth Market is home to all of your tailoring needs. You can get just about anything made here; from suits, coats, costumes or your own designs. I actually brought along a pair of my favourite shorts and had them copy & tailor three more pairs in fabrics I chose from downstairs. You can even get creative & design your own stuff! I sketched out and had made a few custom dresses and coats here too. 
For the art enthusiast: Fuzhou Road is home to all things art, book, music or culture  related. I buy a lot of my art supplies & love the staff from Maries Painting Materials (850 Xikang Rd) Great prices and great variety.

DROP DOWN & GET YOUR BARTER ON !
Once you've had a look at the main streets I suggest hitting the underground markets. Two places for easy shopping are the markets hidden below the SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM and below the Peoples square off Nanjing Rd- HONK KONG MARKETS. Here you’ll find all the ‘same-same’ copies of the top brands in shoes, bags, jewellery, watches and much more. Don’t get a shock when you’re hand is taken and you suddenly find yourself being dragged into a backdoor room full of things you’re told you should buy. It’s all part of the fun! -HK Markets are typically cheaper, though as both see regular traffic from western tourists they aim high with their prices. Don't be afraid to offer a third of what is originally quoted.

QUIPU LU - HEAVEN OR HELL ☠☠☠

For the hard core shopper and those brave enough to attempt navigating through the crammed and crowded windings of this super-max maze. I suggest hitting up Quipu Lu. WARNING this place isn’t for the faint hearted. Covering just about anything your heart could desire at prices you won’t believe are real. This wholesale supermax complex is heaven for anyone who likes to shop, and living hell for the boyfriends or non-shoppers tagging along behind. The things you bought at Science & Tech Museum or Hong Kong Markets? They came from here. Locals flock here to purchase wholesale goods to then resell at their stores elsewhere. This colossal complex is divided up into four buildings, each one rising to over six floors. One of these is dedicated solely to copy goods and the other three are lined with wholesale super stores. Be prepared to be taunted, yelled at, hassled, grabbed and in a state of complete sensory overload. 

EVENING
After a hard day on your feet I suggest wandering into one of the many massage parlours that line the streets. What better way to end your day than with a ¥30 ($5AUD) foot massage or heading to a hair salon for a wash, massage & blowdry starting at ¥50 ($9AUD) *Note if you’re planning on getting your hair done keep in mind they don’t work with many blondes. Back in my blonde days (shudder) I wound up with a wonderful greenish do while in Shenzhen thanks to their inexperience with bleach. Right, now that you’re feeling fresh and ready head on down to Shiliupu Ferry Terminal and jump on a river cruise (¥100) Cruise down the Huangpu River and watch the city come to life as the sun sets. Once you’re done head over behind the Raddison Blue hotel to grab some dinner– here you’ll find a bunch of various establishments to tickle your taste buds.

All in all though
MY FAVOURITE WAY TO KILL TIME IN CHINA is to wander the streets and get lost. Stumble upon little shops, see the grannies doing tai chi in the park, see the inovative ways in which literally anything and everything can be transformed into a place to hang your washing, watch as food is stirred and splattered on street corners, stare in awe at the complete lack of road rules and try not to get killed while enjoying the rustle and bustle of the streets. Also, go grab a Taro Pie from McDonalds because quite frankly.. those things rock.

TIPS *
Watch out for pick pocketing.
Show little interest when shopping.The moment they see you take notice in something- it starts. Scan the store first and when you’re keen on a purchase don’t show it. Be the cool cucumber who needs for nothing and is happy to walk off empty handed. Even when you must have it. They do this day in day out & are ready and rearing to get the most out of you so play it cool.
FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA BUTTERFLIES your snapchats and facebook will have to wait. China has banned access to these sites along with many others. If absence from your online scene will be the death of you a VPN from the US can be purchased with some determination and running around. Check out my post & get the deets here.
Print out all destinations in Chinese, chances are your cabbie won't speak English and will simply smile, nod and mutter in Chinese to you while you're trying to explain where you want to go. When I don’t have access to a printer I google the name & snap a picture on my phone so I can show that & end up going where I want to be.

Here’s some of the destinations I’ve talked about for you to copy, paste and print
ADDRESS BOOK
Pudong International Airport: 6000 迎宾大道, Pudong
SWFC TOWER: 上海环球金融中心 100 Century Ave, Pudong
Jade Buddha Temple: 玉佛禅寺 999 Jiangning Rd, Putuo
Science & Technology Museum: 上海科技馆 2000 Century Ave, Pudong
Quipu Lu Shopping:七浦路168号, 近河南北路 168 Qipu Lu, near Henan Bei Lu