Shanghai 上海市 - Shànghǎi-shì | ||
State | China | |
---|---|---|
Altitude | 4 m a.s.l. | |
Surface | 6,340.5 km² | |
Inhabitants | 23.800.000 (2012 estimate) | |
Name inhabitants | shangainesi | |
Prefix tel | 86 21 | |
POSTAL CODE | 200000 – 202100 | |
Time zone | UTC 8 | |
Position
| ||
Institutional website | ||
Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi) is a city of the Eastern China.
To know
When to go
The best times to visit Shanghai are spring and autumn. Generally Shanghai summers are hot and muggy while winters are characterized by cold and annoying winds and sporadic snowfalls.
Most of the fair events take place between September and October in concomitance with favorable climatic conditions, although it should be noted that in September there is the risk of hitting some cyclones. In these months the hotels are still full and the prices skyrocket so those traveling for purely tourist purposes would do better to fall back on the month of April or early November, when the weather is still mild.
How to orient yourself
Shanghai stretches along the banks of the Huangpu River at the point where it meets its Suzhou tributary
Neighborhoods
- Pudong it stretches out on the avenue of the same name which runs for a stretch parallel to the right bank of the Huangpu river. The district occupies most of the eastern sector of the city of Shanghai and extends to the sea where the international airport is located. Within its limits lies the Lujiazui district corresponding to the financial district of Hong Kong with its phantasmagoric buildings. There are the Jin Mao Tower, the TV Tower and the Shanghai Stock Exchange building. One of the most famous boulevards in Pudong is the Shìjì Dàdào (viale del Secolo) which runs from the bend of the river to the park of the same name.
- Huangpou it is the extended district on the opposite bank and corresponds to the center of Shanghai. Heart of Huangpou is the Piazza del Popolo (Rénmín Guǎngchǎng) in whose vicinity are two of the most interesting museums in Shanghai and the park of the same name. Nánjīng Lù is the shopping street and is a pedestrian area.
- Old City - Characterized by very crowded streets due to the appeal of shops, stalls and markets overflowing with all kinds of goods, the old city of Shanghai still retains the flavor of bygone eras, when the current well-being was unimaginable. The old city was once surrounded by walls and a moat. Its most picturesque streets are Zhong Hua Lu and Fang Bang Zhong Lu. The latter, also known as Shanghai Old Street, is surrounded by recently restored 19th century houses, some of which have been used as tea rooms for the delight of Western tourists.
- Bund it is the district north of the old city, on the avenue of the same name that runs along the bank of the river. (Bund precisely means "Riva"). The boulevard is flanked by sumptuous buildings erected in the 1930s to worthily accommodate the headquarters of banks and other financial institutions.
- Luwan is the district (Qu) west of the old city and Huangpou. It corresponds to the area that was given as a concession to France, which occupied it for almost a hundred years from 1849 to 1946. There are houses that hosted important figures from recent history for some time. China, from Mao Zedong to Chou Enlai. One of its most famous streets is Huaihai Road, lined with luxury restaurants and boutiques displaying designer clothes. The district is connected to the other bank by the 550 m long Lupu bridge. The name of the bridge derives from the initials of the two districts Luwan e Pudong.
- Jing'an it is the district of exclusive hotels. It extends north of Luwan. The district is also home to two of Shanghai's largest Buddhist temples and a few colonial-era buildings.
- Xujiahui is the district west of Luwan. Its name is linked to the figure of Xu Guangqi, a Chinese dignitary who lived between the 21st and 17th centuries who converted to Catholicism by favoring the Jesuit missionaries. Very trendy, Xujiahui is famous for its elegant bars and nightclubs. It boasts some attractions such as the Catholic Cathedral of St. Ignatius, the Longhua pagoda and the botanical garden.
- Hongkou - Extending north of the Suzhou River, Hongkou was the neighborhood of the Jewish community that flocked to China in the colonial period
How to get
Entry requirements
Shanghai, like few other Chinese cities, allows a 72-hour stop over to visit the city without the need for a visa China. This possibility is valid only for transit flights and not for flights in which the city of departure and final destination coincide. It is also not applicable when traveling by train. The requirements are: regular final destination visa (when necessary) and a ticket certifying departure from Shanghai no later than 72 hours. It is important to know that you cannot leave the city during these 72 hours.
By plane
Shanghai has two airports. Pudong is dedicated to international flights while Hongqiao to domestic ones.
Pudong airport
Pudong airport [1] It is 46 km east of the center Air China with flights from Milan-Malpensa and Rome-Fiumicino and Alitalia with a flight from Milan.
Connections with the center are ensured by the Maglev train, the fastest in the world, capable of reaching 430 km per hour. It is expensive (a ride for 40rmb with airfare for the same day or with a transport card, otherwise 50rmb) but it is worth taking. Designed by German engineers, the wheels have been replaced by magnets that do not touch the rails.
In addition to the Maglev, it is possible to reach the center by Metro, line 2, parallel to the maglev route, the taxi of course and there is also an excellent bus service, which with departures every twenty minutes, connects the airport to some terminals in various parts of the city. As soon as you leave the airport it is best to take only authorized taxis (with green light on the roof, which are parked in a special area), avoiding the abusive ones that can charge prices even ten times higher.
Hongqiao Airport
Hongqiao is located west of the city center and mostly domestic flights depart there. It is connected to the center by metro line 2. In addition, Hongqiao is also home to one of the main high-speed train stations.
How to get around
Traveling in Shanghai is not a problem. The city offers a varied offer of means of transport, from the bus, which remains the cheapest means, to the Metro, with 13 lines, which covers the entire metropolitan area and finally a capillary system of taxis, which on request stops and carries everywhere, with very affordable costs.
By public transport
In exercise
Color | Line | Extreme | Opening | Last Extension | Length (km) | Stations | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Line 1 | Fujin Road | Xinzhuang | 1993 | 2007 | 36,4 | 28 | |
Line 2 | East Xujing | Pudong International Airport | 1999 | 2010 | 63,8 | 30 | |
Line 3 | North Jiangyang Road | Shanghai South Railway Station | 2000 | 2006 | 40,3 | 29 | |
Line 4 | Circular line starting at Yishan Road | 2005 | 2007 | 33,7 | 26 | ||
Line 5 | Xinzhuang | Minhang Development Zone | 2003 | - | 17,2 | 11 | |
Line 6 | Gangcheng Road | South Lingyan Road | 2007 | 2011 | 32,3 | 28 | |
Line 7 | Meilan Lake | Huamu Road | 2009 | 2010 | 44,2 | 32 | |
Line 8 | Shiguang Road | Aerospace Museum | 2007 | 2011 | 37,4 | 30 | |
Line 9 | Songjiang Xincheng | Middle Yanggao Road | 2007 | 2012 | 52,1 | 26 | |
Line 10 | New Jiangwan Town | Hangzhong Road | 2010 | 2010 | 35,4 | 31 | |
Line 11 | North Jiading / Huaquiao | Jiangsu Road | 2009 | 2011 | 45,8 | 20 | |
Line 13 | Madang Road | Shibo Avenue | 2012 | - | 8,3 | 6 | |
Total: | 439 | 289 |
Future
Color | Line | Extreme | Opening | Last Extension | Length (km) | Stations | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Line 12 | Qixin Road | Jinsui Road | 2012 | - | 40,4 | 31 | |
TBD | Line 14 | Jiangqiao Town | Jinqiao Export Processing Zone | TBD | - | 44,2 | 35 |
TBD | Line 15 | Qihua Road | Zizhu Science-Based Industry Park | TBD | - | 40,1 | 28 |
TBD | Line 16 | Longyang Road | Lingang New City | 2012 | - | 52,0 | 9 |
TBD | Line 17 | Hongqiao Station | Shanghai Oriental Land | 2013 | - | 35,2 | 11 |
TBD | Line 18 | Changbei Road | Hangtou Town | TBD | - | 44,3 | 30 |
TBD | Line 19 | Jinhai Road | Changxing Island | TBD | - | 20,6 | 6 |
TBD | Line 20 | Hongqiao Station | Baoshan Industry Park | TBD | - | 17,2 | 13 |
TBD | Line 21 | Hongkou Football Stadium | Shanghai Zoo | TBD | - | 19,0 | 17 |
What see
- Shanghai Museum, 201 Renmin Avenue (Metro station of p.za del Popolo Lines 1, 2 and 8), ☎ 86 21 63725300-132, 86 21 96968686.
- Museum of Contemporary Art, People's Park, Nanjing West Road 231 Shanghai, 200003 (Metro station of p.za del Popolo Lines 1, 2 and 8).
Old City
- 1 Yu Garden (Yu garden), 132. An Ren Street (Northeast of the old city, reachable by line 10, Yuyuan Garden Station stop), ☎ 86 21 63282465, 86 21 63260830, fax: 86 21 63282465, @[email protected]. 30 RMB (August 2013). 8:30-17:30. Yu Garden is an excellent classical architecture model of Chinese gardens perfectly preserved. It was built during the reign of Emperor Ming Jianing (1559) as the private garden of Pan Yubduan (the commission administrator of the province of Sichuan). In an area of over 2 hectares, the garden is famous for the architectural wonders it contains.
- 2 Chenghuang Miao (Temple of the God of the city), no.249 Fang Bangzhong Road (Huangpu Area). Temple immersed in the ancient district now converted into a commercial area.
- Confucius Temple.
Luwan
- Museum of Arts and Crafts, 79 Fenyang Lu.
- French Sports Club (Cercle Sportif Français).
- Maritime Museum.
- Fuxing Park.
- House of Zhou Enlai.
- Public Security Museum, 518, Rui Jin Nan Lu corner Xietu Lu.
- Cathay Theater.
- Ruijin Guesthouse.
- C.Y. Tung Maritime Museum (Jalong University Campus), 1954 Huashan Road.
- Propaganda Poster Art Center, 868 Huashan Rd.
Xujiahui
- St. Ignatius Cathedral.
- Longhua Temple.
- Botanical Garden.
Pudong
- [link not working]Shanghai Municipal History Museum.
- Museum of Science and Technology, 2000 Shiji Da Dao.
- Museum of Sexual Culture in China, 2789 Riverside Ave.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
- Dongtai Lu Antique Market. Close to the old city, Dongtai Lu is an open-air market where reproductions of antique furniture passed off as originals are exhibited.
How to have fun
Smart Shanghai features lists of restaurants, shows and clubs as well as City Week end
Shows
- WAS. Famous theater with very suggestive acrobatic shows.
Night clubs
- The best night clubs in Shanghai are centered on the riverside known as the Bund.
- Barbarossa Lounge, Inside the Parco del Popolo. One of the most beautiful places in Shanghai, suitable for having a drink at sunset time. The restaurant service is not, however, up to the standard
Where to eat
Shanghai is a city for all budgets. You can go to the chic restaurants located in the terraces of some luxury skyscrapers overlooking the river where a cocktail (or a banal fruit juice) costs as much as € 20 or the best restaurants (the best ones comparable to our trattorias) that with an expense ranging from 2 to 4 euros you can have a hearty dinner complete with water and beer included.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- Captain's Hostel (Between the Bund and the old city), ☎ 86 21 63235053. Basic but clean, Captain's Hostel is one of the few places in Shanghai suitable for young people traveling with a sleeping bag. Accommodation in dormitory rooms but also in double rooms with private bathroom and air conditioning
High prices
- Astor House Hotel (Pujiang Hotel), 15 Huangpu Lu (Hongkou district). The first Western-style hotel built in Shanghai, Astor House opened its doors in 1847 as Richards' Hotel and Restaurant. Restoration works started in 2002 and completed five years later have restored the building to its former glory. The Victorian facade is reminiscent of London's Harrods department store.
- [link not working]Broadway Mansions, Bei Souzhou Road No. 20 Shanghai 20080 PRC (In the Bund district). Luxurious hotel among the most famous in Shanghai. It was made in 1934 in a deco style.
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- Zhujiajiao. About forty kilometers from Shanghai, Zhujiajiao is a romantic village with old houses overlooking a jumble of canals that are suitable for boat trips. The village is easily accessible by bus and the excursion takes half a day.
- Zhouzhuang (Venice of the east). Like Zhujiajiao it is a town 2 hours by bus from Shanghai, which thanks to its numerous and romantic canals has been given the nickname of Venice east (one of the many Asian cities so called ...). On the official Chinese tourism list Tourist Attraction Rating Categories of China, Zhujiajiao obtained 5A, the highest award for this category.