Shanghai Xiangmihu Hotel

ATM's In Shanghai

by machomikemd

a quick way to get cash with just a little surchage on using the international ATM. as all of you know, I always try to do ATM tips on every country that I visit and here in Shanghai is no different. Automated Teller Machines (ATM"s) are numerous in Shanghai but a caveat, not all machines accept international withdrawals so you better look at the sides or in the center of ATM's to see if it accepts International Withdrawals, see the pictures for the logos. ATM's of Beijing that accept international withdrawals usually on the Cirrus, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro Consortium at they are the largest ATM networks in the world. (Discover and Star consortium of the US are not accepted here). Transaction charge is 20 RMB flat per withdrawal regardless of amount so if you would withdraw, I suggest to withdraw large since the 20 RMB service charge is constant!

O'MALLEY'S IRISH PUB

by szabolcs

O'MALLEY'S IRISH PUB
Hidden in a small street of the Old French Concession, this pub is a great place to hang out. Outdoor seating, live Irish music (and quite some U2 on the stereo - very important...), great selection of whisky (RMB 40 to 45) and most importantly: GUINNESS.
It doesn't come cheap at RMB60 for a pint, but hey, you're in Shanghai drinking the stuff on tap... none

NanXiang Xiao Long Bao

by imstress about NanXiang Xiao Long Bao

If you have not tasted NanXiang Xiao Long Bao you have missed out something heavely!
NanXiang Xiao Long Bao Restaurant is located at the side of JiuQu Bridge in ChengHuang Miao area in Shanghai.

Xiao Long Bao are steamed buns with a thin layer of skin, with meat fillings with juicy soup inside the bun. There are some with crab meat and crab roe.

The pricing is 16 buns for RMB8 (where u queue at level one).
Go to the 2nd level (Pleasure Boat Hall) and pay for 16 buns for RMB15 with crab meat.
At 3rd level (Chang Sing Hall) there is a minimum spending of RMB25 per pax and their Xiao Long Bao cost 6 for RMB20 with crab roe and their single big steam bun cost RMB20 and a straw is given with each order to suck up the soup.
There is a 4th level (Ding Xing Hall) where you can order other dishes like Super Rank Steamed bun, Shrimp ball with crab roe, spring roll with crab roe, mushroom soup, big steam bun, cake with salty cashew nut.
The 4 steps to eat Xiao Long Bao are:
1) bite a small whole
2) blow some air into the filling
3) suck the juicy soup
4) put the whole Xiao Long Bao into your mouth and savour slowly Xiao Long Bao
Prawn Ball (similar juicy soup inside)

Yuyuan Garden

by Amareyui

Yuyuan is possibly the only place in Shanghai's city centre to find a tiny mark of ancient China. Built by the Pun family in 1559, the garden had the name of "Yu", which meant abundance back then.
After hundreds of years of mismanagement and several big destruction, Yuyuan has taken a different look. Today, much of the original garden, right up to Cheng Huang Miao in the south, is formed as part of the Yuyuan Bazaar shopping district.

Shanghai - 1999

by frank_delargy

"a very BIG city!"

OK. Firstly, It takes a long (very long) time to get to Shanghai from Boston. When I arrived I was a bit disoriented, but I have to say that all my fears of going to a communist country (mostly US indoctrination and fear if the unknown) were gradually removed as the day progressed.
Turns out my luggage didn't arrive with me, so that was a big bummer.. I have to say that a day later, the airline, were nice enough to deliver my luggage to my hotel.
I actually visited Shanghai twice and although there was only a few weeks between visits, my second visit felt much more relaxed.

"10 Manhattans"

Shanghai is a very large city and I understand that it has the most high rise buildings of any city in the world. This is pretty obvious when you drive around. In 1999 most of these large new buildings we still 1/2 empty and they were building scores more.
China was clearly putting a lot of effort into modernizing Shanghai. I saw more Kentucky Fried Chicken stores than I did 'rickshaws'.