Sufotel Hotel (Jinshan)

Check out the Dongtai Lu "Antique" Market

by fengo5

Dongtai Lu is a quiet little back street located off of Xizang Lu near the eastern end of HuaiHai Lu. Although it's getting more popular, it still offers a nice break from the crowds of Nanjing Lu or Huaihai Lu. All along Dongtai Lu are hundreds of "antique" dealers, some in actual shops others in quasi-permanent stands. Even if you don't plan on buying anything it is still an interseting place to go and spend a few hours window shopping.

If you do buy anything there a few things to keep in mind:

1. Realize that many of the items offered for sale are not actual antiques. Some items may be from the early 1900's . Others may be relatively new and artrificially aged. Certainly there are actual antiques to be found but they will be expensive. Many of the dealers are educated and business savy. If someone is trying to sell you a Ming vase for US$10.00 don't believe him.

2. Buy what catches your eye. Whether or not it is an antique, whether or not you like what you purchased is what counts..Unless you are specifically looking for an antique and know what your doing don't get caught up in how old an item is. I have a beautiful painted bowl that I proudly display in my home. Frankly I don't care how old it is.

3. Haggle, Haggle, Haggle. If you are Caucasion the starting price will be about twice as high as if you are native Chinese and that price is about twice what the dealer really expects to get. I can usually get away paying 10-30% of what was originally quoted.

Have Fun!!

Shanghai Metro

by cheezecake_deli

The Shanghai Metro is a cheap way to get around the city. Trains and stations are clean and air-conditioned, though can be very crowded at peak times. Beware that some of the stations are humungous, and changing between lines may involve a lot of walking. Fares cost between RMB3 and RMB6 depending on distance. The stored value card is a convenient way to pay your fares - it can also be used on buses and taxis as well, and requires a deposit of RMB30, refundable when the card is returned.

Nanjing Lu

by ahoerner

A crowded downtown street with lots of shopping malls, department and small stores, plenty of restaurants, and hotels... in a nutshell: all chinese and a tourist want in a single street.

The street crosses downtown Shanghai, linking People's Square, where the government buildings are, to the Bund by the Huangpu river.

Yokohama Specie Bank Building

by Willettsworld

The Yokohama Specie Bank Building, now Shanghai Textile Holding Corporation, is a seven-floor building at No.24 The Bund which was completed in 1924. It was built by architects P & T Architects Limited (Palmer and Turner).

Xin Tian Di - blending modern and tradition

by goglobe

"Sunny sidewalk cafes"

Notice the refurbished external walls with the narrow alley unaltered. But the lamp posts and restaurant trimmings are totally contemporary.

"Unique facades"

The external finish of the restaurants is unique, not without the eye-pleasing green plants and water features.

"International flavours"

The many restaurants in this area offer really a wide choice of international cuisine, such as this unique Italian restaurant.

"Making your way through this maze"

As the small streets retain its original historic shapes, you have to meander your way through this virtual maze, but no worry, you soon find your way out without problem, because all alleys lead to the main square.