Lujiazui / Pudong, Shanghai

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Favorite thing: the view of the ultramodern district of shanghai! Shanghai is home to more than 4,000 buildings, but it is the Huangpu's east-bank development, Pudong, that is the star of the Show in Shanghai. In 1990, this area was still marshy farmland but now in 2009 or 19 years later, Pudong has become a New Open Economic Development Zone, and has emerged as China's financial and commercial hub. Pudong is home to the Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and a skyline that includes the symbolic Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Building, the Shanghai World Financial Center and soon-to-be-completed Shanghai Tower reflective of Shanghai and China's rapid economic development. Best seen via a Huangu River cruise to see the skyscrapers of the bund in puxi district and the ultramodern pudong distict!

Favorite thing: What do do if you have a 6 to 10 hour layover in Shanghai? Read on

The Pudong airport (PVG) in Shanghai is clean and modern, but a TERRIBLE place to hang out. There are no TVs, and the most interesting hang out in the whole airport is a KFC (which is very hard to find). Shopping is virtually non-existant.

The good news is is that you can get into the city and have a good look around in 8 hours. I suggest you take the magnetic levitation train (maglev). If you are holding a flight ticket for the current day, you can take the maglev round trip for RMB80. It gets up to 431km, so it is an experience in itself! Anyway, take the maglev to Longyang Rd. station (maglev only makes this one stop, so it's easy). At Longyang Rd., take the subway to "Lujiazui" station. In Lujiazui, you are in the heart of new Shanghai, and can spend the time by going to the top of the Pearl Orient TV tower (panaromaic views of Shanghai), or the top of the Jinmao Tower (observation deck on 88th floor, also great views of Shanghai). You can get lunch and do some shopping in the "Zheng Da Guang Chang", one of the largest shopping malls in China. In Lujiazui, you are also very near the Huangpu river, and can get a great glimpse of the "Puxi" side of Shanghai and its colonial architecture.

After spending about 4 hours in Lujiazui doing the above, you can get the subway and maglev back to the airport.

I've lived in Shanghai for 4 years and think this is the best possible way to use your limited time in the city.

Best
Chris

Fondest memory: This picture was taken from a tall, brand-new condominium overlooking Shanghai's Century Park, which is located in Pudong. Century Park is the largest park in Shanghai and it is a great place to take a walk, run, or bike. There is also a mini golf course here and several gardens. The landscaping work done here is fantastic. Also a great place for a picnic.

Fondest memory: At first I thought it was going to be another ordinary science museum, but the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in Pudong was much better than I expected: live shows and demonstrations, lots of hands-on activities (including the chance to interact with robots and experiment with cutting-edge technology), and lots of exhibits to look at. I felt like it was a museum that actually teaches you science. There are also 3D IMAX theatres here. Definitely worth a visit if you have an extra day in Shanghai.

Favorite thing: LU JIA ZUI FINANCIAL ZONE (PU DONG): this is where China future lies!

Imagine stepping into one of the largest & highest growing economy in the world. Then think of all the $$$ - involved in capturing the world's economic resources to finance all the growth in this 1 billion + pop. economy. That's a force the world has to reckon with one day in the near future!

Fondest memory: Surprisingly, Shanghai reminds me of Las Vegas (its size) & Manhattan (its height & the numerous skyscrappers)! It's a great feeling to see an Oriental city prospers at such a great speed. I'm sure in a few years time, this is going to be one of the greatest cities & financial centers in the world!

Favorite thing: Visit the tallest office building JIN MAO TOWER cum hotel (The Grand Hyatt is located from 53-87 story) pictured here on the right. Also, you may like to wind down the day at Cloud 9 - World's highest bar which offers fantastic panorama of a neon-lit Bund at night. Cloud 9 is located on the 87th floor of Grand Hyatt Hotel in Jin Mao Tower.

Favorite thing: Take a tour up ORIENTAL PEARL TV TOWER: Tallest building in Asia, 3rd highest in the world! Completed on Oct. 1, 1994.

Total Height = 468 m.

To read more, proceed to TourInfo.sh.cn.

Fondest memory: At the top level (350 m), you get to see the entire Shanghai city. Great views & a trip worth taking. Go around lunch hour & the ticket will entitle you to a nice buffet too!

love it up here, will return again on my next trip :)))

Fondest memory: Aerial view of PU XI from Grand Hyatt Hotel.

This is one of the 2 locations in Shanghai where you can get great views of the city of "Old Shanghai - Puxi". We stayed at this hotel & therefore have access to it day & night either from the room, the cafe or the lounge. It's amazing to just stand here & looked & marvel at the progress Shanghai has made in the last decade! I'd never have imagined it!

Favorite thing: Jing Mao Tower

Fondest memory:
This is NO.1 Building of Shanghai and China.

Personally, I agree the skyscraper means nothing except a high building, but I'm still happy with this NO.1 of China could be in Shanghai.