Shanghai Tourist Traps

To me, Pudong is like an empty, ghostly town. The govt. is building Pudong as a whole new biz area. All you see is tall big buildings and empty streets. It gave me a spooky feeling walking around on my own. The further you walk, fewer and fewer people you will see on the street.

There is no attraction besides the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Its not a place to hang around unless you want to wander in that big mall. Just see whatever you come here to see and leave, I guess.

Fun Alternatives: Check out what you cross the river for. Take a few pictures. And leave.

The Shanghai "Bar Girls" can be found at certain bars that are frequented by expatriates.

The premise is this: THEY WANT YOUR MONEY. They will sit down next to you, ask you if you will buy them a drink, and will offer to get you a drink at the same time. When they return, they won't have a drink and you won't have change.

They are there to MAKE MONEY for the bar and for themselves. After one drink, Mao politely excused himself and went to a bar without "Bar Girls".

What a joke.

Unique Suggestions: If you want to look at the merchandise without buying a drink, simply politely decline to buy any of the "Bar Girls" drinks. After several "no's" word within the "Bar Girl's on duty" will travel fast and they will leave you alone.

Fun Alternatives: There are sooooooooooooo many great bars and dance clubs in Shanghai where you can meet real, normal women, why in the hell would anyone want to go to one of these places? I just don't get it.

Just cut 50% off the price during bargain when you are shopping at Xiang Yang market. It is located the exit of Shan Xi Nan Lu's MRT station, outside of Parkson's Shopping mall. And beware of pick pocket too!

Unique Suggestions: Carry your bag on your chest will do.

When walking in a touristic area it may happen that you are confronted with a group of young people telling you that tey were art students from Peking or elsewhere and lacking money for going backth their hometown. They will offer you to show you some of their art works if you go with them to an exposition room just arround the corner. They will ask you to buy some pictures form great chinese artists. These are quite cheap faked drawings. In fact this is nothing dangerous but it's annoying.

Although I think (or hope) most Shanghai taxi drivers are relatively honest. Be wary, some tend to take the scenic route with foreigners, that is anyone that doesn't speak Shanghaiese. Although, this happens even to the locals.

To quote GI Joe, 'knowing is half the battle' so know or ask what the local rate should be, especially from the airports.

Taxi from Pudong Int'l to the city center is about 150 RMB. Taxi to Hongqiao Airport about 40 RMB. And never go with the touts offering their services at the airports...they'll quote you 2-4x the going rate. Instead wait at the taxi quene.

Unique Suggestions: If you do get trapped, insist on an electronic ticketed receipt from the meter (not a hand written receipt). That way you can trace the taxi, fare paid, time, etc.

If the taxi driver refuses, you have the right to NOT PAY the fare.

Fun Alternatives: Shuttle bus to Pudong Int`l ?E30 RMB from most city center hotels. If not sure, go to a large reputable hotel and ask about shuttle bus services.

To me it seemed like things were much more expensive in this area as it was very popular for locals to visit. It may not be a true tourist trap but a cup of tea will be more expensive than the average shop.

Walking around the old part of the city, me and Max, my aussie friend, got to know an old man. He spoke english very well, because he was an english teacher when not retired. So he took us to know the temple, the tea house, etc... And then i needed to pee, and he invited us to go and try a chinese tea. OK let's go.

He took us to a pearl shop, we got our teas on a table while this two cute girls tried to sell us the pearls. I don't know if these were real pearls or not, but i was there to take tea. Well, we managed not to buy nothing, but we had to pay 15 yuan for the lowsy tea!

When you get to any large Market area such as the Yu Yuan in the Old Town area or any other large shopping area beware of young people asking you to take a look at their art exhibit. This business was in a few areas in Shanghai . The young people ask you to view their works of art at an exhibit. There they show you their Teachers work, their headmasters work and their own work. Little buy little you are encoraged to buy some artwork. Prices were modest , in the 200-300 Yuan range ($25-$35US approx) Some of the pieces are very lovely and would make a nice souvenir for someone but realize what you're getting propositioned for.