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I visited 6 major temple sites. At Wen Miao and Jade Buddha, I was met at the entrance by english speaking "guides". In both cases, they were very helpful as they escorted me around the temple complexes, explaining what I was looking at and its significance.
However, be fairly warned that these friendly guides are shills for "museums" on the temple grounds. You'll be directed into these museums where, of course, everything is for sale. If you're looking for artwork or Chinese antiques, these might be great places to look. They offer the paperwork necessary to legally export the antiques (this is their claim and they did show me examples but I have no idea if the paperwork was actually proper and legal) and they'll pitch the items as generating income for poor students and grounds maintenance. That may or may not be true; I have no idea.
My guide at the Jade Buddha Temple was an interesting lesson for me. His English needs work (much better than my Chinese, however) but he seemed very knowledgeable about Buddhist temple details and Chinese Buddhist beliefs. Out of curiosity, I asked if he is Buddhist. No. It turns out he's a Chinese Muslim. I would never have guessed.
Speaking of the Jade Buddha Temple, I can say that their efforts at making a sale were pretty aggressive and high pressure. It didn't work though I admit to being sorely tempted; I took a shine to some colorful ceramic pieces. Having no information about Chinese ceramic figurines, I wasn't comfortable spending $100s on one piece no matter how much I liked it (based on airport prices I saw later, where similar but much much smaller pieces were also $100s, the temple price might have been very good) and passed. Taking that pass required insistence and patience on my part. The shop sales guy (not the guide) got pretty physical trying to push/pull me back to the shop. I took no offense and just insisted that I was no longer interested. But it took my leaving the temple grounds to get them off my back.
As a side note, if you are interested in buying an item at the temple, the price IS negotiable and haggling is expected. Just remember that you don't engage in haggling unless you're seriously interested in making the purchase if you get your price.
Written May 26, 2010
Helpfulness
The biggest bridge in Zhujiajiao is Fangsheng Bridge. On the bridge you could get a good bird's-eye view of the surrounding area. "Fangsheng" means "to set free", the traditional Buddhist custom of setting free small animals such as turtles, fish and such so as to accrue good karma.
Here there're aunties with plastic bags of small fish which they try to sell to visitors and other passers-by for this "good" purpose. However I think these poor creatures are only going to be caught again by these people right after you set them free, so as to keep their "wheel of prosperity" running. So, don't be taken in!
Fun Alternatives: The bridge itself is fine... just don't be taken in by the vendors!
Written Jan 20, 2010
When you go shopping at the streets, the initial price quoted to you is usually 500-800% higher than the usual price.
Unique Suggestions: BARGAIN and bargain HARD. Be ruthless. Quote a crazy price - 10% of the quoted price and build up. Some examples- Winter coat RMB350, finally bought for RMB110. T-shirt RMB150 finally bought for RMB15. Silver statue RMB800 - bought for RMB150
Fun Alternatives: Go to government-sanctioned shops. The price is usually a trade-off in between best price and exhorbitant price. But at least, the quality is assured
Written Apr 2, 2008
There are many prostitutes in Shanghai (and China) and can be found in most bars, even hotel bars. Currently, Shanghai's police MO is to watch a foreigner pick a girl up in a bar and follow them to the hotel room. After the girl leaves the hotel room they grab her, get her to confess, and then go after the foreigner in the hotel room. With her confession the hotel guest is arrested and placed in detention for about two weeks, released and booted out of the country.
Unique Suggestions: Don't do it. Think of your family and your job. If you do it anyway, have a local attorney phone number with you.
Fun Alternatives: It is possible to go to a bar, have a good time, and not do anything illegal or immoral.
Written Aug 4, 2007
Helpfulness
When u are at the bund, u'll notice many stalls by the side, most of these are 'instant photography services", they will tok u into letting them take ur pictures, and will only tell u the cost of taking 1 pic,(it's abt 8RMB for 1 foto), they will also show u sample of the pics they hv taken. Dun be fooled by these pple. They expect u to take up the whole roll of film, which is abt 4 shots. U have to wait at least 30mins for the fotos to be developed. Their photo taking skills aren't professional either.
Unique Suggestions: If u decided to try their services, go take the fotos when u start the tour in The Bund, so that they have ample time to develope ur fotos, then u wouldn't have to wait too long for the fotos at least.
Fun Alternatives: I suggest taking ur own pictures. =)
Written May 8, 2004
Helpfulness
When u touch down at the airport, and have no hotel transfer, PLS join the queue for the local taxis right in front. turn right and Walk straight up when u exit the airport. Local taxis are very honest, they do not poach customers on the road. Beware of those pple who tell u that the cabs in the queue are not going to the city, they are conman, they will tell u that the actual taxi to the city are parked in the carpark, and will direct u there. DO NOT FOLLOW THEM. They will drive u to the city, but they will charge u at least 50RMB more than local taxis. The taxi fare from PUDONG airport to city should cost no more than 140RMB. Go by the meter. They are cheaper.
Written Apr 29, 2004
Things are mark-up to the highest!!!
Unique Suggestions: Visit few more shops which sell the same things until you grab the best price!
Fun Alternatives: Don't buy it!
Written Aug 5, 2006
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Reviews and photos of Shanghai Shi attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Shanghai Shi sightseeing.
Things are mark-up to the highest!!! Visit few more shops which sell the same things until you grab the best price! Don't buy it!
804 members live in Shanghai Shi
Q: Hi, I would like to know which is nicest or more convenient area to stay in Shanghai (I mean night life, transport, etc.), Thanks
A: I do not think it matters that much, taxi fares are so cheap and there is a tunnel under the river. We were there for 5 nights May 2011 and our hotel was close to the...
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