China’s largest city is home to 24 million people, more than the population of some countries. At the same time, the metropolis does not think of stopping there, but continues to develop, especially in the field of trade. Important fashion shows, exhibitions, huge shopping centers – Shanghai can be a shopaholic’s dream. But there are also many attractions and cultural places here. We have prepared a list of the most interesting places to visit and at the same time selected hotels where you can stay comfortably and without breaking the bank.
Car Museum
In Shanghai there is one of the largest museums on the planet dedicated to cars – the Shanghai Auto Museum. The area of the complex is 1.17 hectares, there are five pavilions. Here you can get acquainted with the history of the automotive industry, see rare and collectible models, and trace the evolution of design and technology for more than a hundred years.
Museum staff does not point at exhibits about which they have memorized information like a poem, but tells visitors something little-known about models and parts. Let’s say what was the difference between the gearbox on a Japanese military truck and an American jeep. Or how exactly automatic tire inflation works. Here you can see everything clearly.
Sheshan
This is the name of a hill in Shanghai where several parks are located. These places are popular among both tourists and local residents. The reason for this is simple – excellent nature, cleanliness and fresh air. The park is divided into several zones: East Park, Xiaokunshan, Tianmashan, cableway, bird garden and forest hotels. On the territory of Tianmashan there is a mountain of the same name, which, from a certain angle, looks like a large horse.
Various cultural events take place in these parks: the Sand Figure Festival, the Bamboo Sprout Festival (Lan Sun) and others. In Sheshan, among other things, you will find many souvenir shops where you can buy various trinkets as souvenirs.
Shanghai Zoo
The Shanghai Zoo is the second largest in all of China. Over six hundred species of furry, winged and scaly animals live here. The zoo has a large garden with flowers, and in special areas, entertainment events such as cockfights are held every day.
The enclosures are spacious, which is good not only for the inhabitants of the zoo, but also for the public: the animals do not rush around or hide in the corners and they can be examined in detail. It is home to elephants, gorillas, giant and red pandas. Rare animals also live here – penguins, South China tigers and even kangaroos.
Museum of Urban History
A museum was built near the Oriental Pearl Tower in 1983, which displays about thirty thousand exhibits telling about city life over many hundreds of years.
The design of the museum is thought out to the details. It’s as if you find yourself on the streets of Shanghai and looking at episodes from the everyday life of Shanghainese people from different eras. Wax figures of shop assistants, rickshaws, recreated shops. The spirit of each time period is conveyed to five points. A leisurely tour of the museum will take one and a half to two hours.
Jade Buddha Temple
This temple was built in 1882 and two branches of Buddhism met here: the Chan school and the Pure Land school. Well, the name of the temple is very literal; there are actually jade statues of Buddha here. There are two of them. One depicts the Buddha in a sitting position, and the other in a reclining position. Another statue, larger, made of marble, is a copy of a resting Buddha.
The temple is beautifully furnished and incredibly interesting in itself. By the way, there is an excellent vegetarian restaurant on its territory. So you can also have a snack here.
Longhua Pagoda
This temple can only be admired from the outside. Entry is not allowed due to the dilapidation of the building and cultural value – this pagoda is about two thousand years old, it was built in the middle of the second century AD.
The pagoda was restored in 1979. It is forty meters high, seven floors in total. The roof of each floor is decorated with animal statues. Bells hang in the corners – according to Chinese customs, this prevents evil spirits from descending to earth.
Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Chinese attach great importance to folk methods of healing. The Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine talks about various treatment methods that have been practiced since ancient times – acupuncture, herbal compresses.
In addition, the museum has exhibitions dedicated to prominent Chinese healers and doctors, and contains artifacts and instruments used in treatment. There are also plenty of samples of folk medicines: plant roots, turtle shells, coal and others.
Temple of Confucius
The temple was erected at the end of the thirteenth century; in appearance it resembles the Great Temple of Beijing. Like other Confucian temples, it was adapted for both religious rites and scientific studies.
In the mid-nineteenth century, the building was almost completely destroyed during riots. Restoration was completed only in 1990. Inside you will find a hall with recorded sayings of Confucius. There is also a tea house where guests will be invited to join the Chinese tea ceremony.
Where to stay in Shanghai?
JI Hotel Kangding Road Shanghai
The three-star hotel has an excellent location – two kilometers from the center. The hotel has 232 rooms, guests can use the fitness room. Wi-Fi and parking are included in the price.
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The prices are reasonable – a standard room costs 5,300 rubles per night, a superior room can be ordered for almost the same amount. A luxury suite will cost 6200 rubles.
Eastern Garden Service Apartment
This hotel is also three-star and quite new – it was built in 2006. The center is ten kilometers away, which on the scale of such a huge city does not play a big role.
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The hotel has a fitness center and smoking areas. A deluxe room costs 5,000 rubles, a business class suite costs 6,600 rubles. The price includes breakfast.
Central Hotel Shanghai
The hotel is four-star and is located two and a half kilometers from the central part of Shanghai. Central Hotel Shanghai was built in 1999 and reconstructed eleven years later. The building is high-rise, 27 floors, with 319 rooms.
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Guests can visit the spa center, sauna, swimming pool and bathhouse, as well as play table tennis or go for a massage. The minimum amount you will have to pay per night at the hotel is 13,800 rubles. Executive class suite price: 22,800 rubles.
Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Central
The four-star Marriott hotel is also high-rise – 30 floors. Located approximately two kilometers from the city center. Guests can exercise, visit a massage room, play golf or swim in the pool. All rooms are non-smoking, but there are designated areas where you can smoke.
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Rooms cost from 7,200 to 15,000 rubles, which is quite low for such a hotel almost in the center of Shanghai. However, breakfast is not included in the price.
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
The five-star hotel is located in a high-rise building. There are 285 rooms on 58 floors; many offer beautiful views of the city. Guests can enjoy family rooms, massages, a fitness room, a Turkish bath, a spa, a swimming pool and a golf course.
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Accommodation in a standard room will cost at least 23,600 rubles, and the most expensive will be a suite for 50-60 thousand rubles, depending on the specific room. Expensive, but uncompromising five stars and the highest level of service.
Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
Another five-star hotel. There are 362 rooms, guests can choose from club, deluxe and executive suites. In the first case, the price will be 33,000 rubles, in the second it will rise to 38,000 rubles, and for the most expensive number you will have to pay 41-47,000 rubles.
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The hotel features a pool, hot tub, fitness center, spa and sauna. But parking is paid, despite the rather high prices.
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