Shanghai- don't hesitate
My husband and I found a great airfare deal to Shanghai (15 hrs from Los Angeles), so we went for it! We spent 8 days exploring the city and even took a day trip to a village outside the city noted for its Venice-like canals. We carried with us a good city map and a sense of adventure as we roamed the neighborhoods of Shanghai.
What can do for you:
- Help you get a food guide, so you can eat confidently
- Tell you the quickest way to and from the airport
- Advise you how to arrange the best day trip out of town
- Teach you about the tourist scams, so you won't get ripped off.
Budget:
- airfare -there are usually specials- we paid $450 RT from DFW- but then you need to get a VISA which will cost about $130 more- plus the cost of seat upgrades to tolerate this long flight
- We stayed on the Old Side of town $78 a night
- Food was amazingly cheap if you ate local food (2 people) $8 breakfast, $10 lunch and $20 for dinner. When we went to the Pudong side (business side) food was more expensive- $100 for dinner and drinks. If it looked American- the cost was steeper.
- we walked most everywhere, but took subways (easy) and cabs (cheap)
- entrance to major major museums and exhibits were under $10 pp
Go and see beautiful gardens. Witness match makers trying to find love connections. Observe group Tai Chi classes. Get tickets to an acrobat show. Wander the streets of Shanghai just taking it all in!
A trip to a Nunnery can be a colorful experience.
Stroll The Bund walkway for the best night views of Pudong. Take a ferry across the river and shop at the "knock-off" stores. Stand at ground level, look up, and take a picture of 3 of the tallest buildings in the world. Then, take the elevator to the top and have a cocktail and an appetizer and look down on the city!
Visit the Urban Planning Center or Old Town Shanghai (which isn't very old!) , or spend a few hours in the Shanghai Museum of History.
Look at the pictures below and see why I would encourage you to get a food guide at the beginning of your trip. Some of these things were delicious- others I would NOT try!!
