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Shanghai Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Shanghai
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Shanghai Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Shanghai - Shanghai, home to almost 12-million people, is
China's largest city and is situated in the centre of the coastline
where the Yangtze River flows through its delta into the East China
Sea. The name of the city means 'on the sea', and most of the city
(including Chongming Island) is only a few metres above sea level,
criss-crossed by a maze of natural waterways of the Taihu drainage
basin.
Shanghai is China's industrial and
commercial capital. It is a busy sea port, and a science and
technology centre, and has a vibrant business community. Visitors
come to Shanghai not for its scenic beauty or history (the city is
too young to have cultivated a classical heritage), but those who
arrive on business can find plenty of off-duty entertainment and
relaxation. Just walking the busy streets and soaking up the
vibrant atmosphere is worthwhile, and there are some temples and
gardens to visit along with an excellent museum.
This great cosmopolitan metropolis has a colourful
colonial background which had the edge rubbed off of it during half
a century of Communist rule. It was the first Chinese coastal port
to be opened to Western trade in 1843, resulting in an influx of
British, French and American diplomats and business interests, each
of which established their own independent enclaves. In the 1920s
and 30s Shanghai was regarded as a glamorous and rather decadent
'in' place to visit. It all ended with World War II and the coming
to power of the Communist party, but now, since the early 1990s a
dramatic re-building programme has been underway which is aimed at
putting Shanghai back on the map as a major international finance
and trade centre - the planned World Financial Centre will be the
world's tallest building when it is completed in
2007.
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Shanghai
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. The Bund
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What is it? The picturesque Bund, Shanghai's waterfront
promenade stretching for one mile (2km) along the bank of the
Huangpu River, was once the most famous street in Asia, and is
still renowned for its strip of Art Deco buildings. One of the
grandest of these buildings, formerly the City Communist Party
headquarters, is now the home of the Shanghai Pudong Development
Bank. The wide riverfront promenade on the east bank of the river
provides a captivating view of Shanghai, particularly at night.
From the Bund visitors can take a river trip down the Huangpu to
the mouth of the Yangtse. Boats leave regularly from the Shiliupu
Pier south of the Bund and the trip takes about three
hours.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Shanghai Museum
2 Ren Min Da Dao
www.shanghaimuseum.net/en |
What is it? The new Shanghai Museum is situated on the
People's Square, the political and cultural centre of Shanghai. The
square itself boasts a giant musical fountain and some attractive
green recreational areas where locals dance and fly kites. It is
surrounded by the City Hall, an underground shopping centre and the
Grand Shanghai Theatre. It is the Shanghai Museum, opened in 1996,
however, that draws the most interest. The building is shaped like
a giant bronze urn, and the museum contains a collection of 123,000
cultural artefacts in 21 categories. Chief among the museum's
collections are bronzeware, ceramics, calligraphy and art
works.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm, until 7pm on
Saturdays
Phone:(0)21 6372 3500 |
3. The Yuyuan Gardens
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What is it? The Yuyuan Gardens date back to 1559 to the
Ming Dynasty, and are the best example of Chinese classical gardens
in Shanghai. The relatively small gardens are laid out in an
intricate design with pavilions, rockeries, ponds and a traditional
theatre arranged in an ornate maze. The gardens are on Yuyuan
Street in downtown Shanghai and can be reached via the Town God
Temple Market, a warren of shops and stalls that is becoming
increasingly popular as a tourist bazaar.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Shanghai
holidays - Top Events
1. Moon Festival
From 2007-09-25
To 2007-09-25
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What is it? One of China's most beloved cultural
celebrations is the Moon Festival in autumn, marking the end of the
harvest season. Main symbol of the festival is the baking and
eating of Moon Cakes: round pastries with sweet fillings. In
Shanghai the favourite filling is red bean paste. Houses are
decorated with coloured animal-shaped paper lanterns and altars are
piled with round fruits to symbolise the shape of the moon. The
evening is spent moon-gazing and enjoying the company of family,
before enjoying a feast at midnight.
Where is it? |
2. China Shanghai International Arts Festival
From 2007-10-01
To 2007-11-30
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What is it? Shanghai becomes the focus of arts fundis
during the month-long festival hosted by the Ministry of Culture
annually since 1999. The varied programme features more than 150
performances covering everything from symphony orchestras, dance,
and opera to acrobatics, magic and drama. Allied events are an
international piano competition, magic festival and contest, an
Asia music festival and an arts and crafts
fair.
Where is it? Various throughout the city |
3. Shanghai Tourism Festival
From 2007-09-16
To 2007-09-06
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What is it? The massive Shanghai Tourism Festival
showcases not only all the city has to offer visitors, but is the
perfect event for locals and foreigners to discover the fascination
of Chinese culture and history. The opening ceremony takes the form
of a grand-scale parade of floats and international performance
troupes telecast live to the whole country. Millions of locals and
visitors participate in the hundreds of events and activities
presented at the festival ranging from Chinese cooking classes and
bicycle tours to fireworks displays. For more information contact
the China International Travel Service on +86 (10) 6601
1122.
Where is it? The opening parade takes place along Huaihai Rd. Events are
held at dozens of locations around the city, but the main areas are
Everbright City near the Railway Station and Century Park in
Pudong |
4. Chinese New Year
From 2007-02-18
To 2007-02-18
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What is it? New Year starts with a bang in Shanghai,
where exuberant and exceedingly loud fireworks displays rock the
city all night long on this, China's most merry of celebrations.
Not everyone appreciates the scale of the fireworks, but
traditionally the noise is necessary to frighten off evil spirits
for the coming year. During the national holiday the Bund and clubs
throughout the city are thronged with revellers, making for a
city-wide party. In 2007 the Year of the Boar
begins.
Where is it? Throughout the city |
5. Chinese F1 Grand Prix
From 2007-09-30
To 2007-09-30
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What is it? A new circuit in the Formula One Grand Prix,
Shanghai's International Circuit welcomes the deafening noise,
prestige, speed and the very best in motor racing that comes with
such a spectacle.
Where is it? Shanghai International Circuit |
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