Shanghai Walking under the shade of great architecture

Shanghai, a city in China known for its great architecture, a powerful commerce and industry and a rich cultural past, now finds itself in the path of tourism. Perhaps it is because Shanghai has a colorful history, with stories of get-rich-quick and fortunes-lost-in-a-gamble taking shades of legend, that gives this city enough flavor for tourists to consider it.

ORIENT PEARL TOWER

After all, the old Shanghai was known to be the home of the rich who either earned their wealth through hard work or shady deals involving drugs, gambling and prostitution, all of which ended when Communist China took over.

In the early 1990’s, the Chinese government redeveloped Shanghai, restoring it to its former glory. In the mid-nineties, the city had become the center of China’s economic resurgence.

It is no surprise that Shanghai has become one of China’s most open cities. This openness has made it one of the most popular destinations for foreign investors. The presence of foreign investments also developed Shanghai into a Chinese consumer haven.

Today, the variety of consumer goods can be glimpsed through the rows of shops. Local stores selling oriental wares run alongside shops of Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton.

Meanwhile, the city continues to expand, building new subway stations, elevated roadways crisscrossing the city, the most modern stock exchange in te world and two new cultural institutions.

HOW TO GET THERE

Filipinos, who are practically neighbors of China, have been attracted to Shanghai, encouraged by the affordable tour packages and the opening of a Philippine Airlines service to the city.

Recently, Panda Travel Service based in Binondo, showed off the many faces of Shanghai to travel writers.

Panda’s tour packages of the cosmopolitan city range from US$445 (for a three-day and two-night package) to US$ 553 (four-day, three-night package). The prices are inclusive of round-trip international airfare, roundtrip transfers, hotel accommodations based on twin sharing, daily buffet breakfast and a city tour which includes lunch. Panda also offers optional tours for as low as US$28 per person.

PLACES TO VISIT

There is a “1930’s downtown New York look” in the heart of Shanghai. This is known as the Bund, a 1.5-kilometer strip of grand structures housing hotels and financial institutions.

This is known as “A Gallery of World Architecture,” as the 52 structures along the strip were built at different times with different architectural styles. But even though the structures were constructed during different times, the buildings blend perfectly well and exude a neo-classical appearance.

Facing the Bund is the newly developed Pudong area (where the Oriental Pearl TV Tower stands, an architectural spectacle). It is bounded by the Huangpu River. During the day, the Bund is for sight-seeing. At night, it becomes a romantic venue where lovers can watch the artistic floodlights from the buildings burst into a riot of colors.

THE PEOPLE’S SQUARE

The People’s Square is located in downtown Shanghai. Before the Chinese liberation, it used to be a race course. Now, new structures such as the Municipal City Hall, the Shanghai Museum, the Shanghai Grand Theater and the first stop of the new subway can be found there.

The park is 600 meters long and 32 meters wide. It is fully landscaped with a 320 square meter fountain in the center. Thousands of people visit the park on holidays and weekends to enjoy the serenity of the place.

YUYUAN GARDEN

With a history of over 400 years, the Yuyuan Gardens is a famous classical garden south of the Changjiang River. The Pan family, rich Ming Dynasty officials, founded the gardens in 1559 taking over 18 years for the gardens to be nurtured into existence. The entire garden was destroyed during bombardment in 1842 (Opium War) but have since been restored, attracting thousands of tourists daily.

This complex, which has traditional red walls and tile roofs has since been a marketplace and social center where local residents gather.

ORIENTAL PEARL TOWER

This 468-meter tower, once the tallest structure in Asia, is the pride and joy of the Shanghai people. The spaceship-like building is especially spectacular at night, facing the classic beauty of the Bund. Its several spheres are supposed to represent pearls (as in “Shanghai, Pearl of the Orient”). An elevator takes you to the top sphere for a 360-degree view of the city.

FRENCHTOWN

The Huai Hai Lu is the center of the French Town, which is the former French Concession. It is also where the Jin Jiang Hotel is located and is becoming a favorite place for tourists to explore. Food and shopping establishments abound in the area. Huge department stores blot out the sun along a road colorfully lined with flowerboxes. The area around the hotel is littered with cafes, boutiques and antique shops.

SHOPPING

Yunnan road night market. A short walk to the Nanjing Lu which is west of the Bund will lead to the night market. A variety of items can be found there at very reasonable prices. Stores are open until 10 a.m.

Huating Market. This is where you can find good, cheap western clothes.

Zhonghua Xin Lu Market. This is Shanghai’s biggest market, with hawkers selling everything under the sun.

Xiang Yang Shopping Street. Looks more like our local flea market or tiangge. If you have the patience, you can look through lots of men’s and women’s apparel, bags, accessories with designer labels. Don’t forget to haggle for the best price, which is usually half of their asking price.