shanghai, China
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Shanghai Museum
This modern, state-of-the-art museum, often cited by visitors as Shanghai's premier attraction, has as impressive a collection of historical artifacts as you'll see in any museum in China. It's possible to tour all 11 exhibition rooms, but if your time is limited, pick four or five of the most interesting to you. The bronze and stone sculpture galleries on the first floor, the painting gallery on the third, and the jade gallery on the fourth are considered very impressive. |
People Square
Renmin Guangchang, Shanghai's central square was once part of colonial Shanghai's horse-racing track. To the northwest, the building with the curved crucible roof is the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the city's premier venue for international performances, dances, and concerts. Just behind it, though out of view, is the colonial clock tower marking today's Shanghai Art Museum. Directly to your north is Shanghai's City Hall. |
The Bund
The most famous street in Asia during the first half of the 20th century, this embankment was where the foreign powers who entered Shanghai after the Opium War of 1842 erected their Western-style banks and trading houses. Today it is a veritable museum of architecture featuring building styles from Art Deco and Gothic to late Renaissance and classic European. It's also home to some of the swankiest shops, restaurants, and bars in Shanghai. |
Acrobats
Though this screams "tourist" in every way, few visitors are disappointed with their night spent watching the contortionist, juggling, unicycling, and plate-spinning acts of the justifiably world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe at the Shanghai Center Theatre (Shanghai Shangcheng Juyuan). Performances usually start at 7:30pm and last 90 minutes. |
Yu Yun Garden
Billed as the most complete Chinese classical garden in urban Shanghai, Yu Yuan can be interesting for those who've never seen a Chinese garden up close before, even if you have to fight your way through the tourist throngs. Full of rock gardens, ponds, bridges, and pavilions all laid out to simulate a microcosm of the universe. Wander through the cluster of shops or head south to the aforementioned Shanghai Old Street for souvenir shopping. |