Hitting up Shanghai? Find out what The pearl of Asia has to offer.
Sophistication and business prowess is what Shanghai is known for. With a population of 26 million, the city is always moving. Just take a stroll to find some of the world’s tallest buildings, Michelin-starred restaurants around every corner, and some of the best shopping on earth.
With over one hundred skyscrapers to its name, Shanghai is the place where business thrives. Being China’s financial capital, business travellers are always coming and going. Here’s your guide to doing business in Shanghai.
Getting from A to B
Pudong Airport is 30km out of town. It’s directly connected to the impressive maglev train, which hits 430km an hour to get you to Shanghai in just eight minutes. Transfer to the metro if you’re headed to the city centre or Pudong. Taxis are also available at the airport but must be paid for in cash.
When you’re in town, the metro is the best way to get around. It’s cheap and easy to navigate. The ticket machines have an option for English speakers, but they don’t accept credit cards.
Prefer taxis? Keep in mind that many of the city’s taxi drivers speak limited English. If you’re taking a taxi to an appointment, ask your concierge to write down the destination and the address in Chinese.
A Room with a View
Langham Xintiandi
With top notch service and a location right in the city centre, the Langham Xintiandi is hard to beat. Its breakfast buffet offers everything from congee to a traditional cooked breakfast. Check in to one of the Club suites for a host of added benefits including free garment pressing, access to meeting rooms and a lavish dinner spread.
Mandarin-Oriental Shanghai
Doing business in or around Pudong? Check yourself into the Mandarin-Oriental Shanghai. Picture floor-to-ceiling windows, a staggering art collection, and a sprawling spa that has a lounge dedicated exclusively to foot massages. We’re talking next-level luxury.
Amanyangyun resort
It may be 25km out of town, but Amanyangyun Resort makes the schlep worth it. Like all Aman resorts, luxury vibes are in full force, with their so-called “guest rooms” actually being antique stone villas from Jiangxi province. Invite your business partners to lunch at one of the three on-site restaurants, or treat them to a tea ceremony.
Local cuisine and fine dining faves
Fu He Hui
For long leisurely meals, head to Fu He Hui. Created by two of the city’s most celebrated restaurateurs, the restaurant seats diners amid Ming and Qing era furniture. Settle in and loosen your waistband for one delicately constructed vegetarian dish after another.
Franck
In Shanghai, a city that loves whatever is new and now, it is rare for a restaurant to stay popular for a decade. Franck – a classic French bistro – has stood the test of time for a reason. Make sure you book early to enjoy the ever-changing menu.
Mercato
You’ll need to book ahead to join the locals at Mercato, the Italian outlet from superchef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Expect relaxed, rustic-chic interiors, reinvented Italian favourites, and surprisingly affordable price points.
Have some free time? Right this way.
Tianzifang
Think historic stone-framed shikumen houses, trendy galleries and design shops, and pocket-sized restaurants and bars. Tianzifang’s Soho-style vibe draws a crowd no matter which day you visit. Get delightfully lost in the maze of picturesque narrow lanes.
West Bund
If you’re all about local art and culture, head to Shanghai’s new arts district, West Bund. The area is already home to some impressive institutions including the Long Museum and YUZ Museum, as well as cutting-edge galleries like Qiao Space.
Old Town
In this hyper-modern city, traces of the past still remain. Head to the Old Town for a glimpse into the Shanghai of yesteryear. The big drawcard here is the stunning 400-year-old Yuyuan Gardens. Make sure you also check out the Temple of the City God, drawing in many worshippers every day.
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