Shanghai tower

Introduction 

Shanghai Tower is located on 501 middle Yincheng road in Pudong New Area with Shanghai World Financial Center to the east and Jin Mao Tower to its north. Shanghai tower is one of China's tallest buildings standing at a dizzying 632 meters high with 127 floors and 5 basement levels. The tower covers an area of 30,368 square meters with its floor space covering around 576,000 square meters. 

The building design is such that it spirals upward in a snake-like manner twisting one degree per level making a 120-degree rotation, a design that was put into use to protect the building structure from string winds making it as stable as possible. Construction engineers, first of all, put 980 foundation piles underground up to a depth of 86 meters. They then poured 2.15 million cube feet of concrete setting a 6-meter thick baseboard to strengthen the main building. It also has a double layer wall structure forming the building facade creating a form of insulator which also improves indoor air quality. 

Major attractions and activities to do on a visit

Shanghai Tower Observation Deck

Located on the 118th floor at 1,791 feet high, a tour to this tower brings tourists to the world's highest indoor observation deck. Visitors get to this fantastic height on the observatory deck on a super-fast elevator that takes only 55 seconds to reach the 118th floor where they can take in unique panoramic views of the Huangpu River, other skyscrapers like the World Financial Center, the Bund and Jin Mao Tower. The panoramic views across Shanghai’s skyline are very rewarding especially during sunset and at night. In addition to this, there is an exhibition on the 125th and 126th floor of the Shanghai Eye which is unmatched and shouldn’t be missed out.

Shanghai eye

The eye is situated on the 125 to 126th floor with a damper to stabilize it. Exploring this level isn’t for the faint-hearted yet it is very thrilling. 

Shanghai Tower Elevators

Shanghai Tower is serviced by 149 elevators and 108 of them are lifts. Three of the lifts can be used by visitors up to the height of 546 meters within one minute making the highest speed elevator in the world.

Shanghai Guanfu Museum 

This displays the long history of Chinese civilization with exhibits of ceramics, statues, gold wares and porcelain. 

World's Second-Highest Hotel

Visit and be part of this luxury hotel that’s located on the 84th to 110th floors that is currently the world’s second-highest hotel. 

Bund

Introduction 

The Bund popularly known as Wai Tan is a renowned waterfront on the west bank of Huangpu River in Huangpu District, Shanghai. The waterfront stretches for 1500 meters from Waibaidu bridge to the east of Jinling Road and it faces the Oriental Pearl Tower. There are 52 different classical buildings bearing western, Baroque, Romanesque, Gothic and Chinese styles which make up the financial center of old Shanghai and the concentration zone of foreign trade agencies. The area is located on East Zhongshan number one road and is recognized as the pride and symbol of Shanghai.

The name Bund is of Anglo Indian origin and it means an embankment of a muddy waterfront. The area where the Bund stands now used to be a muddy towpath for boats from Huangpu River. In 1842 after the First Opium War Shanghai opened up and became an open port where Great Britons settled. In 1845 the British colonialists seized the Bund and set up the British concession. Afterward, many other foreign nations such as the United States of America, France, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Japan and Netherlands set up their distinct buildings raising the status of Shanghai to become Asia’s leading cosmopolitan and thriving financial and commercial center. 

Things to do and see on a visit 

The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

This sightseeing Tunnel is a three to five minutes ride that goes through colorful lights in a distance of about 646.7 meters running between Puxi and the Oriental Pearl Tower in Pudong.

Sunset on Waibaidu Bridge

Waibaidu Bridge is the best place to have a view of the old Shanghai complex. When the sun sets this bridge is shrouded by golden rays and creates a romantic scene for love birds. Many film directors and producers choose this location for scenes and it has become very famous amongst locals and tourists alike. 

Stroll at the waterfront avenue

Strolling along a mile-long stretch at the Huangpu waterfront from the north end to the south end gives visitors the perfect opportunity to see colonial-era architecture from western roots that are graceful and rich antiques. Visitors get to see arches from ancient Greece, Spanish balconies, pointed Gothic roofs and Baroque columns.

Cruise on the Huangpu River

A cruise on Huangpu River presents visitors with the chance to see historical architecture and soaring skyscrapers on the opposite side of the river. At night the buildings on the banks are illuminated and present a very enchanting view of Shanghai. The florid Bund night view from a Huangpu River cruise. Dazzling lights completely enlighten the area and exhibit the magnificence of the buildings on the banks and flashing light shadows reflect on the floating river water. 

Most of the cruises last as long as thirty minutes to three and a half hours cruises. In addition there is a ferry ride across to Pudong where visitors can also experience the scenic views on both sides of the river.

Watch the Locals Doing Their Morning Exercises

At the Bund, locals can be seen taking their regular morning exercises. Some will be seen jogging, walking, practicing tai chi and flying kites.

Spend Some Time in Huangpu Park

At the northern end of the Bund is Huangpu Park. It is like a small oasis situated between the Bund and busy shopping areas. The manicured lawn and gardens particularly stand out as there is not much green space in this part of Shanghai. It is a wonderful place to have a rest and to take photos, day or night.

Where to Shoot Panoramic Views of the Bund?

There are three ideal locations to see the full view of the Bund: Pudong Binjiang Avenue, on a Huangpu River Cruise, and one of the skyscrapers in Pudong like Shanghai World Financial Center, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Shanghai Tower. If you want to take beautiful photos of the Bund, we advise you to hire a guide who can give you tips about when and where to go. A knowledgeable guide can arrange different places to take photos according to the weather.

Appreciate high rises across the Huangpu River

At the Bund, visitors can feel the charm of the exotic old Shanghai and also experience modern Shanghai across Huangpu River dominated by dense high rises in Pudong New Area on the opposite bank. There are buildings such as the Shanghai Tower, the World Financial Center, the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower and the top four highest skyscrapers in the city. These skyscrapers dominate the skyline and create a perfect backdrop for photographers. 

Nanjing Road

Introduction 

Nanjing Road is the premier shopping street in China starting from the Bund in the east and ending in the west at the junction of west Yan'an Street covering and area of 5.5 km. Over the years it has been reconstructed to undergo significant changes where ancient stores still remain standing although they are no longer dominant because the market is now dominated by over 600 businesses including ultra-modern shopping malls, theaters, cafes, restaurants, specialty stores and world-class hotels. The pedestrian section of Nanjing East Road is the popular section receiving thousands of visitors every single day while Nanjing West Road right after the Peoples Square Metro Station is also a renowned section. 

Things to do and see on a visit 

Shopping 

Visitors can satisfy their shopping appetite at both traditional department stores and the latest fashion stores. Currently there are at least 600 running businesses in the area offering latest fashion designs and quality merchandise. There are upscale stores like Mont Blanc, Dunhill, Tiffany and Omega. On local stores, visitors can shop for jade, silk products, wool and embroidery.

Amongst the historical shops along on east Nanjing Road are Duo Yun Xuan selling paintings and Chinese calligraphy, Guanlong Photographic Equipment Company selling photography equipment, Shanghai Laojiefu Department selling different fabrics, silk products and fashionable cloths, Lao Feng Xiang Jewellers selling souvenirs, gifts and jewellery and Heng Da Li Clocks and Watches Company selling high end clocks and watches and Cai Tong De Pharmacy selling Chinese Traditional Medicine.

On West Nanjing Road there is the Shanghai New World Company with shopping malls, dining areas, entertainment centers and also houses Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, HKRI Taikoo Hui with many restaurants and over 250 brands, Jiuguang Department Store with shopping areas, entertainment areas, dining areas, CITIC Square with dining and fashion areas, Starbucks Reserve Roaster which the largest Starbucks store in the world with coffee bars, tea bars, pastry and roaster, Plaza 66 with high end stores like Fendi, Chanel, Hugo boss, Hawkes, Celine, Louis Vuitton and Bvlgari, Shanghai Center with luxury stores like Gucci, Paul & Shark and Salvatore Ferragamo and TAG Heuer for the Swiss watch brand.

The modern malls such as Shanghai Landmark sell accessories and homewares, Shanghai Sports Goods General Shop selling all sorts of sporting equipment, Hualian Commercial Building also selling fashion accessories and Shanghai no.1 Department Store. 

Food

At Nanjing Road visitors can taste the most authentic and tasty Shanghai snacks from time horned brands. There are food stalls such as Shanghai First Food Hall with different local snacks and traditional cakes, Shen Da Cheng serving moon cakes with meat fillings, Zhen Lao Da Fang serving smoked fish and moon cakes, Wangjiasha Pastry Shop serving all sorts of desserts, special snacks normally served on traditional Chinese festivals and wontons and Shao Wan Shen serving the best wine cured crabs and mud snails.

Riding the Dangdang sightseeing tram

Taking the tram creates a memorable experience for visitors to view Nanjing Road different sections. The tram operates from 8:30 to 10:00 pm daily and a single trip lasts for 10 minutes. 

Night view

When darkness covers Nanjing Road, neon lights light up its fascinating skyline of the lively street with upscale buildings, street vendors, live bands, open-air restaurants and bars. The street is a beehive of activities at night with visitors strolling, relaxing, people watching and even shopping.