Taking in All of Shanghai

Whirlwind experiences in the largest city in China

If Shanghai were a country, its economy (at about US$640 billion at the end of 2022) would be the size of Poland.

Shanghai is the largest city in China by population, with about 26 million residents. It is the third largest city in the world, behind Tokyo and Delhi.

(All Images in this story are by the author.)

Its Fascinating History

The city began as a fishing village, and due to its strategic position on the Yangtze River, the gateway to the Pacific, it became a treaty port after the First Opium War. The city was then carved up by different colonial governments — French, British, and American — each Concession bringing its own culture, society, and architecture.

It was THE place to be with the best arts, business, and architecture in Asia until the Japanese occupied Shanghai during World War II and the Communist Party took control of China. At that time, foreigners pretty much fled.

This mix of West and East, old and new, and sophistication live on. Shanghai is the most modern and Westernized Chinese city and a gateway to the outside world. It is the financial and business centre of China.

A few years ago, I went to Shanghai for business meetings. What can I see in this grand city in two and a half days?

Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.

~Alexander Graham Bell

With research and advanced planning, I decided to pack my trip with ACTION!

Local Eats, Park, and Antique Shopping

My hotel was in the older parts of Shanghai, Puxi, west of the Huangpu River. Looking down, I saw the rows of residential houses. Looking further, I saw the modern Pudong area, east of the Huangpu River, where all the modern skyscrapers and luxurious shopping malls are.

The most important thing for me was to look for a breakfast place — not eggs and sausages of course but the notorious Shanghai Wonton!

I took the trip in 2014 when street alleys were filled with local wonton shops where you could see and smell the soup boiling in a large pot in front of the restaurant. The two best things about these wontons were the taste and the price (~1 US dollar). I understand these old resident-run wonton shops have slowly disappeared as newer generations work on a modernized version of the soup.

When I exited the restaurant, I saw this cyclist (doing one hell of a job!)

After finishing some meetings, I went to the famous People’s Park in Shanghai, a green refuge at the centre of Shanghai, also known as the “green lung of the city.”

In this French-inspired People’s Park, the community enjoys opera singing, dancing, tai chi, painting, debating, and strolling along the beautiful walkways.

During the weekend, the Shanghai Marriage Market (good old physical match-making) is in action. Rows of umbrellas and shopping bags contain ads (placed by the parents or grandparents) of the person looking for a suitable marriage.

Inside the People’s Park are magnificent architectural buildings, which include the Grand Theater and the Shanghai Museum, one of China’s first-class museums with rare cultural Chinese art. I saw many bronzes, beautiful and lively Buddha statues, vibrant pottery vases, jade carvings, landscape paintings, and imperial furniture.

Near People’s Square and People’s Park was the Shanghai antique market or “Dongtai Road Antique Market ” with rolls and rolls of antique stores with Mao statues and pins, carved jades, leather suits, you name it.

I set my eye on a pottery tea container and saw a few versions of it in different stores. As Chinese, we always bargain. The first price the vendor named is at least 30% higher because they expect you to bargain.

I got a price from shop A. He offered me a better price, and I countered. He did not budge, and I walked away. Then he shouted another price to me, which I secretly liked, but I continued to walk away. After scouring for a few shops, I returned to shop A. He probably recognized me and saw me staring at the same tea container, knowing I wanted it. He raised the price by 5 yuan from his last offer. I walked away again and told him this was not the price he offered. He then said OK. I got a great offer for a 60 or 70-year-old pottery!

Later on, I realized these stores sold fakes from the same factory. Nevertheless, I still love my tea container, fake or not, which I use daily.

Sadly they demolished the market in 2016, so treasure hunters have to go to alternatives such as Yunzhou Curio City.

Old Architecture, Precious Local Handicrafts, and Traditions

The best activity in Shanghai is to wander around the French, British, and American Concessions and admire the colonial buildings and architecture.

On my way to the airport, I stopped by the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum located in the French Concession area.

The museum is probably one of the most photographed French Renaissance houses in Shanghai. It used to be the headquarters of the Municipal French Council, the highest governing body of the French Concession.

The three floors house beautiful local crafts: ivory and jade carvings, needlepoint paintings (Mandela), embroideries (scenery), dolls of different ethnicities, paper cutting, painted snuff bottles, etc.

Each exhibit hall of handicrafts demonstrates wonders and local traditions, providing a colourful feast for our eyes and appreciation of the local culture. We can see the craftsmen creating handicrafts on the spot.

While this is not an adventure of a lifetime, a quick trip to appreciate and take in the deep and varied Shanghainese culture is one of a kind experience.

This piece is a response to Anne Bonfert’s July “Monthly Challenge” prompt — Action on Globetrotters, my favourite publication on Medium.

I want to give a shout-out to fellow writers Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages. I feel for her because travelling brings so much unexpected joy wherever you go, but having a left-behind suitcase does suck for planning.

What a great story from Pallavi Goswami about her trip to the Maldives — a place I fancy going to, but after her warning, I will do things differently!

Thank you for reading! Enjoy your next trip!!

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