CHINA
Shanghai tour, from hip to historical
By Karen Loftus
No trip to China is complete without a slip into Shanghai, one of China’s busiest and most vibrant cities. For travelers looking to experience the hipper, artier and tastier side of the city, take a stroll less trodden with this
itinerary.
set ride on the Huangpu River,
as there is no better way to seize
Shanghai’s past and present than
to sit between the two eras.
In Shanghai’s city center, weave in and out of the
500-year-old Shanghai Bazaar
filled with food, fashion and curios. Enjoy traditional Shanghai-nese-style gardening at Yu Yuan
garden from the Ming era before
a traditional tea at Huxinting,
the oldest teahouse in Shanghai. Head to the famed Din Tai
Fung, known for Shanghai-style dumplings, where both the
broth and filling are sealed in
the doughy shell.
Center Theater for the traditional
acrobat show.
The Bund, Shanghai’s central
waterfront area, features a stunning display of historical European-style buildings that line the
western bank of the river, while
the modern mix of skyscrapers
such as Jin Mao and Pearl Tower
soar on the east side in Pudong.
Finish off at the Brew at the
Kerry Hotel, one of only five
craft breweries in all of Chi-
na. Brewmaster Leon Mickel-
son, a New Zealand native, will
spoil you with Longjing Lager
Tea Beer; Dragon Hot Pot Ale,
brewed with Sichuan pepper-
corns; and Lemongrass Ale, to
name but a few of his in-house
creations. For more on the Ker-
ry Hotel Shanghai, go to www
Feast on the food and the view
at Mr. & Mrs. Bund’s Restaurant,
where Bund buildings come to
life at night. Paul Pairet, one of
Shanghai’s most celebrated chefs,
serves the best French food in
Shanghai with no less than 250
French dishes and 32 wines by the
glass, including Chateau Petrus.
Known for its cutting-edge
design, Shanghai is pitch-perfect
for architecture addicts, with
buildings from the colonial era
to early 20th century, the largest
number of art deco buildings in the world and a
mad mix of some of the
tallest modern skyscrapers.
. shangri-la.com/Beijing/Kerry.
Kick off your morning at the
edgy enclave Taikang Road. The
Aussie-owned Kommune offers
the best lattes this side of Sydney
Clink your final glass of the
night at Alchemist Cocktail
Kitchen in the bar- and res-
taurant-savvy section of Sinan
Mansions. Food-forward locals
are known to enjoy their Asian-
inspired and seasonal molecu-
lar cocktail menu, broken down
For a dip into deco,
visit Shanghai Grand
Cinema Theater. Built by
Hungarian-born Laslo
Hudec, one of Shanghai’s
most prolific architects,
this is but one of 60 of his
landmark buildings in the
city. Built in 1928, the cin-
ema recently underwent
extensive renovations.
Take a self-guided tour
complete with a cocktail
at the rooftop garden,
which overlooks People’s
Square below.
One can take in Shanghai by looking up, or can
go up to look down. For
a loo with a view, Key
PHO TO B Y KAREN LOF TUS
into four sections; sweet,
sour, dry and bitter. Expect foams, fogs, gels and
vapors in your gourmet
glass.
Take a final spin in the
city with Shanghai Sideways, a tour that kicks off
in the tree-lined French
Concession, a part of
Shanghai administered by
the French from the late
1880s through the mid-
20th century.
Arena Observatory in
the World Financial Center, known as “the bottle
opener building,” has the world’s
highest-altitude bathroom, at
Catch a traditional acrobat show at the Shanghai Center Theater.
Tidbits rich in history
are delivered casually in
conversation while riding
in a vintage sidecar. You’ll
stop at Yongfoo Elite,
originally a members-only
club and once home to the
British Consulate. Now a
restaurant, the vintage decor is a feast for the modern eye and a plum place
to look back at the roar of
the ’20s and ’30s.
along with fresh juices and classic
Western breakfasts.
1,388 feet.
Move in a more modern di-
rection with the pedestrian-only
cobblestone streets of Xintiandi.
Considered one of China’s first
lifestyle centers, the affluent area
is frequented by students and ex-
pats who enjoy a mix of Eastern
and Western eateries, art galler-
ies and shops in renovated shi-
kumens, traditional stone gate
houses. Grab an al fresco bite
before heading to the Shanghai
Once fueled, take in art and
photo galleries, hip stationery
stores and chic boutiques boast-
ing local designers, like Yamado’s
high-end leathers. Around the
corner from Taikang is Lane 248,
with a grittier offering of arty ca-
fes and shops.
The Kee Club, another
such spot, is an exclusive club
where members indulge in finer
things such as art, food, fashion,
wine and each other. It’s where
the arty, influential and entrepreneurial mingle, make deals and
get into mischief.
Expand your Asian art ho-
rizons with a visit to the M50
Shanghai Art district, filled with
artists in residence, galleries and
coffeehouses. Then grab a sun-
Savor that final slice of the city
as that slower pace allows for an
inspired look back at a city that
seems to be moving full speed
ahead.
For more information on
Shanghai Sideways, visit www
. shanghaisideways.com.
The Brew at the Kerry Hotel offers craft beers such as Dragon Hot Pot Ale and Lemongrass Ale.
Top 10 Reasons
Travel Professionals choose Pacific Delight Tours
42 years of excellence 1.
Average commission checks over $1,200 2.
Earn additional commission on extra nights, optional sightseeing tours, 3.
international air, travel insurance and pre or post tours
Attentive personal service 4.
Exceptional value 5.
Hotels gracious in comfort, service and amenities 6.
Two passenger minimum 7.
No surprise pricing 8.
No operational fees 9.
No supplemental fees 10.
Bonus / Override Commission Program
Visit us online at: www.pacificdelighttours.com and click on our Travel
Agent page to sign up.
www.pacificdelighttours.com (800) 221-7179
SAVE up to $1,000
Book a China & Yangtze River Tour from our 2013-
2014 China Experience® brochure by Nov. 30, 2012
China & Yangtze River Gold Experience tours SAVE $1,000 per couple
China & Yangtze River Silver Experience tours Receive a FREE
Executive Deck upgrade
Book and pay in full for an India Tour on selected
dates by Dec. 15, 2012
12 Day Inspirational India Luxury tours SAVE $1,000 per couple
9 Day Dreams of the Taj SAVE $400 per couple
For full itineraries, dates, prices and details please call
(800) 221-7179 or visit our website
www.pacificddelithgtours
TW-101812
WWW.TRAVELWEEKLY.COM
NOVEMBER 5, 2012
