Shanghai has emerged as the most modern and dynamic city in China having a skyline bursting with glitzy departmental stores, towering skyscrapers and modern monuments. Sure, the odd classical temple, historic street market and well-preserved Chinese garden are available dotted around the city but development continues in a startling pace. Catch classical Shanghai when you can!
The great news for travellers exploring Shanghai this autumn is the fact that many attractions are open in a discounted rate thanks to the annual Shanghai Tourism Festival. The festival features 42 activities and attractions in a more wallet friendly price with a few offering half price entry such as the Jinjiang Action Park, Oriental Pearl TV Tower (see listing below), Shanghai Science Museum and World Financial Center. Some local hotels will also be participating in the promotion.
Jade Buddha Temple
The Jade Buddha Temple is situated within the western region of Shanghai, China. It’s a famous rare Chinese Buddhist Temple which has jade Buddha statues and other historical cultural keepsakes imported from Burma. After Shanghai was overthrown through the Qing dynasty it was re-built in 1918. Through the Jade Buddha temple there are ancient Buddhist writing, rare paintings and also over seven thousand Dazang Sutras. There are two courtyards in the Temple and three main halls. The current temple has influences from both Pure Land and the Chan traditions from the Mahayana branch of Buddhism. The first hall is known as Deveraja Hall with four celestial kings to possible happen to be buried here. The Mahavira Hall houses three statues and they’re encompassed by eighteen statues. The third hall may be the Jade Buddha tower. The Recumbent Buddha and Sitting Buddha can both be located in the Jade Buddha Temple.
Nanjing Road
To worship everything commercial and to blow your travel budget wide-open, go to the Nanjing Road, which is THE main shopping road of Shanghai. In 1930 it had been named as one of the World’s Seven Great Roads. The Nanjing Road has started to make a startling comeback as after many decades it's been regarded as one of the world’s top busiest shopping streets. The Nanjing Road is situated within the city center and contains two parts which are the Nanjing Road East and Nanjing Road West.
Nanjing Road’s western end hosts the luxury boutiques, shops and designer malls for example City Plaza, Plaza 66 and Meilongzhen Isetan. Here you’ll find international designer labels including Christian Dior, Lv, Prada, Armani and Chloe. There are also Zara and L’Occitane en Provence stores because well as many other western favourites although prices are usually on a par with the west, based on your exchange rate obviously. The better bargains are to be had in the local stores and malls.
Shanghai within the movies; Looper from 2012 starring Emily Blunt and Bruce Willis uses the ultra-modern setting from the city as the backdrop towards the new science fiction movie. The 1987 cult film The Empire from the Sun tells the tale of the boy growing up in wartime Shanghai, a really young Christian Bale plays the boy within the Japanese-occupied city.
The east side from the road is the most pedestrian travelled section compared free airline side. The Nanjing Road ranges from The Bund east heading towards Hongqiao and also the People’s Square is in the middle.
Huangpu River and also the Bund
The Bund is a waterfront area situated in central Shanghai on a section of the Zhongshan Road running across the Huangpu River. There are many historical buildings that line across the Huangpu River and stands in stark contrast towards the sheer modernity of the rest of Shanghai. The Bund was built throughout the building boom of the 1800s. The Bund of Shanghai has three main attractions visitors should visit. First may be the sculpture group consisting of the sculpture Light, sculpture Sale and sculpture Wind located across the Huangpu River. The second attraction may be the Square Chenyi with a stone statue of Chenyi who had been the first mayor of Shanghai. The 3rd attraction is the Sightseeing Tunnel that is popularly known as one of the first underwater tunnels for individuals traveling on foot.
Shanghai’s diverse landscapes is going to be celebrated during the annual Shanghai Tourism Festival (15 September to six October 2012) where the China National Tourism department will celebrate the theme of “Happy & Healthy Tour”. You will find special events and festivities laid onto celebrate such as traditional cuisine available at ancient Qibao Street and you may catch a film at the Yalgoo Micro-Movie Festival. Sports fans is going to be happy (and healthy too) using the Sailing Carnival 2012, Shanghai Rugby Sevens Tournament and Shanghai Corporation Cup Regatta 2012 all being held throughout the event.
Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Old Town
The Yuyuan Garden is famous by many different names including Yuyuan Bazaar, Yu Gardens and merely simply Yuyuan. It is located near the City God Temple in north-eastern Shanghai. The name Yuyuan means mean the Garden if Happiness of Garden of Peace. Your garden is located within the center of the Nan Shi walls dating back to into the 16th century however it was torn down in 1912. It's surrounded by the bazaar; mazes of old lanes and alleys in which the locals live.
