Shanghai is a scintillating city swirling with rapid cultural change. Since market restrictions were lifted, it has embraced the forces of business and design and rewritten its rule book shaping a fresh, new city that is sophisticated, innovative and living a life it has... Read the overview

Pictures

Inspiration

Points of interest

Jinmao Tower

Shanghai's most spectacular building, visible from almost everywhere in the city, is largely an office block, but boasts stupendous views from the 88th-floor observatory. It's accessed from the separate building to the side of the main tower.

Address

Luijiazui Lu
city centre

Contact

www.jinmao88.com
tel info 021 5047 5101

Transport

underground rail Luijiazui Lu

Admission

full Yuan Renminbi 50

child Yuan Renminbi 25

Room With a View Gallery

Art critic Wu Liang set up this space on top of a department store to showcase contemporary art and digital videos. There's an image-conscious loft bar attached if you want to make an evening of it.

Address

479 Nanjing Donglu

Contact

www.topart.cn
tel info 021 6352 0256

Transport

underground rail Middle Henan Rd

Huangpu River Cruise

There are three main perspectives on Shanghai - from the gutters, from the battlements of the tourist fortresses and from the water. The Huangpu River offers some remarkable views of the Bund and the riverfront activity at night as well as during the day. Tour boats leave for one, two and 3.5-hour tours from the dock on the Bund.

Both day and night tours offer excellent sights. The best but dearest choice is the 3.5-hour, 60km (38mi) round-trip cruise, which takes you up the Huangpu to Wusongkou, the junction with the Yangzi River, and back.