Back in the madness of Shanghai, head to The Bund for a walk alongside the mighty Huangpu River. The Bund (meaning embankment) was once a muddy towpath but after the Opium War of 1842, it was transformed by wealthy foreign powers. They built grand Colonial-style Banks and trading houses, many of which remain today. Save your stroll for after sunset, when views of the futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower and the revitalised Pudong area across the water are best. An Evening River Cruise<\/a> is a great option for a more chilled out vantage point. Disembark and head to the bars in the hip Xin Tian Di neighbourhood \u2013 TMSK<\/a> is probably the most impressive with its stunning glass sculptures, glowing green bar and supper club vibe.<\/p>\n The street that never sleeps, Nanjing Rd, is shopping central. Underneath a riot of neon signs that could easily give Time Square a run for its money is a 5km-long strip of malls, luxury stores and world-renowned brands. There are still several specialty shops where you can buy Chinese silk and jade.\u00a0While it all looks eye-achingly modern, the area was established in the mid-1800s when the port city started selling off the foreign imports arriving by the boatload.\u00a0The road is just for pedestrians but weary fashion-seekers can always hop on the trackless sightseeing train.<\/p>\n If, like us, you shop with your stomach, then the old-school twisting alleys and food stalls around nearby Wujiang Road are the place to spend your money. And you won\u2019t have to spend much to get a great feed. Traditional Shanghai dishes on offer include\u00a0shengjian<\/em>\u00a0(juicy pork buns) and\u00a0guotie<\/em>\u00a0(potsticker dumplings).<\/p>\n And for a really traditional shopping experience, explore the Flower, Bird, Fish and Insect Market (405 Xizang Nan Lu), which is exactly as it sounds \u2013 rows of turtles in tanks, kittens in cages and grasshoppers in woven baskets. It\u2019s certainly a sight to behold, but the poor levels of creature comfort might upset some visitors.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re surrounded by shiny skyscrapers it\u2019s easy to forget about China\u2019s rich history. Get a crash course at\u00a0Shanghai Museum<\/a>\u00a0(201 Remmin Avenue), home to thousands of breathtaking artefacts from dynasties spanning centuries. The calligraphy section is a stunning testament to such a skillful ancient art form.<\/p>\n History lesson over, it\u2019s time to visit the city\u2019s modern art galleries \u2013 you\u2019ll find a handful of them at\u00a0M50<\/a>\u00a0(50 Moganshan Lu), a vast contemporary space housed in a cluster of old industrial buildings to the north of the city.<\/p>\n Soak up authentic Chinese flavours by feasting at street food stalls \u2013 starting with a breakfast of freshly fried\u00a0cong you bing<\/em>\u00a0(savoury pancakes stuffed with spring onions and pork) at A Da Cong You Bing (Lane 159, behind 2 Maoming Lu, near Nanchang Lu). The owner starts cooking at 5am and the crowds come soon after. Then there\u2019s the must-try late-night snack, sold on most bar-lined strips, called\u00a0Shao kao<\/em>\u00a0(barbecue). A beautifully smokey barbecue marinade on meat and vegetable skewers gets an extra boost with the addition of Sichuan peppercorns.<\/p>\n For a modern, fine-dining take on Shanghai staples, it has to be Fu 1088 (375 Zhenning Lu). True to its 1930s Colonial villa surrounds, guests dine in private nooks filled with antiques. Dishes to try are traditional\u00a0hongshao rou<\/em>\u00a0(red braised pork with ginger), goose liver poached in sake and crab with egg white \u2013 a dish so delicate it\u2019s served in an eggshell.<\/p>\n Watch locals carrying out an age-old exercise routine from the modern, art deco-style surrounds of\u00a0Sunrise on the Bund<\/a>\u00a0(168 Gaoyang Road). At sunrise, the boulevard is full of people practicing Tai Chi \u2013 and if that isn\u2019t calming enough, make a beeline for the hotel\u2019s indoor pool and spa.<\/p>\n Want to be a little closer to the action? The Huangpu region, between The Bund and Nanjing Rd, is one of the most popular spots for Expedia\u2019s Aussie Travellers.\u00a0Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai<\/a>\u00a0is a boutique hotel right on The Bund. City view suites take in the bright lights of Huangpu but check into a Bund suite for sweeping views of the Huangpu River and Pudong beyond. Go for a Shanghai Deluxe suite and you get both. For a few more ideas on where to stay, check out Expedia’s\u00a0Shanghai Holidays<\/a>.<\/p>\n Images by Getty Images and Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chaotic traffic, colonial buildings, peaceful temples and pulsing nightclubs – our guide to a Shanghai stopover that makes the most of past and present.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,17,6,2,3,39,14],"tags":[145,40,146],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-98","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-asia","category-destination","category-experiences","category-explore","category-food-and-wine","category-interests","tag-china","tag-foodie","tag-shanghai","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n<\/h2>\n
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Stroll the main shopping strips<\/h2>\n
Culture shock \u2013 museums and galleries<\/h2>\n
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From street eats to five-star dining<\/h2>\n
Where to stay?<\/h2>\n