One of the most dynamic cities in the world, Shanghai remains somewhat overlooked by Australian travellers seeking a stimulating urban destination on par with New York, London, or Paris.  While lamenting the tyranny of distance between Australia and Europe or the US, it would be beneficial to consider China’s largest city as a more than satisfactory alternative to those faraway places.

Shanghai is an ever-evolving city where there is always something new to see or do.  Not that its array of famous attractions needs any enhancement; Shanghai already rewards visitors with a rich range of outstanding museums, green spaces, and not least options for shopping.  Shopping is a significant pastime in China, and the presence of every top-name brand in the worlds of automobiles, fashion, jewellery, and even cafés (hello, Cova from Milan) makes Shanghai an exciting place for retail therapy.  The former French Concession remains a big draw for visitors curious to see the melding of European Art Deco architectural style with Chinese influences.  Long a favourite part of the city for international visitors, the former French Concession’s fashionable boutiques, cool cafés, and cultural sites provide days’ worth of activities no matter what one’s interest.  The crown jewel of architecture in Shanghai is, of course, The Bund, the riverside boulevard lined with splendid historical buildings.  Both the Puxi and Pudong sides of the river that bisect the city have waterfront promenades that are popular with locals taking a stroll, especially in the late afternoon and early evening.  Some of those buildings are superb five-star hotels; in a city where quality is highly valued, Shanghai’s luxury hotels are among the best in the world, particularly in terms of comfort, style, service, and especially cuisine.

Among the most impressive cultural sights are the Shanghai Museum on the Puxi side of Shanghai and its affiliated institution, Shanghai Museum East, in Pudong.  These two attractions alone are worth a visit to Shanghai, but there are many more places to visit, from other museums with specific themes to Shanghai Disneyland.  Add to that the fact that Shanghai is one of the safest cities in the world; there is no need to remain on guard with the vigilance advised for some popular European and American destinations.  Visitors can relax completely while enjoying the city’s sights, restaurants, and shops.  They can relax even before arrival, too, now that Australian citizens no longer require visas to enter China for visits under 30 days.

For travellers from Australia, it is a treat to reach a foreign destination on a day flight without having to spend the night sitting upright.  Juneyao Air’s nonstop service between Sydney and Shanghai’s modern Pudong Airport has made the trip even more enjoyable, especially for Business Class passengers who enjoy the wide seats that convert into flat beds for the return flight to Sydney, the varied meal options, and attentive service.  Juneyao Air’s vast domestic network connects Shanghai with dozens of cities in China; its international network includes favourite destinations like Greece and the UK, countries where many Australians have family ties, as well as less common options like Brussels and Helsinki for those looking to go somewhere different.  If the call of Europe is irresistible, it can still be fun to combine a trip there with a stopover in Shanghai to break up the journey and have a visit to one of the world’s great cities as a bonus; even for travellers in a hurry to get home, Juneyao Air can arrange half-day tours of Shanghai between flights.

by Robert La Bua – Global Travel Connoisseur

======================================