I've spent most of my last 6 years living in Shanghai. Provide some details of what you're looking for and I'd be happy to help you out. It's a big city, so without details it's not easy to narrow things down.
Going with family and another couple and their kids. Looking for good food, good shopping and interesting day trips (that one can reasonable do with a 2 year-old). Would appreciate some hotel tips, best places to get suits made, best noodles, that sort of thing...
Going to bump this, but looks like my wife is intent on using the cheapest airline she could find (China Eastern) for the 4 of us to get there. Is this going to be a good 20 hour flight, or should I be preparing for the worst?
Going to bump this, but looks like my wife is intent on using the cheapest airline she could find (China Eastern) for the 4 of us to get there. Is this going to be a good 20 hour flight, or should I be preparing for the worst?
Generally, flying on ChinaEastern internationally means you won't be as comfy as with a more expensive airline. When I've flown on them recently they've been OK a couple of times but their planes are usually older and less comfortable. Other than that their service is good. They do tend to be literally half the price of Air Canada.
__________________
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
Last edited by JohnnyB; 01-24-2013 at 02:19 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to JohnnyB For This Useful Post:
Shanghai sucks. My advise, visit Beijing instead. Or better yet, head west and explore until you hit the Tian Shan mountains.
__________________
"Life of Russian hockey veterans is very hard," said Soviet hockey star Sergei Makarov. "Most of them don't have enough to eat these days. These old players are Russian legends."
Generally, flying on ChinaEastern internationally means you won't be as comfy as with a more expensive airline. When I've flown on them recently they've been OK a couple of times but their planes are usually older and less comfortable. Other than that their service is good. They do tend to be literally half the price of Air Canada.
Thanks. Looks like we will be in an A340-300 on the way there and a -600 on the way back. The seat layouts for economy look the same. I imagine we should be planning for lots of movies on our iPads, etc?
We are only staying in Shanghai for a few days before heading to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Chengdu for family visits.
I am stuck at LAX on the way back for 3 hours. Anything worthwhile to do at the airport?
Don't pay attention to Makarov. You can have a very good time in Shanghai for a few days. There are many interesting places to see and all sorts of things to enjoy. That article posted by GirlySports is really a pretty good short guide for experiencing a few different parts of Shanghai.
It's like New York, there is a lot to explore here. But I guess it's a lot safer than New York.
__________________
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
The Following User Says Thank You to JohnnyB For This Useful Post:
Thanks. Looks like we will be in an A340-300 on the way there and a -600 on the way back. The seat layouts for economy look the same. I imagine we should be planning for lots of movies on our iPads, etc?
We are only staying in Shanghai for a few days before heading to Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Chengdu for family visits.
I am stuck at LAX on the way back for 3 hours. Anything worthwhile to do at the airport?
LAX is terrible, you will likely need all 3 hours just to get through the BS and get where you are going.
__________________
You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. Winston Churchill
The Following User Says Thank You to Chingas For This Useful Post:
I only spent 3 days in Shanghai but I have some very fond memories. I was travelling there on business with a collegue. After checking into our hotel (nowhere near the Bund- don't remember it's name) we took a taxi to the Bund. As soon as we got there and got out of the taxi these three young Chinese people approached us and asked us to take their picture. After I took their picture we chatted for a little bit (in English). As it turns out they were Chinese stundents that were touring Shanghai. They offered to show us around the Bund. We were a little hesitant at first but agreed to their offer.
As it turns out they wanted to practice their English on us and they spent the next 8 hours taking us to old Shanghai, a traditional tea ceremony, a real Chinese hot-pot lunch, and to some of the local attractions. At one point we were at a temple in the center of the city which was bustling with tourists and locals alike. At the end of the night, they called us a taxi, gave the driver directions to our hotel and put us in the cab.
So, my memories of Shanghai are primarily around how nice the people were. I'm sure there are some not-so-nice ones too, but everyone we encountered were very friendly.
One other thing: I have never experienced such extreme air pollution before. It was disgusting.
You can tell it's polluted when by the end of the day all your snot is black. Same in HK.
You can tell it's polluted when by the end of the day all your snot is black. Same in HK.
Poor nose hairs!
This is true and recently has been particularly bad. This also depends on when you're coming though. If you're coming over Spring Festival it won't be a problem at all as everyone is off work. The air should be OK.
__________________
"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
Bump. Going Friday. Staying at Central Grand. Any current weather/eating/pollution/flu tips? Anybody there now?
I have since left, but highlights were: Maglev and high speed trains; green tea Oreos, Oriental Pearl Tower (glass floor was quite awesome); walking along the Bund and the streets (forget the name, but one is very Times Square-esque with lots of shopping - go during the day and at night if you can; cheap beer and food (I went somewhat vegetarian when I wad there and pretty much stuck to that). There was a delicious lamb dish (I think) but googling has turned up nothing remotely similar.
We also went to a bug museum near the Oriental Pearl that was kind of cool. Some of the reptile parts were lame, but the bugs they had were cool - lots of stick bugs. The Natural History Museum was not great. Weird taxidermy.. We also did a boat tour along the river, but not really worth it unless you want to be able to get photos with less obstructions and different views.
Depending on how things are in Van, the traffic, general behavior of people will give you fodder for the WRGMG thread for years. If you just get in the taxis and resign yourself to knowing that other vehicles and pedestrians will be much closer than you might feel comfortable, you'll be okay. I just tried to numb myself. I really feared for people's safety around traffic. You will probably be amused by how many people try to fit on a scooter, or what people try to carry on a scooter.
Starbucks or most coffee shops for that matter don't have cream. Don't order Frappuccino's, they taste off.. Maybe the texture.
Surprisingly didn't get offered tea a lot at restaurants, mostly people bring their own and just get hot water. Also, you can't drink tap water.
That's all I can think of now. I am sure JohnnyB can fill you in on more stuff - hopefully he has figured out what that lamb dish was called...
