# What should I see in Shanghai? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 24, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987 "2008-09-24T14:38:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/First_Amongst_Daves)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987/1 "2008-09-24T14:38:15Z")
I’m planning a trip in October and should have 3 days or so to spend in Shanghai. I’m fascinated by the 1930s history of the place and wll be spending most of my time on the Bund. What should I do and see? ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987/2 "2008-09-24T18:41:43Z")
For all its fame, I found there was relatively little to see on the Bund itself when I visited the city a few years back. Some of the architecture is interesting, but I found it much more memorable to explore the wider city. Obvious museums related to its Thirties and then-abouts history are the Site of the 1st National Congress of the CCP and Sun Yatsen’s house. Both - and particularly the former - naturally present an approved line, which can be part of their interest if you’re aware that it’s there. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987/3 "2008-09-24T18:43:34Z")
Since the OP is seeking advice, this is better suited to IMHO than GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987/4 "2008-09-24T21:14:14Z")
The [interior](http://bp0.blogger.com/_hCOgTpKTzto/RlJ9NSdblGI/AAAAAAAAAQk/u7Ls2-Vdifw/s1600-h/DSC01068.JPG) of The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank is spectacular. You aren’t supposed to take pictures so it’s hard to find pictures on the web. I’m pretty sure I had a drink in the bar near the top of the Jin Mao Tower. It was pretty spectacular and was about as expensive as going to the observation deck of other super tall structures. It’s got an [atrium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Shanghai_Grand_Hyatt_Atrium.jpg) that starts at the 56th floor and extends upwards to the 87th. The [Shanghai Museum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Museum) has amazing ancient Chinese art. It’s a must see. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987/5 "2008-09-24T21:41:24Z")
There’s an interesting little museum in the basement of the TV tower, with mock-ups of buildings during the various historical eras and English-language description. Agree on the bank interior–it will take your breath away. Most of all, though, I remember Shanghai for its stupefying size, crowdedness, and amount of construction activity. A few days after I returned I passed through downtown Chicago, and wondered why I ever thought it was a big city. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987/6 "2008-09-25T01:12:23Z")
There’s also some [crazy shopping streets](http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai/shopping.htm). Unfortunately, I didn’t try the food stalls that much, but there’s a real interesting _ **Anthony Bourdain’s NO RESERVATIONS** _ episode on Shanghai. [http://www.travelchannel.com/TV\_Shows/Anthony\_Bourdain/ci.Shanghai.show?vgnextfmt=show](http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Anthony_Bourdain/ci.Shanghai.show?vgnextfmt=show) It looks delicious. Weird, I can’t get the hyperlink to work normally. ---
**Author:** ![First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4491bb/32.png) [@First\_Amongst\_Daves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/First_Amongst_Daves)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-see-in-shanghai/464987/7 "2008-09-25T13:03:17Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > The [interior](http://bp0.blogger.com/_hCOgTpKTzto/RlJ9NSdblGI/AAAAAAAAAQk/u7Ls2-Vdifw/s1600-h/DSC01068.JPG) of The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank is spectacular. You aren’t supposed to take pictures so it’s hard to find pictures on the web. > > I’m pretty sure I had a drink in the bar near the top of the Jin Mao Tower. It was pretty spectacular and was about as expensive as going to the observation deck of other super tall structures. It’s got an [atrium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Shanghai_Grand_Hyatt_Atrium.jpg) that starts at the 56th floor and extends upwards to the 87th. > > The [Shanghai Museum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Museum) has amazing ancient Chinese art. It’s a must see. Thanks for that. I’ll see if I can get some clandestine snaps of the bank.