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Where to stay in Shanghai – Shanghai Hotels

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

 

Plan your Shanghai tour? As a leisure traveler visiting Shanghai, where to stay in Shanghai largely depends on what you are going to do and see while you are there. You hotel choice is also affected by your personal taste and budget. Before you finalise your Shanghai hotel booking, you need to have some basic knowledge of the district and neighbourhood you are going to stay and your hotel should be close to a metro line.
 
Generally, you have four steps to finalise your stay in Shanghai
1. Familiar with the districts and some neighbourhoods in Shanghai
2. Find a hotel within your budget and close to a metro line in a district
3. Book directly with the hotel or using a hotel booking website
4. Using Tripadvisor.com to review the hotel you are going to book 
 
Shanghai Districts
As the largest city in China, Shanghai is divided into 16 districts and one county (8 urban districts and 8 suburban districts). Each district has its own core city. If you are on a leisure trip to Shanghai, you expect to stay in one of the 8 urban districts. The 8 districts are all located in Puxi – to the west bank of Huangpu River while Pudong New District is located to the east bank of Huangpu River. The Pudong New Area is full of highrises, not suitable for leisure travelers.
 
8 Urban Districts
Jing’an District (静安区)
Huangpu District (黄浦区)
Xuhui District (徐汇区)
Changning District (长宁区)
Putuo District (普陀区)
Zhabei District (闸北区)
Hongkou District (虹口区)
Yangpu District (杨浦区)
 
8 Suburban Districts
Pudong New District (浦东新区)
Baoshan District (宝山区)
Minhang District (闵行区)
Jiading District (嘉定区)
Jinshan District (金山区)
Songjiang District (松江区)
Qingpu District (青浦区)
Fengxian District (奉贤区）
 
Chongming County 
 
Where to stay in the 8 urban districts and one suburban district (New Pudong District)
 
Huangpu District
Huangpu District is located on the west bank of Huangpu River after which the district is named. To the west is Jing’an District; to the north are Zhabei District and Hongkou District. Huangpu District is one of the most sought after area to stay in Shanghai since many of the highlights are located in this district such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Yuyuan Garden. Starting from People’s Square to Shaanxi South Road is the center area of the former French colonoal community till 1949.
 
Huangpu Attractions: The Bund, Shanghai Nanjing Road, People’s Square, Shanghai Museum, Urban Planning Exhibition Center, Shanghai Xintiandi, Yu Yuan Garden and Bazar,Shanghai Xiao Taoyuan Mosque, Longtang in Shanghai, Cruising on Huangpu River, Shanghai Site for the First Congress of the Chinese Community Party, Shanghai Safari Park, Shanghai Grand Theater.
 
Huangpu Transportation: Subway 1, 2, 4, 8, 10 and Huangpu Cruise port
 
Recommended hotels in Huangpu District:
Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai
Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund
Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai 
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
The Peninsula Shanghai
Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai New World
The Westin Bund Center Shanghai
Hotel Sofitel Shanghai Hyland
JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre
The Bund Hotel Shanghai
Central Hotel Shanghai
Grand Central Hotel Shanghai
Howard Johnson Plaza Shanghai
Park Hotel Shanghai
Salvo Hotel Shanghai
Citadines Shanghai Jinqiao Aparthotel
The Langham Yangtze Shanghai
Pacific Hotel
The Seventh Heaven Hotel
Shanghai Henry Business Hotel
Starway Hotel Nanquan Shanghai Pudong BaBaiBan
Starway Hotel Haode Wanyuan Shanghai Lujiazui
Kingtown Hotel Plaza Shanghai
24K International Hotel (Fuzhou Road)
24K International Hotel (People’s Square) 
 
Jing’an District
Jing’an District is named after the temple in the same name in the district. Jing’an District is a city core in Shanghai urban area. To the east is Huangpu District; to the west are Putuo District and Changning District; to the south is Xuhui District; to the north is Zhabei District.
 
Jing’an District is commonly regarded as the high-end business and high-quality residential area. It is one of Shanghai’s most densely populated districts. Jing’an District takes the northern part of former French Concession with an array of colonial architecture.
 
Jing’an Attractions: Shanghai Children Palace, Jing’an Temple, Jing’an Park, Shanghai Exhibition Center
Jing’an Transportation: Subway 7, 2
 
Recommended hotels in Jing’an District:
The puli hotel and spa shanghai
URBN Hotel Shanghai
Four Seasons Hotel
Hilton Shanghai Hotel
Ambassador Hotel
Rendezvous Merry Hotel, Shanghai
Swissotel Grand Shanghai
Hotel Equatorial Shanghai
Julu Garden Villa
Yan’an Hotel
Shanghai Hotel
Hanting Express (Jingan Temple)
HanTing Season Hotel Of Jing`An Temple
Green Tree Inn Shanghai Middle YanAn Road Hotel
Motel 168 (Shanghai Jingan Temple)
 
Xuhui District
Xuhui District is located to south of Jing’an District, to the west of Huangpu District and east of Changning District. Xuhui District was origally named after a famous scentist in Ming Dynasty – Mr.Xu Guangqi (1562 – 1633). After his death, Xu Guangqi was buried here and many of his descendants still live in ths district. Xuhui District has the west part of the former French Concession with colonial buildings of that time. Here you can find high-end bars, cafes and shops.
 
Xuhui Attractions: Shanghai Xu Jia Hui Cathedral, Song Qingling’s Former Residence, Shanghai Longhua Martyr Cemetery, Long Hua Pagoda and Temple, Shanghai Botanical Garden
Xuhui Transportation: Subway 4, 6, 8 and Shanghai South Station
 
Recommended hotels in Xuhui District:
Jin Jiang Hua Ting Hotel & Towers
Ramada Plaza Gateway Shanghai  
Jianguo Hotel Shanghai
Sports Hotel
Xujiahui Park Hotel Shanghai
New East Asia Hotel
Home Inn Shanghai Xinhua Road
 
Changning District
Changning District is the economic development zone and business area in Shanghai extending from west of Jing’an District and Xuhui District to Shanghai Zoo and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Foreign consulates in Shanghai are concentrated here in Changning District. This district is also an important place where many international companies are located.
 
Changning attractions: Shanghai Zoo, Zhongshan Park, Shanghai International Exhibition Center,
Changning Transportation: Subway 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7; Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station 
 
Recommended hotels in Changning District:
Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao 
Crowne Plaza Hotel Shanghai
The Longemont Shanghai
Hotel Nikko Shanghai
Metropark Service Apartment Shanghai
Motel 168 (Shanghai West Yan’an Road)
Home Inn(Shanghai Yanan West Road Changning Branch)
 
Putuo District
Putuo District is located to the northwest of the downtown Shanghai, to the south is Changning District; to the northeast is Zhabei District and to the east is Jing’an District. Its core city is very busy with trade and commerce. It has a rich culture heritage.
 
Putuo attractions: Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple,
Putuo Transportation: Subway 3, 7 and 11
 
Recommended hotels in Putuo District:
Shanghai Marriott Hotel Changfeng Park
Holiday Inn Vista Shanghai 
Shanghai Duxiana Hotel
Pier One
8 Colors Hotel
24K International Hotels(Xinhui Road)
Hanting Hotels (Shanghai Changshou Road)
Motel 168 (Shanghai Aomen Branch)
Jinjiang Inn West Shanghai Yejiazhai Rd
 
Zhaibei District
Zhabei District is located to the north of Jing’an District, to the west of Hongkou District and to the east of Putuo District. Before 1949, Zhabei was designated as the residential area for local Chinese without any colonial buildings. Great changes have taken place in the district with the fast building of infrastructure. Green belts and new buildings are scattered around the district. Shanghai Railway Station is located in Zhabei District.
 
Zhabei attractions: Daning Lingshi Park,  Shanghai Circus City, Zhabei Park and Zhabei Stadium
Zhabei Transportation: Shanghai Railway Station and Subway 1,3 and 4
 
Recommended hotels in Zhabei District:
InterContinental Shanghai Puxi
Renaissance Shanghai Putuo Hotel 
Holiday Inn Express Zhabei Shanghai
Holiday Inn Downtown Shanghai
Ramada Shanghai Zhabei Hotel
Grand Mercure Shanghai Zhongya
Mingde Grand Hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Rhea Boutique Hotel (Zhabei)
Yafan Longmen Hotel
Yafan Fashion Hotel(Shanghai Zhongxing Road)
Starway Shengxianju Hotel Shanghai
Home Inn (Shanghai Railway Station South Square)
 
Hongkou District
Hongkou District is located just to the north of Huangpu District (downtown), along the upper Huangpu River, to the east of Zhabei District and to the west of Yangpu District. It was also the part of the former colonial community. Now it is one of the residential areas in Shanghai. Hongkou is the largest metro transfer hub in the northeast of Shanghai. Hongkou District is positioned as the shipping center in Shanghai. Shanghai International Cruise Port is located in the district.
 
Hongkou attractions: Shanghai Luxun Park, Shanghai Lu Xun’s Former Residence,
Hongkou Transportation: Subway 3 and 8; International Cruise Port
 
Recommended hotels in Hongkou District:
Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Sanzhi Hotel
sunrise on the bund hotel shanghai
Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou Hotel
New Century Hotel
The Unity Hotel
Starway jiaxin hotel Shanghai
Shanghai Sisu Guesthouse
Cityhome Hotel(Shanghai Luxun Park)
Swan Hotel
Haning Express
Home Inn (Shanghai Luxun Park Branch)
Life Adamo
Green Tree Inn (Shanghai Quyang Hotel)
Jinjiang Inn (Shanghai Chifeng Road)  
 
Yangpu Distict
Yangpu District is located in the northeast of Shanghai, along the lower Huangpu River with its south part beijng the former eastern colonial community. Now Yangpu District is one of the four side city centers in Shanghai. It has a big international community – Xinwan Gangcheng. Many of the top 500 international companies have their branches and headquarters in Yangpu Disttict.
 
Yangpu attractions: Yangpu Park, Jiangpu Park, Huangxing Park and Gongqin National Forest  Park
Yangpu Transportation: Subway 8 and 10
 
Recommended hotels in Yangpu District:
Howard Johnson Caida Plaza
Starway Hotel Dayuan Apartment Hotel Shanghai Huangxing Road
Fortune Hotel
Pattaya Holiday Inn
Fuxuan Hotel
Days Hotel Tongji Shanghai
Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Wujiaochang Shanghai
a8 Hotel (Guoshun branch)
Home Inn (Shanghai Jiangwan Stadium)
 
Pudong New District
Pudong New District is located on the east bank of Huangpu River, developing from a backwater to a modern and trendy business center of Shanghai.
 
Pudong New District attractions: Lujiazui, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai Expo, Shanghai Century Park, International Convention Center, Science & Technology Museum,
 
New Pudong Transportation: Pudong International Airport, Maglev and Waigaoqiao Port Cruise Terminal
 
Recommended hotels in Pudong New District:
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong
Kerry Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai – Shangri-La
Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai
Gran Melia Shanghai Hotel
Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao
InterContinental Shanghai Pudong
The St Regis Shanghai
Novotel Atlantis Shanghai
Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong
LDF All Suites Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai-Pudong
Baoan Hotel
Sport Park Hotel
Grand Soluxe Zhongyou Hotel Shanghai
Supreme Tower
 
Useful Shanghai hotel links: 

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The Bund at Night pictures

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

 

These shots were taken during my trip to Shanghai in early October 2010 under mostly warm and pleasant conditions as the night air is far more clear. Camera in one hand, I was winding through the crowds. Thankfully the end results seem to be fruitful with some interesting pictures.
 
The Bund at ngiht is brilliant! If you are planning your Shanghai tour, the Bund, especially the night Bund should be on the top of your Shanghai must see list. If time permits, you may take a nght boat cruising on the Huangpu River from the Shiliupu Wharf, a 5-minute walk south of the Bund. 
 
 
The Bund, a section of Zhongshan Road rife with dozens of historical buildings along the western bank of the Huangpu River. 

The Bund, a section of Zhongshan Road rife with dozens of historical buildings along the western bank of the Huangpu River

Historical buildings along the Bund. 

Historical buildings along the Bund.

 
Suzhou Creek & Shanghai Mansions near the Bund

Suzhou Creek & Shanghai Mansions near the Bund

 
 
The western bank of the Huangpu River at the Bund 

the western bank of the Huangpu River at the Bund.

 
 
 
 

Taking some pictures of Pudong Area

 

 

The Pudong Area

 

 

 

The river bank of Huangppu River at the Bund.

 

Cruising on Huangpu River.

 

A close look

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How to give a tip in China

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

 

Plan your China tour? Do you think of tipping policy in China? To tip or not to tip in China is a question which has confused many foreign visitors. Those against tipping in China argue that China has no tradition of tipping; those for tipping in China think that China is changing and tipping has become more and more popular as a kind of etiquette as well as bonuses for service providers like that in the west.
 

There are plentiful reasons to disagree or agree with the tipping in China. So it is advisable to avoid meaningless argument over the tipping policy in China. Let’s focus on the present tipping practices existing in China (seeking truth from facts), then regulate our way to deal with the tipping issue properly in China. 

 
Do I have to tip in China?
You don’t have to tip in China even though in some cases you are expected to give a tip. You have your own choice of giving or not giving since tipping is a personal matter. 
 
 
The tipping practices existing in China
No matter you agree or disagree with the present tipping practices common in China, they do exist in China, especially in the following sectors:
 
1.  Tipping waiters and maids in high-level western restaurants
2.  Tipping bellboys who take your luggage to the room at your luxury hotel 
3.  Tipping tour guides and drivers on an organized private or group tour 
4.  Tipping the staff on the Yangtze River Cruise
 

tipping

Non-tipping sectors in China
Though tipping has become more and more popular in China, there are still many places where you don’t need to give a tip.
 
1. Taxi
2. Street side restaurants
3. Normal Chinese restaurants
4. Restaurant chains like Pizza Hut, McDonald’s…
5. Pubs and bars
6. Massage studios
 
How much should I tip?
Though traditionally there is no tipping (except Hong Kong and Macau). However, hotels may allow tipping. Tour guides and  drivers expect tipping. Then how much for the common tipping practices in Beijing China? Below is just for your reference:
 
1. For the tour guide and the driver: RMB 20 -80 a day per person  
 
2. For the bellboys or waiters at high end hotels and western restaurants: RMB 5-30 per person
 

to be tipped

 
Hopefully you can act easily and properly in terms of how to tip in China based on the present tipping practices in China. 

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