Joanna James
A cutting-edge chimaera with exquisitely tapestried old-world nuances, Shanghai is a city of dazzling contrasts that will keep even the most blasé globetrotters on their toes! Here are some striking snippets about sensational Shanghai.
Shanghai, the world’s third most populous city with its picturesque beginnings as a fishing village, has achieved multiple groundbreaking feats that harmonise innovative practicality and whimsical enchantment, from the six stellar theme parks of Shanghai’s unique Disneyland, the second largest in the world, to the state-of-the-art Port of Shanghai, which retains its place as the world’s largest seaport. However, there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as zooming across the city in Maglev, the world’s fastest train whizzing through its longest metro!
While its Sakura-blossoming gardens, classical water towns, colonial architecture, and pearlescent oriental structures, will leave nothing for the imagination to fulfill, Shanghai also caters to out-of-the-box thrill seekers with enticements like kaleidoscopic psychedelic tunnels, walking over the jewel-toned city from the world’s highest skyscraper observatory, and virtual sparring with Bruce Lee at the Chinese Martial Arts Museum. The Lilong is a great enclave to escape into Shanghai’s roots, with its centuries-old laneways and medley of oriental and colonial architecture, whereas the Old French Concession is a vibrantly historic haunt for tasteful retail therapy, cute café hopping, and prowling personable nature-kissed boulevards.
Dubbed the ‘Paris of the East’, Shanghai artistically fuses romantic vintage rendezvouses with stimulating new-age masterpieces, ranging from the Bund, Shanghai’s “living museum” of photogenic Neo-Classical, Gothic, Baroque, and Art-Deco style buildings looking across the water at the city’s uber-modern skyline. Other than its quaint slices of old-world Europe like Moller Villa (great for afternoon tea) and Wukang Road, and its enchanting portals to olden day’s China, like atmospheric Tianzifang with its captivating Shikumen dwellings and industrial-chic vibes, your Insta feed will also be enriched by bizarre contemporary facades like the undulating metallic Fosun Foundation and the Sci-Fi-esque Sky SOHO.
The “Magic City”, a livewire of pulsating modernity and elegant vintage-chic glamour, is celebrated for its light, colourful, and flavourful dishes that minimise carbs and revolve around fresh meat or seafood, richly enhanced by variations of soy sauce and sugar. Shanghai is fondly called “The Sweet Tooth City” as its staple fare tends to be significantly sweeter than any other region in China, and its favourite dessert, Tangyuan, consists of dumplings floating in syrup! If you’re questing for luxury apartments in Shanghai proffering exclusive access to its diverse allurements, venture no further than the likes of Ascott Heng Shan Shanghai.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable bucket-list-worthy experience, this exuberant historic city is soon to open the world’s largest indoor ‘snow park’, WintaStar Shanghai, featuring a futuristic ice-palace exterior and an interior nostalgic of gorgeous Alpine peaks where you can indulge in luxurious hospitality, restaurants, and malls while chasing icy thrills at the avant-garde themed waterpark, 90,000 square metres of pristine ski slopes, and an otherworldly ice-skating rink.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
