Things to Do

Located to the right of the front gate of ECNU, TrustMart has a lot of useful products, including food, hygiene products, school supplies, CDs, clothes, China Mobile phone cards, and snacks. Take a look around. Students near campus often utilize this store for everyday goods.

For an exciting adventure and tons of bargaining practice, take the 3 or 4 train to Baoshan Lu. After exiting the subway station, turn right, and walk a few blocks south on Hainan Lu. Qi Pu Lu is a street full of stores carrying anything you may want or need, for extra low prices. That is, if you know how to bargain! They close at 6:00PM, though, so go early.

Everyone needs at least a few custom-made business suits or a traditional Chinese dress, a qí páo (旗袍). At the fabric market, you can get almost anything tailor-fitted. Just bring in a picture or pick from the patterns they already have. The tailors will measure you and usually have the clothes ready within a week. Make sure to explore and look at all the options. Some tailors or better than others, so look carefully at their samples. The vendors also give discounts if you order several things at once (or just order with some friends). Suits generally cost anywhere from 350-800 RMB, which is about $44-$100. Coats also start at around 500 RMB. Although there is a bus that goes there from People’s Square, it’s less of a hassle to go by taxi, especially if you plan on picking up a lot of items. 399 Lujiabang Rd.

You can find the “No. 1 Department Store” at Nanjing Lu, as well as many high-end, foreign stores. Nanjing Lu is known for its lights, so make sure you visit at night!

Full of Western shops and foreign restaurants (including Brazilian, Thai, American, Japanese, and more), Xintiandi is always bustling and busy. If you are looking to find a little bit of America in China, stop by Xintiandi and grab a cup of Starbuck’s!

Similar to a 7-11, Kedi shops are located all around Shanghai. The closest one to campus is right across the street from the front gate of ECNU.

• Located at 88 Century Avenue 上海浦东世纪大道88号
• Tel: 021 5047 5101
• http://www.jinmao88.com
• Hours: 8:30am-9:00pm

Shanghai's most spectacular building, visible from almost everywhere in the city, is largely an office block, but boasts stupendous views from the 88th- floor observatory.

• Located at 2 Lujiazui Lu 陆家嘴路2 号
• Tel: 021 5879 1888
• Hours: 8:30am-9:30pm

Shanghai's skyline boasts one of the most futuristic TV towers of any international city skyline. At 468 meters (1,536 feet), the Oriental Pearl TV tower is the world's third tallest TV and radio tower. Besides great views from its three domes, the Shanghai Municipal History Museum is located at its pedestal. Don’t forget to check that out too! There is a 2 train stop conveniently located nearby the tower, as the first stop in Pudong.

• Located at 218 Anren Jie, near Fuyou Lu 安仁街218号, 近福佑路
• Tel: 021 6355 5025
• http://www.yuyuantm.com.cn/yuyuan/cn/index/
• Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm

The delightful Yuyuan Gardens took 18 years (1559-77) to create, only to be ransacked during the Opium War in 1842. The gardens have been restored and are a fine example of Ming garden design. Right outside the garden is a bazaar full of tasty snacks and souvenirs. Just be aware of price gouging!

Things to look out for include the Exquisite Jade Rock, which was destined for the imperial court in Beijing until the boat sank outside Shanghai and the Hall of Heralding Spring (Dianchun Tang), which in 1853 was the headquarters of the Small Swords Society (perhaps one reason why the gardens were spared revolutionary violence in the 1960s). Note also the beautiful stage, with its gilded carved ceiling and excellent acoustics. The two shiny pavilions in the eastern corner were added in 2003.

Next to the entrance to the Yuyuan Gardens is the Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse (Huxinting), once part of the gardens and now one of the most famous teahouses in China, visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton among others. The zig-zag causeway is there to thwart spirits, who are said to be able to only travel in straight lines. Buy a packet of fish food and enjoy the sight of dozens of dancing koi just below your feet!

• Located at 201 Renmin Dadao 人民大道201号
• http://www.shanghaimuseum.net
• Tel: 021 6372 3500
• Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm

Of the Shanghai Museum's 120,000 works of art, one-third have never before been shown. The museum is a showcase for Chinese history that dates back thousands of years. Students can expect to spend at least half a day roaming around, if not an entire day. The museum shop sells postcards, books, and replicas of its many pieces.

• Located at 62 Changyang Lu, near Zhoushan Lu 长阳路62号, 近舟山路
• Tel: 021 6541 5008
• Hours: 9:00am-4:00pm

During World War II, thousands of European Jews fled to Shanghai to escape persecution. They settled in the city’s northeast area of Hongkou. This museum, which was opened by Ashkenazi Jewish community in 1927, commemorates their plight.

• Located at 100 Renmin Dadao, near Xizang Zhong Lu 人民大道100号, 近西藏中路
• http://www.supec.org
• Tel: 021 6318 4477
• Hours: Mon-Thu 9:00am-5:00pm, Fri-Sun 9:00am-6:00pm

The exhibits paint a picture of how Shanghai will develop in the next 20 years. The highlight is definitely the absorbing scale plan of the Shanghai of the future. Many consider it high-tech propaganda, but it is nonetheless quite a thrill. There are some interesting photos of 1930s Shanghai, a few interactive displays, and a cafe. Don’t miss the basement street exit of mock 1930s cafes. You’ll be just as tall as the buildings!