Exploring Shanghai for the First Time

Shanghai is the largest and most developed city in China and with a population of more than 23 million people. It can be incredibly vast and overwhelming for the first time visitor. From finding your way to your Shanghai boutique hotel to getting your bearings on its multitude of streets, it can take a while to adjust to the fast pace of life in this Asian metropolis.

If you are staying in a Shanghai boutique hotel for the first time and are exploring this fascinating Chinese city, don't try to see everything at once in one day. The city is too big, and you will exhaust yourself and not enjoy your holiday at all. Instead, take your time and choose only a few historical sites and cultural icons that you really want to see and spend a longer time at each one so that you really understand their meaning.

Here are some ideas of things to see and do while staying in a Shanghai boutique hotel:

" Yu Yuan Gardens

These beautiful 400 year old gardens are a peaceful retreat in the city of Shanghai. They were built during the Ming Dynasty, under the rule of Emperor Jia Jin and are considered a national heritage site. Recently, a shopping market has opened around the gardens, giving tourists a chance to bargain for souvenirs and gifts.

" The Bund

This area is one of the most famous tourist destinations of the city, and it is worth strolling down to see the dozens of historical buildings which line the Huangpu River that were once the financial centre of East Asia.

" Moganshan Road Art District

If you are at all interested in the contemporary art scene, you will find this area of Shanghai fascinating. There are many different galleries made from old factories and warehouses with very intriguing works of art that will provoke discussion.

When you are wandering the city, a good tip is to have the concierge of your Shanghai boutique hotel write down the name and address in Chinese on a piece of paper. If you get lost, you can simply jump in a taxi and hand it to the driver.

Enjoy your first time exploring Shanghai!

If it is your first stay in a Shanghai boutique hotel, the city might seem overwhelming and so it is best to choose a few attractions to begin with and explore them at your own pace.