36hrs Layover in Shanghai - Where to go and eat



Shanghai, located on China’s central coast, is the country's biggest city and a global financial hub. At the heart of the city lies the Bund, a famed waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. Across the Huangpu River rises Pudong’s futuristic skyline, including 632m Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with distinctive pink spheres. Sprawling Yuyuan Garden has traditional pavilions, towers and ponds. Besides the modern architecture, Shanghai is also a food paradise. Join me in an epicurean exploration in this great city.

The Bund

Enjoy the beautiful Bund in the day and the breathtaking sight with neon lights at night. Talk a nice stroll along Nanjing East Pedestrian Street and immerse yourself into the scenic cityscape.

Nanjing East Pedestrian Street - Famous Shopping Belt



Walk along the famous shopping belt - Nanjing East Pedestrian Street towards the Bund. You will find great food, snacks and shops to keep you busy. 



Hidden behind the famous shopping belt lies a food street - popular to both locals and tourists. Huangmenjimifan (吉香斋黄焖鸡米饭) is one of my favourite restaurants in Shanghai. The delicious piping hot chicken or mutton stew cooked in claypot was extremely ambrosial. The aroma is always unforgettable, even though I am home.

Address: 121 Guizhou Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China



Grilled fish cooked in Chongqing style (重庆鸡公煲山城烤鱼) serves deliciously grilled fish in mala sauce - a sauce that is both spicy and numbing. If you love spicy food, I recommend this restaurant as the fish (I ordered catfish) is freshly prepared and eat to eat.

Address: 104 Guizhou Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai (At the junction of Tianjin Road West)



The street located behind Nanjing East Road pedestrian street is a food paradise where you find many local Shanghainese cuisines and snacks. Along Guizhou Road, you will find a wide variety of food outlets from noodles to rice to local snacks. Haozailai Henan Beef Stretched Noodles (好再来河南牛肉拉面) serves a great selection of noodles.

Address: Haozailai Henan Beef Stretched Noodles, 136 Guizhou Rd, Huangpu, Shanghai, China (上海市 黄浦区贵州路136号 )



Originated from China, there are more than 10 outlets in Shanghai. At Haidilao (海底捞火锅), the service and the dining experience were very good.

Address: 830 Nanjing East Road, Shanghai No. 1 Department Store, Level 5, Huangpu, Shanghai, China (Along Nanjing East Pedestrian Street)



Yelixiali (耶里夏丽), located at the start of the pedestrian street, next to People's Square subway station, is popular among the locals and tourist alike. The restaurant serves Xinjiang cuisine - Uyghur, which shares some characteristics of Turkish and Central Asia cuisines.

Address: Brilliance Shimao International Plaza, 819 Nanjing Rd Pedestrian St

Blend with the locals in their residential neighbourhoods



The busy market in the morning

Blend with the locals and explore the local markets and food stalls in the morning.

Yuyuan Gardens







Shanghai is a blend of old historical buildings and modern architecture. At Yuyuan Gardens, you immerse yourself in the old Shanghai history and experience how the rich used to live in the city. The Gardens was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.

At Yuyuan Gardens, do try the famous Nanxiang dumplings. There are many floors - first floor sells the meat dumplings (cheapest) and second floor sells the crab dumplings (more expensive).

 
The Old Shanghai Restaurant has a long history. It was opened since 1875. It is rated as one of the most authentic Shanghainese Restaurants in Shanghai.
Address: 上海市黄浦区福佑路242号 邮政编码: 200010, 242 Fuyou Road, Huangpu, Shanghai, China


Begonia Cake (海棠糕) is an old-fashioned snacks of Shanghai since the Qing Dynasty. Famous among old generation in Shanghai, the cake best served hot with sweet tastes and soft texture.

Address: Jiu Xiao Chang Road (旧校场路), Shanghai, China. The stall is located across a row of single storey shophouses that sell ornaments and gifts.

French Concession







The French Concession is the area of Shanghai that was established for the French government to administer from 1849 until 1946. The tree-lined avenues and the many fine old houses in the area still retain an air of the "Paris of the East". In particular, the many wrought iron fences and stair railings will look familiar to anyone who knows Paris or Montreal. 

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