Shanghai/Pudong
From World travel guide
Pudong (浦东) is Shanghai's newest district on the eastern side of the river, chock full of gleaming skyscrapers rising out of what was just 10 years ago mere farmland.
Contents |
Get in
Metro Line 2's Lujiazui Station is in the middle of central Pudong, within easy walking distance to both the Pearl Tower and the Jin Mao Tower. The maglev (which finishes running at 5:30pm) from Pudong Airport connects to Longyang Rd Station, a few stops away by metro. Expect to pay around Y150 by taxi.
The cheapest way to get to Pudong is to take the ferry from the Bund, near Yan'an Donglu, at the price of Y0.8 and even that only when heading eastbound!
A more expensive way of crossing is the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (north of the Peace Hotel), basically an overpriced 647m underground travellator featuring several minutes of blinking lights at Y30 a pop.
If taking a taxi eastbound under the river, Y15 toll will be added to the bill. Heading west is again free.
See
- Oriental Pearl TV Tower (东方明珠塔 Dongfang Minshuta) - built in 1994, 3rd tallest in the world. Featuring 11 garish pink balls and often likened to devices ranging from hypodermic syringes to adult toys, the tower has just the same become a symbol of the new Shanghai. Complex pricing system depending on where you want to go and what you want to see, but entry to the ball #2 and its outdoor viewing platform will set you back Y50.
- Jinmao Tower (金茂大厦) - world's 3rd tallest skyscraper stands just beside Oriental Pearl TV Tower. There is a restaurant on the 88th floor, which is the top floor and China's highest visitor platform. Entry fee is 50 Yuan regular and 25 Yuan student. As student ID they accept international ISIC cards and local Chinese undergraduate ID's, but reject Chinese graduate student IDs. Alternatively, head for one of the Grand Hyatt's many bars (see Drink).
Buy
Eat
- The Grill, which is an upscale American-style steak and seafood restaurant in the Grand Hyatt
- Canton, which is an upscale Cantonese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt
Drink
- Cloud 9 (Jin Mao Tower 87F, in Grand Hyatt; tel. 5049 1234 ext. 8787) is the highest you can legally get in Shanghai, with excellent nighttime views of Shanghai (particularly if you get a seat facing Puxi). But the views come at a steep price for non-guests, who are charged Y110 + 15% minimum per head — about the price of a drink and half a cigar, mind you.
Sleep
Hotels in Pudong cater mostly to the business traveller.
Mid-range
- Historic 1934 Hotel Shanghai Mansions or Broadway Mansions just over the bridge from the north-end of the Bund has reasonable rates and great views from the river-view rooms.
Splurge
- Grand Hyatt,Jin Mao Tower, tel. 5830 3338. Starts on floor 54 and goes up another 33 floors, providing awe-inspiring views of Shanghai. Rack rates are equally awe-inspiring, with doubles starting at a mere US$320, although hefty discounts are usually available. Good location for business, less so for tourism.
- Pudong Shangri-La. For the latest in luxury 2005-style, try Tower 2, where rooms are equipped with every modern gizmo you can think of, flatscreen TVs, electric everything - each room even has its own fax machine so any documents/menus you require will be faxed to you directly.
| This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |
