Art Travel Guide :: Shanghai

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Cultural Delights in Shanghai this Fall

Shanghai Skyline As the Olympic flags come down in Beijing - cultural events bloom in Shanghai. This vibrant city is not only the financial and cultural capital of China, but also continues to gain popularity as an exciting travel destination.

Today's Shanghai is awash with money, which brings with it the trappings of a modern cultural capital. There are plenty of new highly rated restaurants, hotels, fantastic shopping areas, as well cultural events and museums which highlight China's amazing history as well as its future.

Featured Events

ShContemporary 2008
The Asia Pacific Contemporary Art Fair
September 10-13
Opening: Tuesday, September 9
Shanghai Exhibition Center

After a successful debut last year, ShContemporary returns with over 100 galleries representing the best of new art from the East and the West. A new section of the exhibition, "Best of Discovery," is a specially curated section premiering the works of 30 emerging artists from all over the greater Asian region.

Shanghai Biennial
September 9 - November 16, 2008
Main Location: Shanghai Art Museum

The 2008 Shanghai Biennial focuses on the theme "TRANSLOCALMOTION." The curators hope to explore different aspects of the rapid modernization and internationalization of contemporary Chinese culture and society. The "home base" of the various exhibitions, installations and performances is the Shanghai Art Museum just steps from the Shanghai Exhibition Center is hosting the ShContemporary. Events and shows will be occurring in various locations around the city throughout the run of the Biennial.

Insider Tip : Most visitors to China must have a visa to enter the country. For a complete list of Chinese embassies click here.

Travelers Highlights

Swissôtel Grand Shanghai
1 Yu Yuan Road, Jing An District
Shanghai 200040

This hotel opened just this spring and has already won awards. The design and service is a stunning combination of Swiss ingenuity and efficiency and Asian subtlety. Also located close to all of the main Shanghai attractions, the Swissôtel Grand Shanghai provides all the opulence and state-of-the-art amenities one expects from a 5-Star international brand.

YongFoo Elite
200 Yongfu Road, near Hunan Road
+86 (21) 5466-2727

For a taste of Shanghai from its Colonial heyday of the 1920's and 1930's The former British Consulate which now houses YongFoo Elite can't be beat. The fare offered is typical Shanghainese. The ambience is subdued and authentic. Enjoy the beautiful candle-lit garden while you enter the property.

Three on the Bund
No. 3 The Bund
3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Road
(Entrance at 17 Guang Dong Road)
+86 (21) 6323-3355

While strolling the famous Bund along the waterfront, be sure not to miss this architectural treasure. Built in 1916, this building now houses some of the best shopping, art galleries and dining in the city. Among the top restaurants located here are Jean Georges, the nouveau Shanghainese Whampoa Club and stunning The Cupola, aptly named for its location inside the cupola atop the corner of the building. The views from here a some of the best in Shanghai.

Insider Tip : Getting around Shanghai is remarkably easy and inexpensive. The subway system is extensive and taxis are plentiful. You may want to check out the futuristic maglev train running from Longyang Road to the Pudong airport. While transportation is efficient and economical, Shanghai is the most populous metropolis in China. Therefore, if at all possible, try to plan your schedule so you are not traveling during the rush hours.

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