Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Shanghai in China.Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn RadioThis show covers among other topics:

Observations

• Dramatic changes over years I have been visiting.
• Modern without defining a distinctive Chinese feel while stunning lit up at night.
• Always been the most cosmopolitan city in China
• Massive city over 20 million people.
• Shanghai means up from the sea - massive port - busiest in world - but has some limitations.
• Pollution and smog - big issue - asthma and breathing issues

History

• Started as a fishing village developed into centre of textile industry and major trading port developed from there. Chinese government made it free port (no taxes, not subject to Chinese laws) after the First Opium War and boomed with British then French and American concessions.
• Rich and decadent especially in 1930s - "Paris of the East" - Japanese occupied for time in WWII - after war hand back to Chinese and after Communist entered city in 1949 and became more closed.
• Now one of the four cities in china that are directly managed by Central Government

Getting there

• Need a visa before go - plan well in advance - can be costly to process - consider using a visa agency.
• Watch what packing and bringing in as conservative and strict
• Two main airports - Pudong and Hongqiao
• Cruises port - modern Wusongkou International Terminal - 45 to 90 minutes to Peoples Square / Bund

Getting around

• Maglev Train from Pudong airport to Pudong Longyanglu station (20km in 7 minutes)
• Busses - complex
• Taxis - colour coded by company - avoid red ones as independent and not metered - always have where going written in Chinese
• Metro - modern and easy to navigate as also have English names - ticket machines coins.
• Car hire not recommended even though signs have English

General Tips

• English often understood in tourist places.
• Safe but can be hassled a lot by vendors.
• Many attractions close at 4 or 4:30pm.
• Good tourist maps and leaflets in hotels and information centre

Must Do:

PudongOriental Pearl TV Tower-Shanghai World Finance Centre - 100th floor observation tower - including glass floor looking down 100 floors Jin Mao Tower - Grand Hyatt Hotel (tallest hotel lobby in world 56th floor) - observation floor on 88th - only 45 seconds to get to top Shanghai tower - 632 m high opposite opened in 2014The Bund and huge Huangpu Park

Grand old buildings known as the World Architectural Gallery.People's SquareShangai MuseumMuseum of Contemporary ArtShanghai Art MuseumShanghai Grand TheatreNew Town HallUrban Planning Museum - past and future Shanghai Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar

In the old town, built in the Mid 16th C and took 18 years it buildBazaar aroudn it has many stores and it is fuJade Buddha TempleShoppingCounterfeit markets largely closed down and driven under ground nowNanjing Road Yuyuan BazaarNight River CruiseShanghai Acrobatic Show