Shanghai

Originally a fishing village, Shanghai has become one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, all while retaining its historic charm. The Huangpu River splits the city into Puxi (West of the River) and Pudong (East of the River). The remarkable Lujiazui skyline clearly defines the start of Pudong, and is home to Shanghai’s most iconic skyscrapers, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Tower – the world’s second-tallest building.

Puxi, informally known as Old Shanghai, boasts an eclectic blend of Art Deco, French Tudor, and Shikumen-style buildings, historic temples, and modern skyscrapers. Visitors often find themselves immersed in the dramatic combination of Western and Chinese cultures in the “Paris of the Orient”. City parks reveal a myriad of activities for Shanghai’s seniors, including chess games, pavement calligraphy, and line dancing. Outside of downtown Puxi, uncover expansive gardens, ancient water towns, and even islands.

Filled with an explosive dining scene, Shanghai is home to several MICHELIN Restaurants, including Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, one of the world’s most exclusive dining experiences. With a variety of cuisines across all price ranges, find yourself spoiled for choice during a stroll down any neighborhood. Shanghai’s booming nightlife is proof that this city never sleeps. Award-winning cocktail and craft beer bars fill the streets of the Former French Concession, leading nightclubs tastefully line the rooftops of The Bund, and dive bars flood the streets of Jing’an and Changning Districts. If you don’t mind splurging on drinks with a view, head across the river to Lujiazui to experience what bars like Flair – China’s highest rooftop bar, and Cloud 9 – on the top floor of Jinmao Tower, have to offer.