Shanghai/Jing'an

螺钉

• Jing'an TempleThis is a large Budhist temple; the name translates as Temple of Peace and Tranquility. It is said to have been built in 247 CE, making it over 1750 years old.

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• Former residence of Chairman Mao Tse TungSmall house in traditional style that housed Mao Tse Tung during his early days in the Chinese Communist Party. Preserved as a (very) small museum. Possibly the most interesting aspect is the fact that his once humble home is now surrounded by one of Shanghai's most expensive shopping malls full of luxury shops and hotels!

• Jing'an ParkNice public park with a lake and some walkways. A good place to see older Chinese people practice their dancing. If you play any Chinese board games — Chinese chess (xiangqi) or Go (weiqi) — there are often games going on in the Southeast corner of the park.

• Jing'an Sculpture Park

• The Jade Buddha Temple, a small temple with some remarkable statues, is often reached via Jing'an, and is sometimes described as being in this district. Actually, though it is just across the border into Putuo; see that article for a listing.

• Shanghai Natural History Museum

  phone: +86 21 68622000 (general enquiries), +86 21 62620280 (ticket enquiries and group bookings)
  address: 510 Beijing West Road (北京西路510号)

• Shanghai Acrobatics Show

  address: 1376 West Nanjing Lu
  All the impressive acts of a Chinese circus packed into one 90 minute show. The location is easy to walk by as the theater is hidden inside a hotel. Tickets are best bought in advance, especially for weekend shows. The good acts are up right from the start, so don't be late! An alternative is the Shanghai Circus in Zhabei.

• Shanghai Exhibition CentreBuilt in the 1950s and then the tallest building in Shanghai at 110 m, this is still a landmark.

• Jingan Kerry Center

  address: 1563 West Nanjing Road
  Very new shopping mall with lots of restaurants, clothes shops and an electronics store. Good cinema. In the basement is an Ole' supermarket (a top range China chain) which sells lots of good Western quality food at very high prices.

• Reel Shanghai

  address: Shop 2A, 1601 Nanjing Xi Lu
  Brand new upmarket mall with busy food court in the basement

• Jiu Guang Shopping Mall

  address: 1618 Nanjing Xi Lu, 南京西路1618号8楼, 近华山路
  Launched in partnership with the Japanese Sogo chain, this mall has a distinctly Japanese feel to it. Food court in basement as well as 'Fresh Mart' supermarket.

• Shanghai CentreThree towers above an 8-story base. The base has quite a bit of high-end shopping, plus a supermarket in the basement with a range of imported foods. One tower has the Shanghai Ritz Carlton hotel; the others are apartments and offices, including several consulates. The complex also includes a theatre and an exhibition hall.

• China Mobile

  address: West Nanjing Road
  Get a mobile phone SIM or topup at this busy store on Nanjing Road

Budget

• Saizeriya

  address: Jing An Temple station
  One of a Japanese chain of Italian restaurants where a decently-sized plate of pasta can be had for less than ¥20 and all-you-can-drink soft drinks available for an additional ¥6 from 11AM-2PM. Menus are available in English.

• CoCo IchibanyaOne of a Japanese chain of curry restaurants, with seafood, meat, and vegetarian curries available and variable levels of spiciness. There will be seasonal items on the menu that change depending on time of year. There is a spice rating from 1 (mild) to 5 (hot!); most people who like spicy food will be happy with 3, or perhaps 4. Others should chose 1 or 2 and consider ordering a larger serving of rice, which is also a menu option.

• Reel Food Court

  address: 1601 West Nanjing Road
  Although not cheap by national standards, this is definitely a budget option in the Jing'an district. A clean and fairly large food court can be found next to Jing'An station in the basement of the Reel Shopping Mall, with fried dumplings to be had (4 for ¥6) to larger rice dishes and hotpots. Can be very busy.

• Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant

  address: 328 North Maoming Road
  A branch of the famous xiaolongbao restaurant found in the Old City, but with significantly shorter lines.

• Yang's Dumpling

  phone: +86 21 6136 1391
  address: 328 North Maoming Road
  Where the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant is known for its xiaolongbao, this place just around the corner is known for its shengjianbao, the fried version. Although there are several stores throughout Shanghai, this is the original, where it has been since 1994. Dumplings are made fresh to order, and there are other Shanghai specialties available. Can be busy during peak hours.

Mid-range

• Bali Laguana

  phone: +86 62486970
  (巴厘岛), No.3 Jinan Park, 189 Huashan Road (near West Nanjing Road, 静安区华山路189号静安公园3号门 近南京西路). Standard Indonesian food served in a romantic and delightful setting overlooking a small pool that is particularly pretty at night.

• Lavazza Coffee

  address: 1486 West Nanjing Road
  Italian coffee shop with outdoor seating area. Good location for foreigners and Chinese to meet up for language exchanges. Free wifi and serves pasta.

• Tonkatsu Qitiao

  phone: +86 2132538599
  address: Level B2, Reel Shopping Mall
  Japanese Ton Katsu restaurant which is somewhat more upmarket than CoCo Ichibanya.

• Mr Harry Authentic British Restaurant

  phone: +86 21 620 365 11
  address: 5th floor, 819 West Nanjing Road
  If you have been in China a while and want to enjoy a break with an English breakfast or fish and chips for lunch, then Mr Harry's is possibly the place for you. English pub style decorations and English beer available.

• Dos Locos

  address: Dos Locos - Suite B1-11, South Phase, 1515 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu (静安嘉里中心, 南京西路1515号南区B1-11, 近常德路).
  A copy of the Mexican-American chain, Chipotle, this restaurant serves large portions of burritos and tacos.

• Beef and Liberty

  address: Shanghai Centre, G/F, Shanghai Centre, No.1376 Nanjing Road
  A 'premium' beefburger restaurant selling good tasting burgers at a high price.

• Sumerian Coffee

  phone: +86 135 6475 5689
  address: 415 Shaanxi Bei Lu (near Beijing Xi Lu)
  Offers coffee roasted on site (including coffee beans sourced from southern China) and nice wrap sandwiches.

• WagasRelated to the 'Baker and Spice' chain and serving fairly familiar Western food.

• WagasAnother branch of Wagas to the north of the temple

• Pizza ExpressThe UK Pizza chain can be found in the Shanghai Centre. It is better tasting than the fast food pizza joints around Shanghai, albeit at a higher price.

• Baker & Spice

  address: Shanghai Centre, G/F, Shanghai Centre, No.1376 Nanjing Road
  Another foreigner-friendly option in the Shanghai Centre. Free wifi. Opens at 07:30 which is convenient for early risers.

Splurge

• Just Grapes

  phone: +86 21 33113205
  address: 462 Dagu Road
  Wine bar. It is also a wine store, and has an upstairs restaurant serving salads, pasta, and pizza. This is the perfect place to taste a glass of good wine at the bar or outside on the wooden patio

• Dr Wine

  address: 177 Fumin Lu
  Classic style of European wine bar, offering relaxed atmosphere and Italian anti-pasta

• Uva Cafe

  address: 1187 Beijing Xi Lu
  A wine bar aimed at the younger set.

Budget

• Letour Traveler's Rest Youth Hostel

  phone: +86-21-62671912
  address: Building 30, No 319, Jiaozhou Rd
  A YHA bed and breakfast hostel in downtown Shanghai a 10-minute walk from Jing'an Temple. The building was built in 1930s as a towel factory and is deliberately refurbished to maintain its unique details: narrow lane (NongTang), Stone-frame, packing case etc. Price (normal season): Dorm bed ¥80, Private double ¥280, Private Twin or Triple a bit more. The hostel offers a lively vibrant atmosphere, including a cafe and bar, free internet, bike hire, laundry, luggage lockers and more. In the reception there is a Travel Center, where guests can book train tickets, purchase postcards & stamps, and book tours and shows.

• Shanghai Haigang Hotel

  phone: +86-021-62553553
  address: 中国上海市泰兴路89号
  Near Pho Sizzling

Mid-range

• Brightel All Suites Shanghai(Golden Tulip Ashar Suites Shanghai Central)

  phone: +86 21 62988668
  address: 288 Shanxi North Road

• Howard Johnson All Suites Hotel Shanghai

  phone: +86 21 52382555
  address: No 1155, Yan'an W Rd(延安西路1155号; Yánān xīlù 1155 hào)
  Rooms with free internet. Also has a bar that can provide coffee and beer.

• Jing'an Hotel Jin Jiang

  phone: +86 21-61226688
  address: 370 Huashan Rd
  A classic Spanish-style hotel. The hotel offers 126 aptly furnished rooms and a wealth of dining and leisure facilities. Business amenities include a fully equipped business center and meeting and conference venues.

• JunAn Design Hotel

  phone: +86 21-51751188
  address: 696 Nanjing W Rd
  West side of Nanjing Rd. Opposite the hotel lies the famous Shanghai Television Tower. Rooms are air-conditioned, fitted with cable TV, hair dryer, and broadband Internet access. They also have a private bathroom and safe. Western and Chinese buffet breakfast is available.

• Rendezvous Merry Hotel Shanghai

  phone: +86 21 6249 5588
  address: No 396, Yan'an Rd W(延安西路396号; yán ān xī lù 396 hào)
  Rooms with free internet. The hotel has a Chinese and a Western restaurant and a bar that can provide coffee and beer. The hotel possesses various kinds of auxiliary facilities such as Chamber, Business Center, Currency exchange service, Shopping, Florist, Beauty Salon, Laundry, etc.

• Shanghai Jin Chang Hotel

  address: 1339 Changde Rd
  3-star hotel. The Bund, Jade Buddha Temple, and Nanjing Rd are few of the places you can visit while staying at this hotel. They offer air-conditioned rooms that has a satellite TV, high-speed Internet, mini-bar, telephone, and smoke alarm.

• Shanghai Yin Fa Hotel

  phone: +86 21-62556600
  address: No 1068 W Beijing Rd
  Houses 72 air-conditioned rooms equipped with cable TV, telephone, electronic door locks, slippers, and electric kettle. Some of their facilities include conference rooms, health and fitness center, sauna, lobby bar, and game room. Li Yuan Restaurant serves Cantonese cuisine and can accommodate 130 guests.

• Shanxi Business Hotel

  phone: +86 21-52624866
  address: 658 Middle Yan'an Rd
  It is located 15 km away from Hongqiao Airport. 178 air-conditioned rooms.

• Shanghai Duxiana Hotel

  phone: +86-2162261133
  address: No. 59 Wan Hang Du Hou Road
  Rooms are equipped with Dux bed, 32-inch TV, Refrigerator and Air-conditioning. Some of its facilities and services are Business center, Meeting hall, Fitness room/gym and Free Wi-Fi Internet access.

Splurge

• Four Seasons

  phone: +86 21 6256-8888
  address: 500 Weihai Road
  A favorite with business travelers, the Four Seasons is a luxury hotel with excellent amenities and several in-hotel dining options. The breakfast buffet is lavish, though typical of high-end Shanghai hotels. Given the cost (¥225) consider upgrading to the Executive Club Lounge (not to be confused with the "Executive Suite") where you get free cooked breakfast on the 37th floor.

• Ivy Shanghai

  address: 709 Jiaozhou Road
  The 5-star hotel offers very intimate service for each of its 45 rooms and suites. Each floor is assigned a butler, business amenities abound, and the hotel boasts a Teppanyaki restaurant.

• Park Hotel

  phone: +86 21-63275225
  address: 170 Nanjing W Rd
  An Art Deco masterpiece, it was once the tallest building in the Far East with 22 soaring stories, but in today's Shanghai it looks like a refugee from Gotham City among the surrounding glass and steel skyscrapers. Convenient location, but the rooms with good views facing Nanjing Xilu and the Park also have to deal with the road's traffic noise.

• Shanghai Hotel Jin Jiang

  address: 505 N Wulumuqi Rd
  4-star hotel.

• Shangri-la

Serviced apartments

• Skiline - World Union Service Apartment

  phone: +86 21 62484520
  address: Suite 1912, 199 North Wulumuqi Rd 200040
  Studio, Twin Bed and Suite, all equipped with Air-conditioning, Cable TV and High-speed Internet access. Facilities and services are Business centre, Airport transfer and Travel agency.

• World Union Service Apartment

  phone: +86 21 6248 0615
  address: Room 1601, 16 F, No 199. Wu Lu Mu Qi Road (North)
  It offers standard and superior suite, all equipped with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels, and living room. Some of its facilities and services are business center, meeting room, and high-speed Internet access.

• Ladoll Service Apartment

  phone: +86 21 6248 1125
  address: Room 201, 2nd Floor, No 268. Yu Yuan Road
  It offers standard, superior, and deluxe suite, all equipped with cable TV, DVD, telephone, and high-speed Internet connection. Some of its facilities and services are meeting room, business centre, and airport and city transfers.