Shanghai/Zhabei

Shanghai Railway StationThe oldest station in Shanghai, with a long-distance bus depot nearby. Metro lines , and meet at that station. Line also comes near it, crossing lines 3 and 4 two stops further West at Zhenping Road. There are also numerous bus routes.

• Shanghai UniversityThis is the original campus; the university now has two others. The Shanghai University station on metro line is at the Baoshan campus.

• Shanghai Railway Museum

  address: 200 East Tianmu Road (闸北区天目东路200号)
  Museum about trains and railways in China. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

• Song Jiaoren's Tomb

  address: Zhabei Park (闸北公园)
  Song Jiaoren was an early leader of the Kuomintang (KMT). He led the party to victory during China's first ever democratic elections in 1912-13, but just two months later, on 20 March 1913, he was assassinated at the nearby Shanghai Railway Station. Song's tomb was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution and rebuilt in the early 1980s.

• Sihang Warehouse Battle Memorial

  phone: +86 21 63808222
  address: 21 Guangfu Road (光复路21号)
  The Sihang Warehouse is a historic warehouse on the north bank of Suzhou Creek. It was built in 1931 by four banks, hence the literal name of the warehouse is the 'Four Banks Warehouse'. In 1937, the warehouse became a flashpoint in the latter stages of the Battle of Shanghai. At that time, it was being used as the headquarters of the 88th Division of the National Revolutionary Army. The division was preparing to retreat to the city's hinterland, but left one battalion behind at the warehouse in order to buy time for the retreat and also to demonstrate to the international community the determination of the Chinese people to resist the Japanese. The battalion successfully defended the warehouse for about 6 days before eventually retreating to the International Concession, where they were promptly disarmed and arrested by British troops acting under pressure from the Japanese. Part of the warehouse is now a museum about the Defence of Sihang Warehouse and the Battle of Shanghai. Visitors wanting to learn more about the Battle of Shanghai should also visit the Shanghai Songhu Memorial Hall for the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Baoshan District.

• Shanghai Circus World

  address: No. 2266 Gonghexin Road
  Known, among other things, for fine acrobatic shows and is on many tour group itineraries.

• Daning Tulip Park

  phone: +86 21 56653804
  address: 288 Guangzhong West Road (广中西路288号)
  The largest green area in Downtown Shanghai. Has a tulip festival and a peach blossom festival in Spring.

• Zhabei Stadiumvarious events, notably football matches

There is a large group of photo equipment stores near the station; see Downtown Shanghai for details.

• Dipingxian Communications Device Market

  address: 天目西路99号
  If you want a new or used phone and don't like what the big-name shops have to offer this is the place to go. From cheap knock-offs to cutting-edge phones, this place has it all. There are also a multitude of parts suppliers and repair shops, as well as a few shops that will help program CDMA phones for use with a local number. Second-hand vendors on 5F.

• Life Hub @ Daning

  address: 1928 Gong He Xin Rd
  A large complex of cloth shops, restaurants, cafés and offices in the middle of Zhabei. A large (domestic) supermarket can also be found here, as well as the Sheraton Four Points hotel.

The area around Shanghai University (line to Yanchang Road station) has some cheap eateries for the student market. There are also several restaurants around the South Square outside the railway station; they include several Western fast-food places — McDonalds, KFC and Mr. Donut — as well as Chinese food places.
There are many restaurants in the Daning shopping area.

• Lugo Coffee

  address: 1928 Gong He Xin Road
  Decent coffee available, as well as pastries and free Internet.

• Blue Frog Grill

  address: 1928 Gong He Xin Road
  Western style grill, with steaks and burgers. This is probably the only option in Zhabei for Western dining that isn't fast food. Good quality but expensive. Very popular with Westerners in the area.

• Wochi Spicy

  address: 1928 Gong He Xin Road
  Chinese food with good English menus and clear pictures. Although the staff doesn't speak English, they are very helpful.

• Paris Baguette

  address: 1928 Gong He Xin Road
  The rapidly expanding Korean patisserie chain offers sweet and savory bread. Note that this isn't particularly French style (and no baguettes).

• Blue Note

  phone: +86 21 6281 6681
  address: 412 Xinhua Rd

• Apollo

  phone: +86 21 6380 0270
  address: 500 3F West Tianmu Rd

• d.g.b. at Pier One

  phone: +86 21 5155 8311
  address: 130 Yichang Lu (宜昌路130号)

Budget

Mid-range

• Golden River-View Hotel

  phone: +86 21 6353-7070
  address: 308 Hengfeng Rd
  Near Nanjing Rd and Hongqiao Airport. Also, public transport is easily within reach. Each guestroom is air-conditioned and comes with four-star fixtures.

• Rhea Boutique Hotel - Railway Station

  phone: +86 21 6381-7001
  address: No. 37, MeiYuan Road
  Offers rooms all equipped with air-con, TV with cable channels, Internet connection, refrigerator, and safe. Business centre, restaurant, and spa.

• Zhao An Hotel Shanghai

  phone: +86 21 6317-2221
  address: 195 Heng Tong Rd

• Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai, Daning

  phone: +86 21 2602-2222
  address: 1928 Gonghexin Rd
  Western style hotel in the Daning shopping and entertainment area, this is very much aimed at business travellers. Rooms are clean and service is good. A few minutes walk from Shanghai Circus World.

Splurge

• Grand Mercure Shanghai Central (Zhongya)

  phone: +86 21 6353-5555
  address: 330 Meiyuan Rd
  An upscale business hotel with all the usual facilities and amenities (save for a swimming pool) at often half the price of more centrally-located competition. This comes at a cost of less-than-picturesque neighbourhood and views, albeit quite convenient transit situation. More expensive room categories have access to an executive lounge, which serves drinks, breakfasts and evening refreshments (alcoholic beverages and light bites).