Trip review of Shanghai: Lunar New Year city walk

This trip was completed in February 2024.

Upon arrival in Shanghai on the third day of Lunar New Year, we were greeted with elaborately decorated streets and mall facades to welcome the year of the dragon. In case you were wondering if any shops would be operating during one of the biggest Chinese holidays of the year, you can be rest assured as most of them are back to business from the third day onwards. The city was bustling with many local tourists there to make the most of the week-long public holiday.

We made our way from Pudong Airport to the city center via the metro, and the fuss-free journey took us about an hour. Another option is to take the maglev, for those looking for a quicker route or simply to experience something similar to the Shinkansen maglev in Japan.

Below are some of the notable highlights of our trip.

Accommodation: The Shanghai EDITION

Rating 8.2/10

A short walk away from Nanjing Road East station sits The Shanghai EDITION, a modern luxurious establishment. The cherry on top is its proximity to The Bund, a quick 5-mins walk down the same street.

We had high expectations for this hotel before we arrived (and our rating for this hotel should probably be higher) but we felt some service lacking during our stay there. It may be that the hotel was quite packed due to the long holiday, so it was a little chaotic and rushed for the morning breakfast semi-buffet. In addition, later in the day, the front desk did not inform us when our room was ready despite promising to do so during check-in.

Apart from these small shortfalls, the hotel maintains the same EDITION interior decor and consistency across the other establishments. The grand Lobby Bar takes up the central area of the hotel’s lobby, giving guests a glimpse of its signature cocktails while checking in. Due to the high occupancy and activity in the relatively new hotel, we encourage guests to closely follow up on requests for a more seamless experience.

Hotel rooms were spacious and clean with modern wooden furnishings. To lavish guests with a luxurious touch, hotel amenities are provided by Le Labo. Overall, guests had the choice between a City View or Bund View room and we think that both window views have their own appeal. The high ceiling is also a great bonus to the rooms. Room rates start at around 2,500RMB/night.

Daily breakfast is held at Shanghai Tavern situated on the ground floor. With a semi-buffet concept, guests can order dishes a la carte from the staff and access free-flow fruits, pastries and drinks at the counter. It gets significantly busier after 9 am, so do be there early to avoid battling the morning bustle. Being right in the heart of historic PuXi, one could also enjoy a view of the energetic Nanjing Road East through the restaurant windows.

Accommodation: Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

Rating 8.8/10

Nestled in the heart of Shanghai’s commercial and financial district is Ritz-Carlton, located on the upper floors of a 58-storey tower in Lujiazui. The hotel is conveniently accessible from Lujiazui metro station, via a direct link through the upscale IFC mall. Our stay at Ritz-Carlton was very memorable, aided by impeccable service, a spacious and luxuriously furnished room, and consistent high-quality touchpoints throughout.

The check-in counter is situated on the 52^nd floor with several counters available for an efficient process. The multiple lift lobbies can be challenging to navigate at the beginning hence the service staff are always on stand-by to guide.

Upon entering the room, one could get a bird’s eye view of the city’s business district through expansive windows that let in generous amount of light. The bathroom itself took up approximately half the space, with mainstays such as double sinks and a small-sized fancy bathtub. Room rates start at around 2,500RMB/night, similar to Shanghai EDITION.

Breakfast buffet can be enjoyed on level 52 at Scena Di Angelo. With a table by the window, you will find yourself dining beside the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower together with a sweeping view of the bustling city beneath. Just beware that in the early morning hours, there may be fog that obscure the window views! Overall, there was a good variety of Eastern and Western selections. Despite being close to full capacity, the service staff was pleasant and attentive to every table.

Accommodation: Andaz Xintiandi

Rating 8.0/10

With the first two hotels we stayed located near the Bund, we decided to base ourselves at another popular locale in Shanghai called Xintiandi for a change. The hotel is easily accessible (within 5-minute walk) via metro which is connected to the basement of nearby malls. Check-in at Andaz was smooth and fuss-free, complete with a small drinks and snacks station should you have to wait when it gets crowded.

Being a hotel that’s been around for more than a decade, you can expect to observe signs of wear and tear in its furnishing. That said, even the basic room is large while the bathroom is more towards a fun and interesting concept with its transparent basin and stone texture. As the hotel is situated farther away from the main touristy 'Waitan' strip, room rates are more affordable at around 1,500RMB/night.

Breakfast buffet is held at Kitchen Studios and comes with the standard mix of Western and Eastern spread, with some made-to-order items such as different types of noodle soups, pancakes and waffles. Similarly, a long line started forming after 9am, and there is not much of a waiting area outside the restaurant entrance as the lift lobby is quite narrow.

Dining: Canton Disco

Rating 8.1/10

Opulently decorated with elements reminiscent of Hong Kong nightlife, Canton Disco serves sophisticated Cantonese cuisine and flamboyant cocktails. As we were there for early lunch, we had a mix of main dishes and dim sum, all of which were delicately executed and flavorful. The menu was extensive, with some dishes being a twist on the classics.

The restaurant leans towards a dark theme, with the ambience more suitable for a social hangout with friends rather than a family meal with kids. At one point during our meal, we had to wait longer than average for our mains to be served. The service staff was highly-trained and noticed the timing. As part of the service recovery, we were given a complimentary dessert even without any requests or feedback from our end.

Dining: Gu Yi (IFC branch)

Rating 8.2/10

Gu Yi is a Chinese restaurant serving classical Hunan cuisine. We chanced upon this restaurant tucked at a corner of the IFC mall and was immediately drawn to their authentic offerings on the menu. While we did not have to wait for a table, it is likely that the place will be crowded during dinnertime.

It is less so a fancy dining establishment, but the food quality was great. For their dishes, the flavors were mostly heavy and not at all bland. The food caters to a spicy palate, although there are also non-spicy staple options like the scallion fried rice which we recommend as an alternative to simply a bowl of white rice.

Dining: Flair

Rating 8.4/10

Amongst the many bars in Shanghai, we think that Flair has one of the best views overlooking the city. The bar is also situated at roughly the same height as the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, so the window view is rather unique given how close the observation deck of the tower is to the bar. There is also an outdoor deck that patrons can sit and appreciate the night view of Huangpu River and the rustic old charm of Shanghai architecture lighting up the Bund.

Reservations are highly recommended given the popularity of the bar among both locals and tourists, and there was a dining time limit during our visit which the staff will communicate to guests before allocating a table.

We ordered three different cocktails in total, and generally it was a case of hits and misses. Presentation of the drinks were generally done well, however. We also ordered the black sesame ice-cream, which surprised us positively with its distinctly rich flavor.

Activity: The Bund (also called 'Waitan')

Rating 8.5/10

The sightseeing begins as one walks down Nanjing East Road (also known as Pedestrian Street), due to the colonial-styled buildings lining the street. International brands inhabit the ground floors of these buildings, providing pit-stops whilst making your way down amongst a bustling crowd of domestic tourists.

The famed Fairmont Peace Hotel sits just across the road from The Bund. With its vintage exterior, the entrances of the hotel second as popular photo spots. However, security was tight when we attempted to enter the hotel and only guests with bookings at the hotel were allowed to enter. It might be due to the recent popularity of the drama hit Blossoms Shanghai by Wong Kar-wai, which at the same time inspired a wave of 'city walks' around old Shanghai circulating on Chinese social media.

At The Bund, expect to be surrounded by a large crowd of excited visitors, even during mid-day when the sun can be unrelentless. Regardless, the landmarks dotting the skyline is breathtaking, especially if you manage to catch it on a clear day. The entire Bund is a long strip, but we recommend walking northwards towards the direction of the Garden Bridge (Waibaidu Bridge) and then turning left to continue the walk along Suzhou Creek.

Activity: Zhang's Garden (Zhang Yuan)

Rating 8.2/10

Zhang Yuan, a relatively new edition to the vibrant cultural and commercial landscape of Shanghai, is a 141-year-old architectural complex. It has recently been restored, transforming itself from an old residential area to a commercial landmark, whilst preserving most of its historical features. This is another one of the many urban renewal projects promoted by the city of Shanghai, with one of the pioneer urban regeneration projects being Xintiandi where we stayed in.

Zhang Yuan is largely accessible by public transport, with a metro station directly at one of its entrances. Weaving through the traditional shikumen houses, you’d largely find luxury fashion and premium lifestyle brands operating the retail spaces. As the entire complex is still undergoing development, some buildings have yet to see tenants move in. Zhang Yuan East Zone is expected to open in the coming two to three years, with the addition of an art museum and a hotel amongst other commercial spaces.