James Little

Shanghai (Shanghai Wikitravel) from Beijing on an overnight train; no ticket yet. Probably get one of the Z or T class trains; they all seem to take 11 hours, the differences seems to be how modern they are:

Trains with a ‘Z’ in the train number are top quality trains with the most modern coaches.  Trains with a ‘T’ in the train number are the next best (’extra fast’).  Trains with a ‘K’ in the train number are ‘fast’.  A new D-category consists of high-speed 200-250 km/h daytime electric trains.

To see in Shanghai:

• The bund, we thought it was a river; “The Bund (外滩 Wàitān) is Shanghai’s stately street of old colonial-era buildings; alongside Huangpu River once was the financial center of the Far East.”
• Huangpu river cruise – Available at the Bund’s southern end ferry port in a large variety: One hour, two hour and three hour cruises on the Huangpu. The Huangpu River, which is the city’s shipping artery, also divides Shanghai into east and west, future and past. A cruise along this dynamic waterway affords a wonderful opportunity to see Shanghai’s working wharves and to take in the changing skyline. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/shanghai/0717020790.html
• Jin Mao Tower – Take the elevator up to the 88th floor observation deck and treat yourself to 360-degree views of Shanghai old and new.

• Shanghai World Financial Center – On 28 August 2008, the SWFC officially opened for business. On August 30 the Observation Deck opened with a view from 3 levels. The highest view is at 474 m (1,555 ft) above ground level. It is currently the world’s tallest completed building by roof.

• Live Jazz – For funk or experimental jazz, try the Cotton Club or Club JZ. Though reviews of these clubs doesn’t look particularly favourable, perhaps another club/bar/venue (we’ll be in Shanghai on Friday and Saturday nights).
  
• Yuyuan Gardens, which is loaded with classical Chinese architecture. A lot of history resides in this little garden and temple. They were commissioned in 1559, built over the course of 19 years, destroyed in 1842 during the first Opium War, and later rebuilt and reopened to the public in their current incarnation in 1961.

Accommodation booked at Mingtown Youth Hostel in Shanghai using hostelbookers.com.