How to Enjoy Shanghai Nightlife

The nightlife in Shanghai is both notable and notorious. The "Paris of the East" is the bustling capitalist center of China's booming economy and the nightlife of the city offers every level of enjoyment from the sophisticated to the seamy. Shanghai is the most exciting city in China, and the nightlife in Shanghai shines as brightly as its skyline.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start a great night in Shanghai by visiting the fantastic Nanjing Shopping Street. The energy of the bustling pedestrian-only street wakes up the senses. There are over 600 shops with great deals all around. Shopping is more of a sport in China than in western cities, so try to barter, unless in a department store.

2. Find a great place to eat. Restaurants abound in Shanghai. One of the favorites with visitors is Three on the Bund at 3 Zhongshan **** Yi Lu (see below). With the right amount of cash the Xintiandi neighborhood (Lane 181, Taicang Lu) abounds with upscale and casual dining. Ask the hotel staff for some recommendations, as new places open in the city every day.

3. Enjoy bar hopping in Shanghai. The city has hundreds of bars, pubs, discos and nightclubs. Taxis are cheap, but traffic may slow down the more ambitious pub crawler, so it is best to concentrate the evening's activities in one district.

4. Finish off the night with a walk along Shanghai's world famous Bund area. Thousands of people come down to the river area to marvel at the European style architecture and contrast it with the spectacular views of the ultra-modern Pudong area across the river, which rises like a glowing neon science fiction cityscape.

5. Enjoy a few local snacking favorites to rejuvenate the morning after a long night. Shanghai cuisine is a blend of all of China's great regional cuisines. In China, the grab and go breakfast of choice are stuffed buns. Nanxiang Steamed Stuffed Buns have a thin wrap with flavorful tender meat (shrimp in summer, crab in winter). Fried stuffed buns are a local favorite.

Tips & Warnings

• Shanghai is ever-changing. To find the newest hot spots, ask hotel desk clerks or pick up a local English language newspaper or free guide.
• Visitors who want to chat with young locals should visit the Blue Bar inside East China Normal University.
• Shanghai's curfew closes down most places, but Mazzo on Qing Hai Road is the best after hours place; get there before 4 am since the seats fill up fast.