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Why Shanghai Old
City is special
Shanghai Old City is visually charming despite its touristy character on weekends. Unlike in central Shanghai where
many old buildings were demolished to make room for modern skyscrapers, those in Shanghai Old City were
preserved or reconstructed.
Interesting insights
about Shanghai Old City
 Perhaps the best way to describe
Shanghai Old City in a single sentence is to quote a Western photographer who told me, "It resembles a
Chinatown back home, but a lot more authentic and photogenic."
There are three aspects of Shanghai
Old City that you should experience:  Walking through the
picturesque main square (see photo). Having tea inside the
Huxington Tea House (see left side of photo). This two story pavilion sits over a large goldfish pond and is
reached via zigzag bridges. Go upstairs - it has a better ambiance. Yuyuan
Garden. It's a reconstructed classical Chinese garden that was originally built during the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644). It has attractive Chinese pavilions, ponds, bridges and outdoor corridors.
Shanghai Old City tidbits
There is a touristy bazaar with
tightly packed shops lining a narrow street near the Old City's main square. What makes this bazaar appealing is
that each shop has a specific specialty. For instance, one sells only chopsticks.
A couple of interesting antique
markets are conveniently located near the Old City.
Tips for your
vacation tour or trip
Visit Shanghai Old City on workdays to avoid
the weekend pedestrian traffic jams. If you can only go on a weekend, go early in the morning.
Lu Bo Lang is the most authentic and one
of the best restaurants in Shanghai Old City. It serves traditional Shanghai dishes, including hairy crab
(seasonal) and soup dumplings. For the best dining
atmosphere, eat in one of the small rooms on the second floor.
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