Plan a Trip to Shanghai | The Ritz-Carlton

Planning Your Trip

As China’s biggest city and one of the most populous cities in the world with more than 24 million residents, Shanghai is a bustling metropolis with something to appeal to travelers from all corners of the globe. Whether visiting on business or to shop, stroll the Bund and tour the Yu Garden, here’s what to bring along.

What to Pack

If traveling on business, be sure to bring plenty of business cards to exchange at the beginning of all meetings. It is customary and polite to receive any business cards with both hands and read them immediately.

Business Travel

Shanghai tends to be a relatively casual city in terms of everyday dress, but for business functions in this global financial hub, it’s wise to err on the side of formality.

For men, a traditional dark suit and tie is the most common mode of dress.
In some more casual environments, eschewing a suit jacket and just wearing a shirt and slacks is acceptable for men, particularly in summer.
For women, err on the conservative side — no low-cut blouses or loud patterns — and opt for lower heels or flats.

Exploring the City

There is so much to see and do in this sprawling city, from shopping along Nanjing Road to touring the Shanghai Museum. From your base in the historic Puxi neighborhood, here’s what to pack to experience it all in comfort and style.

You’ll likely spend quite a bit of your time walking through the City on the Sea to take in both its historic charms and modern wonders, so pack a pair of comfortable shoes.
Summer temperatures peak in the 80s in July, but air conditioning is plentiful, so wear layers and bring a light jacket or a shawl to put on indoors.
If you’re planning a night out for dinner and drinks, trendy, but not flashy, Western-style dress prevails.

Day Trips

While there is much to do immediately around the hotel in the historic Puxi neighborhood, there are many exciting activities to be had just a bit farther afield. Bring these essentials if you’re planning to venture out of town.

Particularly with children in tow, a visit to the Shanghai Happy Valley Amusement Park is a must. If visiting in winter, be sure to bring a warm coat and hat as temperatures hover just above freezing.

A compact umbrella is a must-have both for a sudden shower as well as for the plentiful sun that abounds most of the summer months.

A chic, lightweight backpack is perfect for stashing a water bottle, a layer and perhaps light snacks if you’re planning on being out all day.

What to Reserve

There is so much to do and see in Shanghai from shopping and visiting ancient sights to enjoying unique activities like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and world-class dining. Consider ending a busy day of touring with a relaxing spa treatment at the hotel. Here are some activities you should plan in advance.

Dining Reservations

Shanghai is known for its epicurean delights. Indulge in two of the city’s most exciting dining experiences by reserving tables at Portman’s Restaurant for multi-cultural plates featuring hand-selected cuts of Robbins Island Wagyu beef as well as premium seafood. Or sit down for a meal at Master of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Chef Alan Wong’s eponymous restaurant and its unique dishes like abalone salad, an ahi “martini” or five-spice Iberico pork loin medallions.

Spa Appointments

After a busy day of business meetings or touring the city, relax at The Portman Ritz-Carlton Spa, Shanghai — an idyllic oasis in the heart of the city. Arrange for a Detoxifying Lymphatic Treatment incorporating a full-body massage using intense strokes and thumb pressure to target cellulite, fluid retention, uneven skin tone and lymphatic ducts. Or indulge in an Oriental Exotic Spa Journey, which includes a natural organic body scrub followed by a softening body wrap and massage using essential oils.

Day Trips

If you’re interested in getting just outside of town for a change of scenery, there are many exciting places to visit. The Anji Bamboo Forest is a stunning spot for a hike (it was the setting for many of the famed scenes from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”); Nanxiang is home to Yun Xiang, one of the biggest temples in Shanghai; Putuoshan island is a renowned Buddhist site; and Shengsi island makes for a lovely beach getaway.

Children's Activities

Children and families will find many exciting events to fill their days during a visit to Shanghai — from activities at the hotel to thrilling destinations just outside of the city. For a bit of adventure, plan a visit to Shanghai Disney for a visit to the Magic Kingdom or head to Shanghai Happy Valley — a renowned theme park for all manner of thrilling rides and roller coasters. Children are also offered exciting amenities upon arrival at the hotel, including a tent, LED lantern, compass, flashlight and other items to make each night feel like an urban safari.

Itineraries

Once nicknamed the “Paris of the East,” Shanghai has long been a cultural hub for visitors from around the world and, today is one of the world’s largest metropolises with 24 million residents. The magic of the city is its diversity — not just in people. Wandering the bustling neon city, you’re met with futuristic skyscrapers that sit side by side with colorful ancient temples. Spend days browsing world-class art, dining on masterfully prepared traditional dishes and exploring the city’s many gorgeous parks and monuments.

Planning Your Trip

Cultural Treasures

A tiny fishing village turned metropolis, Shanghai has always been a colorful mix of East and West. The city is full of architectural feats: stunning ancient temples that retain their original beauty and modern skyscrapers that stop you in your track. Browse markets that sell handmade souvenirs, admire traditional dance performances and savor authentically made Shanghai delicacies.

Day 1

Morning

View an Architectural Treasure. Dating back to 247 A.D., the ornate Jing’An Temple is a stunning historical treasure located just 10 minutes away from The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai. Explore the temple grounds, where various forms of art are on display.

Midday

Browse Shanghai’s Most Impressive Art Collection. One of Asia’s largest museums, the massive China Art Museum displays a sprawling mix of contemporary and modern works from international and Chinese artists like 20th-century painter Lin Fengmian, who blends Western and Eastern styles.

Afternoon

People-Watch at Fuxing Park. Situated in a French-inflected district of Shanghai, Fuxing Park is a great spot for an afternoon walk shaded by sycamore trees. Locals can be seen throughout the grounds, which include a lake, dancing, playing mahjong or practicing tai chi.

Evening

Experience a Staple Dish of Shanghai. Xiaolongbao, otherwise known as soup dumplings, are considered by many to be the city’s most famous dish. At Din Tai Fung, located in the Shanghai Centre, they’re made from extra-delicate dough and filled with crab or pork and a delicious broth.

Attend a Unique Performance. One of the most well-respected acrobatic acts in the world, the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe includes beautifully skilled dancers doing seemingly impossible acts, including aerial maneuvers while suspended from sheets of silk that will leave you breathless.

Day 2

Morning

Stroll Along Shanghai’s Boardwalk. Zhongshan Road, a waterfront block where the Bund (pronounced like “Fund”) runs along the bank of the Huangpu River, is great for observing Chinese locals and some of the most spectacular skyscrapers, which sit across the river.

Observe a Quirky Side of Shanghai. One of the largest parks in downtown Shanghai, the People’s Park includes many locals relaxing, solo exhibitions from famous artists, and, on the weekends, the Marriage Market, a matchmaking event where parents congregate to search for partners for their children.

Midday

Dine on Spectacular Chinese Fare. Wildly popular with locals, the Bai Jia Qian Wei serves some of the most outstanding dishes from the nearby province of Anhui. Don’t miss the restaurant’s signature dish, a braised free-range chicken that’s drenched in rice wine and served with bamboo shoots.

Afternoon

Shop on a Legendary Road. Nanjing Road is a shopping destination like none other in Asia. Divided into two sides, the east side is home to the biggest department store in the world, an Apple store and specialty jewelry boutiques for jade, pearls and other precious items, while shoppers on the west side can peruse luxury malls and boutiques like Plaza 66 and Citic Square.

Evening

Have a Proper Steak. The distinguished Portman’s Restaurant at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai sources the finest Australian Wagyu beef from an excellent family farm in northern Tasmania along with steaks of deep red salmon from the local freshwater China river.

Day 3

Morning

Visit an Active Monastery. Jade Buddha Temple was built in the early 1900s and remains one of the few monasteries still in operation in Shanghai. Its crowned jewel is a Buddha carved from pure jade. Some 20,000 Chinese Buddhists pay the site a visit each day, so brace yourself for some crowds.

Midday

Get Your Art Fix. Known by locals as M50, 50 Moganshan Road was once a factory that wove textiles. Today, 120 creatives have taken over the space and opened galleries, studios and boutiques filled with one-of-a-kind fashion and home design pieces.

Afternoon

Experience a Unique Slice of Chinese History. In the early half of the 20th century, Dr. Sun Yat-sen organized a revolution against the Qing Empire and, for a moment, became president. Visit Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Former Residence to learn more about the rich history of China and view artifacts, including swords, military maps and other remnants from the revolt.

Evening

Taste the Local Obsession. Crab is everywhere in Shanghai, and no restaurant celebrates the seafood more properly than the superb Xie Zun Yuan. The kitchen removes the fresh meat from its shell and stuffs it in chewy dumplings and simmers it in delicious sauces.

Sip Unique Cocktails. At The Ritz Bar & Lounge, award-winning bartender Jackael He mixes surprising cocktails that incorporate seasonal ingredients. Be sure to try his signature Pineapple Butter Beer, which is made with Beluga vodka, homemade pineapple shrub, fresh pineapple juice and maple syrup, all topped with an IPA and butter cream foam for a velvety finish.

Planning Your Trip

24 Hours In

While there’s enough to explore in Shanghai for many days over, the best of the stunning metropolis can be experienced in a single day. Wake up early to enjoy the historically significant and fascinating cultural sites. Wander among the stunning architecture. Enjoy the many delicious regional dishes. And stay steps away from one of the most famous shopping destinations in the world at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai.

Day 1

Morning

Soothe Yourself With Ancient Remedies. Book the Urban Retreat Signature Body Refreshing treatment at the Spa at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai to experience a wholly relaxing blend of Western and Eastern strokes that targets key meridians in the body.

Get a Stellar Cup of Coffee. One of the most respected coffee shops in the city, MQ staffs a coffee scientist, Cai Zhongshun, who brews his many options of coffee beans using futuristic equipment like the Slayer machine, debatably the most high-end machine in the world at over $18,000. They carefully source their high-quality beans from the best regions in the world, including Yunnan and Kenya.

Pay a Visit to a Stunning Monastery. A must-visit for any trip to Shanghai, the Jade Buddha Temple was all but destroyed during the revolution against the Qing Dynasty. Luckily, intricate porcelain work, ancient paintings and the namesake jade Buddhas were recovered. In 1926, they were given a new home in the city. Be prepared to wait for a bit, as the site attracts large crowds each day.

Midday

Dine on Exceptional Cantonese Cuisine. With red lacquered details and birdcages suspended from high ceilings, Xin Dau Ji serves beautiful prepared regional classics like deep-fried pigeon, tender slices of chicken coated with Szechuan peppers, and spicy jumbo-sized shrimp.

Visit a World-Class Art Museum. On the edge of the large and relaxing People’s Park, the massive China Art Museum has a brilliant architectural design, modeled after the interlocking bracket roofs of traditional Chinese buildings. Exhibits focus on modern artists from China’s past century.

Afternoon

Take a Walk Along the Water. The Bund, a mile-long strip along the promenade of the Huangpu River, includes a tour of Shanghai’s many styles of architecture: neoclassical, Gothic, baroque and super-modern. Get a panoramic view of the city at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and take a break at Huangpu Park to see locals practicing tai chi.

Shop on a Legendary Road. A world-famous destination for luxury shopping, the neon-lit Nanjing Road, which neighbors The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, has over 600 stores, including a sprawling mall and boutiques that specialize in beautiful jade jewelry. More than 1 million people a day shop along the street, so there are plenty of opportunities for people-watching.

Evening

Have a Unique Dining Experience. Chef Alan Wong of Alan Wong’s at The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai interprets Hawaiian cuisine using ingredients from Hawaii and Asia. Order the Taste of Hawaii menu for ginger-crusted red snapper from Kagoshima, Japan, and Kalua pig, pork prepared in the style of luaus.

Step Back Into the 1920s. Cap off your evening with a trip back in time at Heydey, a small intimate venue that harks back to the glamorous days of 1920s and 30s Shanghai. Enjoy live jazz paired with classic cocktails as you toast to a great day.

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