TRAVEL DESTINATIONS SYD Magazine 13 JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE The Jade Buddha Temple, first built in 1882, is one of Shanghai’s landmark attractions. Follow devout monks in saffron robes chanting sutras to the reclining Buddha statue and sitting Buddha, both carved from jade. BOAT RIDE: HUANGPU RIVER Enjoy a 50-minute boat ride along the historic Huangpu River to the river town of Qibao. Explore the rich tradition of shadow plays at the Shadow Puppet Museum and stroll its Old Town to find eateries serving kaohongshu (roasted sweet potatoes). WANDER THE BUND Wander along the West Bund to admire Art Deco and Neoclassical buildings built in the early 20th century. Visit the famed Fairmont Peace Hotel Jazz Bar, where the average age of the resident band members is 82. MAJOR ATTRACTIONS Ask Wendy Wu Tours to craft a tailormade itinerary that includes Yu Gardens, Shanghai Museum and Mengxi Market, where queueing for jianbing (Shanghainese pancake) is a must. EAST NANJING ROAD Join the surging throngs of people wandering in and out of the stores along neon-lit East Nanjing Road before bunkering down at The Shanghai Edition, a hotel boasting views of the Bund and beyond. TAKE IN TIANZIFANG Tianzifang is known for its residential shikumen, which have been transformed into artists’ studios, galleries, boutiques and workshops. Mooch around the maze of alleys emblazoned with street art to get a feel for old Shanghai’s French Concession. TRY THIS NOODLE DISH Give the Lazy Susan a workout at Old Jesse, a Shanghai eatery. Don’t miss the signature delicacy of hairy crab meat and roe served with liang fen (thick mung bean noodles). SHANGHAI DISNEYLAND Download the Shanghai Disneyland app ahead of your visit to the theme park, which includes a shopping and entertainment precinct and Broadway-style theatre. Stay at the Toy Story Hotel, which has been designed around the Disney franchise. TEA CEREMONY Enjoy a tea ceremony at the Wan Ling Tea House where you can sample looseleaf Chinese teas over a tutored tasting that touches on the history and rituals surrounding the ceremony. AIM SKY HIGH The pulsing metropolis of Shanghai is not quite ancient China. But it has an aura of magic nonetheless. Take the world’s fastest lift to the 100th floor of Shanghai’s World Financial Centre to reach one of the world’s highest Sky Deck above ground level. The skyscraper punches 492 metres into the sky, offering a bird’s eye view of the city. With more travellers opting to transit in China on the way to Europe, Shanghai is in the spotlight. Here are our top layover experiences. ↘GETTING THERE Catch one of Sydney Airport’s double daily flights to Shanghai with China Eastern (www.ceair.com) or Juneyao Air (global.juneyaoair.com).
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