7 Things to Do During a Quick Jaunt to Shanghai This Golden Week
In the interest of all things brotherly love and the building of bridges, on walls, over big swaths of wasteland between China's two coolest megalopolises, we used this upcoming Golden Week as an excuse to put a light on our sister city down south, the place we all love to hate, Shanghai.
Given that it's now pretty much too late to leave the confines of China with your next paycheck intact, Shangers is one of the few places still available to anyone looking to get out of Beijing for a quick jaunt. Given that the city is renowned for its colonial architecture, particularly walkable streets, world-class nosh, and endless cocktails, it certainly doesn't make a half-bad way to spend a few spare days.
In order to prove it, we reached out to the Beijinger's former Dining Editor Cat Nelson who just so happens to be Mrs. Fat Cat managing editor of Time Out Shanghai (timeoutshanghai.com) nowadays. Below are her top picks for what you should be drinking and eating (click "Read more" at the bottom of this article for directory info).
Egg
"Does Beijing have avocado toast yet? JK! Love you guys. Anyways, the one here is banging and they also do a really solid breakfast sandwich with twice-cooked bacon served on a pretzel bun. Good for your kombucha and coconut cold brew needs, too. The owner, Camden Hauge, has also opened two new spots, Bird and Bitter, over on Wuyuan Lu this year that are worth checking out – think aperitifs made by a talented ayi from Beijing at Bitter and natural wines plus small plates at Bird."
Propaganda Poster Art Center
"This spot seems like something Beijing should have. Tucked in the basement of an apartment building, it’s a massive private collection of well-preserved posters spanning the Cultural Revolution. Really gorgeous and something you won’t see anywhere else in the world."
Specters
"If you miss Beijing on your weekend away (I get it), then head here. Opened by Morgan Short who you might remember from the days of Smart Beijing (Ed's Note: As well as his stint on the back pages of the Beijinger magazine!) and the founders of Shanghai livehouse Yuyintang, this den of iniquity, with its punk rock aesthetic and '80s/Northern soul soundtrack, is a breath of (probably not fresh, but definitely something) air in a city of RMB 100 cocktails. Shanghai’s Temple Bar, basically."
The Bund
"I'll probably get eye rolls for this suggestion. Have I sold out, Beijing? But really, the views of Lujiazui are stunning and totally bizarre. Go for just before 7pm, when the skyline across the Huangpu light up and the Oriental Pearl Tower essentially turns into a glittery disco ball. It’s tacky and delightful. (And if that’s your vibe, then definitely consider taking sightseeing tunnel.) Grab a drink at The Captain – the drinks are good and, for The Bund, well priced, the vibe is chill and the terrace has a great vantage point to take in this tourist favorite. If you want to experience that really fancy Shanghai life, then go for the late-night dinner deal (Thu-Sat) at Paul Pairet’s French eatery Mr and Mrs Bund. They also have a small terrace to take in the Blade Runner views."
RAC
"Get a Breton galette at RAC Coffee but don’t go on weekends between 10am-3pm unless you want to experience the madness that is the decade-long Shanghai obsession with brunch. Everything on the menu is excellent and super cheesy, plus they have a great selection of natural wine."
Homeslice
"Shanghai’s best NYC-style pizza. Truly delightful. Go and see if you think it’s as good as Great Leap #45’s. It’s set in Found 158 which is a pretty weird but very popular pit of bar and restaurants – possibly worth seeing, too."
EPIC
"You’re in Shanghai so drink a fancy cocktail. Epic is amazing, set over multiple floors of an old Shanghai lanehouse on a quiet street in the former French Concession. Drinks run in the Shanghai spectrum of RMB 90-100, but Cross Yu is a genius and there are some really delicious, interesting drinks on the menu. I had one in a Champagne flute covered on the outside with meringue and fresh flowers that’s one of the most beautiful drinks I’ve had (and also very tasty)."
Photos: airfrance.fr, Yang Xiaozhe/Time Out Shanghai
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