Best way to arrive International flights arrive at Pudong International Airport to the east of the city. A taxi ride to any of the downtown hotels should cost 150–200 yuan (€15–€20). Alternatively, take the Maglev Train (50 yuan (€5) one way/80 yuan (€8) round trip within seven days) and enjoy speeds of up to 430km/h as the magnetic train completes 30.5km to Longyang Metro Station in just over seven minutes. From there, grab a taxi or take the metro.

Recharge:

In the past decade, nearly all of the international brands have opened hotels in Shanghai. For superlatives, try the Park Hyatt (1) in Shanghai’s tallest building, the World Financial Center, has the world’s highest lobby on the 87th floor. Located next door, the Grand Hyatt (2) in the Jin Mao Tower is celebrated for its modern deco design. For a taste of Old Shanghai, try the Peninsula Hotel (3) on the Bund or the Peace Hotel (4) on Nanjing Road while budget travellers will appreciate the historic Astor House Hotel (5) by the Garden Bridge. Both the Portman-Ritz Carlton on West Nanjing Road and the Westin Bund Center have long been favourites of business travellers. For boutique hotels in renovated historic buildings, try JIA Shanghai on Taixing Road or URBN Hotel (6) on Jiaozhou Road (which features sustainable living with a zero-carbon footprint), both in the heart of the old International Settlement, while the Mansion Hotel on Xin Le Road is housed in the former clubhouse of Old Shanghai’s most notorious gangster, Du Yuesheng.

Refuel:

There are far too many excellent restaurants in Shanghai to list them all, but there are a few that must not be missed when visiting the city. For classic Shanghainese fare with Old Shanghai atmosphere, Yang’s Kitchen (7) on Hengshan Road is an longstanding favourite while, just next door, Le Garcon Chinois serves up topnotch Vietnamese cuisine and has a great bar to boot. Local favourite Bao Luo (8) on Fumin Road is always packed and is a standby for Shanghainese food. Those looking for something a bit racier may enjoy the spicy flavours of Hunanese food at Guyi (9), also on Fumin Road or the slightly more ethnic, Guizhou fare of Qian Xiang Ge on Middle Huaihai Road. Southern Beauty, with several locations around town, offers both spicy Sichuan food as well as Shanghainese food. The tastes of Taiwan can be had at Ding Tai Feng while Crystal Jade (10) is a go-to spot for Cantonese fare. And if you’re looking for Western food, Element Fresh (11) and Wagas are good bets, with numerous branches around town.

Relax:

Shanghai is a happening city and there’s something here for just about everyone. The Shanghai Museum (12) has a fantastic collection of priceless Chinese artefacts and antiques as well as great English-language signage. Those looking to check out Shanghai’s modern art scene would do well to visit the artist studios at M50  
(13) on Moganshan Road. For more traditional relaxation, Banyan Tree has a sumptuous Asian-style spa in the Westin Hotel while David’s Camp is a well-loved men’s spa with steam rooms, saunas and pools. JZ Club (14) is the heart of Shanghai’s jazz scene while Boona Café, with three locations throughout the French Concessions is the standard-bearer of its café culture. Newcomer Amokka Café (15) on Anfu Road has also created quite a buzz. Those looking to escape from the city can visit the touristy-but-beautiful canal village of Zhouzhuang while both Moganshan Lodge and Naked Retreats feature lodging in the bamboo forests of Old Shanghai’s premier expat summer retreat, Moganshan Mountain.

Anthony Zhao

Chef and freelance restaurant consultant

Best and worst things about Shanghai
Best Convenience stores are everywhere and open 24 hours. A courier can even do your shopping for you;
Worst Too many people, poor air quality and the pace of life can make people tense.

Best way to travel
My electric bike – I ride it everywhere. Also, the subway serves the entire city and the taxis are cheap and clean with very professional drivers.

Favorite secret place
The shops, cafes and art galleries hidden in old Shanghai-style row houses along Taikang Road. History without being touristy.

Best place to exercise
Shanghai Stadium offers rock climbing, tae kwon-do and kick boxing, as well as a great pool. It’s also got badminton, ping pong and other things.

Best place to refuel
For the best traditional Shanghainese food: Lan Ting on Songshan Road. There are only five tables so don’t expect to get in for lunch before 3pm without a long wait.

Most inspirational building
The Jin Mao Tower

Best tip
Say no if approached in People’s Square for a tea ceremony. They are likely to fleece you.

Worth noting
When buying knock-off goods aim for 30% off the opening price; walking away often helps get the price you want. Also, no need to tip in restaurants unless you feel you absolutely have to.

Bobo Zhang

President Asset Group and project manager Starbucks

Best and worst things about Shanghai
Best There are people and things from all over the world; Worst Winters are cold and most buildings lack central heating, while spring sees heavy rains. Also, rush-hour jostling on the metro at People’s Square

Best way to travel
The Metro: Ten lines link the entire city.

Favorite secret place
In a corner on the first floor of Pudong’s Grand Mall, Rose Garden off ers refined and delicate English-style high tea. Perfect after a busy day shopping.

Best place to exercise
Alexander Gym off ers an indoor swimming pool as well as yoga, spinning and pilates in addition to the traditional machines and weights.

Best place to relax
Starbucks in Central Plaza on Huaihai Road. Rarely crowded yet strategically located in the heart of Shanghai’s busiest shopping district.

Best place to refuel
Xin Wang. Th is place has great Cantonese-style food, locations on Changle Road and on Huahai Road (across from Times Square) and is open till late at night.

Most inspirational building
Located in the former clubhouse building of the Shanghai Racing Club, the Shanghai Art Museum has a glass-enclosed atrium on the roof with a restaurant and bar.

Best tip
If you like Japanese food, there are lots of places off ering all-you-can-eat/drink sushi, teppanyaki and sake for a song

Worth noting
Open taxis are an endangered species during quitting time on Fridays and rain makes it much worse. Reserve a car or take the metro.

Crystyl Mo

Writer & food editor, Timeout Shanghai

Best and worst things about Shanghai
Best Great lifestyle at an affordable rate. You can eat out, take taxis and hire maids without having a top job; Worst Pollution and the lack of natural green space. Trees are planted with military precision.

Best way to travel
The bus and metro. English-language signage is improving. If you’re lost, ask. Most are happy to help.

Favorite secret place
Veggie restaurant Wu Guan Tang on Xinhua Road. Affordable and a peaceful atmosphere.

Best place to exercise
Jogging in the French Concession. Colonial houses and relatively uncrowded by night.

Best place to relax
Hard to find, Geng Yue Ren teahouse in the old city has a beautiful interior with antique furniture and 68 yuan (€7) buys endless tea and a buffet of snacks, dried fruit and nuts.

Best place to refuel
Donghu Road in the French Concession offers Western and Japanese food as well as wine bars. For local food, try Dingxi Road.

Most inspirational building
The former home of the British Consulate (now Yongfoo Élite bar and lounge). Visit by day to enjoy the building and grounds.

Best tip
The English infoline, 962288, for anything from buses to where to buy pet food.

Worth noting
Appreciate migrant workers: they worked hard to build this city.

On the map

Treading Lightly

While Shanghai may not be known for environmental protection, it was only a matter of time until someone married the future of sustainable development and carbon neutrality with Shanghai’s burgeoning design and hotel industries.

Enter Scott Barrack, the 33-year-old US founder of SPACE Development and URBN hotels. Barrack, disappointed by the lack of rental access to old colonial properties in Shanghai, decided, in 2000, to go into the real estate business for himself, sourcing properties in the French Concession for mainly foreign tenants. When the market opened to foreigners to buy properties in 2001, he bought some and as his company matured, he ventured into design and consulting, opening SPACE Development in 2005 and helping clients acquire and renovate old buildings. Today, it is a one-stop shop covering acquisitions, construction, sales, marketing and management with over 20 redevelopment projects under its belt.

Three to four years ago, he began another ambitious business venture. “People suddenly started asking about boutique hotels,” he recalls, “and there was nothing in the old concessions.” He bought an old house, turned it into a service hotel with five rooms. While looking for his next hotel property, he made a lifestyle decision that translated into his work. The result was URBN hotels, part of SPACE Development and China’s first carbon neutral hotel, built with 100% local materials, using recycled wood from old houses and reclaimed bricks, while adopting a tree-planting programme in Inner Mongolia to off set desertification. Working with numerous partners around Shanghai and further afield, it tries to promote a better understanding of sustainability and environmental protection. Barrack says sustainability also translates into better links with his environment, meaning hotel guests have access to everything from tai chi to architectural tours of Old Shanghai from the sidecars of vintage Chinese three-wheeled motorcycles.

SPACE and URBN have three projects planned for 2010, including a beachside villa development in Sri Lanka.