Tour Shanghaiby MTR

　　Located in the center of Shanghai, the square is home to the Shanghai Municipal Government Building, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theater and Shanghai City Planning Exhibition Hall. There is a large stretch of lawn measuring 320 square meters in the middle of the square and thousands of pigeons gather on its west side.

　　Recommendations*Shanghai City Planning Exhibition Hall (上海城市规划展示厅)On the east side of the People’s Square, it is one of the cities’ new key tourist attractions. Focusing on the city’s economy, culture and society, its theme presents the harmonious elements of “City, Mankind, Environment and Development.”Inside the hall, the most eye-catching exhibit is a huge model of the current city structures, over 600 square meters in size, which is the largest of its kind in the world.Address: 100 Renmin BoulevardTime: 9:00-16:00Tel: 021-63722077Ticket: 20 yuan

　　*Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆)The Shanghai Museum, founded in 1952, is well-known for its collection of ancient artwork. In the shape of a huge dome atop a square platform, the museum houses some 120,000 cultural relics. Highlights of the collection are the bronzes, pottery, porcelain and paintings.Address: 201 Renmin BoulevardTime: 9:00-17:00Tel: 021-81885785Ticket: 20 yuan

　　Several department stores are located in this area. Huijin (汇金百货) and the East Tower (东方商厦) sell high-priced items while the No. 6 Department Store (上海六百) caters to medium range incomes.

　　Recommendations*Xujiahui Cathedral (徐家汇大教堂)Xujiahui is not only a business center but also a place of culture. The renowned Xujiahui Cathedral is a typical Gothic structure.

　　Currently there are two MTR lines in Shanghai. Line 1 starts from the Shanghai Railway Station (上海火车站) in Zhabei District in the north of the city and ends at Xinzhuang (莘庄) in the southwest, running for 21 km with 16 stops. Line 2 starts from Zhongshan Park (中山公园) in Puxi and ends at Zhangjiang High-Tech Industrial Park (张江高科技工业园) in Pudong with a distance of 16 km and 13 stops. The lines cross at the People’s Square (人民广场) where passengers may change from one line to the other.

　　The station is very near to Huaihai Road (淮海路), which, in the eyes of local residents, sets the trends for city life. Hundreds of shop windows displaying the most fashionable articles line the street.

　　Recommendations*Xintiandi Plaza (新天地广场)Xintiandi, literally “new sky and earth,” is located on the southern side of Huangpi Nanlu. It has a floor space of 60,000 square meters. The houses, known as “Shikumen,” retain their original walls and rooftops, but the interior of each building has been thoroughly renovated and furnished for modern city dwellers.

　　*La Maison of French CuisineLa Maison in Xintiandi is an influential catering business. Chef Eric Parez, one of the top 10 bakers in the world, was once invited to make a cake for former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s birthday. The restaurant’s wine cellar contains over 100,000 bottles of nearly 500 well-known brands.

　　People liken Shaanxi Road to an attractive, fashionable young woman. Just watching the energetic and beautifully dressed young women is an enjoyable pastime.

　　Recommendations*Spring in Paris (巴黎春天) and Parkson Shopping Center (百盛购物中心)As you emerge from the station, you see the department store Spring in Paris, one of the most expensive stores in Shanghai. As its prices are so high, most people here are only window-shopping. However, the Parkson Shopping Center across the street is very popular. Both prices and brands are mid-range, and appeal to many customers.

　　*Women’s Street (女人街)When you exit the stop, just follow the stream and you’ll reach the Women’s Street, featuring the latest lady’s wear and refined, decorative objects. According to incomplete statistics, the volume of visitors is as high as 50,000 per day and can reach 100,000 on weekends.Address: Junction of Huaihai Road and Xiangyang Road (淮海路和襄阳路交汇处)