Shanghai’s Quirky Charms

“I used to sit in this small park with a cup of coffee before I went to work. It’s an interesting experience to be in the park and see modern shopping malls on one side of you and tall green trees on the other. At night, older couples gather in the park for group dancing.” —Bartender Tree Mao on the French Concession.

Architecture lovers flock to the Huangpu River’s western side to stroll the Bund, a waterfront tourist magnet in central Shanghai. There’s a glorious mishmash of late-19th- and early-20th-century styles here, from Gothic revival to art deco. Walk by the Fairmont Peace Hotel—first opened in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel—to behold its copper pyramid roof turned aqua with age. (Talk about aging gracefully.) Then hit the marble-floored HSBC Building (No. 12) to admire the domed ceiling’s eight mosaic murals, with frescoes depicting the 12 zodiac signs.

Shanghai’s streetside carts are often filled with things you never knew you needed: ceramic bowls, DVDs, notebooks, even small pets like rabbits and hamsters. But flowers, however - everyone needs flowers! Shanghai‘s flower carts are the indicators of the best blooms in season. Keep and eye out for beautiful, bulbous lotus flowers that open up the eye-catching layers of petals. Carnations, daisies, ranunculus, and tulips, when in season, also encourage a spontaneous purchase. Prices here, of course, are the best you’ll find in town. But the more you buy, the better position you’ll be in to bargain for an even better price.