Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I picked up this little book on a whim, as a supplement to the full-size China guidebook we'd already purchased when we were planning a two-week vacation to Shanghai and the surrounding region. We ended up spending 7 action-packed and interesting days in Shanghai, and I didn't even crack open the "big book." This little guide is proof that good things come in small packages.
The author, Christopher Pitts, clearly knows Shanghai well and did his research thoroughly. "Shanghai Encounter" presents all the information that an independent-minded traveler or an expat would need to get them started on exploring and enjoying this dynamic city. I appreciated the snapshots of different neighborhoods at the beginning of the book, the suggested itineraries, as well as the historical, cultural and practical information at the end. In between are brief write-ups for each neighborhood, complete with recommended sights, restaurants, shopping, bars and nightlife. There are also handy neighborhood maps in the book, which means you don't have to pull out a giant arms'-width map as you wander the city. (Be forewarned, though, that taxi drivers don't do well with these small snapshot maps: although they have Chinese characters for the street names, it's harder for drivers to get their bearings than when looking at a big map, at least in our experience.)
Using this book, we explored many different neighborhoods of Shanghai, including areas like the Ohel Moshe synagogue in Hongkou and the M50 art gallery district in Jing'an where most people we met assumed we must be expats living in the city: apparently most tourists don't get there. I found the author's tips and recommendations to be helpful and spot-on; we enjoyed all the sites, shops and restaurants he recommended (though we didn't stick to them exclusively).
For anyone planning to spend more than a day or two in Shanghai, I'd highly recommend this book as an indispensable pocket companion. The city's changing fast, and you'll want to supplement this guidebook with tripadvisor or hotels.com reviews for finding a hotel; shanghaiist and city weekend shanghai for up-to-the-minute information on restaurant and nightlife reviews; a full-size, updated map (including a metro map), which most hotels will provide for free; and of course, any and all advice from friends and contacts in Shanghai. That said, buying this book and skimming it cover-to-cover is probably the quickest and best way to ensure you get the most out of your time in Shanghai. Recommended without reservation. I'm so glad I happened upon it before our trip!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Lonely Planet Shanghai Encounter
What Will Your Shanghai Encounter Be?Drinking in the riverside view from the historic Bund's barsSizing up the sci-fi skyscrapers of futuristic PudongBargain-hunting, café-hopping and art-ogling amidst the traditional architecture of TianzifangIndulging in the chic charm of the French Concession's tree-lined boulevardsEscaping modernity to the quintessentially Chinese landscapes just outside of townDiscovering the street-level character of lilong lanes and longtang architectureDiscover Twice The City In Half The TimeEasy navigation with full-color pull-out map, detailed neighborhood maps and Chinese characters throughout the bookOur expert author explores atmospheric alleys and sleek skyscrapers for the best shopping, eating, drinking, entertainment and sightsHighlights and customized itineraries help you make the most of your short tripGet behind the scenes with insider tips from tuned-in locals, from a traditional woodcarver to a modern-day fashionista
Get 20% OFF
Click here for more information about Lonely Planet Shanghai Encounter
0 comments:
Post a Comment