Shanghai - A Long Weekend

[amaroo]

Shanghai trip reports are pretty sparse .... so here is one

Flights
QF J BNE-HKG
KA J HKG-PVG
KA J PVG-HKG
QF J HKG-BNE

Hotels
The Puli
Ritz Carlton (Pudong)

Restaurants (Shanghai)
Din Tai Fung
Hakkasan
Crystal Jade
Bistro 321 le Bec
Imperial Treasure (Michelin**)
Jin Xuan (Michelin*)

Restaurants (Hong Kong)
Lung King Heen (Michelin***)

 

[amaroo]

Given the AM departure we just couldn’t be bothered tagging a SYD flight down to the Flounge. First time flying Int out of BNE .... will probably be our last as the lounge was heaving and really unpleasant.

This trip actually started back in June with a long weekend in ADL, and it will end when we have another ADL weekend early next year.

It also coincided with a DSC offer all up the four of us will earn 1,080 SC each, enjoying family long weekends trips in Shanghai and 2 in ADL

Nice enough flight, some of the plates were poorly presented, but all were tasty.

 

[amaroo]

We had a pretty tight connection for the flight to PVG so basically didn’t have time to enjoy the CX lounges. Unfortunately the KA sector started with a bus ride on the tarmac.... man it’s a PITA way to board a plane.

KA J. The F&B offer was pretty grim, didn’t touch it or take photos. Very empty flight with the FA almost out numbering passengers.

 

[amaroo]

PVG was deserted so we whipped thru the formal stuff and jumped in the hotel car (free of charge) and headed to The PuLi Hotel.

Why are we staying at two hotels? We wanted to experience different parts of this huge city. The PuLi is located in Jing'An and I would recommend this location. We enjoyed what the area had to offer. The hotel is excellent and we would stay again.

Our suite



Welcome bottle in the room



All inclusive mini bar



Terrific views from this place

 

[LadyC]

Nice TR so far. Just popped into Lung King Heen for a quick lunch did you?

 

[amaroo]

The kids room



Spa/pool/gym

 

[moa999]

The old JingAn Hilton - triangular building on the right.
JingAn park is quite nice and so close to the French Quarter.

PuLi looks very nice

 

[amaroo]

Nice TR so far. Just popped into Lung King Heen for a quick lunch did you?

First thing we did when ticketing was build in an 8 hour layover, second thing was book a table. Stored the hand luggage for $40, airport express and star ferry - gotta love HKG!!





We had some wonderfully meals, but this one was the best. Throughly deserves his three ***

 

[Major]

Did you apply for the 144 hour visa or were you there longer ?

 

[amaroo]

Did you apply for the 144 hour visa or were you there longer ?

No, because we were connecting from / to HKG that visa is not allowed. FWIW the visa cost for the four of us was around $550

 

[amaroo]

A short cab ride from the hotel is Tianzifang located in the French Concession area. Yes, it’s touristy, but one of the best ones we’ve seen in our travels.

Good quality arty shops in tight rabbit warren lanes - they’ve done a good job.

Looks like many people are still living amongst this Shanghai tourist mecca.

 

[amaroo]

Having enjoyed and seen all that Tianzifang has to offer we walked over to Xintiandi - a glamped up eating and shopping district. Interesting history - renovated 19thC “shikumen” (stone gate houses)

The walk was excellent - beautiful tree lined streets and architecture.



First priority was lunch - Din Tai Fung. Who doesn’t like dumplings!!!





We then headed to Jing’an Temple. First built 247AD, moved to this location 1216, but given the Cultural Revolution and all that ..... this building isn’t all that old.



The PuLi is the far right building



A view from Jing’an Park

 

[amaroo]

The PuLi sells “club floor” and we had club access, however they don’t have a club.

The club benefits are very good though!!

Daily B’fast
24 hour butler service
Free mini bar with daily replenishment
Afternoon tea at the long bar
Food / drinks 17:00 to 20:00 at the long bar
Daily in-room aperitif
Daily laundry for 5 items
20% off all soa treatments
Free night for every 10 stays
Welcome drink - ours was a bottle of Moet

The Long Bar - main hotel bar that doubles as the club trough





The first night we ate at Hakkasan, located in Bund 18, the views are pretty spectacular. We’ve enjoyed eating at their London (Mayfair) restaurant so were keen to see how this one faired.

Lovely flavours, would recommend coming here.





We enjoyed a stroll after dinner..





Good to see he’s wearing the harness ... not sure about standing on the top rail leaning outside the platform cage.

 

[amaroo]

Yu Garden - built 1559. A 2 hectare gift to some blokes parents.

The Chinese don’t hold a candle to the Japanese on the garden building front.

 

[amaroo]

The next stop was a “lost in translation” experience, No idea how, but we ended up in the Bird and Cricket market (Zhoujiazui Rd)...

If you like crickets - come here !!!! They also had fish, turtles, flowers and things you can fiddle with.



The men were going wild over these things... hundreds of blokes fiddling!



Another poor cricket about to be terrorised with a stick.



Thank god - we found the exit.

 

[amaroo]

Confucius Temple





Also doubles as a book market every Sunday

 

[moa999]

Your bike and scooter pic reminds me of my recent Shanghai experience.

Shared bikes that work well, aren't thrown about (like in Melbourne and Sydney ) and are used...

But also all the electric scooters - deathly silent and driven on every sidewalk/footpath

 

[amaroo]

Next stop was the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre... this is an excellent museum and a must recommendation.









Soon enough it was time for lunch - Cystral Jade

 

[amaroo]

Just across the road from The PuLi is a little house that stands out like a sore thumb.

The former residence of Zhedong Mao...

Worth a look if you’re in the area. Apparently, this was once his bed.

A small plate from the Club (long bar)​

Views from the reflective pool



Some general photos of the lobby

 

[amaroo]

Tonight we enjoyed an absolute cracking meal - Bistro 321 Le Bec.

We’ve been told great things about the chef .... didn’t disappoint. Definitely put this one on your list!!