When it was time to depart China’s capital city, I was pleased to have selected Air China as the carrier that would fly me to Shanghai. First, as a dedicated United Airlines frequent flyer, I wanted to book that flight with another Star Alliance airline. As a member of the alliance and China's sole flag carrier, Air China has a strong domestic and international route network with extensive daily frequency between the two cities. Second, despite being initially unfamiliar with Air China, I discovered they do have a very nice perk for their First Class passengers, namely VIP Ground Services in China. As part of my ticket, I was entitled to a free transfer to and from airports within the country and received a confirmation email the day before my flight, which specified my pickup time from the JW Marriott Hotel. It worked like a charm and I enjoyed the afternoon ride in a spotless Mercedes S-class sedan back to the Beijing Capital International Airport. After a short wait at the check-in desk in Terminal 3, I cleared security and headed to the Air China Domestic First Class Lounge on the Mezzanine Level in the direction of Gates C19-30. The airport was quite crowded on that particular day and so this lovely lounge provided a welcome respite from the crowds. It featured dining areas in which to enjoy the plentiful buffet, along with televisions, a business center and “quiet rooms” for rest and relaxation.
Boarding commenced promptly at 4:40 PM for our afternoon flight aboard an Airbus A320-200 aircraft. There were eight seats in the forward cabin in a 2x2 configuration in two rows. After being welcomed by the purser, I was shown to my seat in the second row on the port side of the aircraft. This comfortable recliner seat measured 21” in width with a good 36” pitch or separation between the seats in each row. A pillow and blanket had been placed on the seat. Water bottles and headphones were also made available up front along with slippers, which were actually unpackaged by one of the flight attendants! Water or orange juice were offered as pre departure beverages, served with a package of nuts as we taxied for departure. Once dinner orders were taken, we were airborne. Shortly after takeoff, our tray tables were set with linens and flatware, drink orders were taken and the meal service began. While everything was served together on one tray, it was impressive. I enjoyed a small dish of Sliced Fruit and an appetizer of Duck Terrine and had selected the Beef dish, accompanied by Potatoes and Succotash along with warm breads. A slice of Chocolate Cake was also placed on the tray for dessert. All in all, it was a fine meal for this short, two-hour domestic flight. Prior to arrival, a flight attendant offered another round of drinks and then prepared the cabin for landing at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. From our gate in Terminal 3, it was a short walk to baggage claim where I found my driver who soon whisked me into the city in another spotless Mercedes S-class sedan.
We covered the 18-mile distance to the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong Hotel in about half an hour. The hotel is located on the upper floors of a stylish 58-story tower in Lujiazui, in the very heart of Shanghai’s commercial, financial and upscale retail center. This five-star luxury hotel occupies the top 18 floors of the Shanghai International Finance Center, connected to a luxury shopping mall. The rooms overlook the Bund and the Huangpu River. Check-in was speedy and efficient and I was fortunate to receive an upgrade to a King-bedded City View Room with access to the 24-hour Club Lounge. My large 560 square foot room included floor-to-ceiling windows and a walk-in closet, a sofa and oversized chair as well as an in-room safe and dual voltage nightstand outlets, complimentary Wi-fi, and a writing desk with additional electrical outlets. The marble bathroom was outfitted with an oversized tub with spray jets and a separate shower, as well as double vanities, Asprey Bath Amenities, robes and slippers. The Club Lounge was exceptional in every way. Located on Level 49 of the hotel, this lounge consisted of a buffet area, plush chairs and sofas for conversation and relaxing, two work stations and two meeting rooms. The well-furnished lounge provided a perfect backdrop to enjoy evening cocktails at the bar area or experience the unmatched culinary distinction of the hotel's chefs through their five daily food and beverage presentations. These included full breakfast, light lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails with canapés and dessert. This Ritz-Carlton also offered a luxury spa experience and four dining choices, including the Flair Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge, the Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar, the Italian Scena Di Angelo Restaurant and the Cantonese Jin Xuan Chinese Restaurant. The hotel was a superb spot in which to enjoy the nation’s largest city of over 26 million.
Once my business commitments were satisfied, I was anxious to explore Shanghai. My first stop was the Bund, very nearby and famous for being home to 52 historical Western-style buildings which date from the late Nineteenth to early Twentieth Centuries. They serve as a reminder of the role of Western colonial influence in the city’s history and development and today, those buildings are a living museum and collectively, they make up one of the most visited destinations for travelers in China.There was no better way for me to appreciate the architectural significance of the Bund’s historical structures than to walk along the nearly mile- long stretch of waterfront they occupy. It took me a few hours but strolling along the Bund afforded me the opportunity to explore those timeless buildings while gazing across the Huangpu River to marvel at the iconic Lujiazui skyline, featuring some of the city’s most famous buildings, like the Oriental Pearl Tower.
This tower was one of the highlights of my visit. Completed in 1995, the Oriental Pearl Television Tower stands an astounding 1,531 feet above the ground making it the sixth tallest tower in the world and the second tallest in China (after the Canton Tower in Guangzhou). We traveled up and down the tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to fifty people traveling at the rate of nearly 23 feet per second. The elevator attendants recited an introduction to the TV Tower in both English and Chinese during our rapid quarter-mile ascent. They first took us to the main observation deck located at a height of 862 feet. Here, I appreciated the impressive aerial view of Shanghai from all directions. Although I didn’t visit, there was a revolving buffet restaurant, which rotated once every hour and a half, situated directly above the main observation deck. I didn’t regret it because the best part of my visit was the Skywalk. Located underneath the middle observation sphere nearly 1,000 feet above the ground. The wraparound glass deck was not for the feint of heart, but offered stunning views of the Pudong and Bund areas. My final destination was the Museum of the History of Shanghai at the ground floor of the tower. The museum had a wide variety of collections. These including models of several historic buildings and over 100 life sized wax figures, thousands of smaller wax figures and hundreds of historical artifacts, all showing the history and development of Shanghai.
Like Hong Kong, Shanghai is well known and highly regarded for its retail scene. The city’s premier shopping street is Nanjing Road, a 3.4 mile long expanse beginning at the Bund in the east and ending in the west at the junction of Jing’an Temple and West Yan’an Streets. I was told it was a must-see metropolitan destination and came to quickly appreciate why it attracts thousands of fashion-seeking shoppers from all corners of the world. Over 600 businesses are located here which offered countless high quality famous brands. The upscale stores include Tiffany, Mont Blanc, Omega, and Dunhill, just to name a few. Approximately a hundred traditional stores and specialty shops also provide choice silk goods, jade, embroidery, wool, and clocks. I visited Nanjing Road at night when flashing neon signs illuminated the stately buildings and when the open-air bars and lingering sounds from the street musicians enhanced my evening stroll. It was an experience not to be missed.
After a few days of sensory overload, it was a real pleasure to experience the Yuyuan Garden, a welcome oasis in the center of the old city. This classical garden dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). complete with period-style buildings. The garden is composed of six scenic areas and contains decorative halls, elaborate pavilions, glittering pools, zigzag bridges, pagodas, archways, and impressive rock gardens. At nearly five acres in size, the Yu Garden offered a glimpse of classical Chinese architecture set amid exquisite sculptures and carvings. It also gave me the opportunity to see the busy Yuyuan Bazaar, a bustling marketplace set in an old Chinese neighborhood with traditional architecture and shops selling everything from dumplings to kitsch.
There was certainly plenty more to see and appreciate in Shanghai, but my time was limited and so whatever treasures remained for me to explore were best left for a future visit.
Until next time…safe travels.
Again, as always your descriptive language brings me to the place and time along with you! Another place I will never see but through your eyes! Thanks ❤️