The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2019 - Issue 26

bite travel L ying on the estuary of the Yangtze River, the beauti- ful city of Shanghai is modern and bustling, and the centre of China’s trade and industry. Here you will find European-style architecture, traditional Chinese buildings as well as sleek modern developments that co-exist in this cosmopolitan metropolis. An example of the elegant old Shanghai is the Yangtze Boutique Hotel, a masterpiece of art deco style located close to People’s Park just behind the Bund, the famous waterfront area in central Shanghai. Almost like South Bank in London, the Bund is a mile-long stretch of waterfront promenade along the Huangpu River with colonial buildings and skyscraper views in its sight. To the west of this stretch, there are 52 buildings of various archi- tectural styles including gothic, baroque, and neoclassic styles, which are usually referred to as the ‘museum of buildings’. The best way to appreciate its architectural complexes is by walking along the Bund. Across the Huangpu River in the Pudong district’s futuristic skyline is Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building which stands at 632 metres, with five basement levels, 127 floors above ground and five podium floors. To the east of this building is Shanghai World Financial Centre and to the west, Jin Mao Tower. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower with its distinctive pink spheres is another fascinating building. At a height of 468 me- tres, it has 14 floors and is a dwarf compared to the Shanghai Tower. As with most cities, there are both old and new parts in Shanghai, including Fuxing Park, the lively streets of Xintiandi and the Huxinting Tea House. One of the highlights in the city is the Shanghai French Con- cession, an area that was once designated for the French, and is now one of the city’s most stylish parts. After China lost the Opium War in 1842, the government of Shanghai conceded a large segment of land to the French consulate, after which the French Concession was built in April 1849. The streets around this building are lined with trees and house a growing num- ber of trendy boutiques and restaurants. On Changle Road and Xinle Road, there are several small designer clothing shops while interesting architecture built with French and Belgian venture investments shows a mix of Chinese-European styles. Fuxing Park, once a Ming Dynasty private garden until the French took it over in 1909, and returned to the natives in the early 1950s, is today a vibrant gathering spot that is open to the public. A peaceful place where locals play mahjong, practice tai chi, write calligraphy, and fly kites amid the sycamore trees, it’s