How to Make the Most of Your Business Trip to Shanghai
Shanghai-bound on business? Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or a first-timer, Shanghai has plenty that’s worth exploring in between meetings. Here’s our pick of the best cultural, dining and nightlife hotspots, and all within easy reach of your suite at The Peninsula.
EXPLORE
Impress clients with your prophetic knowledge of Shanghai’s urban trajectory with a visit to the fascinating Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. The name may sound drab, but the museum’s sprawling scale model of the shape of Shanghai to come is nothing short of breathtaking. History buffs, on the other hand, will love the interactive exhibits about the city’s illustrious past.
While much of Shanghai’s heritage architecture has disappeared in favour of sparkly new buildings, Rockbund Art Museum is a prime example of how the past and future can work together. The former Royal Asiatic Society was painstakingly reimagined by David Chipperfield to house the cream of contemporary Chinese art, and is now one of The Bund’s largest and most culturally significant attractions. Showing now is An Opera for Animals (until 25 Aug), an exhibit of 53 artists exploring contemporary and traditional performance. Afterwards, head to the sixth-floor cafe to enjoy fabulous Bund views from the outdoor terrace.
Proving that size isn’t everything, Matthew Liu Fine Arts offers a hushed, chic respite from the bustling Bund, set inside the Rockbund Development. Ex-financier Matt Liu, who has his finger firmly on the art scene pulse in both China and overseas, makes a big impact with his small space.
EAT
So, after a day of meetings, you’ve had it up to here with stiff linens and overworked, undersized morsels, all you seek is an honest, earthy, soul-warming meal; join the queue at aptly named Chengdu peppercorn sensation Spicy Joint, aka Xin Xiang Hui. Our favourite outlet, on Jinling Dong Lu, is a bright, modern paean to the tongue-numbing Sichuan repertoire, and all at an extremely affordable price point.
If you have more entertaining to do in the evening, book ahead for a meal-to-impress at Paul Pairet's Mr & Mrs Bund. The French food wizard lures a smart crowd with his spruced, whimsical brasserie fare, snazz patio and cheeky Pudong peeks. It’s also one of the city’s only late-night fine-diners.
DRINK
All work and no play makes Jack a dull fellow, so skip up to lavish bar-lounger The Nest to unwind and take in floor-to-ceiling skyline views of the city with grown-up tunes, raw-counter treats and crafty cocktails. Weekends get clubbby but weekdays are a decidedly sophisty affair.
However, for hands-down the sparkliest view in town, you can’t beat The Peninsula’s own Bund-sweeping alfresco perch, Sir Elly's Terrace, boasting an unobstructed outlook across the Huangpu river, a cracking selection of signature cocktails, chilled wines and rare whiskeys.
Urban Planning Exhibition Hall / People’s Square / 100 Renmin Nan Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 6372 3500 / 9am-5pm Thur- Tue
Rockbund Art Museum / 20 Huqiu Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 3310 9985 / 10am-6pm Tue-Sun / rockbundartmuseum.org
Matthew Liu Fine Arts / Suite 201-203 / 2/F 99 East Bei Jing Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 6315 1582 / 10am-6pm Tue-Sat / mlfinearts.com
Spicy Joint (Xin Xiang Hui) / 9/F / North XiZang Lu / Jingan / +86 40 0100 1717 / 11am-10pm daily / + branches
Mr & Mrs Bund / 6/F / Bund 18 / Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu / +86 21 6323 9898 / dinner daily, brunch Sat-Sun / mmbund.com
The Nest / 6/F / Zhongshi Mansion / 130 Beijing Dong Lu / Huangpu / +86 21 6308 7669 / 5pm-1am Sun-Thu, 5.30pm-3am Fri-Sat
Sir Elly's Terrace / 14/F / The Peninsula / +86 21 2327 6756 / 5pm-midnight Sun-Thu, 5pm-1am Fri-Sat / book well ahead / peninsula.com