Weekend in Shanghai, Stay at Hyatt on the Bund

[9V-SIA]

Xin Tian Di

We've been to Shanghai now 5 times in the past 4 years.
Each time we've explored different sections of the city.
But only one have we re-visited every single time we visit... Xin Tian Di.

I like XTD because:

1. Traditional shikumen ("stone gate") houses have been successfully preserved amidst the carnage called modernization
2. Nice shopping and eating outlets
3. A museum offers a glimpse of what life used to be like in these old houses

Since our last visit 2 years ago, the trees are more mature.
Outlets have come and gone within XTD.
Xin Ji Shi though has stood the test of time, and we eat there every visit

Xin Ji Shi





We noticed this time a larger presence of local food chains like Xiao Nan Guo and Southern Beauty.

Lunch at Xiao Nan Guo.

A change in etiquette because of concerns about hygiene..
Black chopsticks: for putting food onto your plate
White chopsticks: for eating



Some of my favourite Shanghai specialties..
..Rice Cakes with Shanghai Hairy Crab
Except that SHC was out of season so they gave us an alternative type



Fresh River Shrimps




At the entrance to XTD ( Starbucks end ), Conrad Hotel and Jumeirah Hotel stand unfinished.
They have different owners with shared facilities and they are fighting over something so work has stopped.
Can you imagine the tourists flocking to XTD during World Expo 2010 and seeing these unfinished hotels?
I understand the Shanghai City Council is now "mediating".

The Conrad Hotel overlooking XTD



Xin Tian Di much nicer now, with trees more mature.
And the sound of crickets is deafening!
Like being in the middle of a jungle except you are in the middle of a city of 17 million.

[9V-SIA]

Maglev


On arrival, limo ( Audi A6 ) picked us at the airport
At departure, we wanted to try the Maglev to the airport.
The taxi took us through parts of Pudong not meant for our delicate tourist eyes.
Not a pretty sight..

Anyway the fares:
50 RMB one way economy
100 RMB one way first class
20% discount if you have an air ticket
Cheaper if you buy return fare

Here comes the Maglev...





Some interior shots





I was waiting till the train hit 431 km/h before taking the picture but we only reached 301 km/h.
Maybe it was the rain...

[9V-SIA]

Shanghai Airport

2 new things for me:

1. Terminal 2 is open now
2. The contract lounge ( IIRC Shanghai Airlines ) is vast improvement over SQ lounge

The new lounge is spacious, airy and has wonderful views of the runways.
The food looked good, with lots of choices





I got a good view of the two terminals as we taxied to the runway
Terminal 2, where SQ operates out of, has a "wavy" roof line



Terminal 1 has a "butterfly" roof



The flight back was by 772, 3 class layout
It was full in business class



The food was good. The menu...



Stirfried sliced beef fillet..



Watched "Wolverine" & "Star Trek" for the trip, plus an interesting documentary on architect Frank Lloyd Wright

And luckily the landing at Changi was less dramatic than at Shanghai!


Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this TR

THE END

[N_Architect]

Very nice, 9V-SIA; thank you for sharing.

XTD is a nice place, but never been to Xin Ji Si, guess should try it next year when I visit Shanghai again.

[KeithMEL]

Fab TR, 9V-SIA!

[HUGE AL]

I was wondering why such a beautiful hotel is a Longement..

Don't know much about them. Are they known for being bad?

[9V-SIA]

Very nice, 9V-SIA; thank you for sharing.

XTD is a nice place, but never been to Xin Ji Si, guess should try it next year when I visit Shanghai again.

Thank you.

XJS is worth checking out if you want Shanghai food.

Good luck in the new job.

Fab TR, 9V-SIA!

Thanks.

Will be trying W Hong Kong next month on the strength of your endorsements!

Don't know much about them. Are they known for being bad?

Did I mis-read your post?
From your post, I gather the Longemont was formerly run as a Regent Hotel.
The owners of the Regent brand were unhappy with the standards and stripped them of the brand.
The hotel then rebranded as Longemont Hotel

OT but Four Seasons Shanghai was disappointing too.
We stayed there when we watched Yo Yo Mah perform at the Shanghai Grand Theatre

[HUGE AL]

Did I mis-read your post?
From your post, I gather the Longemont was formerly run as a Regent Hotel.
The owners of the Regent brand were unhappy with the standards and stripped them of the brand.
The hotel then rebranded as Longemont Hotel

Correct. The you responded:

I was wondering why such a beautiful hotel is a Longement..

Which gave me the impression that you were familiar with the Longemont brand as you were comparing it to other properties of theirs.

[9V-JKL]

Thanks for sharing 9V-SIA.

Am surprised that XTD has so little people around. Especially lunch time. The 2 times I've been to Shanghai, its always full of people; perhaps it was F1 weekend.

The food was good. The menu...

Where's the Satay?

[9V-SIA]

OK I'm clear now, HUGE AL

Where's the Satay?

That was exactly what I thought.

Flying to PVG on SQ 831, I noted that satay was served both ways.

Was looking forward to the satay....

[milehighj]

Xin Ji Shi though has stood the test of time, and we eat there every visit

If you haven't already, you really should try the original Ji Shi in the French Concession.

[jjpb3]

Very nice TR, 9V-SIA. Shanghai is one of the places I'd love to visit, though I think I'll need to give myself more than a weekend, given the energy in that city.

[allmotor_2000]

I am on SQ 828 and 835 next month. Was F-section empty?

[9V-SIA]

If you haven't already, you really should try the original Ji Shi in the French Concession.

I will follow your recommendation next visit.

Very nice TR, 9V-SIA. Shanghai is one of the places I'd love to visit, though I think I'll need to give myself more than a weekend, given the energy in that city.

Thank you. Worth a visit for sure.

I am on SQ 828 and 835 next month. Was F-section empty?

No. Not full. Not empty either..

[feb01mel]

allmotor_2000,

SQ828 and SQ825, I took it last month, be noted the aircraft (B777-200) may be the old regional F, with non-AVOD in flight entertainment, meaning there are only 22 channels on the Krisworld.

Also, SQ828 is serving brunch, thus it is not a complete meal to what I feel. Their dessert is just a selection from the fruit basket, if it is lunch or dinner(full meal), there will be a dessert (either cake or ice cream) & serving of cheese, garnishes, together with fruits. This is just an advise for you in case the meal selection matters to you. SQ835, however, is serving full dinner service.

SQ828 & SQ835 are pretty odd timing departure flights, thus usually it is light load. I was lucky to have 2 pax (including myself) on SQ828 and on SQ835, I am the only pax then.

As for satay service, yesterday I was on A380 HKG to SIN, dinner service, there is also no satay service anymore, seems they have scrapped it for certain sectors.