As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
Street Food
While walking the streets of Shanghai you will be presented with hundreds of opportunities to sample various forms of street food. One delicacy that westerners rave about is the Dan Bing (lit. egg pancake). The NY Times said, ‘Mr. Vongerichten, in seventh heaven, pronounced it “the best breakfast in the world.”’ These crepe-like delights are cooked on top of a flat drum shaped grill. The cost? About 2 RMB or 25 cents U.S. If you want to be a connoisseur try to taste both the northern and southern styles.
Also, don’t hesitate to drop into one of the Uygur noodle eateries that you will find on most streets. The proprietors of these shops are members of one of China’s recognized fifty-six nationalities. Order a bowl of noodles with eggs (ji dan mian) and spend about 50 cents U.S.
Need English Language Reading Material?
The Shanghai Foreign Language book store on Fuzhou Lu., near the People’s Square, is the one place to find all your English language reading materials. Their shelves are populated with textbooks, popular fiction, DVDs, music, dictionaries, and even copies of the King James Bible! From the People’s Square Metro stop walk east on Fuzhou Lu.
Shanghai Foreign Language Book Store
Address: 390 Fuzhou Lu, by Fujian Zhong Lu
Telephone: 6322 3200
Laser Tag
Having a bad China day? It happens to the best of us. One way to vent frustration is to get a gang of friends together and battle it out with a full-blown game of laser tag. Near the Hong Kou Stadium Metro Stop, Planet Laser Tag is where you want to be to forget about China for a while.
Planet Laser Tag
4/F 4th Stand Hongkou Football Stadium
444 Dongjiangwan Lu
Tel: 5560 0658
St. Ignatius
While in Shanghai you might want to stop and see St. Ignatius church in the Xujiahui district. The cruciform-shaped, red brick church is a major landmark in this district and was built in 1904. Today it serves the approximately 140,000 people strong Chinese Catholic community that calls Shanghai its home. Sunday services are held at: 06:00, 07:30, 10:00 and 6:00 p.m. and held in Chinese. From the Xujiahui Metro stop take exit 3. After service be sure to check out all the shopping that makes this area famous.
Parks and More Parks
Shanghai has over 100 parks that are free to visit. Be sure to find time to visit at least a few. One of the best is Lu Xun Park (魯迅公園) located in the Hong Kou district. You can see couples ballroom dancing, men playing cards, and if you listen carefully you might even hear someone playing traditional Chinese music on a flute.
