The visit started at 1130pm with a night cap organized by the tv and cosmetics icon, Yue Sai Kan, at her home high above Shanghai. Now, here's a woman who chased her dream in China 20 years ago and always maintained a positive attitude despite the ups and downs of doing business in China.
Surprisingly, there was a Singaporean friend there as well, Tina Tan Leo, from The Link, who was in town for her wedding show and to promote her new brand "All Dressed Up." Tina's another high achiever who told me during my CNBC talk show that she "never says die!"
It was a great beginning to my trip meeting several astonishing women, but in the end we were just 4 guys (frat brothers) wandering the streets of this great city over the long weekend just before the start of the Shanghai TV and Film Festival.
Shanghai is one of the 3 hottest cities in the world to do business and maybe the hottest city in Asia. There's no wonder!
Here are some tips on how to enjoy it when you're not working:
WHERE TO STAY
Pick someplace central.
I made City Life, a five star service apartment and The Four Seasons Hotel across the street near West Nanjing Road my bases, but there are good choices in every hotel category from 5 star to 3 star. The Shangri-la, Radisson, Marriott, Grand Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, JC Mandarin are all good choices with good locations.
THINGS TO DO
There are two "must" experiences in Shanghai which you ought to do on the first and second nights.
You must spend an evening at the Bund and see it's brightly lit 19th and early 20th century buildings and compare it to the ultra-modern development across the water in Pudong.
After the Bund, one shouldn't miss Xintiandi, the old French quarter, preserved, but revitalized by someone I know, Vincent Lo, from Hong Kong. Almost everyone meets outside of the Starbucks before walking through the cafes and nightlife. I really think that when I was there on a Friday night, there were at least several hundred thousand people sitting, drinking, eating and walking. It was Shanghai at its best - a people watching festival.
PLACES TO EAT, DRINK AND PARTY
Shanghai food is delicious and quite reasonably price. From the "ma and pa" dumpling shops to the fancy restaurants, I was seldom disappointed.
Here are some recommendations:
1. South Beauty 881........for the 5 star experience.
2. Shanghai Uncle........popular with both businessmen and tourists, this restaurant has good food and is good look to it, but don't expect great service! Be sure to have the river shrimp and the eel!
3. Home.........located at the latest in-spot called Julu Road, it's located in a new townhouse and is known for good value. A celebrity or two will inevitably come in and have dinner. The pan-fried dates are a specialty!
4. Din Tai Fung.......a chain of high quality restaurants from Taiwan has a branch in Gubei which is the Taiwanese ghetto. Great xiao long bao with dumpling skins that are thin yet hold the broth in!
5. Jazz Bar on 37 at the Four Seasons is a good choice if you're looking for a quiet setting with music and a view of the city or just a place to smoke a cigar and laugh with friends.
6. Sky Dome......located at the Radisson on East Nanjing Road......it has a revolving restaurant below it and has a nice medley of music that begins in the evening and ends around 1am. Great revolving views of the entire city!
7. Jean-Georges.......I know Jean-Georges and I've been to his celebrity dinners in Hong Kong and visited his places in New York. Totally fusion, but a great treat. Don't expect any deals here!
8. Latin music and salsa are in......there are several which specialize in latin: From Zapata's to 1 Club to Monsoon to even Trader Vic's! Or, you can just hit a traditional club like: ARK in Xintiandi, Mews and Attica.
If you have a special request, just send me your comment on this blog.
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