Shanghai...Any feedback, tips, must dos, warnings, etc?

Do not order general Tso’s chicken they will laugh at you

House of Roosevelt on the Bund.

One time I stayed at Four Seasons and the other was at this former palace that was now and Intercontinental. Both were incredible hotels.

Speaklow bar and Mr and Mrs Bund restaurant were great.

My trip was pre-covid, but the view of the Bund from House of Roosevelt with the futuristic skyscrapers across the river is one of the most memorable thing I have seen in all my travels.

Find a real Chinese foot massage place too.

Peace Hotel for tea or cocktails.

It’s been a decade for me. Spent some time there in grad school. I’m sure it’s grown even more since I last visited.

Hit Jia Jia Tang Ba; a famous soup dumpling restaurant.

Visit the Bund; hit up Nanjing Road. There’s a large cutlery shop off Nanjing Road called Shanghai Zhangxiaoquan Daojian. I picked up a Chinese cleaver there; it’s been a workhorse in my kitchen ever since.

A good foot massage is a great and inexpensive treat. Felt like I was walking on air for the next 24 hours.

Visit an expat sports bar. Some of them are pretty wild. Especially if there’s a live baseball, football or English soccer match playing.

Assuming you’ve been to China before. If not; here’s some quick tips.

Chinese food as it exists in China doesn’t look a lot like American Chinese cuisine. The meat is seldom deboned. Food safety standards are better; but, not like what you expect elsewhere. Bring Imodium or something similar. Travelers diarrhea is very common.

Be careful with Hot Pot restaurants. If it’s busy as hell; no worries. Their inventory turnover is good. Otherwise; it’s probably best to find another. The Chinese often look at Hot Pot as a way to get rid of random meats that are at or near spoilage by burying them in spicy broth.

Bottled water is safe; drinking from faucets is discouraged. If safe to drink; there’s usually some sort of label indicating as such.

Exercise caution/common sense in crowded areas in Shanghai. Pickpockets and petty crime are a thing.

Haggling/negotiating is expected. Especially with street vendors and many shops. There will usually be a sign indicating “no haggling” when the shop prices as listed.

Have your passport on you at all times.