From its humble roots as a fishing village, Shanghai transitioned into a bit of a n'er do well until its final emergence as the largest and most prosperous city in China with one of the world's busiest ports.
With a population in excess of 23 million and host city to Expo 2010, this bustling metropolis is a must-see destination.
Whether shopping, dining or sightseeing, Shanghai offers it all - from the affordable to the deliriously luxurious.
And there is nothing more luxurious than the recently opened The Peninsula, Shanghai.
With a construction cost alone (excluding furnishings and artwork) in excess of US$450 million, The Pen is the newest and most expensive of the Peninsula Hotels' nine properties.
Located on the historic Bund-a UNESCO-designated Modern Heritage Site, the Pen offers breathtaking views of the Huangpu River, Pudong and the former British Consulate gardens.
And it's rather fitting that Peninsula Hotels' parent company, Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Limited, has returned to its roots in Shanghai. In the first half of the last century, the company owned four hotels in Shanghai - The Kalee, Majestic, Palace and Astor House.
With 235 glamorous rooms and suites designed with a nod to the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 1930s, The Pen seamlessly blends luxury and state-of-the art technology with historical references.
The Pen, Shanghai is the first hotel I have ever stayed where the ubiquitous call to housekeeping for audio/visual operating instructions was not necessary. And who has ever seen a discreetly hidden, built-in automatic nail dryer above a vanity? Triple glazing for reduced sound? Specially made mattresses? Gazillion thread-count sheets? Rolls Royces or Bimmers available for hire? Unbelievable service? Complimentary long distance calls?
These fabulous features barely scratch the surface of all The Pen has to offer. Star chefs in all the restaurants. The Peninsula Spa by ESPA. An 80 foot indoor swimming pool and fitness centre. And a stunning shopping arcade featuring 25 of the most recognizable luxury brands in the world (think Chanel, Prada and Hermes) ensure a stay at The Pen is a memory you'll savor for a lifetime.
So it's understandable you may not wish to leave the hotel to explore all that Shanghai has to offer. But explore you must.
The Bund - perhaps the most visited area in Shanghai - is really only several kilometres long and runs along the always busy Huangpu River.
One could easily feel as if you were in Paris or Buenos Aires as the Art Deco buildings are breathtaking and thankfully being lovingly restored.
Scores of chic restaurants inhabit many of these amazing structures and an absolute must-dine experience awaits at Mr. & Mrs. Bund on the 16th floor of Bund 18. Other wonderful dining experiences can be found at Lost Heaven and The House of Roosevelt.
The French Concession - about a half-hour cab ride from The Pen - pays homage to Shanghai's French influence with art galleries, cafйs and bars making this a lively - and lovely - area to visit.
And what would a trip to China be without some shopping? I can't quite decide if it's the great purchases you'll make or the fun of bargaining which makes the experience more memorable. Having been many times to Hong Kong and several times to Shenzhen, I'm not a faint-of-heart shopper. But Shanghai will really test your shopping mettle as the merchants here are pros when it comes to negotiating.
That's why we hired an English-speaking shopping guide (from Shopping Tours Shanghai) to take us to reputable shops. Prices were 'fixed' which afforded us the chance to spend more time actually shopping and less time haggling.
A trip down Shanghai Nanjing Pedestrian Street is just that - a trip! Not great shopping here, but fascinating people watching. However, be careful if a young pretty girl - or two - approach and ask to practice speaking English. This is usually not the reason for engagement.
Culturally Shanghai has lots to offer with visits to the Shanghai Museum, Yuyuan Garden, People's Square and Shanghai Art Gallery worthy of consideration. Expo 2010 is what it's all about currently but the exposition runs only through the end of October.
I must admit I feel a bit of a cheat here in that Hong Kong was, until visiting Shanghai, my favorite city on earth.
I'll definitely go back to Hong Kong - but only after a several night stay at The Peninsula, Shanghai.
48 hours in Shanghai
