Shanghai (13)

Get a cab out to the Maglev stop and get the train to the airport - its the fastest train in the world and though the station is in the middle of nowhere, the experience is one you'll remember forever.

Use this mobile phone translation service whilst in China and connect to a team of operators who will be able to translate for you when you pass your mobile phone to the Chinese person with whom you need to communicate. So useful in lots of situations in a country where so few people speak English. The service can be used for business communication, travel around the country, hotel reservations and so much more.

Guilin Park provides a haven of tranquility in this busy city, ideal for spending a quiet hour between business meetings and experiencing an authentic tourist-free Chinese park. It's a beautiful place where you can walk in peace, sit sipping green tea, or watch people practice tai chi in the mornings. It's located in a suburb about 20 minutes by taxi from the Bund.

One of the things I find with long-haul business travel is that I often find myself with 'pockets' of time spare before or after meetings and before I have to head off to the airport. So with that in mind, I've pulled together some of my top tips for Shanghai! I've categorised each tip into time periods so that you can pick and choose depending on how much time you've got.

0-2 hours: Avoid! Bund Tourist Tunnel - 10 minutes
Crossing the Bund can be done by boat, car or underground, but don't waste your time on the rather retro (read tacky) Bund Tourist Tunnel. The name is apt as only tourists would be crazy enough to spend their money on a underground fair ride that is more likely to cause an epileptic shock than any degree of amusement. It is however, the quickest way to cross the river if you are on the banks on the Bund (and it's rush hour so the tunnel is blocked). Give a try... if you really must.

Xian dan di - 1-2 hours
Ironically housed in the former offices of the Communist party, this beautiful refurbished part of town could be accused of being rather faux in terms of its connection with real China life... but it's there and it exists and it is part of Shanghai ex-pat life. The clean streets, the trendy restaurants and the outrageous prices probably tell you that you are in a place for tourists and expats, however, it's worth a look around and for a pitstop.

Go to Starbucks - 30 mins to 1 hour
I kid you not, some would accuse me of sacrilege but there is a reason... please bear with me. A lot of the Starbucks in the city benefit from sitting in the most prestigious and ideally located positions in the city for great panoramic views. My personal recommendation would be the Starbucks situated on the East bank of the river overlooking the Bund just opposite the Shangri-La hotel. Grab yourself a Chinese tea and watch the sunset over the river. The glowing fuzz of the city ahead will warm you before you retreat to your hotel

Enjoy drinks over the Bund - 1-2 hours
A visit to Shanghai will not be complete without a visit to the historic 'Bund' district, the colonial waterside developed on the west bank of the Huangpu River. Many of the bars/restaurants (I recommend 'M on the Bund' - http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/) offer expansive views over the Bund and the tall skyscrapers in the Pudong district. The food's not bad either! English and Chinese menus are available. Other nearby highlights include the old HSBC building (no longer housing HSBC) and Huangpu Park.

Stroll along Nanjing Road (to buy the other half a gift) -
2-4 hours
Home to Shanghai's main shopping street so be prepared to be greeted by tens of thousands of people. The shops range from the local to international with department stores dotted along the way. Be sure to stop by one of the many snack stores to take on board some of the delicious buns or dumplings that make China famous. Be sure you check the custom regulations for transporting goods though, be particularly careful with any foodstuffs.

Enjoy a river cruise along Huangpu River - 1-3 hours
One observation you will undoubtedly make whilst travelling in Shanghai is that the river is bustling with life. Container ships, tankers, passenger boats all zip up and down the river at a hectic speed. Board a river cruise boat from the ferry terminal at the south of the Bund district. Here you will be able to enjoy a one, two or even three hour river cruise. Take care though... Shanghai like many other Chinese cities is prone to a spot of smog. Try and pick a clear day. Try Huangpu River Cruise (239 Second Eastern Zhong Shan Road, Shanghai - tel +86 21 6374 4461). Nearest station - Wai Tan

Sleep in the clouds - 8 hours
Nope, I'm not talking about your business class flat bed on the way back home, I'm talking about the ever impressive Grand Hyatt Shanghai. Based in Pudong it's close to the financial centre and closer to the airport. Ask for a room overlooking the Pearl TV tower or over the park.

When in Shanghai, why not live the high life. Try out the Sky bar from the top of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai Pudong, located some 90 floors up. You can get views of all of Shanghai... just make sure it's clear on the day!

Not so much a recommendation but more of a warning... The airport Maglev train is great for the experience but please be warned that it doesn't go straight into the city. This may come as a surprise to newcomers to the city. You will have to transfer to a taxi once you arrive at the station and therefore make sure you know where you want to go (ie have your hotel's address in Chinese) once you get off.

My tip is to roll clothes as they are packed in suitcase. This way they do not crease during the trip.

The House of Blues and Jazz gets a good range of international acts and it's an intimate venue with a music-loving crowd. I happened upon a jam session here, which had every amateur musician in the city crawling out of the woodwork.

Taxis can be hard to find in Shanghai, particularly if it is raining. I always get myself an English-speaking chaffeur – the Shanghai car service is very reliable. That way you get the lowdown on the city as well as a car exactly when and where you need it.

The Glamour bar on Shanghai’s bund is an amazing place. Very chi-chi with pink lighting and huge Chinese print panels, it has three huge windows that look out on the city. They sometimes have live cabaret events and the best martinis in town.