In addition to People’s Park and a plethora of museums, Renmin Guangchang (People’s Square) offers plenty to see and do. Once the premiere shopping street in all of Asia, historic East Nanjing Road is still a popular destination for tourists who want to walk under its old neon signs. Several big department stores operated here in the 1920s, importing luxury goods from Europe and America and launching revolutionary marketing concepts such as advertising and window displays. Two of the original stores can still be found, though under new names: Shanghai No 1 Department Store and Shanghai No 1 Food Store. Those looking to indulge their sweet tooth should head to the Hershey’s store around the corner.
The skyline around People’s Square is marked by futuristic skyscrapers, including Le Royal Meridien Hotel with its distinctive double antenna, and the unmistakable silhouette of the Radisson Hotel, which looks like a UFO has landed on its roof. The most remarkable of these towering giants is the JW Marriott Tomorrow Square, whose 38th floor lobby provides stunning – and free – views of the city.
There are many options for those craving more history than height. First among them is Moore Memorial Church, which was built by Ladislaus Hudec in 1931. Used as a middle school during the Cultural Revolution, it was the first church to reopen in Shanghai in 1979. Hudec also built Shanghai’s premiere theatre of the 1930s, the art deco Grand Cinema. It was showing Titanic 3D when we popped in to gape at the twin marble staircases. The former Foreign YMCA, built in 1926, may now be the Shanghai Sports Club, but the building has maintained its ornately carved ceiling and Beaux Arts facade.
The Italian-style Pacific Hotel was built in 1926 as the China United Assurance Company and oozes old-world glamour. The property has been beautifully maintained and I think the dark paneled bar still has its original blender on the counter. A few doors down is the gorgeous Park Hotel, built in 1934 by a busy Ladislaus Hudec. Amazingly, it was the tallest building in Shanghai until the 1980s!
Would you like to explore this part of Shanghai?
What an absolutely wonderful day this was. Just wish it hadn’t been so bloody hot and humid. Next year we will have to spend more time going into more of the old hotels and buildings. Mom