One week in Shanghai: A foreigner's Travel Guide

Shanghai is destined to be a highly influential city in global commerce, finance, culture and tourism in the near future. It is China's most populous city, even without including the thousands of tourists visiting this summer. If you have a chance to travel to this global city, here are a few things you do not want to miss:

Expo

This summer is a great time to visit Shanghai because the city is hosting Expo 2010 until Oct. 31. With more than 190 countries participating with self-designed and self-run pavilions, this is the largest and most expensive World Expo ever. An all-day ticket to the Expo costs 160 RMB (not including holidays) and is more than worth the money. To avoid the crowds and the heat, arrive late in the afternoon and stay until the Expo closes at midnight. Each pavilion is special, but the larger pavilions (consequentially the ones with the longer lines) tend to have the more interesting and interactive exhibits. Don't miss the amazing authentic food and beverages from your favorite countries, such as Belgian beer and Korean cuisine.

People's Square & East Nanjing Road

Although the subway station has 20 exits and is more than confusing for a foreigner, once you find People's Square and Park, there are many things to do. Enjoy the greenery that most of the city is missing and make your way over to the conveniently air-conditioned Shanghai Museum. You can't miss the museum; it is shaped like a ding, a Chinese food vessel, and has a massive fountain near the entrance. Entrance to the museum is free, and the exhibits are laid out efficiently on four stories so that you can easily see every exhibit hall in a couple of hours. These spectacular exhibits include masks, jade artifacts, seals, calligraphy, painting, ceramics and more. Once you have had your fill of Chinese history, walk a short way to East Nanjing Road. This vast pedestrian mall is packed at all hours of the day. Find an intimate Chinese place to eat, or treat your nostalgia to Western food. Shopping here is expensive but "the real deal" if you are looking for jewelry, sportswear or any kind of fashion.

Oriental Pearl Tower

Built in 1994, this 468-meter high TV tower is a popular landmark among foreigners and locals. Go during the day and buy the 100 RMB tickets which will allow you to ascend to the second sphere or the tower. A glass floor provides a vast view of the bustling city and great photo opportunities. If the wait is too long, pass the time shopping in one of the malls outside of the tower. Super Brand Mall has all of China's favorite stores including UNIQLO, H&M and Sisley.

The Bund

Yuyuan Garden

Another district that seems to have it all, Yuyuan Garden, simply called "Yu Garden," has a scenic lake, lush landscaping, souvenir shopping and signature dumplings that can be drank through a straw. This is a great place to find Shanghai's largest commodity – silk – for your friends at home, or a Haibo plush toy (the official mascot of the 2010 Expo) for any child awaiting a gift. Also, most of the stores in the recently opened Yu Fashion Garden do not close until 23:00. Keep multiple modes of transportation in mind because the area is located on Metro Line No. 10, which closes hours before the other lines.

Suzhou & Hangzhou

Shanghai is close to two small cities, Suzhou and Hangzhou, which provide elements that are hard to find in the large city of Shanghai – tranquility and natural beauty. Take a day trip to either city; both are about one hour away by train. In Suzhou, the best things are free. The gardens, which have entrance fees upwards of 30 RMB, are packed and resemble none of the characteristics of a Western garden: replace flowers and bushes with pagodas and courtyards. Instead, take advantage of the air conditioning and free entrance to the Suzhou museum, which includes hundreds of cultural relics, a lotus pond and a maze-like walkthrough of typical Chinese courtyards. Also, Suzhou Grand Park has open admission and is a great place to watch locals fish, synchronize dance, and enjoy the shade of centuries-old trees. Several temples and pagodas are spread throughout Suzhou, which are excellent for photo-taking and memory-making. Hangzhou's most famous landmark is West Lake, which can be seen on the back of a one yuan bill of RMB. The town also has a few bars with character, so consider staying one night in Hangzhou.