Shanghai by night - a mirror of the new China: glamorous, international and full of energy. Between luxury malls, lounges and clubs, a young generation is emerging that combines Western influences with Chinese style.
Whon the Bund, the iconic waterfront promenade on the Huangpu, at night, you can see the time-honored facades of the magnificent European buildings behind you and the illuminated skyline of the most important metropolis in modern China before your eyes.
Shanghai's duality is evident at this location, where history and the present come together; the "Peace Hotel", which belongs to Fairmont and was a glamorous meeting place for the elite at a time when Shanghai made a name for itself as the "Paris of the East", is located on the Bund. Within a few decades, the glass towers of Pudong were built opposite; skyscrapers replaced villages. A drink in the "Flair" bar on the 58th floor of the "Ritz-Carlton" is an experience: the Pearl Tower is practically next door, it seems as if you could almost jump over it.
The night in Shanghai is a mirror of China's rapid modernization: rich in contrast, cosmopolitan, but culturally rooted. It tells of the legendary rise, of participation and happiness through consumption. Shopping and going out go hand in hand here, with luxury shopping centers that house lounges, clubs and bars. The nightlife is dazzling and international, with an open-minded generation of young Chinese confidently absorbing Western influences.
As a metropolis, Shanghai is still overshadowed by Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok and Singapore, but that is due to our view from the west. The city is a showcase for a country that is opening up to the world again - China only recently extended visa-free entry for visitors from several European countries.
