Shanghai: The Nightlife Hub of China

As one of the most populated cities in the world, Shanghai is filled with steady buzz throughout the day and well into the night. The nightlife and bar scene has exploded in recent years with restaurants, clubs, and even speakeasies opening all throughout the city, drawing in hordes of tourists and locals alike. From the fun, laidback vibe of the Kung Fu Komedy Club to the jazzy, 1940s allure of Speak Low, Shanghai offers a unique experience for all as you wander through a sea of people and a complexity of smells. Disembark from your flight to discover a separate world filled with excitement and luxury as you explore the city of Shanghai.

The first stop after an international flight anywhere is usually to find some authentic food from that region. Just a short drive from the Shanghai Pudong Airport is Yang’s Fry-Dumpling. With a line usually wrapped around the building, Yang’s is the epitome of "hole-in-the-wall" excellence offering a selection of traditional pork dumplings and a number of authentic noodle dishes. The warmth and welcoming demeanor of this family owned restaurant draws in consistent masses of people and is well worth the wait.

Once you’ve had time to check into your hotel and get all gussied up for your night out, swing on by Jin Xuan at the Ritz-Carlton for a decadent seafood meal with stunning penthouse views of the city lights speckled along the Huangpu River. This Michelin star restaurant features an elite staff of talented chefs and genuinely hospitable servers who proudly provide the hallmark of fine dining to their patrons. With a menu featuring Chinese classics like roasted duck and other regional favorites, this intimate and whimsical restaurant is complete with six private dining rooms is perfect for romantic evenings out or for an elegant business party with colleagues.

When it comes time for that evening nightcap, venture deep into the New World district past the Boxing Cat Brewery and the smattering of museums to find Speak Low. Spanning four distinctly different flours, Speak Low is a hidden paradise behind a secret entrance at the back of Ocho, a shop displaying cooking tools and cocktail books in the window. The menu is as unique as the concept. Featuring matcha infused vodka martinis with dark chocolate slivers and a whiskey list as extensive as the "Chang" section of a Chinese phone book, the only way to gain access to this speakeasy is by pushing the hidden button on a map of China right behind Shanghai.

At the end of the evening, when the drunks are haphazardly staggering throughout the streets, take a moment to pop on into Sumerian -- the local’s pick for late night coffee. A cozy addition to the neighborhood, this coffee shop features a collection of delicious house roasted coffee from the Sumatra region paired with a menu full of fresh, locally made pastries. The late night buzz continues on as college students and partying business men alike get their caffeine fix at this hotspot of a coffee shop.

Time permitting, be sure to pencil in a show at Shanghai’s Grand Theater in the Huangpu District. With year round symphonies, operas, and ballets, the possibilities of checking out traditional Chinese performing arts as well as classics with a modern twist are endless. Upcoming performances that we have to look forward to are Jane Eyre and Hamlet as a ballet, in addition to a dramatic, Chinese rendition of Wuthering Heights.

As if we needed any more of a reason to board an Air China flight pronto, Victoria’s Secret has officially announced Shanghai as the 2017 location for the famous annual fashion show. With performances from the biggest names in mainstream music and celebrity sightings galore, Victoria’s Secret will be using this as a means of commemorating the two dozen new stores that have opened in mainland China.

Despite the long flight and the day’s worth of haze as you try to adjust to the time change, Shanghai’s jaw-dropping maze of city streets filled with carts selling skewered duck and mopeds racing by you into oncoming traffic give it a sort of "New York City" feeling on steroids. For those looking for a great traveling experience full of adventure, Shanghai is well worth the trip.

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