Shanghai, China

Shanghai is an unusual city for me. As a traveller, I did not find that it was a particularly ‘must see’ destination. With the exception of a few over-priced and over-crowded temples and an abundance of (admittedly very good) museums, it didn’t feel as connected to the rest of China as such an old and important city should.
When you consider its history, however, perhaps that’s not so unusual. Shanghai is China’s most international city (alongside Hong Kong) and you can feel that as you travel through it. From the leafy green of the French Concession to the pomp of the formerly English Bund region, there are a lot of flavours to the dish that is Shanghai.
As an expat living in China, Shanghai was a shimmering oasis of civilization and western conveniences that oftentimes served as the reward I’d give myself if I just survived a bitterly cold, dour week in Nanjing. The city is overflowing with restaurants that not only represent China’s diverse culinary styles, but flavours from around the world as well.
Personal favourites include Lotus Eatery for delicious Yunnan cuisine, Cantina Agave for sinfully good sangria and nachos, Bubba’s Texas Saloon for ribs, Southern Belle for southern US cooking, Mr. Pancake for breakfast & brunch, and Tex-Mex at Dogtown.
From a night-life perspective, Shanghai may be the most happening city in China. There are brew pubs such as Boxing Cat, night clubs, cocktail bars, sports bars, and just about everything in between to tide you over. I’m particularly enamored of its sophisticated cocktail bar culture, and Senator Saloon was a potential favourite I discovered just in time to leave China for good.