Towards A Virtual Williamsburg!

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive

I may have the opportunity to tag along on a quick trip to these cities this spring. Assuming only a week for both, what are the big must-do's? I'd have nothing but free time, while my companion would have some work meetings (so don't go changing the venues; these are the cities, that part is not negotiable). I know we can fly direct from LA to Shanghai, but it looks like there is no non-stop option between Shanghai and Mumbai. Any preference of Asian airlines (other than my general Cathay preference)? Looks like Air China, Air India, Cathay (Dragonair), Malaysia Airlines are all possibilities...

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

The answer is open that fucking wallet, and stay a few days extra and bring the wife and kids. Are you serious?

[Adder]

Originally Posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)

I've been to Shanghai a couple of times and was not overwhelmed, at least as a place to keep going back to. That said, at least a couple of days can be filled well with things as Adder suggests. I will add going to an acrobatics show, going to Yu Yuan gardens, and the Shanghai Museum. Staying in Xintiandi isn't a bad idea (it's a nice area with some good dining options and a more sophisticated feel), although near the Bund is also convenient. If you have more time a day trip (or overnight) to Hangzhou and/or Suzhou could be worth it. Hangzhou has the famous West Lake, and Suzhou is lots of courtyard gardens (I haven't been to Suzhou). Pudong is probably not worth a trip--you can see the Oriental Pearl from the Bund as well as anywhere--or take a 1 hour river cruise.

If you can, stay near a metro stop--that's as fast a way to get most places as taxis.

And the airport is southeast of town--at least the one you're likely to fly into/out of for international (Shanghai-Pudong/PVG). Shanghai-Hongqiao (SHA) is west of town and mostly domestic flights, plus a mammoth train station (to Hangzhou among other places).

Good point, we flew from Shenzhen so arrived at the airport out west.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

Yes

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

The answer is open that fucking wallet, and stay a few days extra and bring the wife and kids. Are you serious?

Is there a Disneyland in London?

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

Is there a Disneyland in London?

no. but there are lines you can go stand in.

[Fugee]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

Most definitely yes.

[Gattigap]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

If you don't come back with tales of walking around London, hitting the museums and hitting Big Ben and getting hit by some git in a pub, I am going to be very upset with you.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally Posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)

I've been to Shanghai a couple of times and was not overwhelmed, at least as a place to keep going back to. That said, at least a couple of days can be filled well with things as Adder suggests. I will add going to an acrobatics show, going to Yu Yuan gardens, and the Shanghai Museum. Staying in Xintiandi isn't a bad idea (it's a nice area with some good dining options and a more sophisticated feel), although near the Bund is also convenient. If you have more time a day trip (or overnight) to Hangzhou and/or Suzhou could be worth it. Hangzhou has the famous West Lake, and Suzhou is lots of courtyard gardens (I haven't been to Suzhou). Pudong is probably not worth a trip--you can see the Oriental Pearl from the Bund as well as anywhere--or take a 1 hour river cruise.

If you can, stay near a metro stop--that's as fast a way to get most places as taxis.

And the airport is southeast of town--at least the one you're likely to fly into/out of for international (Shanghai-Pudong/PVG). Shanghai-Hongqiao (SHA) is west of town and mostly domestic flights, plus a mammoth train station (to Hangzhou among other places).

ETA: Having read your original post more carefully, if you have a week in Shanghai, definitely plan to do a day trip to both Hangzhou and Suzhou. High speed rail gets you there in an hour. Get the hotel concierge to buy the tickets--round trip for both so you don't need to deal with buying a ticket to get back (total zoo).

Not a week in Shanghai. A week total. So probably a couple of days of wandering time in each. And I found out today Shanghai could become Beijing. Which I'm less thrilled about mainly because I worry about the pollution there making it impossible to see anything. Is this fear unfounded?

[notcasesensitive]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

Go! Enjoy some sightseeing by yourself. You need imaginary friends to tell you this? Really?

[Icky Thump]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

no. but there are lines you can go stand in.

queues. I'd go just for the warm beer and newspapers.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive

Not a week in Shanghai. A week total. So probably a couple of days of wandering time in each. And I found out today Shanghai could become Beijing. Which I'm less thrilled about mainly because I worry about the pollution there making it impossible to see anything. Is this fear unfounded?

Not necessarily, but it's less likely to be bad in April. That's because the prevailing winds shift, so instead of pollution you get sandstorms from Inner Mongolia blowing through. On the other hand, April will be more likely to have nice temperatures than winter or summer. You just roll the dice and hope for the best. There's more to do in Beijing IMO than Shanghai.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

I was kind of bumming because I have five days in London and my wife isn't able to free up to come with me. I tell you what, why don't I fly over your wife to keep me company since you're such a skinflinty?

It shouldn't be hard to justify spending a few more days in London drumming up some business. I mean, it is not hard to find a couple worthwhile folks to have breakfast or lunch with in the world's finance capital, and it's a hell of a lot better than billiing time.

[Sidd Finch]

Originally Posted by Flinty_McFlint

I've just been offered a paid trip to the UK (London probably) to give a presentation. It would mean not billing the entire time and time away from the family monkeys (but probably mid-week anyway). Is it worth the trouble for probably a day or two of sightseeing alone? I think I know the answer.

I'll be the dissenting voice. No, it's not worth it. Stay in your hole, keep your head down and bill some time. What, you think the firm will keep itself afloat?

If you're lucky, one of the kids will get diarrhea while you're home.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by notcasesensitive

Not a week in Shanghai. A week total. So probably a couple of days of wandering time in each. And I found out today Shanghai could become Beijing. Which I'm less thrilled about mainly because I worry about the pollution there making it impossible to see anything. Is this fear unfounded?

I was in Beijing before and during the Olympics. They had been taking steps for a year to clean the air. They shut down factories and pulled cars off the road. Each morning I went running and believed that age had finally caught up with me, as I could not go as far, or as long as normal. Then one day it rained and the air was noticably cleaner. I had my only decent run in Beijing.

After the Olympics they stopped the effort to clean the air.

But you can see stuff.

edit- this was in August so Burger may have better info