Pudong is the nerve centre of Shanghai's strutting confidence, as it pursues its ambition to be the economic and trading powerhouse of East Asia.
Just over a decade ago the area on the eastern banks of the Huangpu River was little more than marshy rice fields with some shabby warehouses.
Today Pudong
is bursting with spaceship towers, soaring pagodas and glittering skyscrapers. At night, the dazzling illuminated sci-fi landscape will leave you feeling as if you are stuck inside a giant video game. It is simply a sensational skyline.
The Oriental Pearl Tower is one of the highest structures in the world and the observation decks deliver breathtaking views across greater Shanghai. The Chinese/Western buffet restaurant is popular with travellers and offers good value for money.
Beyond the city limits, there are many destinations ideal for a day trip. The best would have to be the delightful canal town of Suzhou. It is China's Venice, with a Grand Canal that was constructed over 1000 years ago by the Sui Dynasty.
Suzhou has a plethora of cultural attractions, including the Silk Museum, the beautiful North Temple Buddhist Pagoda and the even more remarkable tilting tower called the Yunyan Pagoda, which was constructed over 1500 years ago. Uncannily similar to Pisa's leaning tower, it is supported by concrete struts to prevent its collapse.
