The temple was once Shanghai's most prestigious learning institution and is now the only temple of Confucius (551-479 B.C.), China's greatest philosopher, in downtown Shanghai. It is also the biggest second book market in Shanghai.

The Confucian Temple is a typical combination of temple and school in ancient China. It was built in 1294 (Yuan Dynasty), when Shanghai was just taking shape from a small fishing village.

The temple has witnessed Shanghai's growing progress of more than 700 years, from a small Chinese county to one of the world's biggest metropolises now confronting the problem of integration the modern with the traditional.

The temple was once the headquarters of the Stagger Society, a rebel group that revolted against the Qing's reign in Shanghai from 1851 to 1855. During the Culture Revolution, it was badly damaged but in 1995 it was designated for renovation by the Shanghai government.

And now, the temple is no longer the study and research center of Confucianism, instead it is gaining fame as a secondhand book market and is the destination for book-lovers and collectors.

Every Sunday, thousands of local collectors swarm to the Shanghai Confucian Temple to bargain and buy, exchange or trade rare editions and old books. The market is not big, taking less than 100 square meters of the temple, but it is definitely the best and most mature secondhand book-market in Shanghai.

Address：No.215, Wenmiao Road near Zhonghua Road
Tel：8621-63779101, 8621-63771815
Hours：9am-4:30pm
Tickets：1 yuan/person (the secondhand book market)
10 yuan/person, 5 yuan/student (the whole temple)
Traffic: Bus routes No. 911, 18, 24, 451, 715, 775, 451, 789, 6, 929; (in future Metro Line 8 which is currently still under construction).

Liu Haisu Art Museum with its blue, glass pyramid construction stands for the contemporary art in China. A newly designated national art museum it stocks works from the collection of its namesake, Mr. Liu Haisu (1896-1994), who was one of the founders of the China New Art Movement of the 1920's and 30's. Here you can enjoy the works of Liu Haisu himself, displays from his collection and changing special exhibits from the new stars of Chinese contemporary art.

The displays are well laid out and interesting to peruse for an understanding of how modern art developed in China. It's a shame that the introductions to exhibits and plaques next to each work is in Chinese only, though you can still enjoy the art without any explanations. The museum also seems quite empty with more staff than visitors, which again can be a good thing if you like peace and quiet.

There is an art book shop located on the ground floor where you can buy books on early modern art in China, and postcards of the works of Chinese modern artists (1.5 yuan each or 10 yuan for a set). There is also, strangely, a traditional Chinese furniture shop where you can pick up some interesting, if bulky, items such as a traditional Chinese 'Kang' bed for 3,377 yuan, or a carved wooden screen for 1,143 yuan.

Address: 1660, Hongqiao Rd. near Shuicheng Rd.
Tickets: 10 yuan (adult), 5 yuan (student)
Hours: 9am-4pm (closed on Monday)
Tel: +8621-6270-1018
Traffic: Nearest metro station is Hongqiao Road, line 3 but this is still quite far from the museum. From the metro station you need to take Bus 748 to Shuicheng Road, which will take about 10 minutes.

Lu Xun Park was formally known as Hong Kou Park until the Lu Xun memorial was built here in 1951. Lu Xun (1881-1936) is probably the most famous and influential writer of modern Chinese literature. After his death he was buried in the park and his tomb, with its well-known statue in front of it, attracts many visitors day by day.

Lu Xun Park is one of the largest parks in northern downtown Shanghai. Besides offering boating, fishing, badminton and strolling among flourishing trees, it is also famous for some attractive spots.

Address: No.146, East Jiangwan Road (but there are 4 entrances in every direction)
Tel: +8621-6540-0009
Hours: 9am-4pm
Traffic: Metro line 3 (Hongkou Football Stadium Station)

The 2.5-kilometer Riverside Avenue along the waterfront of the Huangpu River attracts many visitors. Promenade is a wise choice to look around the main sites in Pudong. Besides the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Ocean Aquarium, the Jin Mao Tower, the Super Brand Mall, and a string of restaurants and coffee houses are there or close to it.

It is not only a nice place to visit, but has also become a booming commercial center in Pudong District. The location has attracted many famous restaurants, cafes and coffee houses, such as Starbucks, Lavazza and Haagen-Dazs.

Many fashion shows are also held at the avenue, since it can be set as a gorgeous background along the Huangpu River and many luxurious commercial buildings are built there as well. A Giorgio Armani a fashion show on the avenue attracted more than 1,000 people. Formula One boat racing has been held on that stretch of the river and the World Female Handball Championship Tournament has also been held on the avenue area.

Location: along the Huangpu River, Lujiazui area in Pudong
Traffic: Metro line 2 (lujiazui Station)

Along a quiet stretch of the French Concession lies the former residence of Soong Ching-Ling. Though she was the wife of Sun Yat Sen, Soong Ching-Ling is also deeply respected in China as a great stateswoman in her own right.

This residence was given her in 1948 by the then government as a sign of this respect, and she lived there until 1979 before moving to Beijing where she died in 1963. The building was constructed in 1920 and is in a mix of Western styles. Here she received many of the great statesmen of the time, including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Liu Shaoqi. The house is also filled with presents given her by important politicians from abroad and other famous friends. These include a decorative dagger from President Suarto of Indonesia, and carpets from Mao Zedong.

Despite this however there is a distinct lack of pomp and circumstance within the house. Instead it is comfortable and elegant, and full of the feminine touches of Soong Ching-Ling herself (everything has been left where she placed them). Particularly touching are the photos of Sun Yat Sen, her husband, which she placed in each room.

For 20 yuan you can visit the house as well as the museum within the compound, which shares the same peaceful, elegant atmosphere as the house. Here you can see a range of items from her life, from her childhood biology exercise book to official telegrams to Chiang Kai Shek. After viewing the house you should also have a look at the well kept garden which is circled by 100 year old Camphor trees, and where she held tea parties for her guests.

There are tours of the house every 20 minutes which can be in English, though in the museum not everything is translated into English. There is also a very small souvenir shop at the entrance where you can buy Soong Ching-Ling related items at reasonable prices.

Address: No.1843, Huaihai Road M. Xuhui District
Tickets: 20 yuan per person, 10 yuan student
Telephone: 6474-7183
Open Hours: 9am－4:30pm
Traffic: Metro line 1 (Hengshan Rd. station)