Go Visit: Shanghai, China

This year Shanghai is brimming with bright flowers, topiaries, and blue mascot statues to celebrate Expo 2010. Exhibition halls from over 100 countries showcase ideas on the theme of ‘Better City, Better Life’ along with arts and culture from all over the world. Though the Expo itself can be a daunting maze of people clamoring to get into each pavilion, we recommend you walk around to see the architecture and do anything you can to get into the inspiring pavilion built by China. A multi-screen film shows the connection between China’s history and modern life. The multi- media environments throughout the building tell stories of China’s past and future though interactive magic.

In May, Gloss was invited by The Portman, Ritz-Carlton to experience Shanghai and Expo 2010. We discovered that Shanghai is a vibrant modern city that continues to value the traditions of the ancient China.

The Portman, Ritz-Carlton is located on Nanjing Xi Lu Road in the middle of a neighborhood filled with luxury shops, local parks, shrines, and a historic exhibition hall. Hotel guests have included President Bill Clinton and more recently President Obama, who stayed in the impeccably designed Presidential Suite. The rest of us less famous will also enjoy the beautiful rooms, stunning city views, and gracious service. Located on a property with several elegant and casual restaurant choices, retail shops and more, the hotel exemplifies the best of urban life in China.

Kids will love the bright blue indoor-outdoor pool. At night a theatre in the complex offers a colorful and impressive acrobats show. Every evening musicians play traditional Chinese music in the lobby and the staff performs and candle lighting ceremony at 6pm. These touches make staying in a modern hotel feel grounded in the rituals that have been part of China’s arts and culture for generations.

Long known as a company dedicated to volunteer projects, The Portman Ritz-Carlton has found meaningful ways to be part of the local community. The hotel staff spends time helping at an orphanage and elder home in the water village of Jin An. They have also adopted the Yi Fu Vocational School as a Succeed Through Service program partner. Hotel guests can also spend some of their Shanghai visit volunteering. For the Preserving Wuzhen Ancient Water Town conservation project the day is spent planting trees and help local artisans restore their homes. Experiencing the day in the life of a high school in Shanghai in another volunteer activity. All proceeds from this event supports the school’s scholarship fund. More and more we are finding that opportunities for volunteering on vacation add meaning to traveling around the world.

Other local activities include museums, parks, and strolling along the world famous Bund with classic architecture on one side and the futuristic buildings of Pudong on the other. There is a zoo, aquarium, amusement parks and more to make any family vacation fun and memorable. Visiting the water village of Zhi Jia Jiao for shopping, food, and water taxi rides give an authentic glimpse into the world of ancient Shanghai. This magical city stole my heart, I can’t wait to go back and share it with my family.

For more travel in China options, even Disney offers a tour through China to experience the country with a  family friendly tour packages.