Where to stay

URBN: This hip boutique is China's first Carbon Neutral hotel. Located in a renovated factory warehouse in the French Concession district, URBN is built from materials such as reclaimed Shanghai hardwoods and old Shanghai brick. Business travellers can sleep easy knowing that there's the option to offset their whole trip to Shanghai at URBN – you can even buy carbon credits for your flights from hotel staff.
183 Jiaozhou Road, Shanghai, 200040; Tel: +86 21 5153 4600; Web: www.urbnhotels.com.

Park Hyatt Shanghai: This new Shanghai hotel heavyweight occupies the 79th to 93rd floors of the year-old Shanghai World Financial Center, making it the highest hotel in the world. The Park Hyatt Shanghai is right in the heart of the Lujiazui business district, so very convenient for business travellers.
100 Century Avenue, Pudong, Shanghai, 200120; Tel: +86 21 6888 1234; Web: shanghai.park.hyatt.com.

Where to eat

Jean Georges: You pay a premium for the views here, but the food, Bund-side location and experience are worth it. Innovative fusion food, attentive service and an impressive wine list. There's a bar too for pre- or post-dinner schmoozing. 4/F, No. 3 The Bund, 3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Rd, Shanghai, 20002; Tel: +86 21 6321 7733.

Shintori: Contemporary-chic meets industrial-glam and results in probably the best Japanese food in the city. Melt-in-the-mouth sushi, throat-burning (but oh-so-good) sake, and a super slick ambience make this a winner.
803 Julu Road (by Fumin Road); Tel: +86 21 5404 5252.

Yè Shanghai: For Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes such as Yum Cha and Dim Sum, step through Ye Shanghai's stone gatehouse and back in time to the 1930s. Check out some of the Xintiandi's buzzing bars whilst you're in the area.
House 6, North Block, 338 South Huangpi Road, Xintiandi; Tel: +86 21 6311 2323.

Where to drink

The Glamour Bar: Glamorous indeed. Sip on a cocktail and admire the beautiful people and the Bund-a-licious view.
6/F, No. 5 The Bund, 20 Guangdong Road, Shanghai; Tel: +86 21 6350 9988.

Barbarossa: Three floors of middle-Eastern inspired decadence in the middle of People's Park. Reserve a table on the rooftop terrace for maximum impact and enjoy your very own Arabian night.
231 Nanjing Xi Road (inside Peoples Park), Shanghai. Enter the park between Starbucks and the Shanghai Art Museum. Tel: +86 21 6318 0220.

Best Hotel Bars

Jade on 36 Bar, Pudong Shangri-La: Panoramic views of Shanghai's skyline, dramatic design and incredible cocktails make Jade on 36 a smart choice for hotel-bound business travellers.
Level 36, Pudong Shangri-La, 33 Fu Cheng Road, Pudong, Shanghai; Tel: +86 21 6882 3636; Web: Click here.

789 Nanjing Road, Le Royal Méridien: 360-degree Shanghai vistas, fine wines, cocktail and cigars. Enough said.
Le Royal Méridien Shanghai, 789 Nanjing Road East, Shanghai; Tel: +86 21 3318 9999; Web: Click here.

Where to dance

Kee Club: Party at this private members club in a 1920s stone villa. Styled like a private residence, this is where to come if you want to hobnob amongst visiting royalty, heads of state and über-entrepreneurs.
796 Huai Hai Road, Shanghai; Web: www.keeclub.com.

M1NT: Mix and mingle with Shanghai's jet set and visiting celebs. Impress your clients, or scare them into signing that deal, with a detour via M1NT's shark filled aquarium.
2/F, 333 Tong Ren Road, Shanghai; Tel: +86 21 6391 2811; Web: www.m1nt.com.cn.

Muse: For a slice of LA's clubbing scene in the Pearl of the Orient, head to mega-club Muse. Three clubs in one = lots of fun.
2/F, No. 68 Yu Yao Road, Shanghai; Tel: +86 21 5213 5228; Web: www.museshanghai.cn.

Where to spa:

Dragonfly: With locations across Shanghai and prices that will have you (and your company AmEx) weeping with joy, Dragonfly is the perfect place to get some Zen time. Visit www.dragonfly.net.cn for more information.

CHI, The Spa: Restore your chi with treatments based on the Five Elements Theory and Yin and Yang balancing. The spa's Jade Journey treatment is award-winning.
Pudong Shangri-La, 33 Fu Cheng Road, Pudong, Shanghai; Tel: +86 21 5877 1503; Web: Click here.

Experience Shanghai:

Hu Xin Ting Teahouse: Go for a traditional tea ceremony at this picturesque old tea house. To get there, cross a zig-zagging bridge over a pond bursting with goldfish. Pop next door to the Yuyuan Gardens, one of the most impressive Chinese gardens in the region.

Acrobats: Yes, it's touristy, but it doesn't last long and it's pretty breathtaking.

French Concession: Tree lined avenues, French architecture and bars, boutiques and restaurants galore. The perfect place to while away a free afternoon exploring on foot.

The Bund: Grand old colonial buildings line the Huangpu River with views across to Pudong's ever-growing high-rise skyline. East-Asia's former financial centre is now home to expensive shops and stylish bars and restaurants. Wander along the river front and soak up a mixture of old and new. Watch the video.

Where to shop:

Spin Ceramics: Visit the Spin warehouse for modern, minimalist Chinese ceramics, from metre-tall vases to edgy plates and bowls to chopstick rests.
Building 3, 758 Julu Road; Tel: +86 21 6279 2545.

Pearl Market: Indulge your inner magpie at Shanghai's pearl market. Stall-upon-stall and sting-upon-string of pearls and semi-precious stones. You can take them as they are or have them made up into bespoke designs on the spot. A pair of freshwater pearl earrings costs from 5 RMB.
2002 Shi Ji Avenue, Pu Dong Xin Qu, Shanghai.

Xintiandi: Fashion, interiors, accessories and more in this area of restored shikumen (stone gate) houses and narrow alleys. Pedestrianized and chock-a-block with trendy bars, spas and restaurants.