What to do with two free days?

I am going to Shanghai on business but will have two days of free time. Can anyone advise what I can do in this short period of time?

I want to go to the Yuyuan Gardens but what else can I do? I love photography so will be bringing my camera with me, so I would like to capture a bit of China if possible. Is it safe to walk around with a camera?

What to do with two free days?

Plenty. Since you like photography... what kind are you more interested in, people, architecture or something else?

Yes, definitely safe to walk around with a camera.

What to do with two free days?

The days I have free are Friday and Saturday.

I like architecture and landscapes, but also people if I can get the right shots.

I have seen various posts on floating villages and these sound very interesting, is there one that is better than the other? I would probably take an excursion from the hotel I am staying at (possibly the Shanghai Salvo Hotel), do all hotels offer trips to these floating villages?

A picture that I have seen of the night skyline of Pudong from the M on the Bund is stunning. Shanghai looks like a very photogenic place.

Thanks for your help!

Floating villages? Sorry, but those don%26#39;t gel with what%26#39;s available in this region. I think you mean instead the water villages. Eg Xitang (members.virtualtourist.com/m/1d57/f2e9f/)? I%26#39;d rather not go with a daytrip from anywhere as you%26#39;ll have to go and return at fixed timings. The best timings for photographers as you already know are at dawn and dusk -- that%26#39;s when you%26#39;ll be on the tour bus, if you go with an organised daytrip.

Kathleen%26#39;s 5 cafe on the roof of the Shanghai Art Museum has a good overview of the People%26#39;s Square area.

For local life and residential architecture try the Old City and French Concession areas.

Pudong has plenty of stunning modern architecture eg Oriental Pearl TV Tower (I personally hate it though), Jinmao Tower, Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre etc.

You might also be interested in this place which someone else asked about: tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g303764-i2316-k180鈥?/a>

Is it easy enough to get to the water village if going on my own?

Its hard trying to fit so much into only two days.

What time do elders exercise in the park and do they mind people taking pictures?

Depends on which one you%26#39;re going to. Of course if you have the money to splurge you could always hire a vehicle and driver to make it most convenient for yourself. Otherwise most probably you%26#39;ll have to change buses at some point of the journey. Eg for Xitang you change buses at Jiashan.

For the latter, you might want to try the Bund, Hongkou Park, People%26#39;s Park etc, around perhaps 7 am. I%26#39;m not sure if they mind, but my personal etiquette is to use zoom (which%26#39;s why a telephoto lens comes in very useful) and photograph from a distance, unobstrusively.

Any more queries about photography or other aspects you might want to email me directly at ellyse99@yahoo.com and put ';TripAdvisor'; and your own username (eg Spanishpaella) in the subject line, thanks. :)

Hi,Spanishpaella,

I ever brought my customer who is a super fans for photography for long time. Below is our ideas for photography view:

1- walk round French Concession area ( just walk, no taxi) and see some old house and took photo for real China family.

2-Took photos in watervillage( not tourist watervillage) and you can consider Nanxung,xingjing.

3-If you have more time,you can consider one day in hangzhou for pearl lake/west lake / xixi park(natural park not city park).

Enjoy!

Yours sincerely,

Susan Zheng

Hi Spanishpaella,

We had a great time visiting art galleries in Shanghai and it sound like you might too. We booked our tour using art tours china. You can see if they are available to show you some photography exhibitions/galleries.

Since you like photography of architecture+lifestyle(people) - I would suggest heading over to Xintindi towards evening time for some good night photography with pubs/jazz bars/restaurants based in a hip renovated part of town.