Tai Chi is fast becoming as much a part of Shanghai's mornings as the sunrise. Wake up early and join the Tai Chi group before the hotel entrance. Experience this Shanghainese custom and after an hour you should feel quite revitalised. Then, take a taxi to Yuyuan Garden for around 20RMB and relax with some Chinese tea to completely detoxify your body. Sit and sip on the 2nd floor of the teahouse by the 9-curves bridge in Yuyuan Garden and watch life go by. Then you can walk along the old street, where Chinese art, souvenirs, paintings, paper cuttings, ancient seal carvings and other art are available amidst Ancient Chinese architecture. Have a true local experience by bargaining with vendors or get a carving of your Chinese name.

Xintiandi is an area of Shanghai that teems with life. You will find a full range of restaurants, bars and shops located in authentic 'Shikumen' architecture. You can enjoy lunch from a large and varied choice of restaurants in these wonderful old buildings. A 30 minutes walk from Xintiandi is the Shanghai Museum where you will find the history and treasures of China, a must for all visitors fond of Chinese history. Having seen the past, just go next door to see the extraordinary plans for this city's future at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Centre. It's spectacular to see the plans, and almost comforting, as this city is growing so fast that it sometimes feels like it has a life of its own.

Shanghai is an incredible but hectic city, so take the evening to relax. Enjoy a fantastic dinner in one of the a lot of restaurants on the Bund, take in the view of the Huangpu river and see the fiery sunset that somehow feels so appropriate; Shanghai is a city with so much energy you would believe it could burn out the sun. If you feel infatuated with this impressive stretch, take a cruise down the river, see the wonderful architecture from a distance and feel the city regenerating for tomorrow.