Nanjing Dong Lu & People's Square Park

Nanjing East Road is the neon tourist wonder of Shanghai - very much like Fisherman's Wharf, with lots of tourists (Chinese & Foreign) and all that brings. Plenty of neon, shops, hookers, bars, etc. along this long, largely pedestrian only street from the Bund / River to People's Square. But, after a day or two, you learn to avoid Nanjing Dong Lu to avoid the hookers, guys selling watches, and the general annoyances associated with any tourist area. You instead go to Nanjing Xi Lu, to the west, which is the high-class shopping district.

Nanjing Lu has some very interesting buildings, especially at the square, including my favorite, the JW Marriott, a semi-twisted skyscraper. The park also has a few good bars such as Kathleen's 5 on top of a museum and Barbarossa on a small pond, plus a Starbucks and other goodies.