Customer Reviews

Time Out Shanghai (Time Out Guides)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've used Time Out guides for years, mostly attracted to the layout of information. But the Shanghai guide highlighted all the annoying aspects of the Time Out "formula" I managed to overlook in guides to other cities. Time Out is definately written for the bored European who'd rather be in Ibiza, the that doesn't work for China. The focus is glam experiences at clubs and being trendy, which has the effect of dismissing what makes a city unique, its history, culture and people. What really annoyed me is the gratuitous commentary on what's "wrong" with Shanghai. You are treated to various comments on how clueless bartenders will ruin your favorite cocktail, and how your aesthetic sensibility will be offended by having to look at an ugly building while navigating your way. Such snide comments appear throughout the guide. The Time Out formula also gives unmerited emphasis to such aspects as where to find gay bars or classes for the lastest fitness craze (note to Time Out writers: go to Ibiza, not Shanghai.) At the same time, the city's extensive restaurant scene is hardly covered, expect for a handful of pricey celebrity-chef venues. While I still appreciate the guide's organisation by neighbourhood, and the listing of opening times for venues, the guide needs to include Chinese names and addresses, not just romanized ones -- the Chinese name appendix in the back of the guide is inadequate.

Compared to Frommer's, Fodor's, and Lonely Planet, the Time Out Guide to Shanghai has proved to be far and away the most informative and useful, and it has the best maps. As the guide itself does not fail to mention, Shanghai is changing at a blinding speed, and a lot of the listings are already out of date. Nevertheless, even after living here several months, my beat-up copy still sits on my kitchen table and gets referenced at least once a week. Indispensable.

This is the first TimeOut guide I have bought. Usually travel guide series is too glossy without any real details or not glossy enough. This book is glossy with great pictures and also has alot of detail. The history section is well written and thorough. The book also has several interesting sidebars with additional information and stories. The sidebar on raising the Bund was especially interesting. Some travel guide series also have a tendency to be too neutral with hotel/restaurant listings. This book does not fall into that trap. I would strongly recommend this book to any Shanghai traveler and I am exploring other books in this series now.

My friend got the LP Shanghai book while I got this one. This proved to be very helpful and I love the Chinese street translations at the back of the book, which came in handy when a cab driver couldn't understand what we were saying. I hope they release an updated version as I will definitely visit Shanghai again.