Why Not by Leah Puyat: Shanghai High

In the triumvirate of Chinese cities, Beijing is about power, Hong Kong is about money and Shanghai is about decadence. In its colonial heyday, when the French, the English, and the Dutch all held vested interests in the city's fortunes, it developed a sophisticated and continental air. Then the communists came and tried to get rid of all the Western corruption but in just around the last ten years, Shanghai has regained its international character.

In front of Jia Hotel in Shanghai.

When my friends and I went to Shanghai, even our taxi driver got lost on the way to the Jia Shanghai as it is such an insider destination. Dubbed as Shanghai's first design-led boutique hotel, it has a clubby, exclusive, super stylish yet still welcoming vibe, in keeping with the name, which means home in Mandarin. The sister hotel, Jia Hong Kong, was the first ever hotel designed completely by Philippe Starck in Asia. In contrast, this hotel has deep, rich color but still has the wit and charm. The lobby of the Jia Shangahi was done by Andre Fu, who is Michelle Yeoh's personal decorator, and a protege of the minimalist master John Pawson. Housed in a converted 1920s building, the lobby echoes Shanghai's glam past, with the visual cheekiness and whimsy of the present.

Two giant teddy bears nestle on a console table while our very own Kenneth Cobonpue's Yoda chair with its spindly, uneven bamboo back gets its own corner.

An installation of black stylized birdcages against Chinoiserie padded walls brings back the Oriental vibe.

All day long, you can get free snacks in the lobby with tea and petits fours in the afternoon and the red wine ANC cocktails in ten early evening and the coffee and dessert late at night. Issimo has been lauded as the city's best Italian resto.

The rooms at Jia feature signature furniture pieces from Minotti, Moroso and Citterio and lighting by Flos and Artemide. The rooms have photos by acclaimed Singaporean photographer Russell Wong (not the actor) and gilt Bisazza tiles in the bathroom, plus Technogym machines in the compact but sleek gym.

You must go to the Yuyuan Garden, then visit all the neighboring shops. you will find all sorts of cute stuff ranging from gift tags to small toys. Check out the longest line, and that is the place where the original xiao long bao was invented. And when you say let's meet at the Starbucks, clarify which one, because there are two!