Shanghai Travel Forum

I am most likely moving to shanghai at the end of this year. I am a sole parent and taking my 2 children aged 12 & 10. I have visited shanghai numerous times on business, and whilst I have had fun (and learned the tricks the hard way) when shopping in markets or on the streets, I'm a little confused when shopping in the malls. I have two questions
1. Do the bargaining rules apply when shopping in malls - or is it like in Aus, you pay the advertised price ?
2. Are there nice swimming places (beaches) to visit ?

1) No bargaining.
2) Not really...

1. Actually, you may bargain in some department stores, even in Parkson on Huaihai Rd.

2. No. Nice beaches for swimming I found only in Sanya, Qingdao, Dalian, Beihai.

It is interesting to fly over the coast of China on a clear day. You will see the dirt from the Yangze river going 30 or more miles out to sea. As a result, all of the seawater around Shanghai is as dirty as the river water.

I forget the name, but there is a water park in the Shanghai area, as well as an indoor skiing area..

Ah, Dino Beach I presume?
http://www.smartshanghai.com/venue/2305/Dino_Beach
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/shanghai/A25953.html
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/MDForum-viewtopic-t-26380.phtml
http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/shanghai/listings/sports/water-activities/has/dino-water-park/