Page 132 - PROTAGONIST-124

A city full of contrasting elements, but in harmony with each other, which

should be discovered from a privileged point of view. And the Bellagio is
the perfect place to start our exploration.

Pages 128-129: Buildings at the Lujiazui Page 130-131: The Atrium and the Lobby of the Lounge Area
Financial Centre at the Bellagio Hotel. Courtesy of Bellagio Hotel

“Not to find one’s way around a city does not mean much. But Covered in granite stone and decorated with rich materials, the
to lose one’s way in a city, as one loses one’s way in a forest, requires Bellagio captures the elegance and glamour of this metropolis in the
some schooling.” Who knows, maybe the eclectic German philoso- Twenties. On its southern side, the building follows the direction of
pher Walter Benjamin was thinking about Shanghai when he wrote the river in a rhythmic movement of stepped facades and vertical
those words. towers. The hotel’s 160 rooms and suites (including a presidential
This city is one of three most populous cities in the world, suite) are complemented by a spa measuring 1,900 square meters
which take the podium from each other every year over a handful of (20,450 square feet), a pool with natural light, a lounge, and a choice
numbers. Getting lost and abandoning oneself here is the real, and of three panoramic restaurants to delight your palate: LAGO, the
perhaps only, way to discover its deepest essence. award-winning restaurant by Chef Julian Serrano, which serves au-
Maybe because no other city combines ancient and mod- thentic Italian cuisine with a scenic view of the river; Mansion on
ern, tall and short, sky and earth like Shanghai does. And water One, which pays tribute to Shanghai’s legacy and has eleven private
too, since it rises on the delta of the Yangtze River (also known as dining rooms; and Café Bellagio, for less formal meals and snacks.
the Blue River) just before it outflows into the East China Sea. Af- The Lounge completes the set with a touch of luxury, making it the
ter all, its very name is deeply connected to water: the two Chi- perfect location for a business meeting, afternoon tea, or to listen to
nese characters that make the city’s name, Shang and Hai, mean live music while enjoying an excellent cocktail.
“Upon the Sea.” The Oriental Pearl Tower is a must-see to begin your discov-
A city full of contrasting elements, but in harmony with ery of the city: 468 meters (1,535 feet) of modernity and the sym-
each other, which should be discovered from a privileged point of bol of Pudong, the city’s financial district. The tower is a master-
view. And the Bellagio is the perfect place to start our exploration: piece of originality, made of five spheres connected by pillars, and
48 hours to get to know Shanghai with all of its contradictions. it offers multiple activities. On the ground floor, you can visit the

130 Experience Protagonist