Relive the grandiose and glamor of 1930s Shanghai in what’s been dubbed the “best ballroom in the far east”. Hostesses clad in shimmery sequined qipaos point the way towards the Paramount’s well-preserved old-time charm. Built in 1932, this dance hall, rendered in a resplendent art deco-style exterior and a tacky over-the-top interior was the place to be for tycoons, socialites and politicians flaunting their wealth and decadent lifestyles.

Re-opened for business in September of 2001 by a Taiwanese businessman, the Paramount boasts a full-time jazz band fronted by various singers. Step out on the dance floor, where professional dance partners take your hand to transport you back into another era of jitterbugging jams. Cover charge applies, and it’s actually cheaper to head over in the afternoon than at night, depending on your budget. Even if you stubbornly don’t dance, you have to at least take a look.