Shanghai First-Timer: My Raw Take (Don't Roast Me, Folks!) #ShanghaiImpressions
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Hello! I want to share my experience of a three-day trip to Shanghai during the mid-November.
It was my first time visiting, so it may not have been as comprehensive as other experiences may be; please forgive any mistakes made in this recount.
Day One: A Trip to The Bund and Museum
Upon arriving at Shanghai, we headed straight for The Bund. Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse, with rain showers obscuring our view in a haze. We walked from Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street (a bustling shopping street) all the way to The Bund, but to no avail.
The beautiful scenery of The Bund that many tourists had hoped to snap photos of turned out to be nothing more than a faded image, much to our disappointment.
As an alternative, we went on an exploratory visit to a museum ( likely to be the Shanghai Museum), which had various exhibits showcasing Shanghai's history and culture, providing insightful historical information.
Day Two: The Ruzhijiao Ancient City Visit - A Journey of Patience
We visited the ancient town of Zhenjiajie, which is characteristically known for its water town features. The famous metropolis of Shanghai made its suburbs so far away. In order to reach this destination, I spent more than two hours traveling, which took more of a toll on me than I expected.
However, being in the ancient city itself, you can't imagine how different its atmosphere can be from the city center where skyscrapers are abundant.
Day Three: Exploring the Popular Spots & YANGPU District
Our last day, we embarked on popular "Citywalks" routes: Yuyuan Road – Wukang Road – The Shanghai Jiaotong University. I also explored Yangpu district, specifically the five-point arena (a busy shopping area).
If you're interested in purchasing merchandise from your favorite celebrities, games, or anime, explore the shops in the area.
Impressions and Insights From the Trip
- Walking until my feet gave up! No one told me that Shanghai travels typically require walking over 10,000 steps per day! Even within metro stations, distances needed to be traversed were considerable. But still, navigating through the city was convenient thanks to the efficient transportation system.
- The sun goes down too soon! By 5 PM in the afternoon, the city had already fallen into darkness, which made it feel like I was rushing around the city without pausing.
- Taste buds were challenged due to the generally sweet taste of dishes in the region. As someone accustomed to the spicy tastes of Sichuan cuisine, these flavors were difficult to cope with. I even ate a sweet flavored fried chicken leg on a bowl of rice!
- Overall, the expenses incurred seemed higher than expected.
Important - An Ode to My Bitter Experiences
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Caution: Be mindful of personal belongings. On the first day, my umbrella, which cost me 150 yuan, got lost.
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Rotate Door Alert: At one location in Yangpu, I found myself stuck inside a revolving door along with my backpack. Eventually, several personnel pushed me free.
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Garbage Bin and Charging Port Alert:
- Garbage bins are difficult to find in public areas, leading me to hold onto waste for over a kilometer.
- In addition, the sharing charging stations were scarce, and finding them involved walking from station to station in search of a functional kiosk.
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Despite these mishaps, overall, the trip was enjoyable! For someone visiting Shanghai for the first time, experiencing personally this “mystery city” (as Shanghai affectionately called itself) with all its novelty was rewarding. I eagerly look forward to returning on my next trip to uncover more of this city’s secrets!
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- Shanghai's subway is worth trying once, but taxis should be your main mode of transport. About 100 RMB a day for taxis should be enough. If you rely solely on the subway, your legs will be killing you!
- The Bund isn't just for quick photos; it would be much better with a guide to explain things.
- Don't let any minor setbacks bother you. Just enjoy your trip—after all, you're already here!
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Alright, hahaha. Hope for a better experience next time!
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There are no power banks inside the subway stations! You seem to insist on searching every single station and then complain that it's hard to rent power banks in Shanghai. That's really odd. What kind of shop doesn't have them? Even small roadside stalls selling drinks offer them for rent.
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I was just sharing my personal opinion, which might be a bit limited. I genuinely didn't see any power banks when I was there. There's no need for such hostility; it was my first time visiting Shanghai, and I was just expressing my experience. I didn't mean to say that no subway stations have power banks.
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As a local, I'd say Shanghai isn't really a prime tourist city. It's great if you're into exhibitions or theater. But usually, when friends from out of town visit, they check out the Bund, City God Temple, and Disneyland, and then they're often stumped for other fun things to do.
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As a Shanghainese, it feels like you don't really get Shanghai. Places like West Bund Dream Center, Yuyuan Road, Zhangyuan, The Inlet, and Xintiandi are all fantastic for a citywalk. It's so much better than Wuhan... Shanghai is honestly the most chill city for a citywalk!
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That line, 'It gets dark at 5 PM, the pace really is fast,' is just too much...
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In Harbin, it gets dark at 4 PM. The pace is even faster there!
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Going to Zhujiajiao on a 3-day Shanghai trip is indeed a bit ambitious. You should see the Bund together with the North Bund. Normally, there are trash cans in subway stations and at bus stops, though there are fewer on the streets these days. Also, with so many hot pot places, couldn't you satisfy your craving for Sichuan/Chongqing food?
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Time was a bit tight, so I didn't get a chance to try it. Hopefully, I can give it a go next time!
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Just left Shanghai yesterday. The subway system was overwhelming, almost made me dizzy! Thankfully, the sights were beautiful.
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What beautiful sights are there in Shanghai anyway?
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Don't flame me for this, but the strong smell of smoke on some people in public transport and on the streets, plus a sewage odor that even international five-star hotels can't seem to eliminate... and the locals don't even seem to notice it. Nah.
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Is the air in America sweet or something?
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Shanghai isn't really a tourist city, to be honest...
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It's a city for making money.
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Could I get the original picture to post on my Moments (WeChat)?
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Your IP address shows you're in Shanghai. Do you still need the picture?
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You walked from Yuyuan Road to Zhenning Road, then Wukang Road, Huaihai Road, all the way to Jiao Tong University. That's at least five kilometers! Of course, your feet are going to hurt.