Shanghai: Who's It *Actually* For?
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Here you go! Let's modify it to make sure our foreign friends can easily grasp the essence and quirks of traveling to Shanghai!
Who might absolutely love Shanghai?
I think if you're one of the following types, you'll truly fall in love with Shanghai!
- Someone who enjoys taking photos everywhere, striving for beautiful pictures.
- Friends who love Anime, Manga, and games (collectively known as "二次元" or "2D world") culture.
- Those obsessed with fashion and design-driven small shops.
- People who appreciate various live performances, such as drama, musicals, concerts, etc.
- Those with a particular fondness for museums, enjoying immersing themselves in history and art.
A few things to know before your trip - Some are my little complaints - :
- Bathroom Situation:
- During my five-day stay in Shanghai, I noticed that most public restrooms at parks, restaurants, or even streets were western-style toilets (where you sit). Very few squat toilets were spotted. If you prefer squatting while using the restroom, it might be necessary to make some adjustments.
- About the popular local delicacy "Seng Dacheng Green Rice Balls":
- Before leaving, numerous tour guides recommended the green rice balls made with mugwort juice from Seng Da Cheng, which is a specialty local snack. Expecting much, I tried it. However... both me and my friend felt its taste was mediocre. No as fantastic as advertised. So, go ahead and try it, but don't expect too much!
- Some stores on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street:
- This street is immensely famous, swarmed with people. There are stores like the M&M bean store, Miniso flagship store (selling a variety of lifestyle items), filled with lovely dolls and surprise toys (the ones you don't know what they actually look like).
- If you aren't a big fan of these cartoon character and rainbow-colored candy beans, it wouldn't be necessary to specifically go in the store; could just possibly feel like, "So what?".
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️ Important Tip: Subway Station Stairs!</mark>
- At that time, we decided to live nearby Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street for convenience. But... many subway station entrances (we passed at least three), lacked escalators or elevators, having only stairs!
- How to avoid? If traveling with heavy luggage, it would definitely be frustrating! It's best to check the metro station exit information on mapping apps beforehand and try to find accessible facilities (for disabled). Alternatively, take a taxi all the way to the hotel/street. Otherwise, mentally prepare yourself for "carrying heavy objects while climbing stairs". This phrase "Oh no, stairs again!" was one I often heard myself mutter during these days.
My overall feeling about Shanghai:
In these five days in Shanghai, my most fond were its museums! They come in a variety, high in quality, it's so enjoyable to visit. Also, Shanghai has a fantastic performance market to watch special or outstanding shows like “Forbidden Colors” that I watched, the memories linger.
When it comes to Shanghai during the day, honestly, personally speaking, it doesn't reach the level of "Wow, breathtaking." Though it does have cool characteristic features. Modern skyscrapers meshed together with old western architecture are particularly noteworthy. One can always witness next to those towering steel and glass buildings, an ancient-looking European church stood quietly there. I remember right after arriving in Shanghai, when I came out of the subway, I saw before me a pretty western-styled building with a little balcony, and in the gap between some distant tall buildings, a tip of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower could be spotted. This mixture of new and old is rather distinctive.
#TravelPitfalls #WhereToVisit #ShanghaiTourism #SoloJourney #BigCityAttraction #AvoidPeakSeason
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Pardon the interruption, and wishing the OP great success!
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They really are all toilets! Hahahahahaha.