Shanghai Price Shock! My Wallet's Weeping 😭
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Sure thing! I'll certainly make it both comprehensible and faithful to the original text, keeping in mind to retain all the details and emotional expressions:
Suitable for Whom to Visit Shanghai? (My Complaints and Adoration)
- A visit to Shanghai can definitely send your wallet into shock. Particularly noticeable is when you buy things.
* As soon as I thought of bringing my buddies some souvenirs or gifts embodying local specialties (sometimes known as 'tokens of remembrance'), I realized that most items don't seem quite worth their price.
* A tiny ornament costs more than 100 yuan (about 14 dollars/13 euros), believe it or not.
A card in a toy store (might be due to imports) was even priced at 15 yuan! - Shocking, right? I actually ended up purchasing non-stop from MINISO, a global chain of affordable supermarkets, on behalf of a friend!
* The toys selection at MINISO in Shanghai is so rich and complete that it feels like a tiny world in itself – just like a small Disney!
It’s by far the most diverse MINISO I've visited. I truly feel like visiting the "Magic City" (a nickname for Shanghai due to its energy and change). - We also strolled through ZARA and found the range there is really extensive.
- On my way back home to Xiamen, my hometown city in southern China, I casually purchased a small wallet from the Disney store at the airport; I'm happily on my way back home!
Overall, I still adore that city for its tidiness and neatness. Its traffic is quite easy and pleasant to navigate, unlike complex routes in my own city of Xiamen. My main expenses for this trip were limited to travel fees and eating out since I stayed with friends. Japanese ramen noodles are to die for, along with Yunnan specialty cuisine (authentic dishes from the southwestern province of China)! Without doubt, I’ll definitely visit again!
Reminder for Those Who Are Going to Shanghai (and My Own Thrifty Tips):
- A heads-up about Shanghai’s cost, especially for souvenirs:
* Get ready mentally if you plan to buy local specialties or gifts, as prices might surpass your expectations for many items.
* Solution: Shop wisely. You can also look around in similar chains like MINISO, where you may end up making a pleasant, money-saving purchase, as I did. - Accommodation saving tips:
* If possible, staying with friends will save you lots of accommodation expenses. - Food recommendations:
* You shouldn't miss the genuine Japanese ramen and distinctive Yunnan delicacies! - General Impressions:
* The city of Shanghai is no understatement for its nickname of “Magic City”, it's clean, large, and easy to navigate, making it perfect for urban roaming.
- A visit to Shanghai can definitely send your wallet into shock. Particularly noticeable is when you buy things.
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Honestly, those who claim Shanghai isn't expensive probably don't travel much. I haven't been to tons of places, but the ones I have are mostly provincial capitals, and I'm always struck by how much cheaper things are there, whether it's hotels or dining. For instance, an Atour hotel in Shanghai might cost 700-800 RMB, while the same one in another city could be 300-400 RMB. The same logic applies to food. And for those who want to argue about their 20-30 RMB meals, please don't. I'm talking about comparable quality; you can't just eat convenience store bentos or a simple bowl of noodles every day.
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Like I've said, the only expensive things in Shanghai are accommodation and taxis; everything else is reasonably priced. You're specifically choosing to compare housing. Shanghai is a major international city, and if you compare it to other top-tier global cities, even its housing and taxis are relatively affordable.
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The local Shanghainese noodles here are way better than Japanese ramen.
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Which place is that? Check mine out.
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Planning to sell some Hong Kong and US [currency/assets]. If anyone in mainland China needs them, I can help with the transaction process.
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Want a restaurant recommendation? I don't think it's too pricey, about the same as in the Pearl River Delta. Every dish is delicious, especially the cilantro beef – it's amazing!
The service is great too, they even give you free drinks. And get this, all the waiters are young, good-looking guys, no female staff. Picture 1 shows what I ordered via QR code, which are the dishes in Picture 2. Picture 2 is what I got from a group deal, which are the dishes shown after that. The restaurant is called Gui Man Long, and the portions are huge! -
If prices in Shanghai were low, it would quickly lose its appeal/novelty.
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The plain noodles near Jing'an are truly delicious.
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I saw you last night.
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Shanghai is quite suitable for a home-centered life.
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I've noticed that too. Cooking at home, the cost of ingredients is similar [to other places], but eating out is incredibly expensive. For example, four pan-fried buns cost 58 RMB!
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Dining in Shanghai is also super expensive. A very ordinary meal will set you back 40-50 RMB, and if you want something a bit nicer, it can easily cost several hundred. Hotels are pricey too.
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...A regular meal is more like 20-30 RMB. And you can find group deals for Black Pearl restaurants – a meal for two that's usually 400 RMB per person can be had for 200 RMB total.
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Seriously, it's ridiculously expensive. Can you believe this small doll costs 299 RMB?
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I was initially thinking of buying one for my daughter as a souvenir, but then I saw the price – 299 RMB!