Shanghai vs. Tokyo: The Ultimate Showdown (for Clueless Tourists)
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Well, let's talk about Shanghai and Tokyo. In my opinion—each city surely has its own unique charm!
To begin with, Shanghai is much cleaner now! If anyone says otherwise, then they just haven't visited the city for a long time. These days, both local Shanghainese and newcomers who are working and living there have become more concerned about hygiene and there's been a significant decrease in littering. But of course, it's not absolutely possible to claim that there’s no garbage—the same can be said forTokyo. So, let’s not be too absolute here.
Why does Tokyo feel fresher? The climate plays a major role! The vehicles and roads in Tokyo do seem cleaner visually. I think this relates to the fact that it has an oceanic climate. While summers could be gloomily humid in Shanghai, the weather in Tokyo generally feels pleasant, even improving my skin condition during my stay.
Also, due to its coastal location, Tokyo experiences more rainfall, reducing dust in the air; hence, the overall environment is indeed more refreshing than Shanghai.
When it comes to daily life, each has its advantages:
- Food-wise: Shanghai clearly offers ample choices compared to Tokyo! You can find pretty much whatever you fancy to eat.
- Transportation-wise:
- Although Tokyo's subway system is densely networked, I still believe transferring lines are easier in Shanghai. Plus, the instructions are easy to understand.
- Don’t keep saying that lacking Korean language options means an international city falls short. Not all Japanese trains announce in Korean; as an international metropolis, English is a given prerequisite. If one struggles to comprehend English signs, perhaps a basic language education boost might do them good!
- Travelers beware when visiting Japan: eating while strolling around is a big no-no!
- Generally, eating on the streets or trains is considered inappropriate in Japan. This societal norm may cause discomfort to someone like me, who enjoys a freestyle lifestyle.
- For example, if you purchase an onigiri (Japanese rice ball) from a FamilyMart in the morning and decide to munch on it as you walk, it would be best to refrain. It might prompt a perception of you breaking unspoken etiquette rules, leading to social awkwardness and discomfort—words can hardly convey the exact emotion.
- Solution: Find a corner or a designated convenience store entrance where food consumption is allowed, or look for benches in parks, and enjoy your meal there.
The edge of Tokyo is also seen in commercial outlets and cultural outpouring! From small shops on the street, marketplaces, or within train stations, various unique stores at airports, Tokyo exhibits the intricate beauty of Japanese culture or even Asian cultures!
Shanghai’s current commercial planning… well, I sigh, to be frank. Occasionally, looking for a quaint local shop to grab a warm bowl of wonton noodles for lunch, becomes increasingly difficult. The area is taken up by chain stores which somewhat erase its uniqueness and individuality—this aspect doesn’t appeal to me personally.
All in all, each city has its own attractions and their own unique flavors. Sincerely wish Shanghai could learn a thing or two from Tokyo regarding the attention to detail in cultural preservation. After all, an excellent tourist city isn't solely about building skyscrapers and "tricking" visitors into looking twice, right?
#Shanghai #Tokyo #TouristicCity #JapanTravel #ChinaTravel #CulturalDifferences
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When it comes to architecture, Shanghai feels grander. In Tokyo, outside of a few popular downtown areas, the buildings are generally lower; it's more about being compact and refined.
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Tokyo's high-rise density is actually quite impressive too, but Shanghai definitely has a more imposing feel.
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Come on, Tokyo is Asia's premier city. The overall caliber of its people is unmatched—very few cities worldwide can even compare. Sure, Shanghai is doing well and becoming more beautiful, but it's not quite in the same league as Tokyo.
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True, they each have their strengths. However, there are so many Southeast Asians and Westerners around now, it's starting to feel a bit concerning. Just the other day on Yokohama Road, I even saw some people of color.
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Each has its own merits.
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Frankly, I don't think they're comparable at all. In terms of urban development, Shanghai might look better than Tokyo on the surface. Chinese people have always prioritized 'face projects'—things that look good outwardly. There's a real need to focus more on cultivating things on a cultural or spiritual level.
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They're just entirely different concepts.
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Aside from the food, I feel Tokyo surpasses Shanghai in every other aspect.
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That's a bit extreme. Shanghai's metro system alone, for instance, is overwhelmingly superior.