Honest Question: Shanghai's Kinda Meh... So Why All The Hype...?
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Sure, here's the translation of your text with the intent to make it easily understandable for foreign readers while keeping the original directness intact.
Title: Just Wondering, Apart from its High Reputation, Is There Anything Actually Fun and Worth Ranking So High in Shanghai?
Hello everyone, I just can't figure out why Shanghai is always among the top few tourism cities in China?
For one thing, there’s The Bund. The night view is indeed impressive, with skyscrapers that are quite picturesque.
Secondly, there's the Disneyland, but as we all know, these exist globally, and those who like them will surely visit.
But other than these few highlights, there doesn’t seem to be anything particularly eye-catching, right?Moving on to those so-called “ancient towns” like the ones at Qibao or Zhujiajiao:
- They feel like replicas – picturesque houses, small wooden bridges and waterways, and similar commercialism that sells the same things.
- After visiting one, I honestly have no desire to see any others again.
- FYI for foreign friends:
- Most of these "ancient towns" are newly built or refurbished post-restoration, which boosts their commercialization levels.
- If you're looking for authentic ancient town experiences in China, you might need to go further from Shanghai to less frequented areas. Do not expect too much from these places around Shanghai, which can serve as leisure activities over weekends.
- FYI for foreign friends:
Then, there are the famous "internet-famous streets" like Yuyuan Route, Wukang Road, and Anfu Road:
- In essence, they’re just scenic walking trails where people take photos, surrounded by some old houses (largely relics of the former French concession, giving them a European feel) and a few coffee shops or small retailers.
- However, it seems awkward for me to call them formal "tourist spots".
- Attention, friends who intend to explore citylife:
- These are indeed suitable for a leisurely stroll and provide insights into authentic life experiences and fashions in Shanghai.
- Do not expect them to be as grandiose as landmarks like Forbidden City or Great Wall. Life experiences should be emphasized over these non-mandatory destinations.
- Attention, friends who intend to explore citylife:
So now, I wonder, with all these contents, why can Shanghai maintain its high ranks among top tourist destinations? Anyone cares to enlighten me?
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This year, I tried some 'reverse tourism' in my own city, visiting a few places that are usually packed but were wonderfully quiet. It felt amazing! I soaked up some sun at the West Bund, watched the sunset and the Bund light up from the art museum, took a stroll across the Waibaidu Bridge, and watched birds flying at the North Bund.