Spill the Tea: Shanghai Edition - What's the Real Deal?
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Hello, everyone! Greetings to all:
The following are my reflections from this trip; please know that I am not seeking to praise or criticize, nor am I belittling my hometown. I merely wish to document the emotions of this moment and hope that no one feels uncomfortable or perceives me as engaged in regional discrimination upon reading it. (If you don't like it, simply skip it, thank you all!
)In fact, four years ago, when I took the college entrance exam, Shanghai was my top choice. But due to various reasons, I ended up going to another city. Thus, this journey to Shanghai has always been a small desire of mine. It's not remote nor unrealistic—a dream, given that with today's convenient transportation, I can embark at any time. I just felt that I had not quite set the right mood to welcome this "Ideal City" in my heart. One day, moved by the moment, I decided spontaneously to head to Shanghai!
Day One: A First Glimpse of Shanghai, With a Slightly Wounded Wallet
- Once we arrived at the high-speed rail station in the evening, we took the subway straight to Lujiazui – where many skyscrapers and financial companies stand tall. Although I had seen countless photos and videos of Lujiazui before, nothing beats seeing it with my own eyes. Standing under those towering buildings, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of capable people work in Shanghai Tower? And who could casually shop at IFC Mall – a topnotch shopping mall nearby?
- Even though there was rain and fog this day, it didn’t affect the city’s splendor. I rented a shared bicycle across the Bund and rode for a long time. Riding alongside, felt an unprecedented awe. Coincidentally, Valentine's Day fell on that day; all around were couples dining leisurely, families gathering for meals, and others conducting business – creating scenes reminiscent of those I once watched on TV as a child. All I could do was sigh...
- After riding for some time, we took the ferry to the other side of the Huangpu River (a convenient boat service). From the Bund side, gazing at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower on the opposite bank, another magnificent sight greeted us.
- Travel Tips & Complaints
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- Later, after having dinner downstairs in our hotel, we realized how expensive living in Shanghai truly is!
- A simple bowl of noodles or a fried rice dish cost about 60 to 70 CNY.
- Our hotel rooms were small – but cost us just under 300 to 400 CNY per night.
- (I hope you don’t criticize me too harshly. I understand that prices differ regionally and each individual may have unique spending habits. This is simply my personal experience.)
Day Two: Temples, Technology, and Chic Streets
- We visited Jing'an Temple – a renowned Buddhist temple located in the heart of Shanghai surrounded by modern high-rise buildings – and then went to its neighboring Apple store.
- Finally, we spent an entire afternoon sitting along West Huake Road, popular for its beautiful old houses and loved by many young locals. I particularly liked the youthful vibrancy found around these areas and marveled at the cleanliness of the streets and the diverse architectural styles standing alongside, both two sides.
Day Three: Strolling Through Traditional Gardens
- This day, we visited Chenghuangmiao (literally meaning "City God Temple", also known as “Religious Street”) and Yu Garden. Both are inseparably linked areas which offer visitors a wonderful experience of Chinese traditional scenery, as well as food courts filled with tasty delicacies as souvenirs.
Last Day: Pondering on the Bund
- Once again, I returned to the Bund, standing by the Huangpu River for quite some time, absorbing quietly the profound impact this metropolis has given me.
- Amongst the faces of foreigners on the street, something very unusual to see in my home city. Moreover, there were also many individuals resembling citizens of other Asian countries speaking Korean, Thai, etc. I deeply felt this city’s openness and inclusiveness.
- I also noted that countless men and women dressed up impeccably in Shanghai. In that moment, amidst these varied people and events, I sensed great contrasts: differences in family backgrounds, education levels, knowledge realms, and wealth inequalities. Differences in perspective and life experiences are ever-present...
- Although the grandeur and sophistication of this city permeate one’s bones rather than merely being a superficial show, this brief trip to the city indeed left me with a strong sense of separation. Stepping into this, my dreamlike Shanghai, was like entering into another world: the old-fashioned Shanghai’s 'Ten Li' still sparkles, Lujiazui's towering buildings astound, a shopping mall with spiraling escalators appears, its streets are squeaky clean, while people of differing skin tones speak Chinese that I recognize but contain traits that seem unfamiliar to me.
- This stark contrast, brought by actual life experiences, gives me further motivation to realize my goals. Perhaps next time I stand on the Bund, I will feel differently and experience things in a distinct manner!
And that – is the significance of travel.
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In the future, I'd like to visit New York, Tokyo, London, and Paris, then move on to Florence, Basel, and Vienna. After that, I'll explore Cairo, the Serengeti, Rio, and Lake Tekapo, and perhaps even join a National Geographic tour to the South Pole. It seems then I'll realize that the world is one interconnected whole; it's humanity that creates divisions, not nature itself.
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I hope to visit these places someday.
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Well written, it covers various aspects. Shanghai can broaden your horizons; here, you can find what you're looking for and even things you never imagined existed. It's a city brimming with freedom, fashion, sophistication, and an artistic vibe.
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Thanks for the compliment! Shanghai really can broaden your horizons. It's been an eye-opening experience, haha!
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I've seen many big cities, but Shanghai's greatest strength is its soft power. It's teeming with talent; you just have to be impressed.
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Indeed, anyone can be replaced in an instant.
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Sigh, it's less about you coming to Shanghai and more about you stepping into your own dream. Perhaps, in your mind, Shanghai symbolizes a certain lifestyle or state of being. If, one day, Shanghai becomes old and outdated (just as the moon waxes and wanes, and flowers bloom and fade – it's the way of things, you know), would you then move on to another, 'better' city?
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If it falls behind, then of course! People always strive for better things.
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Most people are just doing ordinary jobs like this...
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I really like Shanghai, but in the end, I moved to Qingdao.
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Qingdao is a bustling city too!
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After visiting Tokyo, Shanghai didn't feel so overwhelming to me anymore. Tokyo is the largest city in Asia and the second largest in the world, after all.
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I have no idea what you're talking about.
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Perhaps, but going on a shopping spree at the IFC Mall is way harder than slaving away at the Shanghai Tower.