Shanghai: Quick Tips for a Kick-Ass Trip

[Ms. Alberta Moen]

Sure, I'll take care of this matter and make sure everything is clear and understandable, even for foreigners!

Initially, I had planned a "Special Forces Style" trip, aiming to leave early in the morning and return late at night to finish touring the huge robot model base (also known as Mobile Suit Gundam Base) in one day. However, my cousin happened to come to Shanghai for a visit, which made me extend my stay by a few more days.

• As soon as I wrapped up my work, I jumped on the train to Shanghai.

  • The first stop must be The Bund (the riverside where many beautiful old buildings and tall buildings across the river can be seen)! However, please note that all the lights will turn off on time at 10 pm.
  • According to my mother, I last visited Shanghai when I was still in her womb! After visiting The Bund, we went directly to a hotel located in Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, a very famous shopping street, just steps away from there.
  • The ticket for nighttime sightseeing on the Huangpu River costs 120 RMB per person. Personally, I would not recommend taking the tour, but rather savoring a comfortable stroll along the shoreline. It’s advisable to check the itinerary of the boat ride beforehand.

• During my dining excursions, I didn't go to trendy restaurants or places that sounded too fancy.

  • Rather, I dined at several time-honored “century-old shops” with fair prices, far from being as expensive as rumored "Shanghainese currency." ("Shanguang" refers to the humorous local term used to describe how Shanghai's prices are high as if a different currency is used.)
  • Food Recommendations:
    • In a small alley near Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, there is a place called "Xiao Shuang dang Restaurant":
      • Very tasty dishes here! We were lucky enough to meet a local grandpa who enthusiastically taught us the proper way to consume "shuang dang" (a Shanghai specialty combining fish skin, bean curd sheets in clear soup), pork cutlet, and stinky tofu (an interesting smell but delicious fermented tofu).
    • "Shanghai Old Restaurant," next to Yu Garden (a renowned classical garden):
      • This restaurant is highly recommended! The taste of the dishes is overall sweet, typical of Shanghai flavor.
      • Their dish "Eight Treasures Duck" (cooked duck stuffed with glutinous rice and various ingredients inside the stomach) is incredibly tender and melts in the mouth. Of course, taste preferences may vary.
    • "Weixiangzhai's sesame paste noodle":
      • I wholeheartedly recommend this too! Since I adore sesame paste so much, this dish catered perfectly to my taste buds, truly great!
      • The only minor flaw is its texture being somewhat similar to Hubei’s "hot dry noodle." But it doesn't matter, because I love hot dry noodle too!
  • Warning, avoid this restaurant:
    • A self-proclaimed "Michelin-recommended" restaurant (the following feedback is solely based on my personal experience, no implication intended towards other branches):
      • They blindly welcome customers regardless of available seating and seemingly ignore all complaints.
      • Their version of "shuang dang" tasted like plain water-clear soup; my grandma could easily outperform them.
      • The pork cutlet wasn’t completely sliced open; I tried separating it with chopsticks, which broke upon my efforts.
      • Their steamed bun (a Shanghai specialty with crunchy bottoms filled with meat), sadly didn’t impress me — despite identical fillings, those made by nearby breakfast stalls were better.

• Considering sightseeing around Shanghai urban areas, a 60 RMB ticket for the two-deck tourist transportation bus might be a good option.

  • This ticket remains valid for 24 hours and allows several alternative routes encompassing major scenic spots, including crossing the river.
  • The bus service generally operates until evening at 7-8 pm. There is also a designated tour line titled the "Red Classic Tour," primarily for sites associated with China’s modern history, although this line closes at around 5 pm.
  • When purchasing the tickets, you have the option of selecting paper ones, which you can give away as souvenirs for others to use if they are still within their validity period.

• On my last day, I toured the gigantic statue of "Freedom Gundam," a popular Japanese animated robot model.

  • Honestly, it wasn't as spectacular as online images portray it. The adjacent "Gundam Base" is essentially a shop selling related toys and models.
  • Each hour, a brief demonstration takes place involving subtle movements of the hand and head. An imitation of exhaust smoke is sprayed occasionally as well.
  • However, every half-hour, a fantastic light show happens in the evening, which is worth watching!

#ShanghaiFoodRecommendations #ShanghaiTourGuide #FreedomGundamStatue