Just back from Shanghai & the withdrawal is hitting HARD. How do you guys cope?!
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Wow, I just returned from a three and a half day trip to Shanghai, which was absolutely fantastic!
Overall Feels Amazing!
- Shanghai is an incredible city, with towering skyscrapers everywhere, and unique, age-old buildings featuring styles from all corners of the globe. The streets were particularly clean.
- Weather was also kind to us, the temperature was perfect, walking down the streets with a gentle breeze felt incredibly comfortable (what we like to call "City Walk").
Places That Surprised Me:
- Seeing the Oriental Pearl Tower, coupled with the skyscraper district of Lujiazui (which hosts a bustling financial center filled with tall buildings!) was truly stunning. It simply can't be captured by photos!
- Yuyuan Garden, an exquisite traditional Chinese garden, beautiful and tranquil - it feels like another world compared to the hustle and bustle outside.
- I particularly loved the plane trees on both sides of the street (a common tree species along Shanghai's main roads that evokes a specific ambience), it gave the place an authentic feel as seen in movies.
- Glimpsing my favorite cartoon characters at Disneyland made me so happy, I was high on joy!
- Everything feels surreal because these places, which I could only see online or on television before, now I am actually walking through them.
Personal Little Experiences:
- This trip holds a special meaning for me. It was the first time I've taken a flight, and also the second time going solo.
- Meeting folks like restaurant staff were friendly and warm.
Some Thoughts About Shanghai:
- To be honest, before coming here, I had some concerns about Shanghai, mostly from some unfavorable comments I read online, which made me feel a bit apprehensive.
- But once I arrived, all those worries just faded away! I discovered that Shanghai is indeed an open-minded and inclusive city, where people from different countries with diverse skin tones could be seen strolling the streets.
Aftermath Of The Trip:
- Once the vacation ended and I returned to school, it felt as if I had dreamt up a lively, almost surreal experience. Now, I have to flip through the snaps on my phone to verify that I did visit Shanghai.
- These days' experiences made me utterly enamored with Shanghai, and gave me new ideas and aspirations for the future. I really want to come back here again!
A Reminder To Friends Visiting Shanghai For The First Time:
- Don't Let Online Stereotypes Get You Down!
- The Dilemma: Before departure, I came across some harsh reviews online and worried Shanghai could be as aloof or exclusionary as it was described.
- My Experience: After visiting, I realized this is far from the truth! Shanghai is actually very international and inclusive. You'll meet people from all around the world here and most locals are friendly.
- Recommendation: Come with an open mind and you will experience a vibrant and real Shanghai.
#Shanghai #Travel #LikeIAmDreamingABustlingDream #LookForwardToMeetingAgain
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Thanks, everyone! I never imagined this post would attract so many locals and tourists who've visited before! I really appreciate all your warm welcomes and helpful suggestions. Seeing such an enthusiastic reception has truly touched me, and my fondness for Shanghai has grown even stronger. There are so many comments, I might not be able to reply to everyone individually, so I want to express my gratitude to all of you here. And please, feel free to visit Hubei if you ever get the chance!
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Hope you visit again soon!
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Visit Shanghai again and take a walk down Jun'gong Road. The magic will wear off pretty quickly.
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But Jun'gong Road also has Gongqing Forest Park, a place pretty much every Shanghainese person has visited.
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I visited Shanghai for 5 days over the May Day holiday. When I got back home, my city felt like a small town. Dalian's airport isn't even as big as one of their subway stations!
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Ahahaha, that's a bit of an exaggeration! Dalian is actually quite large and a really nice place.
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Me too! [tearfully happy emoji] Shanghai is so incredibly clean, and there are people from so many different backgrounds! [tearfully happy emoji] The weather is great, the streets are beautiful. I absolutely love Shanghai! [tearfully happy emoji] The day my husband returned, he said that out of all the cities we've visited, Shanghai felt the most comfortable.
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It really does feel very comfortable.
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As a homebody, I just curl up on the sofa every day, scrolling through Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) and Bilibili, watching tourists and foreigners explore Shanghai. It almost feels like I've done the sightseeing myself!
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Hahahahaha, +1 to that!
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It's a bit like a 'besieged city' – you know, those inside want out, and those outside want in. But still, you're always welcome to visit when you have time!
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I visited in early January, and it took me ages to get over how amazing it was. The weather was perfect – not too cold, not too hot – and since schools weren't on holiday yet, it wasn't crowded. The whole experience was fantastic. I've been to many cities, but none have left such a lasting impression as Shanghai. I'm already planning to go back this summer!
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Exactly! I keep replaying the memories in my head.
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Come to Shanghai looking for a job after graduation, try finding a 30-something square meter, old, shabby apartment for 4000 RMB a month. That'll kill the magic for you real quick.
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I've traveled to many countries, and I can say Shanghai has its own unique heritage and style. Plus, it boasts an incredible range of authentic cuisine from all over China and the world. It absolutely rivals major metropolises like New York, Tokyo, and Paris.