Shanghai's 'Magic City' Allure? My 3-Day Trip Says: Not So Much.
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Alright, I totally understand how you feel! Here's a version that's easy to comprehend for foreign friends:
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Sometimes, it really feels like traveling can be even more tiring than going to work every day! Have you ever felt that way?
- Tip of Advice: Don't over-schedule your itinerary, or otherwise, you might find yourself too exhausted to make the most out of your trip. Holidays are meant to relax, not to drag you from one tourist site to another merely by marking them on your checklist, especially in a new country, where many things may need time to adjust.
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Constant thoughts about planning a vacation:
- What is the next place to visit? With so much to see in the world, there are endless choices!
- I really want to travel! Wanting to escape the "concrete jungle" of city life even if just for a while and breathe in fresh air in other environments.
- (Explanation: In China, "city life" generally refers to places like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, characterized by a rapid pace of living and overwhelming stress, hence people often seek opportunities to take a rest.)
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On the flip side, some cities have a special charm that makes you want to revisit again and again; they are like treasure troves.
- The genuine "worth visiting again and again destinations," each trip presents you with a fresh surprise – the joy never wears off.
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Honestly, half a day and an overnight stay in Shanghai is plenty. Besides The Bund, there's not much else to see. If you have extra time, you're better off taking a train to nearby Suzhou for a couple of days of proper sightseeing.
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If you come to Shanghai expecting natural scenery, you'll definitely be disappointed. And if you're looking at it for its cultural landscape, the history behind many buildings isn't as captivating as Beijing's. That's why I usually tell my friends that a day or two is enough for Shanghai.
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That's because you're probably only visiting the typical touristy 'check-in' spots.
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I'm already here and I have no idea what to do.
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You don't fully grasp Shanghai's 'Magic City' vibe when you're in the midst of it. It's only when you're looking back through your photos later that you're truly struck by how incredibly bustling the place you visited was. That's my take on the 'Magic City'—when I was actually on The Bund or in Lujiazui, I just thought, 'Wow, the buildings are tall, the lights are pretty.' The full impact of its vibrancy is something you appreciate more in hindsight.
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Hey, I was wondering about the place in picture 3... My schedule is packed, so I won't be able to make it there.
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I don't know if it's Shanghai (the 'Magic City') that's changed or if it's me. Before the pandemic (pre-
), I used to love booking those old 'laokele' (sophisticated Shanghainese gentleman) style Shikumen guesthouses on Airbnb. I'd go to anime conventions with friends dressed in cosplay or Lolita fashion, grab some wontons on the street where the elderly local residents would give us a friendly smile. We'd visit museum exhibitions, art galleries, find a nice, uncrowded restaurant in the trendy Julu-Fumin-Changle Road area, and later view the Bund at night from the Shanghai Tower. It felt like the Shanghai from Guo Jingming's novels – bustling yet with a human touch. Now, when I visit Shanghai, it's all about 'citywalks' and hitting influencer 'check-in' spots. Even though it's often the same streets, that youthful, energetic vibe just isn't there anymore. -
Shanghai might not have a ton of 'fun' things to do, but it's perfect for those who love taking aesthetic photos (出片姐 - chūpiànjiě, for social media) and for fans who collect anime/game merchandise (吃谷的 - chīgǔde).
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Shanghai indeed doesn't offer much in terms of typical tourist attractions; it's more a city to live in and experience. It's when you're occasionally on a bus, passing by old architecture then towering skyscrapers, then the entrances of luxury hotels, and then suddenly old shantytown alleys or a community health station and courier depot under an overpass, that you get a sense of how so many completely different worlds can coexist in one city, almost as if they're on different visual layers.
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Yes, I feel the same way. The longer you live here, the more interesting you find it.
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Shanghai really doesn't have much to 'do' for fun.
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Can anyone recommend a reliable, budget-friendly hotel for a trip to Shanghai?
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There's a hotel called 'Baiyulan' (Magnolia) near Nanjing East Road that seems pretty decent.
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Shanghai doesn't have many 'fun' tourist attractions, but if you're into theater, musicals, or concerts, then you're in for a treat.
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I feel that Shanghai, much like Beijing, is a great city for long-term living where you can explore things occasionally, but it's not ideal as a dedicated tourist destination.
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And yet, during holidays, Shanghai consistently ranks first in the country for tourist numbers, and not just by a few hundred thousand more, but significantly so. Why is that? If it's not your cup of tea, then don't come. But if you do, you're welcome!