Shanghai's 'Magic City' Allure? My 3-Day Trip Says: Not So Much.
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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!