I Think I've Got 'Shanghai Syndrome'...
-
Here I am! I'm excited to share my experience and impressions of my first visit to Shanghai. This trip truly changed my perspective.
Growing up in a small county, Shanghai to me was nothing like any place I had ever seen! The image I had of the city before visiting could be summed up in three words: "prosperous," "elegant," and somewhat of an "elitist" (as I thought they might not welcome outsiders).
However, my perception began to change when I went to college:
- A friend who had interned in Shanghai once told me how incredibly lucky she was to find a job that paid her 7,000 RMB a month.
- My own measly income from internship barely reached 2,500 RMB, which prompted me to tell my friend, "You've done it! It took real guts for you to seek employment in Shanghai, while my first step towards the city seemed impossible."
- But my friend mentioned that contrary to popular belief, Shanghai is actually an inclusive city with endless opportunities compared to smaller regions.
In January 2025, I decided to see this city that I had previously misunderstood with my own eyes.
Wandering along the streets of Shanghai by myself, even as I reminded myself to stay calm and not look too out of place, my curiosity wouldn’t cease. All around me, people were enjoying the magnificent lights and bustling nightlife that epitomize "the Nocturnal Shanghai." I could see well-dressed folks strolling down The Bund, the most famous promenade on the Huangpu River. But that wasn’t all – during my transit rides, I also noticed many hard-working individuals heading back home from work after their long days.
Since then, Shanghai has truly come alive in my heart. It was no longer just a dazzling shell, but rather a vivid image filled with the stories of the citizens I witnessed throughout my trip.
People living their lives there, those struggling in the fast-paced lifestyle, and those finding homes among skyscrapers – these are the hearts of this city.
On the last day of my journey, I ordered a single coffee at a Manner Coffee (a popular café chain), as I sat staring at the sunset's glow over the Oriental Pearl TV Tower – one of the iconic symbols of Shanghai. As the sun disappeared completely from the horizon, I reluctantly left and looked back at the tall buildings across the river, feeling a bit sorrowful about ending my stay here.
#ShanghaiCityWalk #DiscoveringTheBeauty #LoveForCity
-
Stay and pursue your development here.
-
I'll definitely go if I get the chance.
-
Come on, young folks! You've got to get out there and shake things up a bit.
-
Welcome!
-
Chongqing is great too, you know.
-
Hehe, indeed. For me, Chongqing is like a safe haven.
-
I really hate it when people who've never even been here call us 'exclusionary.' That's complete nonsense. Frankly, they're the ones who deserve to be 'excluded' for saying that... But if you come, and you're willing to understand and experience Shanghai, then we'll welcome you with open arms.
-
For someone like me, who spent 18 years in a small county, my understanding of the world beyond was limited to what I heard from others. But once I stepped out and saw for myself, I realized that what people say isn't always accurate. You really have to experience things firsthand.