Why do I feel like such a hick on The Bund?
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Wow, it looks like you're heading to Shanghai for a fun adventure and perhaps to experience the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year! Let me aid in translating these tags into more colloquial English terms, making them easier to understand for foreign friends:
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#ShanghaiCityWalk (Shànghǎi Citywalk)
- This is super popular! It literally means exploring the bustling city of Shanghai on foot. Immerse yourself into the narrow streets and alleys to truly experience the authentic local vibe.
- Buses are no match for discovering such hidden gems: a small unassuming restaurant that serves mouth-watering dishes, or an area with lots of historic architecture.
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#ShanghaiNewYear (Shànghǎi Guònián - Shanghai during Chinese New Year)
- "Guo Nian" refers to the Spring Festival, which is China's most significant holiday. Imagine Christmas and New Year combined in western cultures.
- Notice for friends:
- Lots of locals will return home for reunion dinners, so some small shops and restaurants might be closed or have restricted hours.
- Major attractions usually have massive crowds during this period like the Bund, Disneyland or other large malls. There would also be special New Year decorations in most stores.
- Travel is quite intense too – train and flight tickets can be very hard to find, and you might as well accept crowded public transport, such as metro trains or buses.
- What can be done? Pre-plan your trip and make sure to reserve tickets at major tourist attractions as early as possible!
- If you prefer an in-depth exploration of the celebratory traditions, places like the Yuyuan Lantern Festival are very beautiful but you will need to get ready for huge crowds.
- Another unique experience would be wandering along calmer roads if the smaller shops are closed.
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#Shanghai (Shànghǎi)
- A straightforward tag to an ultra-modern, international metropolis - Shanghai! Home to skyscrapers and historical buildings, a place where fashion meets tradition.
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#Shanghaitan (Shànghǎi Tān)
- The term 'Tan' gives off an air of nostalgia and romance, referring specifically to times when Shanghai was considered the glamorous port city, particularly the area by riverside Huangpu. Many classic songs and dramas mention this place, evoking images of opulent scenes from past events.
- While 'Shanghaitan' and 'Bund' generally allude to the same regions, 'Shanghaitan' offers up a heavier dose of historic background and stories tied to its past.
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#TheBund (Wàitān - The Bund)
- The world-famous Shanghai Bund right here! On one side, you see the international architectural treasure, featuring a variety of old-fashioned western-style buildings that used to be banks in colonial times. The other side gives way to Landmark Shanghai and financial district with their magnificent skyscrapers.
- Friendly reminders:
- No matter what day, be prepared for the crowd especially after dark or during holidays.
- When taking pictures, please look out for any safety concerns and avoid leaving behind valuable personal belongings.
- For less crowded photo ops, try getting there earlier in the morning before rush starts at daybreak.
Hope these descriptions help and wish you a great time in Shanghai!
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Gorgeous!
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Just be yourself, you're the best!
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Great outfit! I specifically bought a nice coat and some dressier clothes for my Shanghai trip, leaving the casual and sporty stuff behind. My feet were killing me, but I stuck to wearing boots – it definitely makes for better pictures.
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It's just that your hair wasn't styled, and maybe the photographer wasn't the best. You look great otherwise!
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Honestly, when I was standing on the Bund, I found it a bit underwhelming.