A Tale of Shanghai
View from Hotel
This was a solo trip by Georgia of DandY Adventurers. Read our About page to find out more about us.
DISCLAIMER: This is a difficult subject to write about due to the state of the world during the current pandemic, China being the original source of the virus. It should be noted that I am not recommending travel to this city at the time of writing (October 2022) and that I travelled here back in 2015 and way back in 2009. Shanghai is not a safe place to visit at this current time, there are many protocols in place regarding Covid-19 including quarantines in places with limited essentials such as food, water, and heating, separation from family and friends as well as frequent changes in rules and regulations.
I wanted to write about my trip to Shanghai because it changed my life in terms of travel and wanderlust. My hope is that travel to this amazing city will one day become possible, I want to take Carl there to show him what I have experienced, and I want other travellers to have that same experience. I will write my story from my perspective in 2015 and 2009.
My Shanghai Backstory:
My mother worked for many years for a Chinese company. In 2009 the company had a successful financial year and paid for their employees and their families to go on a trip to Shanghai to visit the company’s’ offices, and have a no expense spared, 10-day trip. I was only 14 but I was in awe of being lucky enough to travel to such an interesting place. I fell in love with the city, and it’s wonders and made a promise to myself and my family that I would travel back there when I was an adult. In 2015 I did just that!
In April 2015, on my 21st birthday I flew to Shanghai by myself on a 12-day trip. I still don’t know what came over me to make me so confident to fly to somewhere 5,624 miles away from home, but I did it and I am so glad I did. I went to university with someone who was born in Shanghai and was studying in the U.K, she met me out there and helped to show me around during the first couple of days. I spent most of my time exploring by myself, revisiting places that I had visited with my family when I was 14 and experiencing new places. I cannot express enough how much this trip gave me a love for travelling and experiencing different cultures, this trip solidified my passion for travel. About a month after I returned, I met Carl and have now found a companion to share my love of travel.
ABOUT SHANGHAI:
Flights: I flew with KLM in 2009, about 1 hour to Amsterdam then an 11-hour flight to Shanghai. In 2015 I flew with British Airways on a direct 12-hour flight. The flights were much cheaper back then and it only cost around £360/$400 for a return trip! It’s around £900/$997 today.
Accommodation: With Shanghai being the 3rd biggest city in the world (Data correct at time of writing. Source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities) there was an abundance of hotels to stay in, with varying budgets and star ratings. I managed to stay in a 4-star hotel for around £500/$554.32 at the time. It was an incredible skyscraper with views out to the city (photo at the top of this blog post).
Getting Around: There was absolutely no need to hire a car, with the world’s longest subway system, getting around the city was easy (ish). I’m lucky to have had my friend showing me the subway the first time I used it, I was able to navigate it for myself during the rest of the trip. Most of the ticket machines had an English language on them, and a lot of the signs had English translations. Some of the lines are confusing if you are trying to navigate in a hurry but the staff a generally helpful to ask. The security level was that of an airport, there were many places where your bags were checked and, on some lines, I was even asked for identification- I made sure to always carry my passport and visa documents with me. I would say that the subway during rush hour could be a daunting experience to some, but I found it fun to try and cram into a carriage with hundreds of other people!
Places of Interest
Shanghai has over 700 years of history, juxtaposed with a modern financial city.
My favourite places:
1. Pudong Skyline
The famous skyline, featured in thousands of travel publications and tv & film sets is incredible in real life. I was so happy to return to this surreal setting after visiting at a young age; it had grown in stature in just 6 years and honestly took my breath away. I timed it so I reached the waterfront (the bund river) at sunset, watching the city turn from day to night is a priceless experience. The Pudong financial district is home to some of the world’s tallest buildings and an estimated 5 million residents.
2. Jade Buddha Temple: This temple, founded in 1882 is home to 2 jade statues of Buddha, thought to have been shipped from Myanmar by a monk. I was able to view the statues and a large piece of jade that people were praying to. Jade is a sacred stone in Buddhist teachings, thought to bring luck, health, and great strength. The temple architecture was beautiful to see and will stay in my memories for a lifetime. One of the most interesting parts of the temple to me was its placement within the centre of the city, a 19th century building surrounded by skyscrapers and shopping malls!
3. Yuyuan (pronounced yoo-yoowan) Gardens: The gardens, first built in 1559 are a 5-acre collection of historic buildings and tranquil gardens, nestled within the city. There is an entry fee to get into the main gardens but outside the gardens themselves is the Yuyuan Bazaar shopping district- a collection of modern and traditional shops and restaurants set within historical Chinese buildings. The entry to the main garden’s costs CNY 40 (Chinese Yuan)/£5.07/$5.62 and I was able to experience the incredible architecture, as well as learn the history and culture of the Ming Dynasty.
4. Tianzifang (Pronounced Ti-an-zee-fang): This is a collection of over 200 shops, bars and restaurants weaving in and out of old alleyways. There are many boutiques and interesting establishments such as the cat bar! This an awesome spot to get some Instagram snaps. I really enjoyed a night out here, going from bar-to-bar drinking cocktails during the many ‘happy hours’ offered.
5. East Nanjing Road: One of the world’s longest shopping streets (5km/3.1miles) is home to luxury brands, incredible food, and masses of people. I enjoyed taking a long walk down this street as it is mostly pedestrianised. The walk takes you from the subway station all the way down to the bund to view the city skyline.
6. People’s Square & People’s Park: A public square and park near East-Nanjing Road. The area is a welcomed piece of greenery within a concrete city. The park houses two museums: Shanghai History Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. I really enjoyed walking around here and seeing the residents’ playing cards as well as practicing Tai Chi.
7. Science and Technology Museum: When I first visited in 2009, this museum was state of the art in terms of technology and was very captivating to a 14-year-old. I went back when I was 21 and found it to be a little outdated but this might have been due to my age, it was still interesting though and the building itself is mesmerising. Entry to the museum building and all exhibitions cost around 45 Yuan/£5.70/$6.32.
Thank you, Shanghai, for influencing my views on travel, creating some amazing memories and imprinting snapshots that will live with me forever. I hope the current world situation changes in the hopes that we will both be able to visit here again in the future.
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