Overview
When you think of giant nations, you immediately think of the USA, Russia, India, or China!
China, a vast, diverse, and complex country that one lifetime isn’t enough to fully explore.
This is the first part of my journey across the land of the dragon, and when you arrive here, you must start with Shanghai!
Wedged between ultra-modern skyscrapers and a perfectly restored old town, this city is fascinating yet challenging at the same time.
Itinerary and tips
Day 1
This journey kicks off at Shanghai airport, and right away, we’re moving at full speed! My friends and I decide to take the Maglev, the magnetic levitation train, which promises to whisk you from the airport to the city in just minutes, reaching almost 500 km/h. We splurge on tickets, but sadly, our ride doesn’t even hit 200 km/h—we’re not sure why.
Turns out we were unlucky, as it usually zooms along at top speed!
We arrive at our hotel near Nanjing Road, a great area I’d recommend.
With the little time left in the day, we visit Jing’an Temple, a fascinating contrast of the chubby Buddha statue framed by towering buildings. The incense smoke mixes with the street food aromas, creating a timeless feeling as if a megacity suddenly grew around this ancient temple.
A must-see! We grab dinner at an all-you-can-eat restaurant where the menu is only in Chinese. Everything is delicious, though we have no idea what we ordered!
Day 2
In the morning, we head to People’s Square, where we see middle-aged women exercising to music and an elderly man practicing Tai Chi in the misty air, while others play backgammon on tiny stools. Despite the surrounding traffic, the park exudes a calm vibe.
Afterward, we take the metro to the Jade Buddha Temple, home to two jade Buddha statues imported 200 years ago from Myanmar. Another short metro ride brings us to Tianzifang, a neighborhood that was saved from demolition in 2006 by locals who convinced the government to preserve its iconic stone-gate houses.
The area feels like a labyrinth, far removed from modern Shanghai, perfect for a meandering stroll or a visit to the nearby French Concession.
Later, we head to The Bund, offering the best view of futuristic Shanghai.
While waiting for the skyline to light up, we explore the customs house, the Shanghai heroes monument, and a replica of Wall Street’s bull.
As night falls, Pudong across the Huangpu River comes alive with lights and lasers—without a doubt, the most stunning skyline I’ve ever seen.
We cross the river and go up the Shanghai Tower for a priceless view, absolutely worth the ticket!
Afterward, we walk by the iconic Oriental Pearl TV Tower, with its distinctive spheres—a magnificent sight.
Day 3
Our first stop of the day is Longhua Temple, located a bit further out. After two metro transfers, we reach this temple, famous for its seven-story pagoda and gilded wooden interiors.
We then head to Yuyuan Old Street, where we explore restored attractions like Yuyuan Garden, with its walkways over the water, the majestic Shanghai Temple of the Town God, the Zigzag Bridge, and the Wenmiao Temple.
All these sights are close together and easy to explore.
This area really shines at sunset, with its streets glowing from red lanterns.
From here, we walk to the old city walls and the White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Monastery).
Another metro ride brings us to the Shanghai People’s Heroes Memorial Tower. Personally, I found its brutalist design a bit out of place in such a modern city, but that’s just my taste.
We spend the evening near Nanjing Road, browsing the fake goods market at Xiangyang.
Day 4
Having covered most of Shanghai’s top spots, we decide to take a day trip. We choose Suzhou for its canals and, especially, Tongli—and we do not regret it!
We catch a train from Shanghai Central to Suzhou, visit the Humble Administrator’s Garden, then take a cheap taxi to Tongli.
This charming town sits along canals and stone bridges, with cobblestone streets and old stone houses. Here, we finally encounter friendly smiles and gentle faces that were harder to come by in bustling Shanghai.
The best way to explore Tongli is by hopping on a small boat for a memorable canal tour.
We then continue on foot, visiting Tuisi Garden (an oasis of calm), the Pelee Pagoda, and the Gengle Hall, wrapping up with tea at Nanyuan Tea House.
Sadly, it’s time to return to Shanghai. The next day, we’ll fly to one of China’s most mysterious regions, Fenghuang, which I’ll cover in a separate post.
This journey was part of a two-week trip that included stops in:
Shanghai, Tongli, Fenghuang, Zhangjiajie, Tianzi Mountain, Beijing, and the Great Wall.
My impressions
Shanghai was different from what I expected. China is a country rich in mystery and tradition. Shanghai, however, feels more like other metropolises, often overshadowed by modernity’s fast pace.
Still, you can find its true soul in beautifully restored areas like Yuyuan Old Street or the French Concession, though it was more easily found in Beijing.
The skyline over Pudong is unbeatable—when I think of this city, that’s what comes to mind.
As for Tongli, despite its proximity to a massive city and growing tourism, it still feels frozen in time, preserving its spirit from 200 years ago.
Food
Talking about food in China is tricky, with at least 40 regional cuisines. In Shanghai, I loved the steamed xiaolongbao dumplings filled with meat, shrimp, or vegetables, the sweet and sour pork, street baozi, stir-fried noodles, and Peking duck. It’s hard to go wrong with food here.
Accommodation
The standard here is slightly lower than the global average but still more than enough. I recommend staying in a central location or at least near the metro.
Top Picks:
-Yuyuan Road at night
-Pudong skyline
-Tongli
Have a question? Drop it in the comments below!
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