Why Shanghai surprised me!
I began solo travelling a few years ago after building up the courage to venture out on my own rather than waiting for others to be ready and able to join me. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!
My latest journey was a visit to Shanghai. This was the second time I had visited China, the first time was earlier this year with a trip to Beijing. Perhaps that’s why I had a preconceived notion of what to expect this time around, but I was proven wrong.
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Although Shanghai has a population of 24 million people, just a few million short of my home country, Australia’s entire population, it didn’t feel overcrowded. I found myself wandering and walking with plenty of space to spare, and the Shanghai subway is a masterpiece of efficiency, meaning I was rarely crammed in with no room to breath. There is however, a caveat to this statement. As I gazed out from the deck of a Huangpu River cruise at sunset and was awestruck as the twinkling lights of the Shanghai buildings colluded to sparkle in unison, I happened to look towards the Bund….it seemed as though every tourist in Shanghai had converged along the riverfront to snap the ultimate Shanghai river shot. I would strongly recommend a river cruise as the best option for this stunning view with breathing space.
Another element which surprised me was the diversity of architecture and the openness of the Shanghai locals. In retrospect, after joining a walking tour and hearing about the history of Shanghai, this made sense. Shanghai is so chameleon like, changing and shifting over time to adjust to the circumstances it was dealt. The influence of foreign powers has created a city where you can find French and British inspired designs and buildings, as well as a broader range of nationalities living in the city. Perhaps this explains why more locals make an effort to try and engage in conversation and show curiosity in contrast to Beijing.
My final surprise was the food in Shanghai. Everywhere I looked, I noticed international chains and cuisines. I don’t think I have ever seen so many Starbucks franchises in one city, which was a shock coming from a city where there are no more than 5 Starbucks! But I was not here to try food I could find elsewhere, I wanted to try as much local cuisine as possible. I was unsure where to start, so I joined a food tour with Lost Plate Food tours. Our guide, Jade, was so energetic and knowledgable, giving us the history of dishes and how they came to be Shanghai staples. I came away with more confidence in my ability to order local dishes for the remainder of my stay.
If you are after a city that is vibrant and full of energy, but allows you space for quiet contemplation as well, Shanghai is the perfect place!
