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NOTE: This is gonna be a lengthy photo post.
Hotel View from Intercontinental Shanghai Expo
If not because of the training trip, I doubt I will come to China. Why? Because no access to YouTube and Instagram, which I absolutely cannot take. So I have to subscribe to VPN in order not to disrupt my social media life. I will feel so bored without them. And I want to continue uploading my 1 minute Short to YouTube daily even when I'm abroad. So VPN is a must. And say goodbye to my money!
Also, most of the shops accept WeChat Pay or Alipay, and not many accept cash though is illegal not to accept cash. From linking my card, and waiting for verification of my details to testing it out in Singapore Unfortunately, we can't use it in SG but only in China because is linked to foreign cards and not their Mainland bank cards. So I risked my hunger and waited to test out at the hotel vending machine upon reaching on my 1st night in Shanghai to save myself from embarrassment. Alipay seems to be more user-friendly so suggest you use that. But having both is necessary, just in case one fails on you. Have some cash (suggest SGD100 will do) and your credit card with you too.
It has been a long time since I last stepped into China. The last one was Hainan Island. Now Shanghai and a little of Qingdao. Somehow this time, I have finally fulfilled my wish to travel solo. Woohoo... thankful and contented despite the above-mentioned hassle. No one to pull my back leg 托我后腿 or be a burden. And my boss is minding his own business on free days so totally no disturbance! Yeah... let's go!
In search of my 1st meal in Shanghai and stumbled upon this shop So decided to just go for it. Looking through their menu, not sure what to get and eventually asked the lady boss to recommend instead.
And indeed was a good choice, especially the Beef Noodles. The meat was so tender and the noodles had that springy texture. The soup was fragrance. However, the skin was kind of thick for the big dumplings though the fillings were alright. Drizzled with peanut sauce instead of chili oil. Damn, I should go for the latter. Spice up my 1st night in Shanghai.
After dinner, I went for a walk across the road because I was curious about what was behind those bushes and trees. And yes... I saw elderly people strolling up and down the long bridge along the Huangpu River, which could take an hour or so to stroll from one end to another. Also, young people jogging too. Only if I brought along my track shoes. Anyway, the up-close view of the night scenery was so beautiful.
You can see the Oriental Pearl Tower and 三件套 from far
Inside the park with a cozy ambience
Watch the short video I made of my 1st night in Shanghai and enjoy the amazing view that I captured for your pleasure. Please support my videos as I made an effort to let those who haven't been there have a glimpse of the beautiful place. 😊
Long story short. After my 1st night in Shanghai, came back again for another 2 days after flying over to Qingdao for training. I booked a driver via Klook in advance to drive me around Shanghai for a day (like 8 hours) to the places I input in my booking. As I'm the only customer to be driven around, all the time is dedicated to me hence saving the time to wait for others like in a group tour.
✔️ Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower
✔️ Lujiazui
✔️ Jinmao Tower, Shanghai World Financial and Shanghai Tower (三件套)
Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower
The first stop was the Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower, the iconic landmark of Shanghai and never to miss. Standing at 468m tall, the tower is at the tip of Lujiazui 陆家嘴 in the Pudong New Area, by the side of Huangpu River and opposite The Bund 外滩. Even bought a souvenir for a keepsake. Actually is to test my Alipay again. Hahaha...
Shanghai City Sightseeing Bus
And there were many food places outside the entrance to the Tower so you could enjoy a meal first or after your visit. And if you are interested in going for a sightseeing tour, the bus stop/terminal is just right outside the food places and across the street too.
View of 三件套
Then the driver brought me to this place to have a better view of 三件套 (the 3 towers in the middle of this photo) which consists of Jinmao Tower (left) that looks like a syringe, Shanghai World Financial Center (middle) that looks like a bottle opener, and Shanghai Tower (right) that looks like an egg beater. A better view of these 3 buildings together with the Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower would be at The Bund. Stay on this post till the end.
Shanghai World Financial Center
Guess which building is this among the 3 I have mentioned? I was telling the driver that from this angle, it looked like a trophy from those award ceremonies. Or maybe a little like our The Sail @ Marina Bay. What do you think?
✔️ Yu Yuan a.k.a Yu Garden
✔️ Yu Yuan Old Street a.k.a Bazaar
✔️ Bought Shanghai 雪花膏
✔️ Tried Crab Yolk Soup Dumpling
✔️ Tried Xiao Yang Sheng Jian 小杨生煎
✔️ Biggest Starbucks Reserve
Yu Yuan 豫园
Before coming to Shanghai, my dad already listed out the places to visit and I could only cover some with my limited time left in Shanghai. But Yu Yuan 豫园 or Yu Garden Bazaar is a must-visit for an architecture fanatic like myself. You need to buy a ticket to enter Yu Garden but if you are not interested, Yu Garden Bazaar is good enough for you to go around enjoying the views of traditional Chinese shophouses, or eat and shop.
Yu Yuan 豫园
The streets outside Yu Garden
All the shophouses actually created that ancient time vibes in a modern world. Walking down the streets for a panoramic view was the most enjoyable experience.
Majestic-looking shops inside Old Street of Yu Garden
So crowded on a Saturday morning. I thought I was early but 一山还比一山高. Look at these shops. So majestic. It must have taken lots of effort to maintain them periodically. The edges of the roofs look sharp and curvy. One word, beautiful!
Walking in the alley of Old Street of Yu Garden (direct translate from the plaque)
Crab Yolk Soup Dumpling at Yu Garden Bazaar
I was told to try this crab yolk soup dumpling; it was thick and flavourful. I thought there was meat filling in the dumpling but there isn't. My colleague said probably all the ingredients were blended together so the essence was in the soup.
Pan-fried Shrimp Buns 生煎包 from 小杨生煎
My colleague recommended me to try 小杨生煎 when in Shanghai. While at Yu Garden, the driver found a nearby outlet for me because I stated it in my booking. All thanks to him, I got to try some nice Pan-fried Shrimp Buns 生煎包 and Dumpling Soup 馄饨汤. A good amount of soup and fresh prawns inside. Also, the dumpling soup was savory with a generous amount of mini dumplings. So much food all to myself.
Inside the Pan-fried Shrimp Buns
Dumpling Soup 馄饨汤
My dream place Starbucks Reserve
In my booking, I stated Starbucks Reserve too. I must visit the place since I'm a Starbucks fan. It is the biggest in Shanghai not to miss. And I cannot leave the coffee place without any purchase. Watch my video to find out.
星巴克臻选上海烘焙工坊
南京西路789号 Nanjing West Road No. 789, Unit 110-201
Entrance into Starbucks Reserve
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✔️ Nanjing Road Walking Street 南京路步行街
✔️ Shanghai New World Emporium 新世界城
✔️ Peace Hotel 和平饭店
✔️ The Bund 外滩
✔️ Tried Tai Kang Meat fillings mooncake
Shanghai New World Emporium 新世界城 right across the walking street
So the driver dropped me at the start of Nanjing Road Walking Street after the rain stopped. He told me to just walk all the way straight till the end and I will reach The Bund. Along the streets were classic architectural buildings that housed retail outlets that you already know. And frankly speaking, what the heck is the weather in Shanghai? Kept raining and luckily I had a waterproof hoodie to wear and not obstruct me from photo and video taking.
The start of Nanjing Road Walking Street 南京路步行街
Houses the local and foreign retail brands along the street
Yes is rainy September in Shanghai somehow
Pastry Meat filling Mooncake from 泰康
My boss told me to try the mooncake since we were there at the right time (Mid Autumn Festival month in September 2023) so I randomly tried a brand called Tai Kang 泰康 after checking out the 3rd store with no queue. He told me to just get fresh meat filling one will do. It has generous, lightly-flavoured fillings with flaky skin. The feeling is like having meat pancakes 肉饼 with that bite. This kind of mooncake is suitable for those who don't like sweet mooncakes.
Peace Hotel 和平饭店
Finally saw the real thing, the famous Peace Hotel (or Fairmont Peace Hotel) in Shanghai. There is a North and South building separated by Nanjing Road. Based on photos I saw online, the hotel has both Western and Oriental interiors. Some old movies were filmed here like Chow Yun-Fat's movie of the same name. And when you see this hotel, you know you have reached The Bund too.
Priceless View at The Bund
Freaking long way and I thought I couldn't feel my feet anymore plus the rain and crowd, I was tired by the time I finally saw the priceless view. Worth it! But the damn weather is not helping with my photos. All the gloomy weather photos. But here is the photo with the Oriental Pearl Tower and 三件套 all in one.
Colonial Style Building with the Bull across the road
✔️ Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
✔️ Raffles City Shanghai
✔️ Tried Duck Blood Soup
Entrance to Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
A visit to the Jewish Refugees Museum was the last in my plan since it was just a 5-minute walk from my hotel. After my breakfast, I went straight to the museum. It opens at 9am and for foreigners without a China landline, just go straight to the counter and buy your tickets with your passport.
The buildings in the museum
Memorial Wall/Statue in Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum
This museum is all about how the Jewish refugees fled from Europe to escape the Holocaust and settled down in Shanghai during World War II (and also some other countries). Their sufferings were unimaginable but the Chinese gave them the warmth and shelter greatly needed during these trying times (also wartime).
Guests from many countries visit the museum
Near my hotel is Raffles City Shanghai
After my 1 day tour around Shanghai, came back to the hotel and rested for a while before heading to Raffles City Shanghai, which was a short walking distance. Surprised to find a familiar mall name in a foreign land. The mall was bigger than our Raffles City in Singapore and also by the same developer. Kept going there during my 2-day stay for food and some shopping.
Inside Raffles City Shanghai
Entrance to the food street in the mall
A bowl of delicious duck blood in savoury chicken broth
Thanks to my sharp eyes on the last day of my Shanghai trip. Spotted a stall in the food street that sells Duck Blood 鸭血 and decided that for my lunch. It was so fresh and the soup was savoury. Imagine it will just slip through my eyes because this stall sells chicken rice. Never thought it would sell Duck Blood. At least my craving is satisfied (although not Mala Duck Blood) before my trip to Taiwan next year. Such a long wait right?
Had a cup of Lemony drink that was freshly squeezed on the spot before heading to the airport
Let me end the post with a little more rant. The good thing I encountered was a friendly and nice Sichuan driver who came to Shanghai to work for 2 to 3 years. I am thankful to him for making my 1-day tour around Shanghai possible. And the bad thing was my hair smelled metallic even after using my best shampoo for the days in Shanghai and Qingdao. My colleague personally verified for me by sacrificing her nose to smell my metallic hair. And it took me a week to get rid of that metallic smell. What the....!?!?!? Okay fine. At least everything went okay with some hiccups only this trip. So all three unpleasant experiences were forgiven.
Bye, Shanghai!
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by the writer. Not a sponsored post. All reviews are based on the writer's preference and taste buds and do not represent anyone other than herself.
