Shanghai Ni Hao

Apr 3, 2017
3 min read

The summer of 2016 was different for me because I decided to spend it in China. The purpose of my staying was to do something I love which is traveling. With amazing sights like the Great wall and the Terracotta Army I indeed was spoilt for choice as to what I was going to see. With nothing but my budget limiting me (#studentlife) a few friends and I started our great tour at the once economic hub of China - Shanghai.

The Plan, well as organized independent medical students: we had no plan. But we did have a goal and that was to pack as much fun and sightseeing as we could into the time spent there so that we could get our moneys worth of experience. Looking back, this was indeed genius as it allowed for spontaneity and an opportunity to view what was offered. One of my personal goals was to find a pool and jump in!

Packed and set with Ctrip as our bestie, we set off.

A note for anyone going to Shanghai, unless you have a pick up service don't pick a night flight! The public transportation closes around 10:00pm and because the airport is so far out the taxis around will run you a pretty penny.

As soon as we finally arrived at our hotel and 'rested' we headed out to see the most famous landmark of this great city, I mean come on- if you haven't seen it were you really in Shanghai?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pnhiEEk_70

In all her beauty (yes I am a feminist and I believe beautiful buildings are female) the Oriental pearl stood confidently completely unintimidated by all the flashy buildings that stood next to her.

If you know me, you know I absolutely love lights. As in they're just sooo pretty. Kid in a candy store moment

We walked along "The Bund" and performed our civil duty: took as many selfies as we could.

Now if you actually want to get on the river you have to weigh your options, you could get a 'cruise tour of the bund' for 120RMB or there is the 'mini tour' for 60RMB and finally you could take the student 'I ain't got Qian for that' option which is the ferry for an amazing 2RMB, yup it's the same water.

Rule no. 1 of taking the ferry: RUN!

You are not the only one who wants a deck side view, so you best get your wits about you and move quick.

After all taking it all in we dai zou'd pizza and went back to our hotel.

Day 2 City Sight seeing and the highlight: Shopping!

Shanghai, apart from a major location for Chinese dramas (#bossandme), is also a shopping capital. No not Guangzhou type of shopping but retail, major brands, cool malls kind of shopping.

You know that God is going ahead of you when you find ridiculous deals in literally every shop that you walk into.

We booked the city sight seeing bus and took a full tour of the major sights around. There were several companies running similar tours and I have forgotten just how much it was. As you go around you have the opportunity to get off and move around.

Big Ben - Shanghai, planted by missionaries

Superman, is that you?

Above- just a cool looking building 😊

That moment when you pass Madame Tudors wax museum and you wish you hadn't done all that shopping earlier.😢 To be fair, Shanghai is huge and there was a lot to see. We, honestly, had already seen our fair share of Chinese palaces and ancient buildings but if that's your preference the option is there.

This beautiful view ended the day for us.

Day 3: Chill and start a band?

Ice cream for breakfast? It's summer, why not!

So on our final day we decided to relax around our hotel area and went touring around it. A few malls and a huge lunch later we set off to finally find that swimming pool.

Which unfortunately had just closed as soon as we arrived so we took a stroll and found this guy. Friendly enough he let us "play" his instruments and even serenaded us.