Shanghai Travel Guide: Food, Culture, and Scenic Views

Activities: Culinary delights, cultural exploration, independent travel, budget-friendly. The author visited these places: The Bund, 1933 Old Millfun, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Shangcai Road Gallery Bridge, Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River. Published on August 12, 2020, at 12:38 PM. I have been to the Magic City many times, but this time I finally had the opportunity to take my time and enjoy the experience. The pandemic made me realize many things, that life should be lived without regrets. I used to think that coming to Shanghai was always convenient and that I could travel anytime, but now I think differently. I wanted to savor the beauty of the Magic City thoroughly. I made a detailed travel plan, dividing it into overcast and sunny days. I wanted to visit the iconic Shanghai bars, capture the dazzling night views of The Bund, and immerse myself in the scenery of Shanghai. I longed to see the cityscape at any time, so I chose to stay in a place that is part of Shanghai’s scenery itself. The much-anticipated 1933 Old Millfun was also on my list, to witness the architectural magic and surprises; to stroll through the alleys with a distinct Shanghai charm, to taste a steaming basket of authentic Shanghai soup dumplings; to wander the bustling shopping streets, to explore the exhibitions, and to navigate through the various outstanding buildings surrounding The Bund. Speaking of overcast Shanghai, I took advantage of the cooler weather to explore the various streets around The Bund. Every few steps offered a new view, and I found myself stopping to take photos along the way. The architecture here is vintage, with houses in various colors that have slowly settled over time, eventually becoming a unique part of the Magic City’s landscape. There’s no need to visit crowded tourist spots or pay for tickets. As long as one does not disturb others, one can leisurely stroll through these streets, enjoying the peace and tranquility. On my way to The Bund, I encountered various architectural styles, each building telling a story of Shanghai. The Bund during the day, without the dazzling lights of the night, is still bustling and lively. Naturally, I took out my phone to capture the daytime view of The Bund, looking forward to returning at night to see the华丽的 transformation of The Bund and the surrounding buildings. After strolling along The Bund for a while, I naturally headed towards Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street. I was curious to see what this one of the top ten famous streets in the country would look like. I heard it was the earliest commercial street in Shanghai. However, before I could reach there, I was drawn to the high-end design of the Huawei flagship store. I stopped, hesitated, and then went in. It was truly worth the visit. The entire store was in white and light gold, with a very spacious, minimalist, and comfortable design. The air conditioning was also a strong lure for someone who wanted to rest. Instinctively, I sat on the stairs on the first floor and found it to be a perfect spot for photos. So, I pulled my sister upstairs, and each floor held a surprise. The second floor had many experience rooms, each an independent space with simple decoration. Just standing at the door, one could easily take a good photo. Upon entering, my sister was overjoyed, dancing with happiness, and sat on the sofa asking me to take photos.
Elegant white interiors, clean and comfortable experience areas, and outside the window is the bustling cityscape. As I continued upstairs, I discovered an exhibition on the fourth floor. The moment I saw the photo of the national goddess Ruan Lingyu, it felt like time travel. In the photo, Ruan Lingyu, dressed in a cheongsam, exudes a calm and confident beauty, with a charm that is unforgettable. I decided to take my time and explore the exhibition. After a full circle around the venue, I realized it was truly impressive. Everyone in the store was passionately engaged in activities that interested them, some sitting in contemplation, others with beaming smiles, and others strolling and observing. After a while, feeling hungry, I decided to take my sister to a historic Shanghai alley for some local soup dumplings that even the locals queue for. Instead of going to the popular spots, I chose a 117-year-old road named Shanyin Road. The road is not wide, flanked by red-walled buildings and large sycamore trees, exuding a strong cultural atmosphere. Along the street, there are small shops with long queues. We joined the queue, despite the rain, as many people still lined up at the entrance of Wanshou Zhai for a taste of authentic soup dumplings. The shop is small, and getting a seat is a challenge, so many people share tables. It’s a bit crowded, but the food is truly delicious. A serving of soup dumplings contains eight pieces. We ordered a serving of pork and a serving of shrimp, along with a bowl of curry beef soup. The shrimp dumplings were freshly steamed, and the best way to eat them is to first sip the juice, blow on them to cool, and then savor the last bite, which is very satisfying. After eating, we decided to walk along Shanyin Road. The aged Shanyin Road is filled with the charm of old Shanghai alleys. As we walked, we came across a mural filled with celebrities, including Lu Xun, Qu Qiubai, Guo Moruo, and Mao Dun, who have all appeared on Shanyin Road. Mr. Lu Xun’s former residence is also on this road. Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit because we didn’t make a reservation in advance. While strolling and taking photos, we headed towards the historic Shanghai 1933 Old Mill, which is just over a kilometer away. My sister and I decided to walk, allowing us to enjoy the scenery along the way. I love the various architectural features inside, such as the French spiral staircase, umbrella-shaped pillars, and arched bridges. They crisscross and intertwine within the building, creating a magical and beautiful scene. The arched bridges are deep and taller than a person, providing interesting photo opportunities. While taking photos, one side shows the old buildings with many high-rise buildings sprouting behind them. This might be the collision of the old and the new. The overall color scheme of the architecture is gray. I also encountered a cute cat and recommend that when you go to take photos, try wearing colorful clothes. This place is also a filming location for Running Man and Xiao Shi Dai. We stayed at Starbucks in the Old Mill until it got dark, took a break after a long day of shopping, and then went to the much-anticipated Bund night view, a must-see in Shanghai. The Bund in the day and at night gives a completely different feeling. The night view of the Bund is resplendent with lights, the Oriental Pearl Tower shining with various colors, and the dazzling Bund has arrived, presenting the classic scene of the Magic City.

Bustling and crowded, people are strolling along the Bund scenery. Occasionally, ships with colorful lights pass by on the river. It’s all scenery along the way. The Ritz-Carlton Pudong where we stay has also become part of the scenery. Returning to the hotel on a bustling night, we went to the extremely popular FLAIR bar on the 58th floor of the hotel. Here, we can see the Oriental Pearl Tower up close and directly enter the scenery of the Bund. In the orange light of the bar, my sister and I sat in the corner and ordered a Mojito highly recommended by the bartender. It’s a large glass. After taking a sip, I couldn’t help humming Jay Chou’s new song and was in a great mood. I went to the bartender and asked for a special drink for my sister who just finished the college entrance examination. The bartender named it ‘Adolescence’. It’s delicious and special. Great. During the day, looking outside from the hotel is scenery. At night, looking at the hotel from outside is also scenery. Day and night are miraculously transforming. Suddenly, I love the Pearl Riverview suite of the Ritz-Carlton very much. It’s all scenery everywhere. The room is very large. My sister and I have a party in the room, roll on the bed, make funny faces in the bathtub, and make faces in the mirror. Inadvertently, the child has grown up. I said to her, ‘After the college entrance examination is your life.’ Lying on the comfortable bed, we talked about all kinds of embarrassing things about her when she was little, full of memories. The next day, we rarely caught a sunny day in Shanghai. Looking out from the room, at the busy intersection, how many people are working hard for their dreams, and how many people have put away the hardships of life. Let me show you the high-rise buildings outside my window. It’s the prosperous Shanghai and also a city with great competition. Standing close to the window, it seems that one can feel the heatwave. Today, I plan to take several sets of beautiful photos without leaving the hotel. Walking out of the room, I found the first photo scene at the elevator entrance of the hotel. The long corridor, tasteful decoration, and slightly yellowish light are very charming and suitable for taking photos. When I got on the elevator and there was no one inside, I found that the material and lines of the elevator are very textured. I quickly took photos and left my favorite pictures. I think many people can’t guess where I took the photos. For lunch, I went to the SCENA Italian restaurant. The scenery is very good. The decoration of the restaurant is more suitable for taking photos. I found that the curtain of the restaurant is very magical. I picked up the magic ball on the table and took a set of magic photos. Opening the menu, I was shocked by the亲民 price. In such a good environment, the price is very reasonable. The prices for two-course and three-course lunches are 188 and 238 respectively. While waiting for the dishes to be served, I quickly picked up the magic pumpkin next to me and took photos. With a reasonable price, you can also see the Oriental Pearl Tower and the beautiful scenery of the Huangpu River outside the window. The environment is beautiful and the service is considerate. The key is that the food is delicious. This is the reason why I must recommend it. I heard that the menu changes every month. I can only say that everything is delicious no matter what you order. I ordered two-course dishes, green pea soup and fish fillet. The taste is a pleasant surprise. My sister’s dessert is also very delicious.
After satiating our hunger, we made our way to the much-anticipated one-Michelin-starred Jin Xuan Chinese restaurant, renowned for its largest private dining room which offers a stunning backdrop for photography. My silhouette against the Oriental Pearl Tower has become my most cherished photo. The restaurant’s staircase is also an ideal spot for capturing photos, with its color scheme creating a sense of depth that looks impressive from both above and below. After experiencing Jin Xuan, we embarked on a leisurely afternoon tea session, taking my sister to sit by the front desk at AURA Lobby Lounge & Jazz Bar. Indulging her with an afternoon tea set, I wanted her to understand that a lazy afternoon can offer a different kind of experience. The exquisite afternoon tea, complemented by the view of Shanghai’s iconic landscape outside the window, felt like finding a quiet and comfortable haven without having to navigate through the city. My sister smiled broadly, and it was in these moments that time seems to leave no trace. In the blink of an eye, she has grown up so much, and I hope that after the college entrance examination, you can truly mature. I know that the college entrance examination is a mirror, reflecting the hardships of yesterday and the hopes for tomorrow. Perhaps your results may not meet your expectations, but do not give up. Just like the explanation of the college entrance examination in Xinhua Dictionary: Zhang Hua was admitted to Peking University, Li Ping entered a secondary technical school, and I work as a salesperson in a department store – we all have bright futures. Yes, with a love for life and relentless effort, we will all have bright futures. This wish becomes a reality after the college entrance examination. I hope that even after taking the exam, you will continue to strive for your dreams.

Related Content：

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply