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Jay and Karolina begin their Shanghai trip at the Bund, looking across the Huangpu River toward Pudong’s skyline. They take a ferry to the Shanghai Tower, where a typhoon-related cancellation concern does not stop their visit, and also see the Oriental Pearl Tower. They use the subway to reach Yuyuan Road and try Nanxiang steamed buns before learning about Mid-Autumn Festival and tasting mooncakes, including red bean. At Yu Garden they walk through pavilions in a garden dating to the Ming Dynasty, then stop at Chagee and Nanjing Road. Their day ends with mooncakes and nighttime views of the Bund. The couple also discuss mobile payment apps, subway convenience and the city’s visible security cameras.
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From the Bund to Pudong
Jay and Karolina make their first visit to Shanghai, beginning at the Bund waterfront. From there they look across the Huangpu River at Pudong’s skyline, where older colonial buildings and modern towers face one another. They take a ferry across the river and set out for the Shanghai Tower. They had worried that a typhoon might cancel their visit, but the trip to the observation deck goes ahead and gives them a panoramic view of the city. The Oriental Pearl Tower is another landmark on their route. Their travel continues by subway, which they find efficient and affordable; they mention that tickets are available through an app or at a station.
Gardens, food and the night skyline
The couple go to Yuyuan Road and have lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, where they try Shanghai dumplings. They learn about the Mid-Autumn Festival and sample freshly baked mooncakes, including red bean. They then walk through Yu Garden, a classical garden dating to the Ming Dynasty, with pavilions and quieter spaces away from the city streets. At Chagee, they experience the wait and ordering process at a popular milk tea shop. Their evening brings them to Nanjing Road, a pedestrian shopping street with lights and food stops. They sample more mooncakes before returning to the Bund for nighttime views.
Along the way Jay and Karolina discuss how to pay: Alipay and WeChat Pay are convenient because many places do not accept other forms of payment. They also talk about security cameras and their sense of safety, and note the efficiency of Shanghai’s public transportation. Their itinerary includes towers, ferry travel, a garden, local food and a busy shopping street, showing the contrast between the riverfront skyline and everyday movement around the city.
Together, the riverfront skyline, gardens, food stops, and evening shopping streets give them a first impression of Shanghai’s mix of older and newer places.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What is a convenient way to pay in Shanghai?
- A: Jay and Karolina recommend Alipay or WeChat Pay because many places do not accept other payment methods. They discuss mobile payment as a practical way to make purchases during their first visit.
- Q: How did they get around the city?
- A: They use Shanghai’s subway and describe it as efficient and affordable. Tickets can be bought through an app or at the station, and the subway takes them between neighborhoods and attractions.
- Q: Did the couple feel safe in Shanghai?
- A: They describe Shanghai as safe for tourists and mention the many security cameras around the city. That is their impression during the trip, along with their experience using public transport and walking among the attractions.
- Q: What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
- A: They learn that it is a harvest festival when families gather and eat mooncakes while celebrating the full moon. Their visit includes freshly baked mooncakes and a conversation about the festival.
- Q: What were the mooncakes like?
- A: Jay and Karolina taste warm, freshly baked mooncakes and particularly enjoy the red bean filling. They describe the cakes as delicious and not too sweet.
- Q: What stood out about Shanghai to them?
- A: They see a mix of older and newer settings, from the Bund and Yu Garden to tall Pudong towers and Nanjing Road at night. Their trip combines modern landmarks with traditional garden spaces and local food.
