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Shanghai Exploration: First Impressions of China

People told us not to visit China…(we were SHOCKED!) 🇨🇳

Destination:ChinaCity:ShanghaiPopulation: 24.9 million
People told us not to visit China…(we were SHOCKED!) 🇨🇳
JetLag Warriors28 min

People told us not to visit China…(we were. This was filmed by JetLag Warriors. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

China is not what we expected! Check out our first day exploring Shanghai... We were shocked by China because many people told us not to go to China. What Is China REALLY like in 2023? Is China safe? Check out our first impressions of Shanghai, China. We were shocked by China because many people told us not to go to China. What Is China REALLY like in 2023? Is China safe? Check out our first impressions of Shanghai, China. The Old City (Nanshi) in Shanghai (WORTH SEEING!). Massive dumpling that's filled with soup? Another day, another 40cm stick of pork :D :D City walk 1.0 - Perfectly organized bikes, and traditional tricycles. The French Concession: Historical and tourist friendly :). Ivana buys a lovely Chinese dress. First time trying lunchbox chicken? With rice cakes. City walk 2.0 - Toilet highway signs, massive yo-yos in the park. The Bund at night, great view, but Oriental Pearl was dark? Many people tend to dress the same in Shanghai.

--- JetLag Warriors
December 16, 2023, Winter in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

JetLag Warriors' first day in Shanghai changes their expectations about China. They begin at Tim Hortons, then walk through the Old City, also called Nanshi, where they find relatively few foreign tourists and a mix of cultural sites and everyday streets. Food is a major part of the day: they try soup-filled dumplings, a long pork skewer and lunchbox chicken made with rice cakes and barbecue-like sauce. Ivana buys a Chinese dress in the French Concession, whose narrow streets, bars and shops offer a historical, visitor-friendly area to explore. On their city walks, they notice organized electric bicycles and traditional tricycles, along with small details such as toilet signs, clothes drying and clean streets. They finish at the Bund for a night skyline view, though the Oriental Pearl Tower is dark that evening. The visitors describe their first impression as more positive and surprising than expected.

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People told us not to visit China…(we were SHOCKED!) 🇨🇳

Old City walks and Shanghai food

JetLag Warriors start their first day in Shanghai at Tim Hortons, a familiar Canadian chain in a new setting. They then explore the Old City, or Nanshi, where they find a cultural showcase with relatively few foreign tourists. The streets feel more personal and adventurous than they expected. During the walk, they try soup dumplings filled with broth and a long pork skewer, then continue to other parts of the city. They also sample lunchbox chicken, a dish served with rice cakes and a barbecue-like sauce. The food stops give them a way to encounter local flavors while moving through the city.

The French Concession and the Bund

Their city walks reveal organized electric bicycles and traditional tricycles alongside newer transport. In the French Concession, they explore narrow streets, bars and shops, and Ivana buys a Chinese dress. They also notice details of everyday life, including toilet signs, clothes drying methods and the cleanliness of the city. After dark, they visit the Bund for a view of the Shanghai skyline. The Oriental Pearl Tower is not illuminated during their visit, but the waterfront still gives them a chance to see the city at night. Their first-day impressions include both familiar comforts and new experiences, from finding Tim Hortons to tasting soup dumplings and exploring historical neighborhoods. Their observations about transport and daily routines add detail to the walk, while the Bund provides a final view of Shanghai's skyline.

Their observations continue beyond the major landmarks. During the walks, they notice how electric bicycles are parked and move through the city in an organized way, while traditional tricycles remain part of the street scene. They also remark on toilet signage, clothes drying in public view and how clean the streets appear. Those small details shape their sense of everyday Shanghai. The Old City feels different from the polished skyline views because they encounter cultural sites and streets with relatively few foreign visitors. Later, the French Concession's narrow lanes provide a more historical atmosphere and a place to browse shops; Ivana's dress purchase becomes a personal memento. Food keeps punctuating their route, from soup dumplings that they slurp while warm to a long pork skewer and rice cakes with chicken in barbecue-like sauce. At the Bund, the skyline is impressive even though the Oriental Pearl Tower is not lit. Their first day combines familiar places, new tastes, shopping and observations of how people live in the city.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What food did JetLag Warriors try in Shanghai?
A: They try soup dumplings filled with broth, a long pork skewer and lunchbox chicken served with rice cakes and a barbecue-like sauce during their first-day walks.
Q: What did they find in Shanghai’s Old City?
A: They explore Nanshi, which they describe as a cultural area with relatively few foreign tourists. It gives them a more personal walk through Shanghai.
Q: What is the French Concession like?
A: They explore its narrow streets, bars and shops, and Ivana buys a Chinese dress there. The area offers a historical and visitor-friendly part of the city.

Previous travel video:

Shanghai Exploration: First Impressions of China

Shanghai surprised JetLag Warriors! Exploring the city's charm, delicious food, and friendly locals changed their perceptions completely.

Shanghai Exploration: A First-Timer's Unexpected China Journey

JetLag Warriors were SHOCKED by their first day in Shanghai, defying the warnings they received about visiting China. Their experience was filled with unexpected delights, from a friendly local selling a hat to exploring the charming Old City (Nanshi) and indulging in massive soup dumplings. They marvelled at the organized cityscapes, featuring perfectly aligned bikes and traditional tricycles, and discovered hidden gems like the French Concession. The trip also included unique shopping experiences and delicious food adventures, culminating in a nighttime stroll along the Bund, offering stunning views despite the dark Oriental Pearl Tower. Their initial impressions were completely overturned, showcasing a vibrant and surprisingly welcoming side of Shanghai.

Attractions in this video: Old City, The Bund, French Concession, Oriental Pearl Tower