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Shanghai First Day: Yu Gardens, The Bund & Huangpu River Cruise

First Time In China! Stressful Arrival in Shanghai…

Destination:ChinaCity:ShanghaiPopulation: 24.9 million
First Time In China! Stressful Arrival in Shanghai…
Alex Again20 min

First Time In China! Stressful Arrival in. This was filmed by Alex Again. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

Hey, it's Alex again and today I'm taking you along on my very first day in China. After flying in from Germany, I land in Shanghai and, honestly, the arrival was a bit stressful. But once I got through it, the city immediately started to impress.

In this video, you’ll see what my first impressions of Shanghai were like as I explore the streets, check out a 7-Eleven, and try some crab soup. I also hop on a sightseeing bus that takes me to the beautiful Yu Gardens, one of the highlights of the day.

Later, I head down to the Bund to take in the skyline, walk along the promenade, and soak up the atmosphere. As the sun sets, I wander through Nanjing Road and end the night with a cruise along the Huangpu River — a perfect (and surreal) way to close out my first day here.

It’s been a wild start to this trip, and there’s a lot more to come. Hope you enjoy the ride :)

--- Alex Again
August 1, 2025, Summer in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Alex Again arrives in Shanghai from Germany for a first day in China. After a stressful airport arrival, Alex explores a 7-Eleven, samples local snacks and tries crab soup. A sightseeing bus takes Alex toward Yu Gardens, which is closed, so the surrounding market becomes the next stop. The day continues with a walk along the Bund and a Huangpu River cruise, where illuminated buildings and the Pearl Tower offer a view of the skyline. Alex ends the day back at a centrally located hotel.

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First Time In China! Stressful Arrival in Shanghai…

Airport arrival and first food stops

Alex Again begins a first day in China after flying from Germany to Shanghai. The arrival at Shanghai International Airport is stressful, with crowds and queues, but Alex soon becomes curious about the city’s energy. A visit to a 7-Eleven reveals a wide range of small snacks and drinks, and Alex samples some of the colorful packaged goods. Crab soup becomes another food stop. Alex describes it as delicious and notes that the portion is generous, though it costs more than expected.

The city’s architecture also catches Alex’s attention, especially the contrast between older buildings and modern skyscrapers. A sightseeing bus offers a quick overview and carries Alex toward the Yu Gardens, but the gardens are closed during this visit. Alex instead explores the surrounding market area, where there are souvenir shops and a lively local atmosphere.

Bund and Huangpu River at night

Alex walks along the Bund and takes in the skyline from the river promenade. A cruise on the Huangpu River provides another view of Shanghai, with illuminated buildings and the Pearl Tower standing out. The boat is crowded and loud, but Alex still finds the skyline worthwhile from the water. Crickets are audible during the evening, an unexpected detail in the city setting.

The video ends back at the hotel, whose central location makes it convenient for reaching major sights and public transport. Alex is struck by the city’s scale and by the mix of old and new buildings, even on a Monday. This first day shifts from an uneasy arrival to food, markets and nighttime views, leaving Alex with a sense of wonder at Shanghai’s variety. The airport arrival is not the only transition in the day. After Alex checks into the hotel, views from the room introduce the city’s height and density before the walk toward the next area. At Yuyuan Tourist Mart, the shops and street stalls provide an alternative when the gardens cannot be entered. Nanjing Road adds another busy city street before the night cruise. Alex compares the older and newer buildings, and notices that the city remains busy even though it is Monday. The cruise gives a different angle on the skyline, with the Pearl Tower and illuminated buildings reflected in the river. Back at the hotel, the futuristic bathroom design is another unexpected detail of the stay. Across the day, food and retail stops sit alongside architecture and transport, shaping the first impression of Shanghai.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What was the 7-Eleven like?
A: Alex was surprised by the many small snacks and drinks on offer and found the variety remarkable during the first visit to a Chinese convenience store.
Q: How was the crab soup?
A: Alex enjoyed the crab soup and found the portion generous. It was a little pricey, with the rich flavor and crab ingredients contributing to the cost.
Q: What did Alex like about the river cruise?
A: Alex enjoyed seeing the varied buildings from the water and thought the cruise was worth taking, even though it was crowded and loud.
Q: What surprised Alex most about Shanghai?
A: The contrast between older and newer buildings stood out, along with how busy the city felt even on a Monday.

Shanghai First Day: Yu Gardens, The Bund & Huangpu River Cruise

Hey, it's Alex again and today I'm taking you along on my very first day in China. After flying in from Germany, I land in Shanghai and, honestly, the arrival was a bit stressful. But once I got through it, the city immediately started to impress. In this video, you’ll see what my first impressions...

Shanghai Exploration: First Impressions & River Cruise

Embark on a whirlwind first day in China as Alex Again navigates a somewhat bumpy arrival in Shanghai. From exploring local 7-Elevens and savoring authentic crab soup to marveling at the historic Yu Gardens and the iconic Bund skyline, this journey captures the essence of a first-time visitor's experience. The adventure culminates with a captivating Huangpu River cruise, offering a surreal glimpse into the city's vibrant nightlife.

Attractions in this video: Yu Gardens, Bund, Pearl Tower, Huangpu River