Travel Guides & Tips in this video
Alex Again's second day in Shanghai moves from the former American country club at Columbia Circle to the Building Shanghai museum and West Bund promenade. He visits Tsutaya Bookshop, uses Alipay for the metro, shops near the Bund and stops at a DJI store. Clean public toilets and cloudy-day sunscreen are among his practical observations. At Columbia Circle, he sees the former country club reworked into public and commercial spaces, including Tsutaya Bookshop and a retro pool. The museum uses maps, models and video to explain Shanghai's growth, while the West Bund promenade offers a calmer walk. He later buys a microphone and camera at DJI, visits Xintiandi and ends with a nighttime look at the city.
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Columbia Circle and the city's growth
Alex Again begins his second Shanghai day at Columbia Circle, a former American country club now set among gardens and cafes. He visits Tsutaya Bookshop, known in the vlog as Suyaba, and sees a retro pool. The combination of greenery, historic buildings and newer businesses makes the area feel different from the high-rise districts he expected.
At the Building Shanghai museum, maps, models and video displays trace the city's rapid growth, from Soviet-influenced architecture to futuristic towers. Alex finds the historical context useful, particularly as a first-time visitor. He compares Shanghai's older character with Shenzhen, which feels newer to him. Along the West Bund promenade, he notices dragonflies and the careful urban design.
Metro, shopping and evening streets
Alex uses Alipay to buy metro tickets, finding it quicker and easier than using ticket machines and a way to avoid language difficulties. Later he explores a polished shopping district near the Bund and buys a microphone and camera at the DJI store, where he says the equipment costs hundreds less than in Europe. A stop at Dairy Queen brings back memories of his student exchange in the United States.
The day ends with a visit to Xintiandi and a nighttime look at Shanghai. Alex is tired and sunburned despite cloudy weather, so he recommends sunscreen even when the sun is not obvious. He also appreciates clean public toilets at metro stations and other public areas. These practical details sit alongside the historic and modern sites, offering a grounded account of a day in Shanghai.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What surprised Alex most about Shanghai?
- A: He did not expect to find so much charm and older architecture alongside the futuristic skyline. The city felt more historical than he had imagined before visiting.
- Q: How did Alex get around the city?
- A: He bought metro tickets with Alipay, which he found easy to use and helpful for avoiding road traffic. He recommends it as a convenient option for visitors.
- Q: What was his favorite discovery?
- A: Columbia Circle stood out: a former country club now includes a bookstore and a retro pool, set among gardens. Alex describes it as a quiet oasis in the city.
- Q: Did Alex find any good shopping tips?
- A: He says buying DJI equipment in China can save hundreds compared with Europe. The original advice also suggests asking for a tax refund form when shopping.
- Q: What did Alex say about snacks?
- A: He likes 7-Eleven for its range of zero-calorie drinks and snacks, and appreciates that pictures on the menu make it easy to choose items.
- Q: What advice did Alex give about the weather?
- A: Wear sunscreen even when it is cloudy. Alex got sunburned without noticing because the UV remained strong under the cloud cover.
