Is Shanghai really as incredible as everyone says?<br><br>In our first 48 hours in China, Shanghai completely blew away every expectation we had. From riding the metro for the first time and exploring the iconic Bund, to futuristic malls, incredible Chinese food, ancient temples, luxury shopping districts, and some of the most impressive technology we've ever seen, this city left us speechless.<br><br>We came to Shanghai expecting a modern mega-city, but what we found was so much more. Incredible food for under £10, peaceful parks, ancient culture, stunning skylines, futuristic electric cars, and experiences that genuinely felt like stepping into the future.<br><br>📍 The Bund & Shanghai Skyline<br>📍 Nanjing Road at Night<br>📍 Yu Garden Area<br>📍 Jing'an Temple<br>📍 Shanghai Metro<br>📍 Chinese Street Food<br>📍 Futuristic Chinese Technology<br>📍 Luxury Shopping Malls<br>📍 Shanghai Expo Greenhouse<br><br>If this is your first time discovering China, Shanghai might just be the perfect place to start.
Fi and Nick explore Shanghai's food, skyline, temples, and futuristic tech, feeling overwhelmed and emotional in a city that blends tradition with innovation.
Fi and Nick dive headfirst into Shanghai, from 55p street food and the Bund's jaw-dropping skyline to futuristic malls with dancing cars and a tear-jerking light show at the Expo Greenhouse. Their first 48 hours prove Shanghai is a sensory overload of tradition, tech, and tastiness – a perfect start to their China adventure.
Is Shanghai really as incredible as everyone says? In our first 48 hours in China, Shanghai completely blew away every expectation we had. From riding the metro for the first time and exploring the iconic Bund, to futuristic malls, incredible Chinese food, ancient temples, luxury shopping districts,...
First 48 Hours in Shanghai: Street Food, Skyline, and Futuristic Tech
Fi and Nick's first 48 hours in Shanghai shattered every expectation. From the dazzling Bund and futuristic malls to ancient Jing'an Temple, this city is a whirlwind of contrasts. They rode the metro, savored incredible street food, and even tried Chinese electric cars. Shanghai isn't just modern—it's a glimpse into the future, wrapped in centuries of culture. A must-watch for anyone curious about China.
Attractions in this video: The Bund, Jingan Temple, Yu Garden, Oriental Pearl, Nanjing Road, Wukang Road, Shanghai Expo Greenhouse
In this episode, travel couple Fi and Nick take their first steps in Shanghai, overwhelmed but buzzing with excitement. They navigate the metro with a mix of nerves and triumph, scoring their first metro tickets. Their first meal – two local street snacks for just 55p – sets the tone for affordable, delicious eats. The Bund and Oriental Pearl skyline leave them speechless, with Nick calling it the best skyline in the world.
Yu Garden and its surrounding area feel like a dream, with Fi nearly crying at the beauty of the ancient architecture and koi fish. They enjoy honey glazed pork noodles for under £10, declaring it the best pork ever. At Jing'an Temple, the contrast of a 247 AD Buddhist temple surrounded by skyscrapers blows their minds.
Day two brings rain, but they embrace it. They explore the French Concession, where Wukang Road feels like a quiet European street. They visit the Louis Vuitton ship-shaped store and dive into futuristic malls. Inside a NIO showroom, they test a car with a massage chair and an AI assistant named Nomi that dances and sings. At the Huawei store, they try clip-on headphones and glasses that take photos, and sit in a Huawei car with a cinema screen.
At the Science and Technology Museum market, Fi haggles for a snake mug – a tense but successful encounter. The day ends at the Shanghai Expo Greenhouse, where a thunderstorm light show and fragrant flower towers overwhelm them with emotion. Fi says, 'I feel so emotional – I could cry.'
Overall, their first 48 hours in Shanghai completely answer the question 'Is this really China?' with a resounding yes. The city blends ancient culture, affordable food, quiet electric traffic, and mind-blowing technology. They leave eager for the next 28 days in China.
