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Didn’t Expect THIS in Shanghai…Different Side of China!
Shanghai's Hidden History: Guangfulin Park & Jing'an Temple
Hey it’s Alex again! Welcome to Day 4 of my China adventure 🇨🇳. Today was packed with history, culture, and some truly unforgettable sights here in Shanghai with my brother @Danygotaworldtosee
We kicked things off at the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, often called the “Root of Shanghai.”...
Hey it’s Alex again! Welcome to Day 4 of my China adventure 🇨🇳. Today was packed with history, culture, and some truly unforgettable sights here in Shanghai with my brother @Danygotaworldtosee
We kicked things off at the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, often called the “Root of Shanghai.” Surrounded by peaceful lakes and striking buildings rising out of the water, we explored ancient-style halls, learned about the city’s early settlers, and soaked in the calm beauty of this historic site.
From there, we made our way to the iconic Jing’an Temple, right in the heart of the city. The golden rooftops, intricate details, and the vibrant energy around the temple made it such a unique contrast to the modern skyline just outside its gates. Wandering the surrounding streets gave us a real taste of local life, with plenty to see.
Alex Again takes us on a journey through Shanghai, uncovering a side of China many don't expect. From the serene waters and ancient history of Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, the "Root of Shanghai," to the dazzling, golden spectacle of Jing'an Temple amidst the modern city, this vlog is a feast for the senses. Experience the blend of old and new as Alex navigates local life and discovers hidden gems.
Hey it’s Alex again! Welcome to Day 4 of my China adventure 🇨🇳. Today was packed with history, culture, and some truly unforgettable sights here in Shanghai with my brother @Danygotaworldtosee
We kicked things off at the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, often called the “Root of Shanghai.” Surrounded by peaceful lakes and striking buildings rising out of the water, we explored ancient-style halls, learned about the city’s early settlers, and soaked in the calm beauty of this historic site.
From there, we made our way to the iconic Jing’an Temple, right in the heart of the city. The golden rooftops, intricate details, and the vibrant energy around the temple made it such a unique contrast to the modern skyline just outside its gates. Wandering the surrounding streets gave us a real taste of local life, with plenty to see.
Alex Again’s fourth day in Shanghai begins with a gusty but sunny morning, setting the stage for a journey that peels back layers of the city’s past. The first stop is the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park, often called the ‘Root of Shanghai.’ An hour’s metro ride and a cheap $2 taxi later, Alex arrives at a sprawling complex of ancient-style halls, bridges, and a surprise sunflower field. The park’s standout feature is an underwater museum – a dry, immersive walkway below water level where visitors view relics through water-filled corridors. Alex is awed by the lifelike wax figures and the timeline of Shanghai from the Stone Age to the early 1900s, though he notes the lack of English signage. The emotional high point comes when he stands in a temple, imagining a girl standing there thousands of years ago, reflecting on the brevity of modern life.<br><br>After a quick KFC lunch (his stomach was upset from the previous day’s spicy food), Alex heads to the heart of the city to visit Jing’an Temple. The contrast is striking: golden temple rooftops with intricate details rise against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers. He also explores a nearby Soviet-style building, a rare sight in Shanghai, and a four-story food court with everything from wonton soup to sweets. The day ends with a successful souvenir bargain – a purple magnet for his fridge. Throughout the vlog, Alex highlights the efficiency of Shanghai’s metro (clean, air-conditioned, trains every three minutes) and the convenience of Alipay for tickets and taxis. His personal insights – from the Kung Fu Panda vibes of the park to the rarity of gas stations in an electric-car city – make this a genuine, unfiltered look at a side of Shanghai that tourists often miss.
Alex Again’s Shanghai day four takes us from the ancient ‘Root of Shanghai’ at Guangfulin Park to the golden glow of Jing’an Temple. The underwater museum and bargain metro rides reveal a city where history and modernity collide in the most unexpected ways.
Alex Again explores ancient Guangfulin Park and iconic Jing'an Temple, discovering Shanghai's rich history and modern surprises.
Shanghai's Hidden History: Guangfulin Park & Jing'an Temple
1:01 Use Alipay for metro tickets: check in when entering, check out when exiting – it's super affordable and easy.
3:32 Order taxis via Alipay for cheap rides; a 10-minute route cost only $2 in Shanghai. The app is widely accepted.
6:18 Ticket to the Guangfulin museum is 30 yuan ($4). Even if you're not into history, the park's beauty makes it worth the hour trip from the city.
8:36 Explore the underwater museum at Guangfulin – it's a dry immersive walkway under water level, showcasing Shanghai's ancient roots.
21:59 Bargain at local souvenir shops; Alex negotiated a magnet from 25 to 20 yuan. Polite haggling works.
1:01 Use Alipay for metro tickets: check in when entering, check out when exiting – it's super affordable and easy.
3:32 Order taxis via Alipay for cheap rides; a 10-minute route cost only $2 in Shanghai. The app is widely accepted.
6:18 Ticket to the Guangfulin museum is 30 yuan ($4). Even if you're not into history, the park's beauty makes it worth the hour trip from the city.
8:36 Explore the underwater museum at Guangfulin – it's a dry immersive walkway under water level, showcasing Shanghai's ancient roots.
21:59 Bargain at local souvenir shops; Alex negotiated a magnet from 25 to 20 yuan. Polite haggling works.
0:01 Morning start at Shanghai
0:50 Metro advice and Alipay tip
3:00 Arriving at Guangfulin Park
5:00 Exploring park and temples
8:00 Underwater museum experience
12:00 Reflections on history and temples
15:00 Lunch at KFC and tiredness
17:00 Heading to Jing'an Temple
18:00 Soviet building and food court
21:59 Bargaining for a magnet
0:00 Welcome
0:49 Shanghai Metro
2:21 Driving Far out...
3:45 Guangfulin Park
6:17 Root of Shanghai
10:06 Walk through Time
12:12 Exploring the Temples
15:00 Leaving the Area
16:16 Drive back to City
17:18 Jing’an Temple Area
19:28 Shanghai Exhibition Center
20:33 Shanghai First Foodhall
21:43 Colorful Streets at Night
How do you use Alipay for the metro in Shanghai?
You can check in when entering the metro and check out when exiting, and it's super affordable – just scan the QR code on Alipay.
What is the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park like?
It's a historical park about an hour outside Shanghai, known as the 'Root of Shanghai', featuring an underwater museum where you walk below water level to see ancient relics.
