Day 1.
Arrived at Shanghai Hong Qiao Airport, located at the west of the city. It's A humble airport with nothing much worth mentioning. Yea. Not until you reach the city. Upon reaching the city area, you will be greeted by many modern sky scrapers, and tiers of elevated highways. We travelled toward the east, passing through the Huang Pu district, crossing the famous Huang Pu river through the Yan'an road underground tunnel.
Checked in at Novotel at Pudong area. A relatively new developing estate. Well, the journey from the airport to the pudong area cost around rmb100, which I find its very affordable (including traffic jams). After purchasing a local SIM card for my gps navigation, I started to venture to the Shanghai Science Center (KeiGuan) and Century Park, then to the financial district of Shanghai, where the Shanghai Financial Towers is located. The subway is a great way to explore the city. Changing lines at the interchange is easy, direction markings are printed on the station floor for easy navigation ;) I went up to the top floor of shanghai financial tower to witness the night scene of Shanghai. Then we went to a Japanese Onsen style hot spring and spa, Ji Le Tang (Gokurakuyu) to end the first night
Shanghai Taxi
Taxi with touch screen panel for info and advertisement.
ShangHai Ke Ji Guan and Century Park
Panorama of Shanghai Science Centre (Shanghai Ke Ji Guan)
The Shanghai Science Centre
Another shot of the building
Relaxing at the park (Century Avenue - Shi Ji Da Tao) near the science centre
A Panorama shot of the lake of The Century Park
Pudong Financial District
Night Scene above the Financial Tower
The magnificent Shanghai Financial Tower
Another Night scene above the financial tower
Great night scene of Shanghai
The Three Famous Towers
http://www.gokurakuyu.cn/ - highly recommended
Food and fruits
Halal Dinner
Local grapes :)
Giant Persimmon and pomegranate
Day 2.
I had a great time at the spa and fully recharged for the day. I went to a local restaurant for my breakfast. Had a feast of shiao long bao and fish noodle. We had a quick visit to the local wet market before going back to the hotel to check out. Then we move to yu yuen - a relatively old area of Shanghai. After check into the Ibis (Yu Yuan) Hotel. we visited the Cheng Huang Miao (temple) and yu yuan (garden) - a back yard garden with many man make landscape. which is located minutes away from the hotel.
Next is the famous river bank of Shanghai - the bund. We ride to cruise ship which provide valuables info about the city development. Highly recommended. After that we moved to the shopping district of Shanghai - the Nanjing road, after a hearty dinner at nearby restaurant which serves local dishes. Ermm.... Shanghai dishes are mainly dark (of the sauce) and sweet (higher than average). The shopping area is huge!!! Each malls along the road are brightly lighted. Many international brands can be found here. Please prepare to shop till you drop :p
Allow me to remind you that the subway is closing by 10pm. So please check the time if u must take the subway at this hour.
Local Wet Market
Local Wet Market
A quick visit to the local wet market (at Pudong area)
Father and son
A local junction
Various local ingredients
Breakfast - Grilled Fish noodle (at Pudong area)
YuYuan and Cheng Huang Temple
YuYuan Old Street
Yu Yuan Cheng huang Miao (Cheng Huang Temple)
Cheng Huang Miao famous Siew Long Bao (dumplings) - waaaay OVER-RATED
Sorry to say this - Avoid at all cost! not worth the price and the long queue-ing time
Yu Yuan Garden
Stage performance will be conducted at selected timing.
The Bund and the river cruise
The Famous - The Bund
The Dinner- Shanghai Cruisine
Day 3
Woke up early in the morning and travelled west to a old village call Ju Jia Jiao. A Venice like setting with rows of old houses lined along the canal, and boats are used as the means of transportation. Of cos nowadays you got to pay for the rides. It is just a tourist attraction now. Houses are being converted into shops selling souvenirs and food. There are no more villagers living there anymore. After that we travelled back to the city and visited an area call Tian Zhi Fang - a place selling many souvenirs and eateries. Next is Xin Tian Ti. A please with nice western pub, bar and pricey restaurant. It was packed. There's no better way to end the night with a nice supper and a massage. I had two 'da za' crabs .
Ju Jia Jiao (Ju Jia Village)
Ju Jia Jiao (Ju Jia Village)
The best restaurant in the entire trip - offering steamboat with fresh slice beef.
The BEST beef ball in the world - trust me!!
Tian Zhi Fang
Enjoying a cup of hot Pu-er tea along a long day of traveling
Xin Tian Ti - pubs and western cuisine
Road side Sea food stall
Da Za Xie (Hairy Crabs) - Sooooooooooo Yummmmmmmmy
20 yuan per crab - must try.
Advise from the local - DO NOT take hairy crab and persimmon on the same day. it's poisonous when eat together
Day 4.
Travelled to the city central. And had a run around the hotel area before ending my trip in Shanghai. Took an over night train to Beijing and continue my second part of the journey
Our train overnight train to Beijing
The cabin inside the train - its clean, hygienic, comfortable. China bravo on your railway system. Impressive!
Beijing part 2
So, this is the second time I came to this beautiful city. I really like the old oriental setting of the city. Nothing much have changed, even the traffic jam is still as massive if not worsen. Please see my first post on Beijing if you are interested, because I have visited most of the same places again.
Summary
Shanghai
Well..
First impression: why people keep spitting onto the floor?!!! Why? Many locals do that, be it young or old. Why so many phlegm to be expelled??? The situation in shanghai is worse than in Beijing.
Second impression: superb subway system, with seamless connecting routes from one station to another at the interchange.
Third impression : Cheap taxi ride. Even at night
Fourth: Shanghai Siao Long Bao is way overrated. Just stick to the Ding Tai Fong Restaurant unless your local host bring you to some where special.
Fifth : Hairy Crab really taste good... and cheap in shanghai.
Sixth : Please take note if you are visiting different cities in China throughout our trip. The local SIM card charges different rates from one city to another. Please check with the Telco counter carefully before buying one. (Mandarin is a must)
Seventh : Please allow minimum 3 hours for flight transit if you are not taking a direct flight. And equally important, check your transit terminal for your flight. My flight was :
Sg -- Beijing (terminal 3) -- Beijing (terminal 1) --- Shanghai. Do take note that you need to check out n recheck in again from 1 terminal to the other. Yes, u need to go through the passport check and the security check all over again.
