When I think of Shanghai, I think of character. Beneath the glitz and glamour are layers of intention and history that tell far more interesting stories.
You could start with the Maglev rail line from the airport. It feels outdated now — almost like a retro vision of the future. The train no longer runs at the speeds it once promised, and parts of it feel frozen in time. Yet that, in itself, tells a story: one of ambition, experimentation, and a city determined to push boundaries.
Then there’s the Bund. Today it’s packed with tourists and luxury shopping, but the European architecture lining the river remains a reminder that Shanghai has long been a hub of global trade and international influence.
Want even more character? Walk a few blocks inland from the Bund and you enter a completely different world — narrow streets, understated restaurants, worn apartment buildings, and neighborhoods that still feel deeply local.
Across the river sits the central business district, home to some of the world’s most recognizable skyscrapers. The dramatic skyline, paired with meticulously maintained floral landscaping, gives the area an almost surreal sense of polish and scale.
Follow the river toward 1000 Trees and, again, Shanghai changes character. There’s the iconic modern development and luxury mall sitting beside M50, an artist enclave filled with galleries and studios. Around them are quieter residential towers and riverside parks that feel unexpectedly calm for a city of this size.
Head to Xuhui District and you encounter yet another version of Shanghai — French influence layered with university culture, tree-lined streets, and quiet compounds hidden behind tall walls.
The list could go on endlessly, and this barely scratches the surface of the city. Every neighborhood we visited felt distinct, shaped by its own reputation, history, and rhythm while continuing to evolve. In many ways, Shanghai felt like a true international city — one that belongs in the same conversation as New York or London.
