Shanghai was not on the top of my list of places to visit in China. I’ve heard how modern it is and I wondered if it would feel too much like a western city. Nevertheless, our flights were into and from Shanghai and we of course made time to become familiar with the city.
What I liked:
- There is some great architecture in Shanghai.
- Landscaping in Shanghai is quite
What Surprised Me:
- Considering how modern the city is supposed to be, I was surprised to find downtrodden areas so close to popular attractions. For example, a couple blocks off the Bund and along the canals near the North Bund.
- Stores and restaurants are more confined to interior and individual spaces than other parts of China.
- I was surprised that the Subway system in Shanghai felt less modern than other cities in China but in hindsight this makes sense as the city was developed earlier.
- People’s park was quite nice once you were inside the main area but it’s amazing how closed off the park is from the outside, with one particular raised section seemingly abandoned.
