Shanghai adventures brought amazing food, stunning sights, and new friends I didn’t expect to meet. Curious how our city escapades went? Read my blog!

Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated.

Part 2

March 14, 2025
Batangas, Philippines

Date of China Trip: February 14-24
Date of Shanghai Trip: February 14-16

My itinerary for my China trip includes the following: First Part Shanghai Disneyland, 2nd Part Shanghai, 3rd Part Beijing, 4th Part Xian, 5th part Leshan and 6th part Chengdu

Shanghai is China’s largest city and a global financial hub, blending futuristic skyscrapers with colonial-era architecture, traditional culture, and a vibrant lifestyle. Whether you’re visiting for business, tourism, or cultural exploration, Shanghai offers something for everyone.

Fun Fact: China geographically spans 5 different time zones, but when the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949, the government unified the entire country under a single clock — Beijing Time (UTC+8) — to promote national identity and unity. To this day, the sun can rise as late as 10 AM in western China because of it!

February 15, 2025 (Saturday)
Day2

At 8:30 AM, I met Shiyu in my hotel lobby—she would be my tour guide for the day. She’s the daughter of Fran, whom I first connected with through Get Your Guide. Although Get Your Guide is restricted in China, you can still access it with an Airalo eSIM or a VPN. Here’s the link to their tour!

What I loved most about this experience was how casual and fun it felt—almost like exploring Shanghai with a friend. There’s no fixed fee; you just tip whatever amount you feel comfortable with, plus cover food and transportation costs. I had an amazing time and even made a new friend in Shiyu! We still keep in touch and chat on Instagram.

Since it was raining, we first went out to grab some local Shanghai breakfast. Shiyu recommended trying their warm tofu drink, which was perfect for the weather. The flavors reminded me of what I had in Taiwan, yet it still had its own unique and delicious twist. We got our food to-go and enjoyed it in the lobby before heading off to our first stop—the Jade Buddha Temple.

We took the train to the Jade Buddha Temple, and along the way, Shiyu showed me how to use Alipay’s transportation feature for quick QR code scanning. It made the whole process super easy and efficient!

The Jade Buddha Temple is one of Shanghai’s most famous Buddhist temples, known for its stunning jade Buddha statues. The temple was originally built in 1882 to house two exquisite white jade Buddha statues brought from Burma (now Myanmar). After being destroyed during the revolution that ended the Qing Dynasty, the temple was rebuilt in 1928 and remains an active place of worship today.

What to See in the temple:

• The Jade Buddha Statues – The highlight of the temple, these two statues (one seated and one reclining) are carved from pure jade and adorned with gemstones.
• The Grand Hall – Home to three golden Buddha statues representing past, present, and future Buddhas.
• The Reclining Buddha Hall – Features an elegant jade Buddha in a resting position, symbolizing peace and enlightenment.
• Incense Offerings – Visitors can light incense and offer prayers for good fortune.

After visiting the Jade Buddha Temple, we began walking toward 1000 Trees but decided to stop at a nearby mall when it started raining. Shiyu didn’t have an umbrella, and mine was too small for both of us. The mall was modern and had a really nice atmosphere, making it a great place to take a short break.

1000 Trees

1000 Trees is one of Shanghai’s most unique architectural landmarks, often called the city’s “Hanging Gardens.” Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, this stunning structure looks like a mountain covered in greenery, with over 1,000 trees and thousands of plants integrated into its design.

HaiDiLao

We booked a Didi to head to a mall where we could enjoy hot pot at Haidilao. I had first tried Haidilao Philippines with colleagues I was hiring for in Mandarin and had an amazing time. I even faked a birthday just for fun so they would sing for me and give me freebies—totally worth it! 😂

One of the coolest things about Haidilao is the free services while you wait, and this time, I got a gel manicure! I was really impressed because even now, my nails still look great—way better than when I get them done in the Philippines.

As for the food, I was shocked at how truly spicy the spicy hot pot was—wow! But that didn’t stop me from eating a lot. The staff even sang a Chinese birthday song for me, served a plate of fruits as my cake and did the famous noodle dance, which made the whole experience even more fun.

After our meal, we unexpectedly ran into two famous Shanghai YouTubers, Sevihuna. I didn’t know them at the time, but it was still exciting to see them in person!

Columbia Circle

Columbia Circle is a historic and trendy cultural hub in Shanghai’s Changning District, blending Art Deco architecture, history, and modern lifestyle. Originally built in the 1920s as a private club for American expats, it has now been transformed into a vibrant space with cafés, restaurants, art exhibitions, and creative offices.

I absolutely love this place—it’s such a perfect blend of old and new with a trendy, modern vibe. One of my favorite features is the pool at the center, surrounded by charming cafés. We grabbed coffee at Naif, a cozy and relaxing spot, and just took our time unwinding. The atmosphere here is amazing, and I honestly wish I could stay longer to explore more of Shanghai’s beautiful cafés!

The temperature was dropping to 3°C, and it was getting noticeably colder. I definitely wished I had worn my jacket, but I chose a different outfit instead—just for the sake of the photos! Haha! 😆

French Concession/Xintiandi

We rode Didi going to Xintiandi.

The French Concession is one of Shanghai’s most picturesque and historic districts, famous for its tree-lined streets, colonial-era architecture, trendy cafés, and boutique shops. Once under French control from 1849 to 1943, it has preserved its European charm while seamlessly blending with modern Shanghai.

Shanghai is a city where old meets new, and Xintiandi perfectly showcases this contrast. It beautifully preserves the city’s historic Shikumen architecture, while offering a vibrant mix of modern shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.

As a trendy lifestyle district, Xintiandi is known for its restored Shikumen houses, which now house high-end restaurants, designer boutiques, and upscale bars.

I absolutely love this place and will definitely come back the next time I visit Shanghai! If you’re a fan of architecture, art, and cafés, this is a must-visit spot! 😊

North Bund

We took the train to the North Bund, and by the time we arrived, it was already raining.

The North Bund is a rapidly developing waterfront area in Hongkou District, located along the Huangpu River, directly opposite The Bund and Lujiazui. Known for its stunning skyline views, luxury developments, and historical significance, it is becoming Shanghai’s next big financial and cultural hub. It Offers unobstructed views of The Bund and Lujiazui skyscrapers (including the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower).

At first, the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower were shrouded in mist from the rain, making them barely visible. I thought I might not get a clear view, but after waiting for the rain to ease, the North Bund skyline slowly emerged.

Standing there, I couldn’t help but feel like I was in Singapore—the ambiance reminded me of a blend of Raffles, Clarke Quay, and Marina Bay Sands all in one. The atmosphere here is absolutely stunning.

I’ve truly fallen in love with Shanghai, and I wish I could stay longer. There’s still so much to explore, and of course, I’d love to come back to see Shiyu and Fran again. Meeting friends here has been such a special part of my trip, and honestly, I don’t know how I would have managed with my limited Mandarin without their help! I can’t wait to return!

P.S. Shiyu helped me transfer files from my Disneyland trip. It was quite challenging since the app used for the photos was a Chinese platform, which could only be accessed with a Chinese mobile number.

Part 3 next

Love,
Maria, sometimes, Niskie