WHILE football lovers are going agog at this year’s Fifa World Cup in Russia, it brings me back to a trip to China when it was at the height of the World Cup in South Africa. Shanghai, China’s financial center, was then filled with the World Cup fever.
Not only that, there was also a World Expo happening in the metropolis, filling the city with so many tourists during our visit. The World Expo featured the beautiful pavilions of various countries that showcased their best products, culture, and attractions.
The delightful sight about Shanghai is that it blends the old with the new. There’s a mix of the modern vibe and the historic charm that makes the city ambiance a more pleasant one. It’s also easy to get around the city by train and by cab.
(Shanghai’s modern structures)
The most prominent structure in Shanghai’s skyline is the Oriental Pearl Tower, defined by its two large spheres. Located at the Pudong area, it is surrounded by other skyscrapers, such as the Shanghai Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center, Jin Mao Tower, to name a few. If the view is magnificent during the day, it is even lively at night, when the lights go out and brighten the night view.
There are also plenty of shopping areas in Shanghai. We even went to the so-called “fake market” at a subway station. At night, stroll through the lively Nanjing Road, lit up by neon lights, Shanghai’s busy shopping district. The city’s modern sights are not only marked by buildings, but even its bridges are contemporary.
(Heritage)
From the Oriental Pearl Tower, it was like traveling through time as we took the sightseeing tunnel, riding an underground train through a tunnel of colorful lights underneath Huangpu River. Coming from the urban hub of Pudong, we crossed towards the Bund.
Since it was night, it glowed in golden lights with the Customs House, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Building, and the former Bank of Communications as among the popular sights along this stretch of Zhongshan Road. The buildings looked colonial and have a European feel.
Another heritage place we roamed is the French Concession.
We visited the Shikumen Open House Museum in this area. Buildings made of bricks are found in the French Concession. Several historical structures can be seen here.
Since it was raining when we were in Shanghai, we decided to have some warm delectable dumplings at the Yuyuan Garden. We had to go through the Yuyuan Bazaar, where there are shops and restaurants housed in classic Chinese architecture.
There was even a traditional Chinese peep box where kids were watching a show through a hole.
Of course, we didn’t pass the opportunity of tasting the xiaolongbao or soup dumplings at the Nanxiang Mantou Dian while at Yuyuan. It was perfect for the rainy weather as it warmed our tummies and our hearts. Our trip was even more memorable with these tasty treats.
(All photos are by this author. Claire Marie Algarme blogs at http://firsttimetravels.com. Follow her as @firsttimetravel on Twitter and Instagram and like her Facebook page First-time Travels blog.)