As you can tell from the title, Shanghai is the first place in China which we have visited which we both said that we could live here, not that we are planning to at all.
We arrived by plane from Xi'an, got fed noodles or rice and got on the free Wi-Fi in the airport which looked nice and new. We had a good feeling straight away as we were presented European toilets and no squats and English signs and directions at the airport which was a first. First day we got the subway to our hostel which is really good and the people are friendly and rooms clean. We went to a local restaurant for tea the first night and got a tasty spicy beef dish, fried potatoes, rice and beer. Shanghai seems a bit more expensive then anywhere else we have been so far. A trip to the local supermarket was required to load up on water, fruit and nibbles.
Day two explored the city, waking down The Bund (the really famous city view promenade), went to the cities old town and sight seeing to the "Yu Garden's". When walking down the bund it was the busiest its been yet, helped by the fact its the cities most famous area and the final day if the Chinese May day holidays. Chinese tourists asked for our photo a few times. The place provides spectacular views across the iconic city scape, it was a clean gorgeous day which added to it. The gardens where okay, we went as its in the top sights of our book but we have seen a lot of art and temples already. Better was the walk to it through the cities old town and bazaar, a bustling, tacky and interesting experience but fascinating all the same. After this we had dinner at another local restaurant down a local street, the food was really good again, beef noddles and a curry dish. The highlight however was after dinner we went to the highest viewing platform in the world, 100 floors up. It provided breath taking views on the city, both us of were terrified to be honest but still great fun. Izzi encountered a new one when going to the toilet, an electric toilet, you could spray water on your bits and dry them, with controls on the side. We finished the day with a beer on the opposite side of the river looking towards the bund. On the way home we witnessed a women and her child going to the toilet on the platform whilst waiting for the subway, minging and not appropriate!
After we spent two relaxing days around Shanghai, we went around the People's Square and to the free Shanghai museum, its okay. We start in the park outside for a few hours but ended up getting harassed by tramps which I eventually told to f off and then we moved to a better spot. The next day we went around the French Concession, its really quaint, has low rise buildings themed in a French/Mediterranean style. We sat and had a beer while watching the world go by (2-4-1 on Carlsburg as well). We spent the afternoon in a park relaxing and watching a local roller skate lesson. For tea we went to a low budget lonely planet guide recommend restaurant called Sichuan Citizen. I liked it but izzi not so much, and it could of been hotter even though the guide book says it will blow your head off. We visited The Bund to see Shanghai famous sky line at night, it was packed but what can you expect for a Friday night.
Next to Hong kong...
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