{"id":3960,"date":"2017-03-23T22:42:19","date_gmt":"2017-03-23T22:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=3960"},"modified":"2020-01-26T06:53:37","modified_gmt":"2020-01-26T06:53:37","slug":"part-1-how-to-get-around-in-shanghai-free-and-easy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2017\/03\/part-1-how-to-get-around-in-shanghai-free-and-easy\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 1- How to get around in Shanghai Free and Easy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most populous city in the world – Shanghai<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I have been to China more than 10 times but Shanghai was my first trip! Hearing the word most populous made me scare. \u00a0I am more of a country person.<\/p>\n

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It only took 4.5 hours to reach Shanghai. \u00a0The flight served a mini ice-cream for dessert.<\/p>\n

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I reached Shanghai at around 3 pm and the immigration was full of visitors coming from different parts of the world. \u00a0It took slightly less than 1 hour to clear the custom.<\/p>\n

Shanghai is a big city with 24 million population, when the taxi was approaching the city area, it was pack with cars, big city syndrome.<\/p>\n

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Taxi in Shanghai<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I noticed taxi driver is protected under a plastic guard shield. \u00a0All taxi should run in the meter.\u00a0 The receipt is also automatically offered to me. \u00a0In the city, there is an initial meter charge of 14 RMB for most 3 km drives (including the fare surcharge). The fare from the airport to Shanghai should be around RMB 150 -180. \u00a0You can take the train but with big luggage, don’t bother to do that.<\/p>\n

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Circular Pedestrian Bridge in Lujiazui, Shanghai<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Circular Pedestrian Bridge is an amazing sight in Shanghai.<\/p>\n

This large circular pedestrian overpass provides access to the Pearl Oriental Tower, also connecting shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, train stations, and office buildings. \u00a0It took me quite a while to walk one round.<\/p>\n

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I had a stroll at the walkway of the bridge\u00a0and enjoy the views of the city.<\/p>\n

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View of Oriental Pearl Tower<\/a> from the Circular Pedestrian Bridge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The tower features 11 spheres, big and small but I only spotted one small and two big spheres! \u00a0The unique architectural design of Oriental Pearl Tower makes it one of the most attractive places. \u00a0I have to take a picture of the Oriental Pearl Tower in the Circular Pedestrian Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Disney store in Lujiazui<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are a fan of Disney, there is a Disney store below the Circular Pedestrian Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Purchase ticket online for: Shanghai Disneyland (1 Day Admission\/2 Day Admission)<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Circular Pedestrian Bridge also links to many of the restaurants. \u00a0I had my dinner at one of the restaurants there.<\/p>\n

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Oriental Pearl Tower<\/a> at night<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is one of the iconic landmarks in Shanghai, this is also the TV Tower in Shanghai.<\/p>\n

At night the structure is illuminated to great dramatic effect. \u00a0This tower is brightly lit in different LED sequences at night.<\/p>\n

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Night view from Lujiazui\/\u9646\u5bb6\u5634, Shanghai<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Shanghai Metro<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are a total of 14 lines in operation and ranks second in the world by annual ridership after the Beijing Subway. \u00a0This is the most accessible form of transport in Shanghai. \u00a0The ticket machine is labeled in English and Chinese and most machines used coins. \u00a0Few machines do accept the paper notes.<\/p>\n

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I bought a 3 Day rail which allows me to travel the 14 lines for the duration of 3 days unlimited. \u00a0It cost me RMB 45. \u00a0This pass can also be kept as a souvenir after use because it will not be collected back. \u00a0You have to buy the 3 days rail from the ticketing counter, not from the machine.<\/p>\n

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You can see the people queue up to get on the train, people in Shanghai is very cultured and not pushing around. \u00a0If you see someone who is trying to rush in without queue up, they are probably outsiders, not from the big city of Shanghai.<\/p>\n

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I am heading to Century Avenue where my hotel is for the 3 nights stay in Shanghai.<\/p>\n

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Dinner<\/b><\/h3>\n

Dinner was Xiao Long Bau,\u00a0beef hot pot and roast duck. \u00a0I find the food is quite salty in Shanghai.<\/p>\n

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A must-try cuisine in Shanghai – Xiaolongbao<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Xiaolongbao is the steamed bun, originally from the Jiangnan region. \u00a0It was called xiao long – mean small bamboo steaming basket. \u00a0The buns tasted awesome after dipping in Zhenjiang vinegar with ginger slivers<\/p>\n

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Hongta Hotel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This hotel is very near the Pearl Oriental Tower, it is situated in Lujiazui. \u00a0The nearest metro station – Century Avenue is about 10 mins walk.<\/p>\n

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I find most people stayed here are on business. \u00a0The breakfast served wasn’t that great but quite satisfying. \u00a0Everyone queues for their food and speaks softly. \u00a0 Half of the guests were foreigners and half were mainland local Chinese.<\/p>\n

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China Green Hotel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The\u00a0Hongta Hotel<\/a> is recognized as the Green Hotel in China. \u00a0Green Hotel is an Eco-friendly lodging place. This hotel is also part of the SPG family\/ Starwood Preferred Guest for frequent travelers. \u00a0The hotel room is quite spacious with a big working table for the laptops.<\/p>\n

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This is the main lobby once you entered Hongta Hotel<\/a>. \u00a0Staffs speak fluent English.<\/p>\n

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There is a heated indoor pool and a well-equipped gym. \u00a0This hotel is quite clean and well maintained.<\/p>\n

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Gym at Hotel<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The view from the hotel room showing housing in Shanghai. \u00a0It is quite crowded after all 24 million people stayed in this city.<\/p>\n

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Nearest Metro station – Century Avenue<\/strong><\/h3>\n

10 mins walk early in the morning to the nearest station from Hongta Hotel<\/a>, Century Avenue Metro Station. \u00a0There were not many cars on the streets yet.<\/p>\n

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Spotted a Three Wheel Motorbike on the road, not many nowadays in Shanghai. \u00a0Most people travel by Metro or Bus or Taxi.<\/p>\n

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Huang Pu River<\/strong><\/p>\n

Huang Pu River is the largest river in Shanghai. \u00a0It is more attractive to look at when the sky turns dark at night. \u00a0There is a cruise along the Huang Pu River. \u00a0I have tried the Guang Zhou River Cruise so I was not eager to try the Huang Pu River Cruise in Shanghai. \u00a0It is spectacular to see the neon colors flashing everywhere. \u00a0Don’t miss the Huang Pu River Cruise, the skyline at night is unbelievably stunning.<\/p>\n

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Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai – The Clam Shell or Hamburger<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It is formerly known as Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center\/\u4e0a\u6d77\u4e16\u535a\u4f1a\u6587\u5316\u4e2d\u5fc3 during the 2010 Shanghai Expo.<\/p>\n

Mercedes Benz took over the Arena for 10 years lease, I saw a similar arena in Berlin as well. \u00a0Now it is an indoor stadium to host for big concerts and live music bands, facilitate 18000 guests.<\/p>\n

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\n<\/a>Expo Shanghai<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most pavilions were temporary structures and dismantled after the end of the Expo. \u00a0There are only a few remains and I am not sure when they will get dismantled.<\/p>\n

China Pavilion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The China Pavilion is still there and was converted into a museum after the 2010 Shanghai Expo. \u00a0It is now considered one of the largest museum in Asia for China Art. \u00a0Do you find the architecture look like a Chinese crown?<\/p>\n

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Expo Axis -the world’s largest membrane construction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Behind me was the Expo Axis, this will not be dismantled and will remain as it is. Expo Axis is the largest and most significant building on the site beside the China Pavilion. \u00a0The Expo Axis is also considered the landmark in the Expo Shanghai 2010.<\/p>\n

It looks more stunning at night when there is light up. \u00a0I know it does not look so impressive in the picture below.<\/p>\n

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Shanghai Lupu Bridge<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shanghai Lupu Bridge – this bridge looks like the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Australia. This bridge has 6 lanes of traffic and its main body is arc-shaped, like a rainbow flying across the Huangpu River. \u00a0This bridge does not only serve to connect the Huang Pu and Pudong Districts but also serves as great sightseeing places. \u00a0Visitors can climb up the top and have a good view of the Huang Pu River and the whole Shanghai city!<\/p>\n

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Ferry in Shanghai<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I took a ferry to the Bund\/\u5916\u6ee9 to avoid traffic jam in the tunnel as it was during peak hour in the evening.\u00a0 The sky is still not dark yet so there are not many flashing lights captured. \u00a0It only took me minutes to cross the river to the Bund. \u00a0If I were to take a taxi, it could easily cost me more than 45 mins to reach the Bund. \u00a0The cost of the ferry is only RMB 2.<\/p>\n

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Part 1 – Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n