After my visit to the gorgeous and imposing Jing’An Temple, I wasn’t sure if anything could surpass it. However, the quaint charm of the smaller Jade Buddha Temple came close. … More Shanghai: Jade Buddha Temple
Barely two weeks into my China visit and I had already uncovered a plethora of cultural differences; some expected and some utterly foreign. Dating was one of these. If you ever watched the cracker of a dead-pan humour documentary Paul Merton in China back in 2007, you’ll be wise to the Chinese take on dating. (I can’t lie, watching … More Shanghai: Finding love the Chinese way
I’m almost ashamed to admit that whichever stunning new country or city I end up in, there are always three creature comforts I crave: spaghetti, hot chocolate and pastries. Honestly, any of my friends will tell you I’m a fiend for those things. I can’t not have them in my life! I know travelling is about discovering new foods but sometimes you just need to hit that spot with a trusty old favourite. … More 5 of Shanghai’s best bakeries and quick eats
In each new city I go to, I love to find 3 key things: the best backstreets to wander; the best bakery/patisserie; and the best place to watch the sunset. Of course there’s plenty of other things I love to find when exploring but these 3 things are the icing on the cake and always have me skipping … More Shanghai: Where to find the best Bund rooftop view
Another Shanghai classic is the boisterous Nanjing Road, just a short walk from the Bund. It’s perhaps the shopping mecca of Shanghai. Get ready for some hustling along the pavement until you reach the main pedestrianised area of Nanjing Road (split into East and West). You’ll see lots of policemen with glow-y sticks and whistles, seemingly randomly … More Shanghai: Nanjing Road and chatting Chinese politics with a local
You’ve probably noticed by now that a lot of my summer has been spent strolling through the streets of Asia. It might be bloody hot but travelling by foot is free and you get to see lots of interesting things. (And burn off all that food you’ve scoffed…). There might not be ‘things to do’ … More Shanghai: A stroll through the French Concession
Although I’m not remotely religious, it’s no secret that I love a good temple and I definitely got my fix in Shanghai. It might be a busy and dense city but there are still spots of calm and serenity, like the Buddhist Jing’an Temple off of busy West Nanjing road. The temple was first built … More Shanghai: Jing’an Temple
I think the coolest (and weirdest) thing I did in Shanghai was visit this underground propaganda art museum! Even on paper it sounds cool. While I like to think I was briefly part of some secret, rebellious movement, the government are actually aware of it’s existence and licensed it in 2012. Still, a bit of context, it’s … More Shanghai’s underground propaganda art museum
Hands down the most iconic part of Shanghai is the Bund and the city skyline across the water. When you hear ‘Shanghai’ you think of the iconic Pearl Tower. Luckily for me, the Bund was in walking distance of where I was staying so I didn’t waste time skipping down there across the bridge in time … More Shanghai: A stroll down the Bund
After the agro and hiccups I experienced in Beijing (read: stress induced crying and almost homeless-ness), I was pretty bloody excited to be going to Shanghai, especially as I had been promised that more people spoke English there. Hallelujah. I didn’t really have any expectations or preconceived ideas of Beijing but I definitely did of Shanghai so I was … More Bullet train to Shanghai: An unexpected odyssey
Hi, I'm Emma 