As mentioned in the last post, I had been to Shanghai on last weekend and returned from it on Monday. So before setting off to Shanghai on last Saturday, my partner and I went to a nearby travel agency to collect our pre-ordered train ticket, which costs around RMB35. Then, we checked in and boarded into the designated train. Slightly over an hour, we reached Shanghai. For convenience’s sake, we purchased the return train ticket at Shanghai train ticket office. For your information, the crowd around Shanghai train station is really overwhelming. This is a clear evidence of many people from other provinces come to Shanghai, seeking for better life. Wow.




Anyway, we and Ivan, who had kindly entertained us for the three days in Shanghai, still managed to find each other at one of the metro exits. Shortly then, we took a ride by metro to People’s Square (a.k.a. Renmin Guangchang), which is most convenient to go to the Bund, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Urban Museum and Peace Hotel (a.k.a Heping Fandian). Then after that, we have taken a cab to Shanghai’s Old Town, where Shanghai Old Street (a.k.a. Shanghai Lao Jie) and the Taoist of the Town God (Chenghuang Miao) are situated. And this is where I can see the mysterious and foreboding alleys, which are selling a wide variety of souvenir, antiques and local delights like Xiao Long Bao.





Before evening of the first day, we returned back to People’s Square to have dinner and view the night scenery of the Bund. However, there was light drizzle while we were taking photos at the Bund. Haha…that’s also when Ivan displayed his best gentleman manner by helping me to hold the umbrella while I was taking the photos. And the first day ended with us going to Songjiang, where Ivan and his partner are having their industrial attachment.




On the second day, we explored around Songjiang like its town district, the Fangta Garden (a.k.a. Fangta Yuan), and a factory outlet, which sells a number of branded goods, like Nike and Geox, at discounted prices. And at night, we had local delicacy for dinner. And that’s when I felt so great to be in China, as I can afford to dine, play and shop. Everyone will love that. Right?




And as for the third day, as Ivan and his partner have to work, we set off early to travel back to Shanghai’s downtown to visit the Bund again, have lunch and go around nearby shopping malls. At around 4pm, we went off from Shanghai back to Wuxi. Haha…and for the return trip, we got to be in the new bullet train-like train. It looks so much better than the older trains. By the way, these new trains are still under testing, as reported on the local television programme.






So the Shanghai trip is considered great as I got to see my friends, and the lifestyle of China’s most prosperous major city. I’ll go back to Shanghai again to shop and explore. Shanghai is certainly a city nobody should miss when one comes to China. Cheers, Shanghai!