Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Western companies are prevalent in Shanghai, offering a surprising contrast to traditional China. Many young Chinese people enjoy these Western brands, making it feel like a Western city in some ways. (2:10)
- Tip 2Shanghai is exceptionally clean. The city's cleanliness is remarkable, even during and after a typhoon, a stark contrast to many Western cities. (2:54)
- Tip 3Consider a cycling tour to explore Shanghai efficiently. Cycling offers a refreshing way to see the city, especially during warmer months. (8:49)
- Tip 4Always have a backup plan for payment. While AliPay is widely used, ensure you have alternative payment methods or cash, especially if you run out of mobile data. (14:37)
- Tip 5Visit Suzhou during the Mid-Autumn Festival for a unique cultural experience. The festival brings a special atmosphere to the city's canals and streets. (21:24)
- Tip 6Suzhou's central canal area might be overhyped. While the lantern-lit canals are beautiful, other areas of the city may not live up to expectations. (24:46)
Oliver Dadema's honest review of Shanghai and Suzhou is a captivating journey through bustling streets and serene canals. He recounts unexpected discoveries, from the surprising cleanliness of Shanghai to the slightly overhyped charm of Suzhou. A typhoon adds an element of adventure, highlighting the city's resilience and the helpfulness of its people. His experiences with local food and interactions with locals create an authentic and engaging travelogue.
More about the current video:( 3 / 3 )
This video offers Oliver Dadema's honest opinions on Shanghai and Suzhou, China, based on his trip last September. He begins with Shanghai, noting its surprising resemblance to a Western city, filled with international brands like Nike and McDonald's. However, he was equally surprised by its exceptional cleanliness and safety, even during a typhoon. He describes the typhoon experience vividly, detailing the strong winds and heavy rain, contrasting it with the city's rapid cleanup afterward and the visible police presence ensuring public safety.
Oliver highlights his cycling tour, which provided a refreshing escape from the city's heat, and his visit to Yu Garden, a charming park that felt worlds away from the bustling city center. He describes it as a beautiful and peaceful escape, a place where ancient history is palpable, and he shares his wish to live there. His reflections on Shanghai also include an intriguing encounter in People's Park, where he learned about the local dating culture and a unique perspective on the city's homeless situation. He discusses the local government's role in addressing homelessness and the importance of family support in preventing people from becoming homeless. His visit included trying various local breakfast snacks, despite a humorous mishap with mobile data causing temporary payment difficulties.
The second half of the video focuses on Suzhou. Oliver shares his experience of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a popular lantern festival. He describes the bustling streets and canals, but also notes that the city's central area with lanterns might be slightly overhyped, as other areas lack the same charm. He describes a boat ride on the canal and shares his observations on the busy streets and the narrow canals. He concludes by expressing his desire to return to both cities to explore further, leaving viewers with a desire to discover these vibrant Chinese locations for themselves.
FAQs (in Oliver Dadema's voice):
Q: Was Shanghai as modern as people say?
A: Yes, it's full of Western brands, but it's also incredibly clean and safe, which surprised me.
Q: What was the typhoon like?
A: It was intense! But the city's quick recovery was amazing.
Q: What's your favorite part of Suzhou?
A: The canals and lanterns are beautiful, but I think the city center is a bit overhyped.
Q: Would you recommend visiting?
A: Absolutely! Both cities are worth visiting, but be prepared for crowds, especially during festivals.
