Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Budget for a busy meal queue; expect crowds at IKEA Shanghai on weekend evenings; arrive with time to browse as the restaurant can get crowded. (00:33)
- Tip 2Watch for compact Chinese kitchen designs and shorter countertops; explore how IKEA tailors layouts to local customers. (05:07)
- Tip 3Compare prices online vs in-store; consider online orders for decor due to high in-store pricing in China. (11:24)
- Tip 4Preview of tomorrowβs car rental adventure and driving in China; plan safe routes and familiarizing with local rules. (14:29)
In this day three of Vlogmas, Always Away heads to an IKEA in Shanghai hoping for festive snow and Christmas trees, only to discover theyβve come to the wrong city and that the scale of the holiday display is more understated than imagined. The video blends humor with curiosity as the couple navigates a busy Shanghai IKEA, samples the Swedish meatballs, and debates what to eat and buy. They joke about the queue and the bustle in the restaurant, then settle into a quiet dining area after the lunchtime rush. Emma orders a generous portion of meatballs, while the narrator grapples with a hot chocolate that arrives in a glass cup, oddly different from home. After filling up on sweets like chocolate almond cake, damper pies, and a dime bar, they wander into the showroom and shop floors, appreciating the compact, Chinese-height kitchen setups and the novelty of European branding. They inspect bedding, plates, and Christmas decorations, remarking on price comparisons with back home and nurses
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Always Away visits IKEA in Shanghai expecting Christmas magic, only to realize theyβre in the wrong city and that the store is quieter than typical. They hunt for meatballs, hot chocolate, and dessert, and comment on the lower Chinese kitchen heights and compact layouts. Throughout, they compare prices to back home, joke about the crowds, and debate whether to decorate their home with in-store finds or online purchases. Emma overorders meatballs, Dom tackles the hot chocolate, and they laugh at the novelty of European branding in China. As the day winds down, they realize the store is closing soon and rush to finish a quick tour, then tease an upcoming car rental adventure for the next day. The conversation captures their playful banter, user-friendly store sections, and observations about how IKEA adapts to Chinese customers, including Chinese-sized furniture and the local pricing dynamics.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: Is IKEA in China cheaper than at home?
- A: Not really; the speakers find similar price points to back home, with online options sometimes cheaper, but the store offers European branding and a shopping experience.
