Jess and Jay, a couple from Darbyshire, embark on their first adventure in Shanghai, China, a city that immediately overwhelms them with its futuristic skyline and sheer scale. Their initial moments are filled with awe as they exit the metro, greeted by the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower and impossibly tall, twisting skyscrapers that evoke a Blade Runner-esque landscape. The sheer immensity of the city leaves them speechless, with Jay noting his mouth hasn't closed in three minutes. They also observe the surprising quietness of the streets, speculating it might be due to electric cars.
Their journey to their hotel is an experience in itself, involving a dizzying ascent in gold elevators to the 54th floor, where the lobby is located. This sets the stage for their room, which turns out to be on the 67th floor, offering breathtaking, albeit slightly unnerving, views. The hotel room itself is a luxurious surprise, featuring multiple rooms, a vast living area, a marble bathtub, a high-tech washlet, and stunning artwork. Jess humorously notes the safe is shaped like a pumpkin and jokes about getting lost in their own room.
After settling in, they head out to explore and dine at Duli, a highly recommended vegan restaurant. They rave about the flavorful mapo tofu hummus and the Dandan noodles with mushroom and tahini sauce, describing the latter as potentially the best dish of the day with its sweet, sticky, teriyaki-like glaze. The vegan tiramisu also impresses, with its creamy, cheesecake-like texture.
Their exploration continues to the Bund, a historic waterfront promenade. Here, they contrast the modern Pudong skyline across the river with the elegant, Western-influenced art deco and neoclassical buildings lining the Bund itself, dating back to the early 20th century. They learn about the history of buildings like the Fairmont Peace Hotel and the Custom House, noting the latter's clock tower that chimes like Big Ben.
As evening falls, they return to their hotel to enjoy complimentary cocktails at the Grand Club Lounge on the 83rd floor, marveling at the panoramic city views. They also visit an observatory on the 88th floor, but find the experience crowded and less than ideal due to obstructions and the overwhelming presence of tour groups. Despite this minor disappointment, they reflect on their first day as perfection, finding the hotel to be a surprisingly budget-friendly luxury. They are excited for more adventures in Shanghai, including a planned trip to Disney.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: What was the initial reaction to arriving in Shanghai?
- A: Jess and Jay were immediately struck by the futuristic skyline and the sheer scale of the city, finding it 'insane' and 'amazing'.
- Q: What was surprising about the hotel?
- A: They were amazed that their hotel lobby was on the 54th floor and their room was on the 67th, offering incredible views and luxurious amenities.
- Q: What was the food experience like at Duli?
- A: They highly recommended the vegan restaurant Duli, particularly enjoying the flavorful mapo tofu hummus and the sweet, sticky Dandan noodles.
- Q: What are the key features of the Bund?
- A: The Bund offers a contrast between the modern Pudong skyline and historic, Western-influenced buildings, with landmarks like the Custom House and Fairmont Peace Hotel.
- Q: Was the observatory experience worth it?
- A: They found the observatory crowded and less than ideal due to obstructions and tour groups, ultimately deeming it not worth the cost.
- Q: What are their overall first impressions of Shanghai?
- A: Despite minor setbacks, their first day was considered 'perfection,' and they found Shanghai to be an amazing place they are excited to explore further.
