…so you wanna visit China … *ahem* Shanghai!

***Disclaimer*** Wordy post! No pictures. I hope the information is helpful.

I have been living in Shanghai since October 2017 -so next month will start my third year of living in Asia!

I have been wanting to share some of my favorite things to do, places to visit, and just what to expect if you plan a trip to China. Of course every trip is personalized and individualized, but here is some tried and true information …

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First things First …

-You need a passport and a tourist visa! I bet you’re thinking a passport is given, but some folks really don’t know. The steps for a tourist visa change over the years and can be different in different states (or countries – if you’re reading this and you’re not in USA) – but China requires a tourist visa for visiting this country, and you will need it before purchasing your plane tickets or booking hotel stay!

-BE OPEN! I assume since you want to travel abroad you are open. Just remember you are not at home. Be patient with things that are different and don’t spend your time comparing everything on your trip to the way things happen at HOME.

-PICTURES: Oh! all the pictures they will take. You’re a foreigner. You’re amazing. They will look and gawk in awe and take your picture without you looking and ask you to be in pictures with them. Enjoy it or hate it.

-Personal Space! Ha! There are so many people in CHINA … and in Shanghai alone there are about, 26.4 million people. That’s a lot of people. Just be prepared for lots of people especially when you are going out to touristy place.

-Metro: Using the metro is great. It goes all over the city, it is easy to use as it has English and Chinese, and the metro map is not difficult to follow. Getting a seat can be difficult. Getting a seat on the train almost have the feeling like you just won the lottery! It’s pretty great! If you don’t get a seat, be prepared to stand and to have people very close to you. If this is not something that you can handle, I suggest using a taxi or paying for a car service during your stay. Try taking the metro at least once during your trip!

-WIFI: WIFI is a thing here! If you don’t pay for an international plan while you’re traveling, your phone will not work abroad. If your phone is unlocked you could purchase a SIM card in the airport once you arrive in China and your phone will allow you certain data and phone services depending on the type of SIM card you buy. WIFI is just about everywhere you go. You can log on to wifi in most restaurants and shops then be able to connect with friends and family from home. You can use apps like WECHAT and Whats App to message family and friends via wifi. If you have an iphone you can imessage and FaceTime using wifi or your data just fine.

-VPN: You will not be able to access sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, some banking apps, some new sites because they are blocked. You will need a VPN service/app to connect you. You can download one and use it for free while you’re here and just remember to cancel it once you’re home/leave from China. There are some 100% free VPN apps that you can use too. Express/Astrill/Star and some that most people use.

-Helpful items to bring: travel hand soap/sanitizer/ travel toilet paper/kleenex/ extra battery for your cell phone/ adapter to plug your items for charge (most places you can use the plugs just fine, but for my computer I need an adapter – so having it can definitely come in handy)/ moisturizing lip balm for this dry air/ energy bars or your favorite snack from home.

-Bathrooms and Squatting: Whew Yall!

NOW THAT ALL OF THAT IS OUT OF THE WAY …. BOOM! Here’s a list of what to do and where to eat!

I’m in Shanghai… What should I do?

Shanghai Disneyland

Happy Valley

Qibao Water Town

Zhujiazui Water Town

Pearl Tower

Shanghai World Financial Center

Yu Garden

Jewish Quarter (Hongkou District)

M50 Art District

Upside Down House

The Bund

Shanghai French Concession

Tianzifang

Starbucks World Reserve Roastery – The Worlds Largest Starbucks

Jingan Temple

Longhua Temple

Jade Buddha Temple

Fake Market (@the Science and Technology Museum – Metro line 2 – don’t leave the station)

 

Day Trips:

Chongming Island

Suzhou

West Lake/Hangzhou

Wuxi

 

…also The Great Wall of China is in Beijing. It’s a flight or train ride away. If you have made it all the way to China you should definitely try and include that in your trip …

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Here are some of my favorite places to have brunch, lunch, and eat!

Brunch with Free Flow:

Penta Lounge

Bull and Claw

Hooked

Rooster

Bombay Bistro

Westin

Azul

Maya

 

Burgers –

Fat Cow

Little Creatures

The Habit Burger

Midnight Burger

 

Tacos/Tex Mex:

Maya

Tacolicious

Pistolera

 

Good Eats:

The Rooster

The Cannery

Pistolera

Maya

Joes Pizza

Hakassan – Fancy!

Fellas- Fancy!

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Are there more things you can do while in Shanghai – of course! There is so much to see and do in Shanghai! Seriously. I am sure you will do some research, and have some things on your list of what you have to do while here. Hope this post helps you in your planning if you ever decide to come to Shanghai!

Happy Traveling

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#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #BlackInChina #BlackAmericanInChina #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE