Since moving to China in August 2010 I have been to Shanghai four times and every time I am in constant awe of this city. I have always loved cities, London, Rome, Paris, San Francisco, LA, Glasgow, and Edinburgh are to name a few. But Shanghai was the first 'skyscraper' city that I visited. Gazing out of the taxi window lights and buildings flew by and I was speechless. To be honest I love old cities, I love that there is so much history right before my eyes, yet Shanghai gives you both, it is the modern and the old coming together. Shanghai is what I image New York to be like and to live there is an ulimate dream of mine.
The Bund, Shanghai
My most recent trip to Shanghai was in August 2012 with my sister Martha and my boyfriend Jordan. Both Jordan and I had been here before so it was refreshing to see it through the eyes of my sister. We took the fast train from Beijing to Shanghai and it took five hours, quite unbelievable when the normal train takes 14hours. Shanghai is vastly different from Beijing, it seems cleaner, fresher and more accepting. We stayed in the Mingtown Hiker International Hostel, a favourite of ours when we visit as it is very central and very clean. So we set off on our first day to the Bund, and even after a year and seeing it so many times before it is simply amazing! The day was sweltering, but the sky was clear and it is one of the most impressive views out there. The buildings are on a different scale from Ireland, they tower over you, making you feel incredibly small. Yet against these giant structures are old, European style buildings and you see how far Shanghai and China have come in the last century. I love the freedom I feel when I walk along the Bund, the river, the space, the early morning heat and the quietness at this time of day. I haven't found anywhere in Beijing that makes me feel like this and I am a person who needs space and water...a result of growing up by the sea. Space and water are my escape, beaches especially, but in China you have to make do with what you have and in Shanghai that is the Bund.
The Bund, Shanghai
My most recent trip to Shanghai was in August 2012 with my sister Martha and my boyfriend Jordan. Both Jordan and I had been here before so it was refreshing to see it through the eyes of my sister. We took the fast train from Beijing to Shanghai and it took five hours, quite unbelievable when the normal train takes 14hours. Shanghai is vastly different from Beijing, it seems cleaner, fresher and more accepting. We stayed in the Mingtown Hiker International Hostel, a favourite of ours when we visit as it is very central and very clean. So we set off on our first day to the Bund, and even after a year and seeing it so many times before it is simply amazing! The day was sweltering, but the sky was clear and it is one of the most impressive views out there. The buildings are on a different scale from Ireland, they tower over you, making you feel incredibly small. Yet against these giant structures are old, European style buildings and you see how far Shanghai and China have come in the last century. I love the freedom I feel when I walk along the Bund, the river, the space, the early morning heat and the quietness at this time of day. I haven't found anywhere in Beijing that makes me feel like this and I am a person who needs space and water...a result of growing up by the sea. Space and water are my escape, beaches especially, but in China you have to make do with what you have and in Shanghai that is the Bund.