Alexandra in Shanghai | P1
Do you ever accidentally start walking to your office one morning, but somehow end up on the wrong path, board a couple of planes, and 18 hours later, find yourself in China? Well, I did it!
Next thing I know, I was a foreigner (or Wàiguó rén 外国人, as a very surprised little girl shouted to her dad, pointing her finger right at me) casually strolling through the bustling streets of Shanghai.
THE BUND
When you think of Shanghai, the Bund is obviously the first thing that comes to mind—everyone knows the Bund! The key, though, is to enjoy it from a distance where you can really soak in the full panoramic glory. For daytime, and those golden hours from afternoon ‘till sunset, I’d say head to the terrace at the Museum of Art Pudong (MAP) after wandering through the current exhibitions Cao Fei: Tidal Flux, El Anatsui: After the Red Moon, and Dialogues with Turner: Evoking the Sublime.
For night time, when the Bund turns into a full-on cyberpunk fantasy, try a cocktail at the Punch Room by the Edition Hotel. Enclosed by warm, wooden vertical slats, it offers an intimate atmosphere, and splendid views of Pudong’s skyscrapers.
SURVIVAL KIT
Now, before we jump into further exploration of Shanghai, let’s cover a few key tips that will make getting around the city a whole lot easier. Take notes:
Your smartphone is the essential item—second only to your passport—when navigating Shanghai. Leave the wallet and credit cards behind; everything operates on QR codes, from the metro to restaurant menus and payments. Just be sure to carry a power bank with you at all times!
Download these essential apps:
Alipay: For payments (link your cards to your international account). It’s a must for everything from the metro and bus transportation, plus booking hotels and train tickets.
Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps: For navigation (just a heads up, they’re all in Chinese, so grab a translation app to help you out).
VPN: Not all VPNs work in China, so if you want access to Google and your social media, download AnyConnect or Veee+.
WeChat: For communication and accessing restaurant menus, as well as entrance tickets for entertainment.
Eleme: For food ordering—because who doesn’t love room service?
Taobao: For all your online shopping needs.
Watch your step when you’re walking along the roads or even on the sidewalks. Those electric delivery vespas zoom around like they’re in a race, and they don’t always stick to the road. Trust me, they can easily catch you off guard.
When you’re dining out in Shanghai and ask for tap water, be specific! Say you want it cold (or at least room temp), otherwise, you’ll likely end up with a steaming hot cup, perfect for tea but not quite what you had in mind.
Skip the tipping at restaurants and bars; it’s simply not customary here.
THE WEST BUND
Speaking of the Bund, did you know the West side is a hub for art, known as West Bund Art & Design, right on the banks of the Huangpu River? It’s home to a range of galleries showcasing international artists, and the impressive Long Museum, with its striking “umbrella-vaulted” structure spread across four floors of mostly architectural exhibits. You can also take a peaceful stroll along the riverbank (even when it’s crowded, it still feels serene), sit on the grass to watch the sunset and rainbow-lit bridge, and indulge in a fluffy Japanese cheesecake from Kumo Kumo (look for the bright orange stand!).
PHOTOGRAFISKA + MORE
The art scene in Shanghai is honestly super interesting, especially when it comes to photography. One of my absolute must-sees is the biggest Daido Moriyama exhibition China’s ever hosted, set in the Former Residence of Hotung Robert. So good.
Do not miss the chance to photograph yourself inside the “Lip Bar” room, the curators recreated from Moriyama’s iconic shot in “Shinjuku, 2002”.
Then there’s the Fotografiska Museum, where I completely fell for Robert Van Der Hilst’s 90s Shanghai—those urban snapshots of the city, blending the old with the new. And guess what? You can wander through the museum’s industrial space with a glass of wine in hand.
JING’AN TEMPLE
Feeling a bit hungry? Not to worry, we’re getting to that. But on your way, don’t miss the chance to capture the Jing’an Temple, nestled between the gleaming glass towers. The blend of ancient and modern is just too striking to pass up.
LET’S TALK FOOD
If you’re a true fan of Asian cuisine (like me), Shanghai is basically a culinary playground. Here, you’ll find traditional Shanghainese specialties, real Chinese hotpot, plus authentic Japanese sushi, Korean BBQ, Taiwanese street food, and Thai delights. Pro tip: the best places are often hidden on the ground floors of massive malls, so keep your eyes open.
My recommendations:
Zhonglu Shanghai for super fun Korean BBQ
Izakaya Hikozo for the best Japanese burgers
Yangmei Market Bistro - a Taipei gem, where you’ll be treated to frozen crepes with jasmine ice cream at the end.
Lao Ji Shi, a classic Shanghainese restaurant—give a try to the jellyfish.
A Niang Mian Guan for Michelin-recommended crab noodles.
Hide The Smoked Room for incredible interiors, a top chef, and the green apple and pistachio dessert.
SLEEP NO MORE
After all those dinner options, you’ll probably want to burn it off somehow. But since you're in Shanghai, why not make it creative—like combining running with some fever-dream theatre? Sleep No More is a wild, immersive retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, set in a dark, film noir world where you wander freely through the story on multiple floors of the McKinnon hotel. (Four? Five? I honestly lost track with all those stairs.) One night, I clocked 17,000 steps and even had a private session with the King. But #NOPHOTOSALLOWED
DRINKS FOR FOREIGNERS
Here’s the thing about coffee in Shanghai—it’s not exactly ideal for espresso addicts like me. First off, most people here drink tea (which makes sense), and finding a proper espresso is like searching for a needle in a haystack. And when you do find it, don’t expect an espresso cup—Chinese people just don’t seem to believe in those. So, you’ll have to settle for a classic long black. My coffee recommendations are:
Moon Coffee Roasters, ideal for the rainy afternoons.
Metalhands for the pistachio espresso.
Micang Pop Cafe, where your coffee comes with a side of fluffy Japanese pancakes.
Bars in Shanghai? They're everywhere, and they’re brilliant. But you probably won’t spot them right away. Most are hidden, speakeasy-style, which just makes them more fun to discover. One of my faves is Barules, where you can experiment by crafting your own cocktails. And if you’re a foreigner like me? Well, Shanghai has a special spot just for us—where you can even get an espresso!
NOW FOR THE FUN PART - SHOPPING!
Obviously. I mean, I brought an empty 10kg carry-on all the way from Athens just for this, mostly because, well, procrastination.
First stop: HAUS NOWHERE. It's the new “it” spot in Shanghai, courtesy of Gentle Monster. Imagine a 3-level concept store where you can basically live out a video game fantasy, spot giant croissants (yes, really), pick up some Korean Tamburins hand cream, and witness two massive kinetic heads moving in the most strangely graceful way—cue all the emotions. And there’s even a Gwon Osang sculpture to keep things extra artsy.
Next stop: vintage shopping! First up is Chu Gui by Showroom Shanghai, which has an impressive collection of designer pieces. I distinctly remember it as the place with the affordable Miyake dress—score! Then there’s Terminal 69, a bit more exclusive with fewer pieces but a treasure trove of rare finds straight from the catwalk. Let’s just say that’s where I encountered the very pricey but absolutely FANTASTIC Miyake dress.
And if you're wondering who took those amazing photos of me, it's Tzihao @tzihoooo.
That’s all for now, but there’s a second part coming soon.
xoxo
Alexandra