March 11–13, 2025
Day 1: Arrival & First Taste of Shanghai
Touching down at Pudong Airport under a crisp March sky, we’re greeted by the buzz of Shanghai. Hungry from the flight, we head straight to one of our favorite restaurants, Ajisen Ramen in the arrival terminal, slurping steaming bowls of spicy tonkotsu ramen—a comforting start. With a few taps on your phone, we book a Didi taxi (China’s ride-hailing staple) and glide effortlessly toward the Pullman Hotel Jing’an, marveling at the city’s futuristic skyline through the window. The driver drops us at our hotel, which is located near Shanghai Railway Station, and the sleek hotel lobby welcomes you.
After settling in, we use Didi again for a quick ride to West Nanjing Road, diving into its neon-lit energy. Dinner calls for a local legend: crab roe noodles.
At a tucked-away eatery, silky strands swim in golden broth topped with sweet, briny crab roe—decadence perfected. Back at the hotel via Didi, we drift off to the city’s distant hum.
Day 2: Dumplings, Temples, and Riverside Magic
Morning starts with sizzling skillets at Yang’s Dumpling, near to our hotel. Biting into a shengjianbao, crispy on the bottom and bursting with pork and shrimp, we’re in dumpling heaven—just mind the hot broth! but its bursting with umami.
Fueled up, another Didi whisks us to Tianzifang, where artsy alleys wind past indie galleries, silk lanterns, and hip cafés. You lose track of time haggling for hand-painted fans and sipping lavender lattes.
By mid-afternoon, we head to Old Famous No. 1 Restaurant, a century-old institution, for an early dinner. We feast on caramelized hongshao rou (braised pork) and delicate Hong Shao Kao Fu (Shanghainese cold tofu), washed down with fragrant jasmine tea.
Another quick Didi delivers you to the serene Jing’an Temple, where golden pagodas glint against glass skyscrapers and incense curls into the air.
We light incense and soak in the serenity before hopping back into a Didi to Huaihai Road.
As evening falls, we stroll this Parisian-inspired boulevard under plane trees, dipping into chic boutiques and nibbling chestnut pastries from a 1930s bakery. The mix of Art Deco architecture and modern luxury feels quintessentially Shanghai.
Day 3: Huaihai Road & Farewell
Our final morning begins with a crab-themed encore: breakfast at a hole-in-the-wall near Nanjing Road. We savor another bowl of crab roe noodles alongside plump xiaolongbao—this time filled with crab and pork.
Energized, we walk down Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.
Weaving through crowds and snapping photos of retro shopfronts juxtaposed with LED billboards.
At The Bund, the Huangpu River mirrors Shanghai’s split personality: 1920s colonial buildings on one bank, the sci-fi skyline of Pudong on the other.
We linger, then summon a Didi to the French Concession.
Here, sycamore-shaded streets lead to hidden gems: ivy-clad villas, vinyl record stores, and third-wave coffee shops.
You sip espresso in a sun-dappled courtyard and hunt for vintage Mao-era posters.
As the sun dips, a final Didi zips you to Hongqiao Airport. Over matcha lattes at the gate, you relive the trip: the crunch of dumplings, incense at Jing’an, and the Bund’s golden hour glow—all stitched together by Didi’s seamless rides.
Travel Tips:
– Didi Dominance: Link your international card to the app for instant, cashless rides—no haggling or language barriers!
– Crab Double-Header: Try crab noodles at both a local joint and a high-end spot to taste the range.
– French Concession Focus: Prioritize Wukang Road and Ferguson Lane for historic architecture and cafés.
– Airport Switch: Hongqiao is closer to downtown—leave 90 minutes before your flight.
Shanghai’s blend of tradition and tech leaves you craving more, but for now, it’s *zàijiàn*!
Explore the Unseen, Live the Unforgettable 