Shanghai

 

For many, Shanghai inspires modern life, past splendor (-and excess-), as well as future hopes. Shanghai is a truly interesting city to visit because it gives many opportunities to witness its past splendor, feel the traditional life of locals living in hundreds of small & tidy alleys, and enjoy the sights of some of the world's most modern buildings.

To enjoy Shanghai, one has to wake-up early and stroll in the streets or parks to feel the energy of purposeful locals who lead their traditional lives , dutifully exercising martial arts in the morning!

Shanghai is divided in a few main suburbs, The bund gathers some of the oldest colonial buildings and banks, while the french concession has little colonial houses inter-mixed with hutong-like streets.

Its possible to enjoy sights of old shanghai in many street-markets or very-well restored traditional houses which can be visited.

Obviously, another thing to enjoy in Shanghai is the food and its legendary xiaolong bao!

Un-missable, is the waterfront. The breezy stretch of water divides the 'traditional' Shanghai from the 'modern' Shanghai.