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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Shanghai Surprise!

Start:     Oct 21, '11
End:     Oct 26, '11
Location:     Shanghai, China
Called that way because I had no plans of traveling or buying a ticket for Shanghai this month.

I was chatting with a friend in Malaysia. She asked if I was still interested in going to Korea.
I said of course - if there is a bargain flight available!

Surprise! (galing naman ng timing)
.... there was a zero-fare for both domestic and international flights from Cebu Pacific, and Korea had some open dates.

But I couldn't reach her again to ask if that schedule was ok with her as she went offline.

++++
For the longest time, I wanted to visit Shanghai due to the old movies I saw depicting it as the Paris of the East.

I thought also that I could probably face one of my fears - that of backpacking in such a place as China *cross fingers*

I am gulping here because for one, remember its just been recent about that Filipina in Bali, then there was that drug mule image Filipinos sentenced in China yet! and thirdly as a woman traveler who may do this again by myself...there are bound to be issues with language again. *sigh*

Well, fortune never favored the faint-hearted.

4 days ought to be enough for a first-time visit... (the schedules for leaving are tight)

and even if some people have just the idea that Shanghai is just one big city, I would like to delve into more than just the Bund and Shanghai's "big city" image.
that its more than the initial impression...

Hey, who wants to join?
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42 comments:

  1. CatH \(^_^)/June 7, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    argh..now I have to renew my passport..if I have to travel in October, my passport expires in February 2012....

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  2. dr.philip del carmenJune 7, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    4 days is good enough...nice cool/cold weather...YuYuan Garden is in the Old Town, take a cab from anywhere in downtown...you can spend more than half a day in the Garden & outside the shops at Old Town...Taxi fares are cheap & reasonable...You can book day or half day tours from your hotel, reasonably priced, i did that going to Zhou Zhuang Water Village, sulit na sulit. Shopping for knock offs in Old Town & Below the Science & Technology Center, where they have an underground mall...Bargain starts at 1/4th their price, stick to it & they will give it to you!

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  3. CatH \(^_^)/June 7, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    hi Doc Philip,

    You've got a link to my mind :-)
    I was just planning to ask from friends and online buddies who've been to Shanghai about the places to go see. I plan to be doing a lot of walking (hopefully its not super cold) and taking pics sana (may isa na akong nahatak na sumama hahaha pero shopping yata gusto nya).

    I will write it all down and run it past by you once I've ironed out the itinerary..kc with 4 days, the most important na sights dapat malista :-)

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  4. dr.philip del carmenJune 8, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    Nanjing Road, downtown Shanghai, a long stretch of boutiques, bars & restos. Go late afternoon, start at very end & walking straight Nanjing Rd., it will lead you to the Bund & Whampoa River where you can take an hour cruise or just marvel at Shanghai night colors along the River.

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  5. che c",)June 8, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    kaya mo yan!ask ms. G may contact sya sa shanghai just in case you need help.

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  6. tunde akingbulugbeJune 8, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    cool enjoy yourself!

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  7. CatH \(^_^)/June 8, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    eto, sulat-sulat-sulat...and I have to look for my China book (so that I can bring it and use it when all else fails, though I think Shanghai by now has a lot of English-speaking folks, not like in Beijing na medyo sweat-drop kami)

    recommendations welcome! food, places to see, places not to miss...

    ReplyDelete
  8. CatH \(^_^)/June 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    oist..di ka na nag reply..sabi mo pa book, and I waited, pero wala ka nang sinabi :-) na padpad tuloy ako Shanghai

    sama ka na! para may mag picture sa akin naka cheongsam...LOL...kidding lang

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  9. CatH \(^_^)/June 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    thanks Tunde!

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  10. CatH \(^_^)/June 8, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Notes for googling later and open to recommendations if go or no go from people who've been there -

    Historic Buldings & Sites
    The Bund - yep! aka Zhongshan Lu

    French Concession

    Longhua Cemetery of Martyrs (uhm...maybe not?)

    Pudong - yep!

    Shanghai Exhibition Center

    Site of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party

    Song Qingling's Former Residence (she was the wife of Dr. Sun Yat Sen)

    Temples and Churches

    Jade Buddha Temple

    Jing'an Temple

    Xujiahui Catholic Cathedral

    Parks/Gardens

    Fuxing Park

    Hongkou Park

    People's Park and Square

    Yu Gardens & Bazaar


    Shanghai Museum (hmm..I like but am not sure if my companions will like)

    Song Jiang

    Nanjing Lu - ayan, may star na yan kc shops and market...hehehe!

    She Shan

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  11. che c",)June 9, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    kapatid..nakatulog ako hahahahahhaha grabe!tumatanda na talaga ako. i woke with 4 message from you.so soweeee!

    ReplyDelete
  12. CatH \(^_^)/June 9, 2011 at 2:28 AM

    there I was, imagining you were in the middle of a big tangle of airplanes all landing sa airport

    (sabi ko busy siguro si Che sa harap ng mga equipments nila pag track ng eroplano kaya di makahagilap sa cellphone nya...) :-)

    huhu..tapos humihilik pala sa gilid..hihihi...ehehe..umandar ang imagination ko bigla...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Boboy YonzonJune 9, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Nanjing Road is a very colorful stretch. Maraming "friendly" girls who work in tandem.
    I love the History of Shanghai wax museum in Pudong area.
    Try Xintiandi, an old tenement area that has been transformed into a cluster of shops and restaurants where a lot of Filipino bands play.
    You may also try river boat ride, so when you are on that trip, you would see the old Shanghai on one side and the modern one on the other side.
    Maganda din nga ang Zhou Zhuang River Town so you'd see how China revives old places as tourist destination
    Around Yu Garden are a variety of shops, some selling minority tribe crafts. This is where I buy paintings.

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  14. CatH \(^_^)/June 9, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    thanks for the tips Sir B!

    I certainly feel Shanghai is worth visiting even if some peeps were telling me e big city lang daw....I mean, just imagining its history and the bygone era of its heyday...*naka-daydream mode*

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  15. CatH \(^_^)/September 13, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Renmin Guangchang (People's Sq.)

    Shanghai's central square was once part of colonial Shanghai's horse-racing track. To the northwest, the building with the curved crucible roof is the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the city's premier venue for international performances, dances, and concerts. Just behind it, though out of view, is the colonial clock tower marking today's Shanghai Art Museum. Directly to your north is Shanghai's City Hall.

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  16. CatH \(^_^)/September 13, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Nanjing Lu Pedestrian Mall

    This is China's "Number One Shopping Street," which needs to be seen and experienced, especially the sea of humanity that crowds the plaza on any given day. These days, the street is lined as much with modern shopping centers as with the old colonial holdovers, all covered in neon lights, of course. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to walk to the end without stopping for any major breaks, and considerably more if you like to shop. Otherwise, hop on board the electric sightseeing trolley (¥2/30¢/15p) that will take you to the end of the pedestrian mall at Henan Zhong Lu.

    Continue east on Nanjing Dong Lu, passing along the way the Peace Hotel, one of Shanghai's most gorgeous Art Deco buildings but which is closed for renovation until 2010. Soon you'll arrive at:

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  17. CatH \(^_^)/September 13, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Captain Hostel Review

    This maritime-themed hostel, lodged in a 1920s Art Deco-style building, is one of the most popular budget options in town. Among its recommendations, a superb location just off the Bund, clean "sailor bunk" dorms, comfortable if no-frills standards with in-suite bathrooms, and a rooftop bar offering views of the Huangpu River and Pudong to rival those at the considerably more expensive bars and restaurants on the Bund, but with cold beer at half the price. All the usual hostel facilities, including a small Internet cafe, are also available.

    Facilities:
    Restaurant, bar; concierge; Internet

    www.captainhostel.com.cn

    ReplyDelete
  18. dr.philip del carmenSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    you have to go to Old Town...where you will find Yu Yuan Garden...that will be half a day.
    eat dumplings & Xiao Long Bao!

    Cat , what is your link to Bantayan Island in Cebu?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Tochie **September 14, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    Enjoy the trip and stay safe. Always keep an eye on your camera and other important belongings. Use only the forex of authorized banks,

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  20. CatH \(^_^)/September 14, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    hi Doc Philip...

    thanks, eto nahihilo pa ako sa paghanap ng accomodations kc 5 pala kami at baka may mag join...ehek...e gusto mag budget...gusto ko pa naman sana maski isang araw boutique hotel sa French Concession quarter :-)

    also I found out that the visa requirements ngayon need me to have a hotel booking...unlike when we went to Beijing ngayon..so am trying to get something reserved na sana...

    Crystal Jade resto sa Shanghai kaya for xiao long bao? hehe

    when you ask about the link, you mean the MP link where I posted about it, or anong connection ko sa Bantayan Island?

    if the latter, wala akong relatives don...but I went there during HOly Week with Mommy Loy/Tito Rudy and reacquainted myself with people from my past..naks...

    I didn't know that yung hostess namin pala e sister ng anak ng teacher at Registrar ko sa college...bale Frankie was our gracious hostess yung pumunta kami sa beach..her younger sister Mary Rose kilala ko dahil sa theater activities ko in college..while their mom was my Speech subject teacher and their dad was our Registrar at CIT...small world...ika nga..

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  21. CatH \(^_^)/September 14, 2011 at 3:04 AM

    hi Chito, thanks for the reminder..

    may snatcher ba don? siguro if pickpocket medyo kaya ko kc wala namang pera masyado bitbitin...while they may shop, am not even sure I'd like to take out any credit card of mine to be used there...

    is it ok to just bring USD pala, instead of looking for CNY here?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tochie **September 14, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    Re snatchers and other petty thieves, you can never be sure so ingat lagi. Re credit card, best if you can transact cash. Re forex, you may want to have some (not all) of your USD changed to Rimimbi or Yuan in Manila from a source/bank you can trust. But it's ok to bring USD in Shanghai. Basta use the bank's forex facilities. And don't exchange too much at a time. That way, kung mawala man (for whatever reason), di mawawala lahat. If you must use you credit card, make sure it does not have a high limit (my definition of high is anything above $300.00 or Php20,000.00). By the way, check the charges. Minsan sobra ang fees. And as my mom used to remind me, don't put all your money in one wallet.

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  23. CatH \(^_^)/September 14, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    hay naku, that credit card is bothering me...kc increase sila ng increase ng CL ko sa tagal na nito...

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  24. CatH \(^_^)/September 14, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    thanks for the tips Chito...honga...I usually distribute my money among different bags and wallets...that saved my hide when I lost my wallet in the US...
    of course, nothing can compensate for the hassle of contacting the banks to tell them I lost so and so cards..kaya ngayon, I even have in my bags mga photocopies pa..of passport, Credit card, id...

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  25. dr.philip del carmenSeptember 14, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    better to use cash...when you change money, bring your passport...i used my credit card when i went shopping at an underground mall, & i found out later my cards have been compromised.

    Safe naman in Shanghai...even the Taxi's are honest & cheap way to go around.

    when you go to one end of Nanjing Road, better late in afternoon or early eve, you walk all the way down to the Bund & you will reach the river, & see the night lights of Shanghai skyscrapers.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tochie **September 14, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    If smog (or cloudy skies) is not a problem, try capturing an image of Shanghai sunset.

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  27. CatH \(^_^)/September 14, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    thats what I was thinking of...and dreading...:-(

    ReplyDelete
  28. CatH \(^_^)/September 14, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    ah, have to ask pala Doc Philip...

    san maganda na area to stay pag nasa Shanghai for a 3 to 4 day visit?

    banda sa Bund? banda sa French Concession? mga kasama ko will want shopping, so siguro banda Bund..but I was really hoping to visit the French Concession area ...

    is it ok to just walk around, or the areas between these di kaya ng walking kc malalayo...which means taxis...

    ReplyDelete
  29. dr.philip del carmenSeptember 15, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    i'd say near Nanjing Road...buhay na buhay sa gabi, walking distance pa sa Bund.
    i actually stayed way out of the city, where people hardly understand English...but walking alone in that area was very safe.
    in Nanjing Rd, men would be approached by women... i met an Indonesian, he told me he was approached by a woman, & asked him to have coffee. they went to an obscure place, actually a bar, where he had coffee...only to be shocked to see his bill. it was hundreds of $!!!

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  30. CatH \(^_^)/September 15, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    ehehe..he contributed to the economy...!

    ReplyDelete
  31. dr.philip del carmenSeptember 15, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    taxis are safe...just make sure you have written in a note where you want to go & name of hotel where you stay.

    Xin Tian Di is like Greenbelt...high end, expensive food.

    but i did have trouble with food, i didn't know where to eat.

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  32. CatH \(^_^)/September 15, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    aha..yan pa..lista ko ang dapat ko kainan, though I don't think we will be in the restaurants na high-end :-)

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  33. CatH \(^_^)/October 19, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    for some reason or another, I noticed, its the "where to eat" ang kulang sa listahan ko (research mode mamayang gabi)

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  34. dr.philip del carmenOctober 20, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    that's a tough one.

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  35. CatH \(^_^)/October 20, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    takot *visions of food poisoning*

    haha...

    its because kc yesterday e may news about yung recycled na kitchen oil ba yon sa China daw...made from kitchen waste...eeeek!

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  36. CatH \(^_^)/October 21, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    wehehe...di nakayanan, masyadong heavy ang book ko sa China...so went out to get a Shanghai guide book today...
    hayz....as usual kulang tulog, baka if I sleep with it as my pillow papasok ang knowledge sa utak ko :-)

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  37. dr.philip del carmenOctober 21, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    did you get enough RMB?

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  38. dr.philip del carmenOctober 21, 2011 at 1:24 AM

    nov 7, Monday, regular holiday!

    ReplyDelete
  39. CatH \(^_^)/October 25, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    WAAAH? bakit?

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  40. CatH \(^_^)/October 25, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    hi Doc Philip....

    sign from God na dapat papuntahin ako Shanghai...may tumawag sa akin, meron daw na maraming yuan, at malapit lang sa akin, so kumuha ako mga 1K CNY para sigurado kc Sat/Sun e sarado yata banks din eh...

    good thing too as mahal sa airport ang fee for exchange..

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  41. dr.philip del carmenOctober 25, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    a muslim holiday

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  42. CatH \(^_^)/October 25, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    grrr..kung alam ko lang, sayang naman pala, I could have used 3 more days in Shanghai and swapped them for 3 days holiday (Oct 31, Nov 1 and Nov 7 *grin)

    ReplyDelete

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