Alright kid, you're not half bad.

Why hello! I didn’t mean to scare you off; Shanghai does in fact have a few gems for all different palates. The aquarium is awesome. They have an impressive fresh water collection that had me questioning why I thought lakes were safer to swim in than oceans. Plus, what aquarium would be complete without an escalator that drops through a viewing tunnel, an albino turtle and a crazy saw fish friend? 

That eye is freaky!

Since Shanghai is divided in two by the Huangpu River, you will have to find transportation to cross to the opposite side. There are a few options but why take a 30 cent ferry when you could experience the BUND SIGHTSEEING TUNNEL, oooo ahhhhh. It’s like the twilight zone, and you can see it here for free (don’t say I never did anything nice for ya)!

 The sightseeing highlight was 50 Moganshan, art district. It’s out among random warehouses and not easy to get to; so if art isn’t your thing it may not be worth it. I thought it was a total find. This small area is crammed full of galleries and artist studios. The walls are intentionally littered with graffiti aka street art which you don’t see anywhere else in China. It was lovely to spend the afternoon strolling in and out of different spaces with work ranging from ultra traditional to ultra modern. Finally my walking obsession has rubbed off on Jon and so we decided to walk our way back for a bit, than catch a cab. We were so pleasantly surprised. Among the random streets and alleys we found finally found the real flavor! Fresh fruits and vegetables for sale were laid out on blankets on the sidewalk. People were scurrying home for dinner on bikes and steaming who knows what was wafting out of restaurant doors filled with hungry patrons. I guess if you’re willing to explore you can escape the giant malls and skyscrapers. 

A thus far unmentioned (but believe me, more mentions to follow) delight is hotpot. If you have never had this, what rock do you live under? It’s the Asian version of fondue and it is delish! HaiDiLao, is a tasty chain that uniquely boasts of unparalleled service which my California sentiments did so very much appreciate. There’s no way you can go and not end up surrounded by a feast. Any sort of meat, veggie or noodle imaginable is available for your boiling pleasure in their flavorful broth. We tried duck blood at a friend’s recommendation, and have been craving it since! 

All the way to the top.

If you love delicious hand crafted cocktails, with muddling fresh ingredients and exotic liqueurs China will disappoint. It’s not like you can’t get a drink but what you think you are ordering is probably not what you are going to get.  Regardless after a nighttime stroll along the ‘Bund,’ Jon and I went to imbibe at Cloud 9 sky lounge on the 97^th story of the Jinmao tower. There is a two drink minimum per person and drinks are about twenty bucks each…expensive by almost anyone’s standard. Yet for a romantic night out with your lover, it’s worth it.  

Whaaaa? Where did all these snacks come from??

Bund

Pudong