Ni**as in Shanghai

My recent visit to Shanghai, China was one of the most unique experiences I have ever had. Honestly, I didn't know much about Shanghai prior to my trip, so I had to break out a few tour guides just to be well informed. Shanghai is the largest city by population both in China and the world. With roughly 23 million people, it also happens to be the busiest container port in the world. My primary visit to Shangai was to find the perfect tailor to partner with for our upcoming custom tailored dress shirt line. (Sold online only. More info coming soon.)

After arriving at the Pudong International Airport, I boarded the the Maglev train. The Maglev train (derived from "magnetic levitation") allows for high speed travel. Our train traveled more than 300km/hr, so basically the equivalent of going from Downtown Miami to Fort Lauderdale in 8 minutes. The ride on the train was around $10 (80 RMB), wouldn’t mind if something like this made its way to South Florida.

I checked into the JC Mandarin Hotel: four star ratings, internet and breakfast at $70 a night. I also picked up a mobile cell phone in order to make communication over there easier. Activating a cell phone was not only easy, but fairly cheap too, running me about 50 RMB to activate. I learned about a cool service gall GUANXI, where you basically send them an SMS to a specified number with the name of where you want to go, and they will send back the address in English or Chinese.

Once I had squared away a place to sleep and a way to get around, I reached out to a great tour guide, Christina Zhang, to get me around the city. Christina is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to Chinese tourism, and charges $25 for half day tours/$50 for full day. She made sure I visited the city’s major tour attractions such as the Jing’An Temple (“Temple of Peace”) and plenty of local shopping. One of the best things Christina schooled me on was how to navigate the subway system. The subway system in Shanghai is incredibly easy to use and very inexpensive, with all day passes running you less than $2 per day. She also put me on to Ye Olde Station Restaurant, which in Chinese is: 上海老站 (shàng hǎi lǎo zhàn). They are known for the two antique train carriage dining halls in its garden. The first carriage was from a train belonging to Empress Dowager Cixi, of the Quin Dynasty (1644-19911). The second train belonged to Soong Ching-ling, the wife of Mr. Sun Yat-sen. The food was amazing, and it was great to have a chance to enjoy authentic food as opposed to the Americanized stuff we get stateside.

The trip was something I know I will not soon forget, and I am looking forward to returning! Check out a few more pics below from the trip.

You may contact Christina Zhang at +86 1376 1811 880 or email at sundaymorning2003@hotmail