A Mixed Bag in Shanghai: What to Expect
check_circlePros
- The city's architecture is straight out of a sci-fi movie, with towering skyscrapers that'll leave you speechless.
- The locals are friendly and welcoming, even if they don't always speak English.
- We found some amazing deals on flights and accommodation, making it a great value for the price.
- The city's transportation network is well-developed and easy to navigate, even for non-Chinese speakers.
- We got our visas easily, with minimal hassle and paperwork.
- The city's got a great selection of restaurants, cafes, and bars, even if the food isn't always to our taste.
cancelCons
- The city's a bit of a tourist trap, with crowds and chaos around every corner.
- Not speaking the language made things tricky, especially when trying to communicate with locals.
- We found some of the food to be pretty unpalatable, but hey, that's all part of the adventure, right?
- The city's got a bit of a problem with pollution, which can be a real issue for sensitive travelers.
- We had some issues with our hotel's customer service, but they eventually sorted us out.
- The city's got a lot of noise and crowds, which can be overwhelming at times.
Editor's Summary
Shanghai's a real mixed bag - you've got your skyscrapers, Disney, and a whole lot of Chinese chaos. But don't expect to blend in, especially if you can't speak the language. We visited in November and were pleasantly surprised by the city's laid-back vibe, despite the crowds. The weather's mild, but don't expect to escape the tourists. We budgeted 120,000 rubles for flights and accommodation, and snagged a direct flight from Aeroflot for 89,000 rubles. Our hotel was a great deal, but the food was a total letdown. Shanghai's a great destination for independent travelers, but be prepared for some culture shock and don't be afraid to try new things.
Specifications
A trip to Shanghai in November: skyscrapers, Disney, and a whole lot of Chinese chaos
Country: China
City: Shanghai
Month of travel: November
Format: independent travel, no kids
Why we chose Shanghai
We finally settled on a destination for our vacation, and it was Shanghai. We'd been torn between Beijing and Shanghai, but the weather in November wasn't exactly appealing in Beijing – chilly temperatures, rain, and cold winds. We decided to put our Beijing trip on hold and start our Chinese adventure in Shanghai instead.
The reviews about Shanghai were mixed: it's got skyscrapers, just like Moscow, and Disney without kids is a bit of a stretch. But we thought, why not start our Chinese adventure right here?
Flights and accommodation
We budgeted 120,000 rubles for two return flights. We kept an eye on prices and waited for sales. Direct flights were too pricey, but flights with layovers were around 80–90 thousand. We finally snagged a direct flight from Aeroflot during a sale for 89,000 rubles for two.
We booked our hotel through a link – Shanghai Elong Hotel. The cost was 43,000 rubles for four nights. The location was fine, but the rest is a matter of personal taste.
We also booked our airport transfer through a link.
We mostly got around Shanghai using the metro, as we struggled to figure out taxis and payments.
Payment and transportation
We used our UnionPay card from Rosselkhozbank, along with the UnionPay app for contactless payments. No issues whatsoever – everything went smoothly.
Day one: the night city and the first problem – food
On our first day, we just wandered around the night city. Shanghai is a beautiful, vibrant place, with lots of lighting – the Chinese clearly love their sparkles.
But food was a different story altogether. Wherever we went – food courts, restaurants, street cafes – there was this overpowering smell of spices that put us off. And we're not picky eaters, we thought we'd try anything.
We searched for hours, got tired, and ended up going to KFC. Even there, the food seemed greasy and not as tasty as back home. But we needed to eat something.
Day two: the old city, Yu Yuan garden, and shopping
The old city was a real treat – exactly the China we had in mind: architecture, atmosphere, details.
Shanghai Disneyland is a beautiful park, but it's super crowded. You're constantly navigating through mazes. I think it would be more enjoyable with a guide, but it's still worth visiting.
We had a tough time with food again, so we made a conscious effort to find a European restaurant. We stumbled upon a French one – it was delicious, and the bill came out to around 6,000 rubles for two people.
Communicating with the locals in English was a challenge, but we managed to get by with a translator. Every time we said 'thank you' in Russian, they tried to repeat it back – it was sweet.
The shopping centers are massive and modern, but the prices reflect that. We weren't on the lookout for European brands, and the local ones didn't impress us. We couldn't find any large supermarkets, but there were plenty of small shops.
What did surprise us, though, were the Huawei cars – they looked decent, and the price was roughly half of what we're used to paying.
Day Three: Disney
We dedicated our third day entirely to Shanghai Disneyland – and we didn't regret it.
The park is massive, with beautiful architecture, character parades, and photo ops. There are a lot of people, but we were lucky – I imagine it would be impossible to navigate during peak season.
I think the Disney park is best suited for kids aged 10 and above. Younger kids might find it boring.
The queues are a whole different story. We waited for 2 hours and 40 minutes for just one ride, and the queue was a ridiculous four-deep at some points! After that, the passport control queue in Moscow seemed like a breeze.
Food at Disney is still a challenge – there are plenty of options, but the smells can be overwhelming.
But the day ended on a high note: the fireworks display was absolutely stunning, with clips from the Disney movies and a real-life castle – it was truly magical.
Evening in Shanghai and the Waibaidu Bridge
Returning to the old town in the evening was a completely different experience. The lighting makes it look like a fairy tale. I'd recommend visiting both during the day and at night.
We took a stroll along the Waibaidu Bridge: skyscrapers, the Pearl TV Tower, and the lights – it's all very beautiful.
We were surprised to find Russian products and souvenirs being sold in the old town.
We definitely stuck out in the old town – we felt like a novelty act. The Verdict
My experience was mixed. Some of the downsides were our own fault:
We didn't plan our route, food, or hire a guide beforehand.
Traveling with kids would've been tough, especially when it came to eating. Luckily, we were just a couple.
On the other hand:
✅ The locals were super friendly
✅ They went out of their way to help us, even with the language barrier
✅ The city was really interesting and memorable
Rating: 5 out of 5.
We'll definitely be back in China, but next time we'll choose a different city.
