Li River Shanghai is China’s largest metropolis and its cosmopolitan center. It is a city packed with skyscrapers. I am normally a huge fan of urban density but I am overwhelmed by the amount of people that live here. Fun fact: Shanghai is one of the few cities in the world that rewards you for being born there. Shanghainese people go to the best schools, pay the least taxes, and often get the best jobs. Our tour of Shanghai takes us to Yu Garden, where we take pictures more out of habit than admiration. We visit the Waterfront Bund, the European district where signs once bore the slogan “Chinese and Dogs Not Allowed”. One side of the port looks like London and the other looks like a scene of a science fiction cartoon. We get some time to shop on Nanjing Road, the most fashionable shopping district in China. We celebrate our last night by attending an acrobat show. It is highly entertaining to watch the performers drop props and run into each other (my sense of humor is really sick). But overall, it is a fun time.
Day 14: Shanghai – USA
We go to bed early and depart for the U.S. in the early afternoon.
If you talk to people, you will realize that most were taken to the same attractions, stores, and performances all over China. If you don’t mind that, then Ritz Tours is a great option. If you are a seasoned and adventurous traveler, I would recommend exploring a few cities in China on your own or going as part of a service trip. Granted, China is not as easy to travel independently as Europe. Ideally, you should go with a Chinese friend that has family to stay with. Experiencing Chinese hospitality, traditional food, and their unbreakable family ties is the best way to see real China. There are also many opportunities for teaching English for a summer or volunteering in an animal reserve. As the Chinese proverb says, plan carefully and you will be rewarded.
