Before taking this trip to Xian and Shanghai, I had visited China once and found that trip was amazing. This second trip was very different and unexpectedly more than fantastic with Xi’an and Shanghai. All experiences and things that I did was so awesome and genuine.

Xi’an was a city of culture and history

About Xian

Xi’an, or Chang’an, might not be a popular city of China like the capital Beijing, prosperous city Shanghai, it’s definitely among the most impressive places of China.

Xi’an is among the oldest cities of China and played a significant role in China before AD 1000 in terms of economy and history. The Walled city of Chang’an was the Eastern Terminus of the famous Silk Road and the country capital under several dynasty including Qin Shi Huang.

Located in central China, Xi’an became the hub for highway and railway. It’s very convenient for traveling over Xi’an by both air and express train.

Xi’an was comprised by three parts: The Palace City, The Imperial City for officials and The Outer City for merchant and artisans. The core part is surrounded by the great walls with guarding points. Walking and cycling on the walls were vert comfortable and exciting.

What to see in Xian

A must-to-see place in Xi’an is the tombs of Qin Shi Huang King. He had been a famous and important piece of China history not mentioned good or bad. Traveling around 1 hour to the outskirt of Xi’an, I went with the flow and visit some part of the huge historical area to see the underground tombs of the soldiers, servants, etc. It was robed during the war and destroyed by the enemies; the tombs was great to learn and highly recommended.

Qin Shi Huang is so famous that so many domestic and international visitors flocked there. The contemplating time is probably less than huddling to find a standing slot and see the Terracotta Army.

Xi’an downtown was so interesting and colorful. It was crowded like other downtown but very pleasant when people all walk slowly and enjoy the antique town. I do love the ambiance and the landscape.

It was to enormous, truly! Walking in the Muslim corner, then Drum Tower and Bell Tower with abundant stop for eating, shopping and observing.

South Gate Square in Xi’an is the place with more locals and I felt like I was with them. The cinema is alike an old citadel, artisans performed their talents in public places.

Unique eating experience at non-tourist places

I was fortunate to be hosted by a friend in Xi’an and had chances to dine at many local restaurants. We came to local hot-pot restaurant and they helped me called the good choices. The food was spicy and oily but it was great for me to be with the local.

However, there are restaurants with very sumptuous dishes and not spicy at all. More special, a home-cooked meal was cozy and awesome when we can discuss more about our cultures and things.

Above are some more food that I ate. Though I didn’t really remember all the name, they was too tasty to eat. Just grab some if you ever see them in Xi’an.

Shanghai is a blend of the modern an culture

About Shanghai

Shanghai, the City on the Sea became my most favored city of China despite it’s a city of paradox and changes. I do enjoy the walk around this city, not only the downtown part. Shanghai is such a city of integration. Shanghai, as I understand is comprised by two areas of the cultural and the modern parts which are separated by the Yangzi River.

One side is the downtown and featured with the shopping center, cultural visiting corners, ancient town and the other is stunning with skyscrapers where situated the financial hub of many international economy giants.

Originally, around 6,000 years ago, Shanghai was a fishing village, the residents lived and gradually the prosperous live enriched their local culture, entertainment and joys of lives.

Places to see in Shanghai

Shanghai quiet old quarter with small alleys and local houses at modest scales.

Yuyuan Garden and beautiful cultural things to see and experience.

Nanjing road is recommended for street food and shopping.

British named this city Shanghai and made it the treaty port with the foreign involvement after the first Opium War. Following the quick development, the city became “Paris if the East” in 1930s.

Under the view-point of a traveler, I do love the strolling to enjoy breeze, the skyscraper and admire its modernity.

The British Clock and banks are situated nearby the river.

There are boats with very frequent schedules to cross the river and see the other part of Shanghai City. The sunset was very pleasant to chill-out.

Big city but it was not populated at all.

Shanghai financial center and the Oriental Pearl Tower look over the Yangzi River.

I have to admire Shanghai is a modern city and I did wish to find a job over there to live in its modernity truly. Well, the Shanghai Airport wasn’t exceptional neither. It was so modern that I decided to go with the flow to come out and get on the underground transfer to the luggage area.

Apart from this, the express train is also helpful for tourist to travel to beautiful countryside area like Hangzhou and Sushou in very short time.

Food in Shanghai have been the best among cities of China to me so far

There are bunches of big and small restaurants in Shanghai for me to eat and drink anytime I feel hungry and thirsty. Street food in Shanghai and the restaurants were awesome. I did eat alot of street food and bought so many fresh fruits at local stores, there weren’t many photos taken. These are the two meals that I loved the most: Red Prawn with Pork Ribs; and beef noodle and giant soup dim sum in Shanghai (Xiaolongbao). I would definitely eat again if I return.

Despite many factors that make people love and hate China, this country is an awesome place for me to spend my holiday. You might find further introduction about Shanghai travel at How did I fall in love with Shanghai.