Throwing it back to my trip to Shanghai, China for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show because, why not? Aside from being up close and personal with the Angels, we had two days to take in as much of Shanghai as we could. Here are my top recommendations for all the must-see, do, and of course, eat!
WHERE TO STAY
Book a room at the Mandarin Oriental Pudong. The hotel is home to stunning views of the iconic Shanghai skyline and offers some amazing amenities – especially their spa, where I’m pretty sure I had the best massage of my entire life. If you have any down time whatsoever, it’s an absolute must. Also, how cute is my sleep mask? I got it from one of the street vendors in Tianzifang!
SHANGHAI SIGHTSEEING: CITY GOD TEMPLE & YU GARDEN
Built during the Ming Dynasty and restored within recent years, the City God Temple of Shanghai is not only a place of worship but also a massive marketplace with nearly 100 businesses ranging from street food to little souvenir shops. The best part? The hidden oasis located within – Yu Garden. The name itself translates to “a place of peace,” which couldn’t be a better description. The garden is pretty massive – be sure to take a picture of the map if you’re going exploring, or you may find yourself in a bit of a maze. Huge rock formations, koi ponds, bridges and the famous Exquisite Jade Rock are just a few of the features of this beautiful place. You won’t be able to put your camera down.
DELICACIES, DIN TAI FUNG & DESIGNER DUMPLINGS
If you have a time for a nice, sit-down lunch, Sense 8 (located in the French Concession) is the perfect place to enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine in a vibrant, colorful ambiance. For those looking for something a little more casual, there’s also a few different locations of the LA favorite, Din Tai Fung. Be sure to order the pork truffle soup dumplings and green beans. If you’re in the mood for some street food, it’s dumplings galore in Tianzifang where they have everything from traditional styles to “designer dumplings.” If you want to go big, try the Michelin star restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Pudong – Yong Yi Ting. My rule when traveling is to always try everything – don’t ask questions, just dive in. At the end of the night, we found out we had jellyfish salad and sea cucumber soup!
JUST AROUND THE BUND
Out of all of the reasons to come to Shanghai, visiting The Bund is basically the “if you didn’t see The Bund, did you really go to Shanghai?” attraction you just have to have on your list. It’s a tourist hot spot but for a good reason – the view will take your breath away.
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SURROUNDED BY ANGELS
Being able to travel to China for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was something I’ll never forget. As always, the show did not disappoint. It was even more magical in person and made being in Shanghai all the more worthwhile. It felt like I was at the Superbowl Halftime Show…but hotter. Miguel, Harry Styles, Jane Zhang and Leslie Odom Jr. serenaded the crowd with live performances throughout.
BUH-BYE, SHANGHAI
And, that’s a wrap on Shanghai. If you have any other recommendations on this amazing city, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment below! xx