Shanghai Travel Guide: Your Complete Guide to China's Most Modern Metropolis

Shanghai: A City that Shaped My Career and Life

I have a special place in my heart for Shanghai, as I lived there for three years. After university, my first job was in Yiwu, Jinhua, Zhejiang. I worked there for four months, followed by two months in Hangzhou. Later, a Shanghai-based boss discovered me online and offered me a job.

I worked in Shanghai for a year before starting my Taobao shop. From that moment, I became a freelancer and rarely took regular jobs.

Being a freelancer gave me plenty of free time and a decent income. I often traveled around Shanghai, living in the Putuo District. This older area, located in the main urban zone, was just a 30-minute taxi ride from Hongqiao Airport, making it very convenient.

The Vibrancy of Putuo District

Putuo is full of life, with its bustling morning markets, the delicious smell of butter from a nearby bakery, and the warm afternoon sun shining on café tables in Changning District. The hurried crowds at Jing'an Temple subway station and the neon lights of the Bund that outline the skyline at night were part of my daily routine.

Shanghai has a unique urban rhythm. The neon lights of Nanjing Road blend with the lively old city, and in Jiading District, history meets modern life, even hosting international motorsport events. On the other side of the river, Pudong’s skyscrapers shoot up like bamboo after rain, with the financial pulse of Lujiazui echoing across the Huangpu River.

Whenever friends visited from out of town, I always took them to stroll along East Nanjing Road. The street was always busy, and walking there felt like stepping into Shanghai’s heart, almost like a time travel back to the Republic of China era. Though the trams are gone, the carved window frames and dappled light under the arcades still tell stories of the past.

How Shanghai Shaped My Perspective

I first visited Shanghai in 2012. Back then, large urban complexes were rare in China, and cities lacked big malls like Wanda. But my neighborhood had several shopping malls within just a kilometer, which felt incredibly convenient.

This was one of the many ways Shanghai showed me how its foundation, rooted in history and rapid development, was built for the future. I frequently visited Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, and Hongqiao Railway Station. Taxis were affordable too—only about 100 RMB from my place to Pudong Airport.

I also rode the Shanghai Maglev train, which wasn’t as smooth as high-speed rail, mainly due to its significant swaying. But the feeling of flying close to the ground was unforgettable.

At that time, subway construction was just beginning in many Chinese cities. Still, Shanghai and Beijing had significantly more subway lines. For instance, Shenzhen had only three, while Shanghai and Beijing each had about fifteen or sixteen. So getting around Shanghai was easy, and it’s even easier now.

Freelancing and the Trade Show Advantage

One major perk of freelancing is the flexible schedule. Running my Taobao shop allowed me to attend numerous trade shows, something I loved about Shanghai. The city has abundant exhibition resources, with large professional shows on almost every theme happening nearly every month. After visiting other cities, I found their exhibitions were much smaller in comparison.

Even after leaving Shanghai, I returned several times, mainly for exhibitions.

The Cost of Living and Lessons Learned

Overall, my time in Shanghai was incredibly positive. However, life there does require certain skills. My rent was 2,300 RMB a month over a decade ago, while the average income at the time was around 3,000 to 4,000 RMB. Despite the high cost, every effort I put into living and working in Shanghai was worthwhile.

The city broadened my horizons, improved my work methods, and taught me the importance of rules and deadlines—lessons that are hard to learn in smaller towns. The fast pace in Shanghai taught me efficiency and how to maintain order under pressure.

A City of Opportunities

Looking back in 2025, Shanghai has changed, but the sense of order and the possibilities it offered still shape my work habits. For anyone interested in understanding China’s economy, seeing its modernization, and experiencing advanced infrastructure, Shanghai is the perfect place to observe and learn.

Whether for business or pleasure, Shanghai is a city that welcomes all.