【Shanghai】Discover the Multifaceted Magic Capital This Summer

**Shanghai: A Weekend of Fashion and Classic** *Duration: 2 days | Time: July | Average Cost per Per[...]

**Shanghai: A Weekend of Fashion and Classic**

*Duration: 2 days | Time: July | Average Cost per Person: 3000 yuan | With Whom: Friends | Activities: Food, Photography, Free Travel, Bohemian, Weekend Tour*

*Published on 2021-07-23 14:48*

**Preface:**
Shanghai, a collision of fashion and classic. I have always loved Shanghai, the dilapidated old Western-style buildings on Hengshan Road, where in summer, the plane trees cover the sky, casting dappled shadows over the sunlight. I enjoy sitting on a double-decker bus scrutinizing the crowds on the streets, or holding a cup of hot coffee waiting for a splendid sunset on The Bund. This international metropolis fuses fashion and classic. Often, you can see its side with a bohemian touch, and in countless moments, you can find traces of old Shanghai. She is like a woman with a thousand faces, full of countless surprises waiting for you to discover slowly. Shanghai, she is fresh and vibrant. Walking through the streets and alleys, you will definitely be attracted by the colorful buildings. In squares, parks, and everywhere, there are internet-famous check-in spots. Shanghai, she is international and charming. As night falls, a grand South American carnival begins. Argentine dancers’ skirts flutter, passionate dance movements, the aroma of steak, an intoxicating night. Shanghai, she is fashionable and up-to-date. Script murder, flash mobs, fashion weeks, electronic music festivals, this city is always at the forefront of trends, the cutting edge of fashion! Come to see a punk flash mob, instantly entering a five-dimensional psychedelic world. Shanghai, she is charming and fascinating. As a child, my impression of Shanghai mostly came from Zhou Xuan’s ‘Shanghai Night’, the ancient record rotating on the phonograph, slowly flowing not only music but also her charm. Here, you must wear a cheongsam once, instantly dreaming back to the Bund. Shanghai, she is full of history and unique cultural heritage. Often, walking here, you will unconsciously forget the bustling city you are in and slowly immerse yourself in a nostalgic journey. These are all different Shanghai, each with its charm, fascinating. This summer, come to check in the multifaceted Magic Capital!

**The Author’s Visited Places:**
Hengshan Road, The Bund, Guangfulin Site, Zhiye Zen Temple, Lujiazui

**One: Aegean Shopping Park – Santorini**
Shanghai has so many colors that it’s hard to count. Every street, every square here seems to have its own color, and because of this, the Magic Capital’s internet-famous check-in spots are constantly being discovered. As a Pisces, I have always loved blue. Unexpectedly, Shanghai also has its own Santorini, located on the square of Aegean Shopping Park. Since I can’t go to Greece for now, checking in this mini version is also good. Self-driving to Aegean Shopping Park, it is a cultural experience commercial complex with a dedicated underground parking lot. The location of Santorini is right across the square from the fountain, visible at a glance. The entire building is not large and is open for free. It used to be possible to climb up, but now it is surrounded and said to be under maintenance, with security guards patrolling, so you can only find suitable photo spots around. It is recommended to come here at 3 or 4 in the afternoon. If you come at noon, the sunlight is too strong. Wearing clothes of the same color will be easier to take pictures. If you’re quick, you can finish in half an hour and have dinner in the shopping park before going back.

**II: Shanghai Songcheng – A Trendy and Cool Spot to Check In.**
It’s said that Shanghai Songcheng has opened its doors! Recently in Shanghai, I couldn’t wait to bring my friends along to check in. I’ve visited Songcheng attractions in many places before, and the performances and entertainment have left a deep impression on me. Located in the Expo Park by the Huangpu River, Shanghai Songcheng boasts an excellent location. The main structure is a six-story building, mostly indoor entertainment, which is warm in winter and cool in summer – truly fantastic! The ‘Ghost Ship’ on the first floor was the first venue we visited after entering the attraction. It’s an ideal place to test your courage. Normally, I’m quite timid, but with encouragement from my friends, I finally took the first step. Inside the Ghost Ship, there are many scenes. Initially, I was very scared, following my friends closely, not daring to look around, just wanting to get out quickly. As I walked, I became less afraid. The most memorable moment was at the end, when it suddenly rained heavily in the ship’s wine cellar, leaving us a bit damp, which was fun and thrilling. Outdoors on the first floor, there’s a water play area and a music square. In summer, children love to play with water, and here they can play freely with their friends for a cool summer. There are also regular performances on the central stage of the square. Huang Feihong and his disciples came, presenting us with a challenge match. Chinese Kung Fu is indeed impressive.The Songcheng attraction is a vibrant and diverse destination, offering a multitude of experiences on each floor. Here’s a guide to navigating the various levels and activities:

**First Floor: Iconic Red Chairs and Martial Arts Spirit**
– The first floor greets visitors with two iconic red chair sculptures, which are must-visit spots for a memorable photo.
– The story of Chinese martial arts is told through a group of disciples, both male and female, who each possess unique skills. Their tale culminates in a victory over foreigners, celebrating the spirit of martial arts.

**Second Floor: Culinary Delights and Exhibitions**
– This level is dedicated to the Songcheng Story Exhibition Halls, where visitors can immerse themselves in the history and culture.
– Cafes and restaurants offer a variety of culinary delights, providing a perfect break from exploring.

**Third Floor: Art Exhibition Space**
– The third floor transforms into an art exhibition space, showcasing a range of artistic expressions.

**Fourth Floor: Theaters and Costumes**
– Theaters 1 and 3 are the main attractions here, with occasional magic performances held in front of the Shenhu Traceability Bar.
– The Modern Costume Pavilion on Qian Gu Qing Street offers a variety of costumes, including Hanfu, Cheongsam, and Kimono, for a small fee. Visitors can dress up and enjoy photo opportunities in various street scenes, with no time limit on costume rentals.

**Sixth Floor: Sky Street Market and Arabian Charm**
– The Sky Street Market on the sixth floor transports visitors to an exotic Arabian market, complete with a crystal ball performance and unique attractions like the tilted house and invisibility house.
– Shoppers can browse through a variety of small items, making it easy to feel like you’re abroad with the exquisite selection available.
– After shopping, there’s a place to rest with stools, books, and drinks, allowing visitors to recharge before continuing their exploration.

**Seventh Floor: Glass Observation Deck and Views**
– The glass observation deck on the seventh floor offers stunning views of the Huangpu River and the high-rise buildings of Shanghai, making it an excellent spot for a photo.

**Children’s Activities: Fairy Valley, Hobbit Houses, and Slides**
– For children, there’s Fairy Valley and Hobbit houses filled with surprises, as well as a slide for those who enjoy a challenge. Each activity is supervised by dedicated staff, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

**Nighttime Entertainment: South American Carnival and ‘Passionate Samba’ Dinner Show**
– As the sun sets, a grand South American carnival comes to life with Argentine dancers, passionate dances, and the aroma of steak.
– The ‘Passionate Samba’ dinner show, starting at 5:40 PM, is the highlight of the day. This performance features South American drumming, song, dance, and aerial acrobatics, all meticulously choreographed to create a visual and cultural feast.
– The show is a blend of South American culture, with performers from Argentina, Cuba, Russia, Ukraine, and more, offering an authentic experience of American culture without leaving Shanghai.

**Magic Street: Punk Flash Mob and Futuristic Performances**
– After the ‘Passionate Samba’, a punk flash mob takes over Magic Street, offering a new performance genre for young people. Actors in punk styles deliver an electrifying performance, using lighting, sound, smoke, special effects, and exaggerated costumes to create a futuristic, five-dimensional experience.

This guide provides an overview of the experiences awaiting visitors at Songcheng, allowing for a leisurely exploration of the attraction’s many floors and activities.I: Color Carnival Night at the Square
Do you want to experience it? It is an extraordinary visual treat. Foreign drummers beat the drums, and with the stirring drumbeats, the color carnival night officially begins. At the end of the performance, all the actors lead us in an ultra-high-energy wild dance to the passionate music, instantly bringing the atmosphere to a peak. After the flash mob, the color carnival night on the square continues to spread joy. Cool singers perform on stage, and a water battle is about to begin in the audience. Parents with children nearby are eager to join the revelry. The cheerleading dances of the young ladies are also very exciting, and at this moment, the staff are reminding parents who have not yet bought raincoats and water guns to get ready, yes, the water battle is about to start.
The first shot of the battle was fired, though it’s unclear by whom, as everyone began frenetically spraying water guns. Some adults even used basins and buckets to scoop up water, making it incredibly thrilling. At this moment, regardless of whether one wore a raincoat or not, getting wet was inevitable. However, on a summer evening, one can indulge in carnivalesque revelry and splashing water about, with the day’s heat and exhaustion long forgotten, leaving only coolness and joy. At this moment, it is not important whether one knows each other or not; what matters is the satisfaction and enjoyment derived from the fun. Thus, everyone splashed water on others, causing the square to erupt in splashes and laughter. From day to night, an open art district with multiple transformable spaces and a performance square that can accommodate tens of thousands of people, the Song City in Shanghai can fulfill all your fantasies and expectations.

III: Song City’s Costume Pavilion – A Night of Old Shanghai Charm
Shanghai, night Shanghai, you are a city that never sleeps. As the lights come on and the music starts, there is a sense of peace and joy… Most of my childhood impressions of Shanghai came from Zhou Xuan’s song ‘Shanghai Night’. The old record spins on the phonograph, and what flows slowly is not only music but also her myriad of charms. I have been searching for an entry point, one that can take me back to the old Shanghai times, until I walked into Song City’s costume pavilion. Suddenly, a strong sense of time travel envelops the body, and countless classic scenes come to mind. Song City has two costume pavilions, one on the first floor called the Time-Traveling Costume Pavilion, and the other on the fourth floor called the Modern Costume Pavilion, offering thousands of sets of costumes for a versatile life experience. The first floor mainly features cheongsam costume experiences, while the fourth floor is a comprehensive costume pavilion. I wanted to experience the cheongsam, so I found suitable clothing on the first floor. Here, props and makeup are all available, with a very reasonable price of 158 for the costume and styling. After getting the look right, you can not only take photos on the first floor but also go to the Eternal Love Street on the fourth floor, where many scenes are also very suitable for cheongsams. The ladies at the costume pavilion are very enthusiastic and specially reminded me not to miss the bed and chair on the fourth floor, which look great in photos. Wow, it really feels like stepping back into the old Shanghai Bund everywhere you walk. As long as you are willing, you can spend the whole day strolling around Song City in a cheongsam. Moreover, the worst thing about taking photos in summer is the sun, but Song City is a six-story indoor complex where you can enjoy air conditioning while taking beautiful photos. If you don’t bring a photographer, don’t worry, there are professional photographers here who can take DSLR photos for you at a reasonable price. When I went, I happened to meet an elderly lady taking cheongsam photos, which was really elegant, full of a sense of the times, and deeply touching.

IV: Guangfulin – A Meeting Across Millennia
If you want to trace the history of Shanghai, then the Guangfulin site in Sheshan is a must-visit. As is well known, Songjiang is the birthplace of Shanghai’s history and culture, and there is a saying among the people: ‘There was Songjiang Prefecture before there was the Bund, there was Guangfulin before there was Songjiang history.’ Walking into the Guangfulin Cultural Relics site is like coming to a treasure land that has been precipitating for thousands of years. It is very suitable for taking photos in ancient costumes, with winding bluestone paths and the white walls and black tiles of Hui-style courtyards, which are quiet and distant. Guangfulin in the rain has a unique charm. The Fuling Screen Wall is simple and elegant, and Guangfulin is not only a place to trace your ancestors but also a good place forZhiye Zen Temple is a very long-standing Zen temple in history. Legend has it that eminent monks in the Tang Dynasty traveled to Songjiang and it took ten years of soliciting alms to build it. Nowadays, Zhiye Zen Temple is rebuilt to commemorate the good deeds of Zen Master Zhiye who provided medical treatment and rescued people and was widely spread among the people of Songjiang.

The Fulintower stands between Zhiye Zen Temple and Sanyuan Palace. Under the tower is the entrance to the Ancient Pottery Art Museum. Many national treasure-level pottery unearthed in Guangfulin are exhibited here. If you have time, you must take a look.

Five: Jianguo Puyin – A Zen habitat. Jianguo Puyin Hotel is located in the core business district of Lujiazui in Pudong. Puyin means returning to simplicity and genuineness. Yin means living in seclusion in the city. Just listening to the name, it is like a hidden space in a bustling city. It is the place that tired body and mind have been looking for.

Entering it, the Chinese style with the theme of the Tang and Song dynasties is fully displayed. Su Shi once said, ‘Wherever my heart is at ease is my hometown.’ We live in a metropolis. With long-term high-pressure work, it is easy to be physically and mentally exhausted. In addition to being warm and comfortable, the place we want to live lacks a sense of spiritual belonging.

In the design of Puyin Hotel, it is rooted in the fertile soil of Chinese civilization and closely combined with Chinese culture, creating an accommodation space that returns to nature, is peaceful and harmonious in the city. Even in the public area leading to the guest rooms, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are thoughtfully placed. You can talk to yourself while walking and find the belonging of your heart while walking.

There are special rest areas on both sides of the lobby. Here you can drink a cup of clear tea, relieve the fatigue of running around, and listen to the beauty of falling flowers. A quiet and comfortable environment and natural wood tones are the comfortable life I want. In Puyin, forget all the hustle and bustle, return to the starting point of the soul, and enjoy the most rare purity and comfort in the simplest way. The life I yearn for deep in my heart is probably nothing more than this.