Shanghai Family Trip in Late Summer 2007: Enigmatic Metropolis

Duration: 1 Day. The author visited the following places: The Bund, Home Inn Express, Oriental Pearl[...]

Duration: 1 Day. The author visited the following places: The Bund, Home Inn Express, Oriental Pearl Tower, Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Peace Hotel, Binjiang Avenue, Yu Garden, Old City God Temple, Nine-Turned Bridge, People’s Square, Xintiandi. Published on September 27, 2007, at 00:12.

This trip covered five locations (Suzhou, Xitang, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Shanghai), with separate travelogues for each, focusing on narrative while also covering scenery, routes, and tips. If these are useful to Ctrip members, please feel free to take what you need. I hope to leave a record of my 5-year-old son’s growth in 2007. In the future, when he revisits the memories of this late summer of 2007, I hope it will be helpful for him and his life. At least a boy who conquered the Western Sea Grand Canyon and Tiandu Peak of Huangshan at the age of 5 should have no fear of any difficulties in the future. Due to the classic nature of each place and the lengthy travelogues, they are published separately on the corresponding sections of the Ctrip travelogue board. Inconveniences are regretted. They are titled as follows: Suzhou: Jade Suzhou; Xitang: Dream Fulfilled in Xitang; Hangzhou: The Maiden’s Paradise; Huangshan: The Beating Heart of Huangshan; Shanghai: Enigmatic Metropolis.

Part I: Public Transportation and Hotels. Shanghai was the last stop on this Jiangnan Huangshan trip. The reason for placing it last is twofold: firstly, Shanghai has convenient transportation, and I had already booked the flight back to Taiyuan through Ctrip; secondly, having visited Shanghai multiple times, while it doesn’t have many famous attractions or natural scenery, it is an indispensable part of modern urban travel in China. At 11 AM on Saturday, September 1st, we arrived at Shanghai Railway Station. Following the prepared strategy, we took bus number 930 to Xiao Dongmen, which quickly led us to the Hanting Express Bund. At the station square, we found bus 930 and boarded after queuing. Shanghai’s public transportation is quite good, with well-maintained vehicles and interesting onboard advertising televisions. However, after two days, I noticed there wasn’t much variety and very few live broadcasts; the looped playback of the top ten exciting football goals from various leagues, which I watched countless times, never failed to entertain. It’s rare to see unmanned ticket sales on buses; ticket sellers with books still traverse the vehicles, preserving a long-lost bus scene. Ticket sellers are always ready to answer questions, and whether they are young or older, they are very talkative. The next day, taking bus 930 to the square and then transferring to bus 925 to Hongqiao Airport, the girl on the 930 bus chatted with us about traveling, almost forgetting to announce stops and sell tickets, expressing envy for our ten-day trip. Hehe, we were here on leave, with pay deducted.On Saturday, September 1st, at 11 AM, I arrived at Shanghai Railway Station. Exiting the station, we followed our well-prepared travel guide and took public bus number 930, alighting at Xiaodongmen, which was a short ride to the Hanting Express Bund Branch. We found the bus at the station square and lined up to board. Shanghai’s public transportation is impressive, with buses in excellent condition and engaging onboard advertising televisions. Over two days, we noticed a limited selection of programs with few live broadcasts, and the looped highlights of top ten football goals from various leagues were shown repeatedly, which we watched countless times but never tired of.

It was rare to see unmanned ticketing on buses; conductors with ticket books still roamed the vehicles, preserving a long-lost public transit scene. The conductors were always ready to answer questions, whether young or more mature, and were quite talkative. On the second day, we took bus 930 to the square and then transferred to bus 925 to Hongqiao Airport. The girl on the 930 bus chatted with us about traveling, almost forgetting to announce stops and sell tickets, expressing envy for our ten-day trip. Hehe, we had taken leave and were deducting wages for this journey.

Speaking of the pre-booked Hanting Express Hotel on Maojiayuan Road, the conductor girl was puzzled by this small road. When mentioning the intersection with Zhongshan South Road, she suggested it might be closer to get off at Dadongmen. As a result, we ended up walking a large circle and took nearly 40 minutes to reach our destination. Even after several calls to the hotel front desk, we were still confused. After a few taxi rides, we finally understood that instead of getting off at Xiaodongmen, if we took bus 930 to the terminal, we would be just 200 meters away from the hotel. The hotel’s introduction was not well-prepared, and other websites online had not updated accordingly.

The Hanting branch we stayed at was adjacent to the street, and the overall impression was very good, especially the service, which fully reflected the reserved yet enthusiastic style of the people of Shanghai. Compared to Home Inn Express, it could be said that one was introverted, and the other extroverted. When we checked in, the room had not been cleaned yet, so we sat in the lobby, looking at the books available for borrowing on the walls and the two computers for internet access. The female manager assured us that the room would be ready in 20 minutes while continuously apologizing, making us feel quite guilty.

The security guard who also worked as a doorman was a man in his 40s, and looking at his badge, it said ‘intern.’ Hehe, that title was a bit awkward considering his age, which still deserved respect. The security guard the next day was even older, around 50, and he not only explained in detail about the public transportation but also escorted us out to point out the terminal of bus 930 (under the bank ahead), displaying impeccable manners, which was commendable.

From the room, by opening the window to the right, we could see the Bund, with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Jin Mao Building clearly visible. The hotel review has been detailed on the Ctrip hotel page. Secondly, since the hotel did not provide meals, we dropped off our luggage and, seeing it was past 1 PM, headed out to the bus stop, directly going to Nanjing Road. Right outside the door was the bus stop, and we chose the Bund store because several attractions were nearby, and the transportation was convenient.

Get off at the Bund. My wife (LP) and child strolled around the Bund. The Bund by the Huangpu River is still noisy with traffic. Buildings of various styles are lined up along the roadside. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower on the other side and the high-rise buildings in Pudong still support Shanghai’s status as China’s financial center. In fact, the financial tycoons are all behind us, in those old buildings behind. The fountain is still flowing there, only with a statue of the baby of Ascott. Shanghai, the paradise for adventurers in the east of the world in the early 20th century, has left extremely valuable buildings on the Bund (it is said that Shanghai Bund is a must-study place for European architects learning antique architecture cases). And now, around the Bund, there are retro bars with different styles from various countries. Now, in the middle of reform, it is the economic and financial center of China’s rise and still the preferred city for investment and exchanges attracting the largest number of countries in the world. Shanghai’s inclusiveness is also reflected in road names. I don’t know when roads like Sichuan Road, Shaanxi Road, and Yunnan Road were named. Was it the creation of Chen Yi, the first mayor erected on the Bund, or someone else’s? Daring to include other provinces is definitely a manifestation of the city’s magnanimity.In the future, when we develop and construct elsewhere, it might be a good idea to directly incorporate names like American Road, British Avenue, and Hong Kong Island Street. This could symbolically make China even bigger. Having visited this place several times, I slowly shared with my wife the allure of these international buildings and the charm of the Bund. The riverside avenue remains as crowded as it was a few years ago, with all kinds of people passing by noisily. The Huangpu River is still muddy and yellow, but the road surface is no longer as clean. The ubiquitous security guards with red armbands have disappeared, leaving no reliable person to ask for directions. Before nightfall, there are not many couples; only a few foreigners stay to take pictures.

One of the more famous places at the Bund is the lovers’ wall. Seaside avenues are mostly built for lovers. Zhuhai, for instance, has specially built a lovers’ avenue along the coast for more than ten kilometers, which I’ve yet to walk through despite traveling on business twice. Only lovers so happy that they forget to return can walk through it. On the coastal roads of Qingdao and Dalian, people walk and cycle, with charming girls and escorts from all over China. At night in Guangzhou, by the Pearl River Avenue, I witnessed a dramatic kneeling proposal. The young man held flowers and knelt on one knee, holding the girl’s hand for nearly an hour, drawing a crowd of nearly a hundred spectators. At the Bund in Shanghai, it’s not so much the dramas being performed but rather the famous ambiguous and bold intimate actions. The combination of the East and the West is most prominent here, but among the couples, the girls all have black hair. It would be astonishing to see long golden hair fluttering along the Bund, more so than the largest amount of investment attracted by Shanghai.

Strolling slowly across the street, passing through the underground passage, and heading towards Nanjing Road via the Peace Hotel, I notice the narrow alleys are as bustling as ever, but several buildings are undergoing renovation. I hope they preserve the historical charm and not lose their weathered feel; there’s a certain charm in their aged appearance. Nanjing Road is still teeming with people, the clanging sound of the small trains coming and going, and the children start running ahead. After dining at a Shanghai-style snack shop located at a small street exit in the middle of the road, we continue to stroll down the pedestrian street. My partner isn’t particularly fond of shopping, and since I’ve visited Shanghai many times and bought many items here, this trip is mainly about experiencing the local flavor. When the child spots toys, they become reluctant to move. Thinking it’s our last stop, we head into the ‘Bao Da Xiang’ Children’s City just ahead. It’s a multi-story children’s goods store, and we head straight to the third or fourth floor dedicated to toys. There’s an abundance of toys, mostly domestic products, and they are quite expensive. Having traveled for business to Guangzhou and Yiwu, I’ve bought many toys for the child and know the factory prices, which are at least twice as expensive here on Nanjing Road. Reluctantly, I choose an electric water racing boat for the child, and 58 yuan is gone.

The service in Shanghai deserves another mention. It’s the warm-hearted, 40-something saleswoman who, while not using standard language, is very enthusiastic. After receiving the receipt, payment, and bagging, I also bought a booster separately. She carefully placed it in the bag again, reminding me not to lose this small item. I thanked her and left the counter. The child couldn’t move their legs, looking and walking slowly, unable to leave for a while. Turning a corner, we approached the racing boat counter again, and the saleswoman saw us and came over to help open the bag, take out the boat box, and squeeze the separately sold booster into the box, handing it back to me, saying she couldn’t rest assured that we might lose it. Haha, touching! This service is so good that I dare to say she hasn’t studied much about paper-based humanized service; this attitude is inherently meticulous. I remember being in Shanghai for a business trip in 1997, staying in a guesthouse of the Jiangsu Economic and Trade Commission in Zhabei District. The room was clean and tidy, better than an average three-star hotel. Since we couldn’t get used to the free breakfast at the guesthouse, we murmured about going to the market downstairs the next day to find fried dough sticks and porridge. Unexpectedly, someone knocked on the door before 7 a.m. the next day. Half-asleep, wearing shorts and a vest, I opened the door to find the service lady (nearly 60 years old) smiling and coming in, carrying a large tray with porridge and fried dough sticks! I didn’t understand a fewAlas, I don’t know what to say. After hesitating for a long time, I finally remembered to take out money. But unexpectedly, the aunt said that this was also part of the free breakfast at the guesthouse and it was free of charge. If it’s not enough, she can go and buy more. Oh! Even if it’s not enough, one should say it’s enough (later it was found that it was indeed not enough. The appetite of northerners is just disappointing!). Expressing gratitude repeatedly, the aunt left. Looking at each other’s appearances, we couldn’t help laughing. We couldn’t sleep in anymore, but we felt comfortable. Drinking the plain congee porridge, we kept sighing. We often travel on business and stay in hotels. We have been mistreated too many times. Coming across such an experience once, we should savor it slowly.

In 2004, when I took my subordinates on a business trip, also for the convenience of being close to the Bund, we booked and stayed at Shanghai Jiana Hotel (a very small and clean hotel). The three middle-aged women at the front desk were extremely enthusiastic. When we asked where the Chenghuang Temple was, they drew a map from inside the front desk to outside and finally pointed on the street to show us where to turn. We could only clasp our fists and flee in haste. Otherwise, they might follow us all the way and send us off. Don’t delay their front desk work. The simple-hearted people of Shanghai! This is a long-lasting and rigorous work attitude. Even in the service industry, which is the largest industry but currently underestimated in China, they can still do it well enough to be proud of the whole country. I remember there is a book on urban characters that said that the work attitude of people in Shanghai is similar to that of Germans! If Wenzhou is the Jews of China, then it is not an exaggeration to say that people in Shanghai are the Germans of China.

After leaving Baodaxiang, we were in a good mood and continued our journey. I told my wife that Nanjing Road, like the Bund, is most beautiful at night, such as the dazzling neon lights, especially around that Coca-Cola advertising bottle… Suddenly, I realized that in fact, looking at several scenic spots in Shanghai, they are all much more beautiful at night than during the day. It seems that the urban scenery is most charming at a hazy night. For example, Chongqing, a mountain city, for example, Hong Kong, for example, Las Vegas…

On the second floor of a building on Nanjing Road, on the balcony with eye-catching yellow curtains in the background, a western-dressed musician is playing the saxophone, attracting the attention of many tourists. We promised our child to take the small train. We walked all the way to the end and took the small train bus at 2 yuan per person and rode back with a clattering sound. Under our feet in the carriage were a bunch of flight booking business cards thrown around. It seems that this thing still has a market. The quality is uneven. From time to time, someone will hand you one on Nanjing Road or at the Bund. What’s even more interesting is that under a notice from the public security bureau warning against unscrupulous hairdressers and beauticians blocking the way to make false propaganda and deceive people, a yellow-haired young man holding a comb is eloquently persuading a 20-year-old girl. The girl helplessly looks at him… Hehe, the world is big. We need to know a bit of all kinds of information. I hope this girl who didn’t even look back at the wall once can protect her pure hair and not fall into the trap tonight.

Nanjing Road now exudes an even more majestic presence than before, particularly the square there (the name of which I can’t recall), which remains the top shopping destination for tourists visiting Shanghai. The ferry ride and the Oriental Pearl Tower, a symbol of modern Shanghai, are must-visit attractions. As evening fell, we strolled towards the Bund to take the ferry. Honestly, despite several visits to Shanghai, I’ve never taken a boat ride, and there wasn’t time to consider a cruise. So, we specifically sought out the ferry. After wandering around the Bund for a while without knowing where to go, as there were no signs or security personnel to ask, it suddenly occurred to me that since the cruise ships are by the shore, the ferry should be nearby as well. So, we descended to the lower part of the Bund to check. We arrived just in time at the ferry station, where the air-conditioned ferry cost 2 yuan per person and set off immediately. As night set in, the Bund and the Pudong Riverside Avenue were aglow with twinkling lights, with building advertisements flickering across the riverfront, and the brightly lit cruise ships drifting slowly on the Huangpu River. The5 yuan per person was direct and took less than 5 minutes). Upon exiting the dock, there was a special open-top double-decker sightseeing bus for touring Lujiazui, costing 2 yuan per person. As we boarded and circled around on the second level of the open-top bus, the Oriental Pearl Tower was fully illuminated at night, and we gazed up at the Jin Mao Tower and the even taller under-construction Shanghai World Financial Center beside it. The Shanghai World Financial Center, standing at 101 floors and 492 meters tall, was topped off the day after our trip ended on September 3rd, with its 472-meter observation deck becoming the highest in the world; it joins the Taipei 101, which holds multiple world records, in adding splendor to China, a truly awe-inspiring sight.

Under the Oriental Pearl Tower, after getting off the bus, we first went to buy tickets. An interesting situation arose: the ticket window priced adult tickets for the 263-meter tower at 50 yuan and for children between 1-1.2 meters at 25 yuan; however, someone nearby was selling tickets for 85 yuan for 70 yuan. Recalling that the night tour tickets for the Oriental Pearl Tower could also be bought for 70 yuan at the ferry terminal on the Puxi side, I checked the Ctrip price, which was 70 yuan for 263 meters, but what I actually bought was 50 yuan. It seems the Oriental Pearl Tower has lowered its prices, and I wonder which sphere tower the tickets being sold were for.

Seeing that our batteries were running out, I asked a security guard and walked dozens of meters ahead to the Super Brand Mall. This is a commercial building complex, and we bought a pack of batteries at the Yonghui Lotus Supermarket in the basement. Seeing that it was also time to dine, we went upstairs to find a restaurant.

The influence of Western fast food on Chinese children is really profound; my son can’t read many characters, but as soon as he saw the ‘M’ of McDonald’s, he wouldn’t budge, even though there were other restaurants upstairs and a German fast-food place nearby, none of which held any appeal. We had no choice but to sit down as my wife went to queue up for food. She returned shortly and mentioned that the service at this McDonald’s was quite average. The restaurant wasn’t crowded, yet the staff were quite rigid when it came to serving customers. It took several attempts to get a takeout bag, and eventually, a manager-like figure threw the bag out to us. Haha, this is quite rare, considering McDonald’s service is one of its trademarks. Honestly, I’m not a fan of fast food that is predominantly greasy, but I swallowed it down in a hurry and immediately went downstairs to head towards the Oriental Pearl Tower, fearing it would close before we arrived.

It was my third time visiting the tower. The dazzling lights surrounding the tower attracted my wife and children, flickering like a grand stage in a fairy tale world. The same security checks, the same elevators in the lobby, and the same elevator attendants providing perfectly timed bilingual introductions led us to the 263-meter spherical observatory. As we exited the elevator and walked around to view the scenery, the children paid little attention to the enchanting night view, instead climbing onto the railings to play despite being scolded, or holding onto telescopes to look out. Walking and looking, under the night sky, Shanghai’s myriad lights may not be aptly described as ‘ten thousand households’, as many of the buildings are office towers, each displaying their colors beneath the tower. The Huangpu River, like a black ribbon, stretches into the distance, embraced by the lights on both banks. The enigmatic Shanghai, the enigmatic city, is a testament to the development of Shanghai over the past two decades. The Jin Mao Tower was still visible, but the top of the adjacent Shanghai World Financial Center was shrouded in clouds, and the cranes that were vaguely visible during the day were now out of sight.

After a half-hour wait for taxis and ferries, we descended the tower and toured the first floor lobby. It was nearly 22:00. We wondered if there were any ferries back to Puxi and if we could take another tour of the Huangpu River. A light rain began to fall, and we stood under umbrellas at the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower waiting for a taxi. There were many tourists also waiting. It was strange that many empty taxis passed by without stopping. Seeing that there were also people waiting for taxis at the entrance of the Super Brand Mall, we walked over to try our luck. Unfortunately, the taxis still didn’t stop. After a while, seeing that there were fewer people waiting for taxis at the base of the tower, we returned toThe driver hesitated for a moment: “It’s very close, just ahead, you can walk there.” We explained to the driver that we knew it was close, just two or three stops away, and we had taken the ferry there in the evening, but we were very tired and didn’t want to walk even a few steps. The driver said nothing and started driving. According to the ticket record later, we got in at 22:05 and got out at 22:06, traveling 0.5 kilometers.

The taxi ride, lasting less than a minute, deposited us at the entrance of the South Binjiang Avenue. The driver announced our arrival, stating that taxis were not allowed beyond this point and that we needed to walk to the ferry terminal. This marked the end of the shortest taxi ride I’ve ever taken. Considering the driver’s constraints, we decided to continue on foot. Upon exiting the vehicle, we inquired with a group of enthusiastic security guards who pointed towards the south end, indicating that the ferry terminal was just a walk away. This ‘walk’ turned out to be a 20-minute journey, with taxis passing by us all the while, until we finally reached the ferry terminal. Our child, already exhausted and drowsy, had to be carried (a feat not accomplished even during our arduous hike up Yellow Mountain, but here in Shanghai, it was necessary). Upon reaching the terminal, we noticed another route that could have been taken. Later, upon reviewing the Lujiazui electronic map online, we discovered that several roads, including Gui San Road, Gui Si Road, and Fucheng Road, as well as Yin Cheng West Road and South Road, could have led us to the ferry terminal. The impatient driver, eager to return for a long-distance fare, had driven us for only a minute and left us on South Binjiang Avenue, allowing us to admire the Shangri-La Hotel and the empty luxury properties of Tomson Riviera in the dead of night.

Despite the warm service we’ve received from many kind-hearted people in Shanghai over the past decade, which has left a positive impression, this incident was particularly frustrating, especially with a young child in tow. We lodged a complaint against the driver, and the complaint officer from Johnson Group, Changhai Company, promptly determined the right and wrong over the phone and imposed a penalty on the driver. They also refunded the 11 yuan fare (interestingly, not through company finance, but personally by the complaint officer), reflecting the high efficiency of Shanghai enterprises. Personally, after frequent visits to Shanghai over the past ten years, I’ve always found the taxi industry to be quite satisfactory. However, the late-night taxi drivers in Lujiazui this time left much to be desired (with many taxis refusing to take passengers). This incident serves as a reminder for future taxi rides in Lujiazui and is detailedly recorded on Ctrip. However, this minor incident certainly does not represent the mainstream of Shanghai’s service industry. I still feel that the service level and enthusiastic attitude of Shanghai over the past decade are among the best I’ve experienced in various cities.

Recalling my frequent business trips over the years, I’ve noticed that taxi drivers in many cities, including Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and my own city of Taiyuan, who are the face of the city, are increasingly less talkative. The silent journey, with silent passengers and drivers, seems to be a common phenomenon. Is this akin to the change from living in courtyards and alleys to high-rise buildings, where environmental changes and the passage of time have gradually thinned the relationships among neighbors?

By the time we arrived at the Pudong ferry, it was already 22:30. We approached to buy tickets, and to our surprise, the non-air-conditioned ferry fare was only 0.5 yuan per person. Such an affordable mode of transportation still exists today! When asked if children need tickets, the uncle selling tickets said with a smile: “No tickets. Even if you give me one, I don’t want it.” Taking a real ferry for the first time, it turns out to be surrounded by fences on all sides. It’s a mixed loading of people and vehicles. Those riding bicycles, electric bikes, and motorcycles don’t need to get off and can directly ride onto the ferry. Looking at the tourists, there are only our family of three. The lights on both banks are still brilliant. It’s not an air-conditioned ferry. The ship travels very quickly and arrives at the dock in less than the time it takes to smoke a cigarette. After getting off the ship, we directly took a taxi back to the Hanting Express Waibaidu Store.

On the morning of September 2nd, since the flight time is 17:50 in the afternoon and there is plenty of time, the fatigue of consecutive days can be slightly relieved. So we got up very late. Looking at the river view through the window, it was already more than 11 am. The sky was overcast and the view was wide. The high-rise buildings in Pudong were lined up in front of us.The tower crane on top of the Shanghai World Financial Center was clearly visible. Riverboats and cruise ships shuttled back and forth in the river. We checked out at the front desk and stored our luggage. Then we took a taxi directly to Yu Garden and the City God Temple. We arrived soon. Along the way, we chatted with the driver. Seeing that it was raining and someone was hailing a taxi on the side of the road. Taxis also need business. We all take care of each other.

We got off the taxi before reaching the entrance of Yu Garden. We thanked each other and waved goodbye. Yu Garden is a garden in Shanghai. However, after coming out of Suzhou, there is not much interest in seeing gardens anymore. I am very interested in the old-style small streets with Shanghai’s old buildings in Yu Garden and the City God Temple. Especially when I came last time, walking in the alleys of the old City God Temple, looking at the bustling old Shanghai lanes, and seeing countless clothes hanging over the alleys. Even above the entrance of the police station, the colorful and drying underwear displayed several series, which really surprised us. The life in Shanghai’s city lanes reflected in previous movies can still be seen here. And looking up, there are the huge modern high-rise buildings in Lujiazui. The contrast is so vivid. Contained in one city, it shows what is changing with each passing day.

Strolling in Yu Garden Commercial City, looking at the various antique-style buildings with different styles on the street, there are many kinds of small commodities on display. Unfortunately, there is a little regret. Last time when I wandered around the City God Temple, I went to see the old streets and alleys. I casually went to a second-floor restaurant in the snack plaza, but the snacks were not well-made and didn’t leave much impression. This time, while strolling around, I actually forgot the snack plaza again. We had lunch at a very ordinary but service-oriented Cantonese restaurant. When we unknowingly strolled to the snack plaza, my wife shouted loudly. There are so many snacks here. You let me eat Cantonese cuisine in Shanghai! Hehe, it’s a pity. I was preconceived and only thought about the old streets and alleys. I forgot that there is such a huge snack plaza in this commercial city. In fact, for the snacks in the snack plaza, it seems that it is not like before. There are mostly criticisms, one is the price and the other is the taste. Maybe when there are more foreigners buying, they forget more domestic tourists who are familiar with the place.

Walking, looking and playing. What the child likes most are the pair of large golden turtles in front of the self-selected snack plaza and the large copper teapot with flowing water on the opposite street side, full of antique charm. Still found that small Shanghai food store. There are always crowds of people here. Walked around, looked around and bought a pile of Shanghai-made candies and small foods. Slowly walked to the Zigzag Bridge. It began to rain and gradually became heavier. Hurriedly went out with an umbrella and took a taxi directly back to the hotel.

Took out the luggage, bid farewell to the enthusiastic staff of Hanting Hotel. Took the starting point of Route 930 and chatted with the conductor girl all the way and drove to People’s Square. Got off at the square, found Route 925 (not 925B), got on the bus at 4 yuan per person and went straight to Hongqiao Airport. Arrived at the airport at 16:20. Entered the hall, found the Ctrip window to collect tickets and swipe cards, exchanged boarding passes and checked in luggage. The child sat on the luggage cart and played all the way. Hongqiao is an old airport. The waiting hall is not large and is full of people. At the same time, there are actually three flights queuing up for ticket checking at one gate. People are constantly queuing up at the wrong place.

Boarded the plane and sat down. After a while, the plane roared and climbed into the blue sky. Goodbye, Shanghai. In fact, Shanghai is a place for diversified tourism. Like me, after touring the modern city, I prefer to wander in an antique style. Perhaps in the near future, when I come to Shanghai again and have free time, I would like to stay in a folk hotel in a Shanghai alley, go to Shikumen to see the modern residences in Shanghai, go to Duolun Road, a street like a movie base, and turn around. At night, I will call my classmates in Shanghai and go to the bars in Hengshan Road and Xintiandi to feel the charm of the enigmatic city and the friendship of my classmates. However, it is okay to wander in Shanghai. But it is probably difficult to find a sense of**VI. Conclusion and Postscript**

The sky is gradually getting dark. The setting sun in the clouds emits a dazzling brilliance, reflecting in the cabin, a golden light. The flight attendants walk back and forth, delivering newspapers, dinners, drinks, and blankets. Looking at the 2G camera card in my hand, it is almost full. The ten-day, five-place trip can be said to be a very satisfactory one. I am really grateful to the Internet and Ctrip.

The travel guide I prepared by myself is as long as more than 20 pages and 30,000 words, involving routes, maps, inter-provincial, urban and county transportation, train and airplane schedules, scenic spot guides, precautions, hotel conditions… If traveling economically, the expense for two people and a five-year-old child should be around 7,500 yuan. Because there is a child and traveling while sick, it expands to nearly 9,000 yuan. It should be said that without the preparation of the travel guide, this amount of money is definitely not enough.

Upon returning, I began to pen my travelogue. My spouse teased me, remarking that despite numerous business trips and vacations, they had never seen me write a travelogue with such dedication, akin to keeping a diary. I earnestly explained to them that this was a chronicle of our child’s growth, a matter that could not be treated with indifference. Perhaps one day in the future, he might glean some insights about life from the experiences we shared today, much like how he conquered the Yellow Mountain’s West Sea Grand Canyon and Tiandu Peak on his own two legs at the age of five, an achievement not everyone can claim; or how he soaked in the ancient charm of Xitang, a testament to the historical sediment of Chinese culture; or how he witnessed the leisurely pace of Suzhou and Hangzhou and the bustling vibrancy of Shanghai, where the allure of China’s cities may hold little novelty for him in the future. What he needs to focus on and improve will be himself.

In fact, it was only when writing this travelogue that I inadvertently realized I also harbor a vision for life: growing up in a small town steeped in traditional Chinese culture; furthering my education in a city rich with profound cultural atmosphere; working in a modern metropolis; and in my old age, resting in a heavenly city. Occasionally, the places I wish to visit in China are inevitably Huangshan, Jiuzhaigou, Lijiang, Shennongxia, the Three Gorges, Sanya, and Tibet… Life is like a dream, and one can occasionally indulge in dreaming, hehe.

I hope that in a dozen years, Ctrip will still be around, and these 60,000-word travelogues will still exist. My child, who is undoubtedly more familiar with the internet than I am, might open these old relics and take a look at the tail end of summer 2007, in Jiangnan, at Yellow Mountain, in Shanghai… The in-flight announcement sounded, and my thoughts gradually returned. The destination has arrived, and the plane spirals down. Above the clouds is the long-lost starry sky, and below the night幕 is the brilliant city lights…

(Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, a saxophonist dressed in formal attire playing on the street)
(The Bund at night, the opposite shore, a symbol of Shanghai and China’s openness and development)
(Early morning at Lujiazui in Shanghai, like a modern oil painting)
(Yuyuan Shopping Mall (City God Temple Square) with a tide of people and beautiful antique-style buildings)
(The splendid sunset in the sky, illuminating the way home…)