Shanghai, an exotic city reflecting both its colonial past and its role as a modern metropolis tackling the climate crisis, felt to me like a society striving towards the same freedoms as the rest of the world. From the moment I stepped onto the Maglev train, which whisked me from the airport to the city in a mere eight minutes, I felt the contrast of old and new. We sped past lines of cars on the highway, while electric cars, motorcycles, and bicycles purred quietly through the streets, the only sound being the shrill whistles of policemen, which cut through the air like screeching birds.
In the early morning, I wandered through parks where older adults danced and sang joyfully, or played instruments like the flute, saxophone, and clarinet. The street food vendors in their small shops sold $1 meals to loyal regulars, creating a warm, communal atmosphere. I walked through the old city streets at the Bund, Huang Pu Road, and the French Concession, savoring each step.
This, I realized, is the inner soul of Shanghai—where tradition and progress blend effortlessly, and the flavors, sights, and sounds linger long after you leave.
Beautiful Shanghai
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