Summary
It was literally the first day in China, and many surprising and interesting things happened.
It reminds me of my days in Malaysia, which had both extremes of experience. Sometimes expectations were exceptionally exceeded, while at other times, basic needs were not met.
The Shanghai Tower has the highest observation deck in the world, but what's more important is the fact that it was built using the latest technology, such as LED display walls and parametric design architecture.
I'm going to talk about both the success stories of Shanghai and the disappointing results due to poor considerations.
Additionally, I will share what is important to know before you visit China, which many articles do not discuss.
Highlights
Shanghai Tower & Lujiazui
Lujiazui is located at the river's bend, which is home to famous skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower.
It's the tallest and has the most distinguished appearance.
The queue is really long at 18:30, extending to the outside road.
The glass was not clear because people could easily touch it. For a better experience, the open-air observation deck is much better.
The lighting was spectacular, with a huge LED display.
The souvenirs were cheap and of high quality.
It has one of the world's fastest elevators and reaches the top in less than 1 minute.
Almost all buildings have unique shapes; some are traditional and some are parametric, which makes it really interesting to see.
MagLev
- It is actually quite similar to the Shinkansen.
Similar to the Shanghai Tower, the speed is not tangible.
It's probably better than flying, but the price is much higher than the subway.
General Impression
Great interior design: The use of indirect light and organic design characterized by the use of wood or smooth curvature is impressive.
It's flat and huge: Pudong is a really large flat area, and you will see it from an airplane. Shanghai is like New York, but it's really vast and intentionally designed. There are tall buildings, but they are not designed for mixed use, like in Tokyo. Shanghai looks like a compact city, but it is actually huge. From an environmental perspective, the river is incredibly large, home to thousands of ships but highly polluted. However, the air is not as polluted.
It's hot and humid: Japanese summers are hot, but Shanghai's weather is much more intense. That's another reason I felt like I was in Malaysia. Every place feels sweaty, and buildings are often corroded with mold. Combined with the smell of tobacco and garbage, they create a unique scent common to southern countries.
It looks amazing, but if you look closely: The use of futuristic UI and indirect light in interior design is really cool. However, wear and tear can sometimes be obvious, and limited budgets can strain the quality of windows and often lead to the use of cheap and fragile materials. (※ Not quite true for most luxurious or latest buildings.) The design itself is really impressive, so I hope they don’t ignore other important details.
Inequality: The garbage processing site is located right in front of my hotel and looks very different from other parts of the city center. Inequality means there are losers and winners. I felt like I witnessed both.
Futuristic Design: The Chinese subway is well known for its beautiful design, and it was exactly as I heard. Not only that due to the government's strong focus on technology, even the metro billboards came with a really futuristic design.
Good to Know
QR code payment methods often become the only means of payment.
Some stores do accept credit cards, but they often require a signature, which can be quite troublesome.
You can use Alipay and WeChat Pay, but I have noticed WeChat Pay is used more often. I highly recommend installing both. You can ride the subway with Alipay alone and buy items with WeChat Pay.
English doesn't work.
- Even the staff at the Shanghai Tower didn’t understand English. I've visited Malaysia and Singapore, but this was the first time I encountered such a communication barrier. I have never found people with fluent English outside of airports or international hostels.
Conclusion
- Shanghai is definitely worth visiting because its massive scale and adoption of the latest technology cannot be seen in other places. I actually want to visit there next year as well.
- However, the difference in Japan is that flaws can be seen in many areas. Japanese cities are commendable because even the lowest-class citizens lead a modest life, which makes the city safer and cleaner.
- I was really into the artistic design of buildings. However, I felt that functionality is more important and that artistic quality should not sacrifice utility. Even though the unique design of metro stations is definitely something missing in Japan, I hope to see them in the future. Additionally, the use of indirect lighting with wood interiors was really relaxing, and I believe it's beneficial to adopt such designs.
- Futuristic design is a big deal, but more importantly, I was truly amazed by the adoption of QR code in China. I could take the train, buy meals, ride the metro, and visit museums. This was extremely helpful in overcoming the language barrier, allowing even shy individuals to participate without hesitation. I want to explore the possibilities of QR code usage further in the future.
