I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
- Joined: Jul 30th, 2007
- Posts: 423
After staying for a week in Shanghai, and comparing everything to BJ, I didn't like it at all. There were pros and cons, but the cons just overturned the pros. I'm probably too Beijing-brainwashed!!
PROS:
1) More subway lines.
2) More English speakers and better English translations.
3) More fashionable people (I think).
4) Nicer taxi drivers.
5) Xin Tian Di (reminds me of Greenbelt in Manila)
6) Cuter boys. xD
CONS:
1) Bad weather (kept raining; wind too strong).
2) Narrow streets.
3) Worse traffic.
4) Confusing buses and bus stops.
5) Worse drivers (including the nice taxi drivers).
6) Taxi flag down rate is more expensive: RMB 14 at night (past 11 PM) and RMB 11 regular hours.
7) Dirty streets.
8) Lots of beggars, especially around People's Square.
9) Not that very attractive buildings, including residential ones.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
1) It's raining coins in here!! I think they're amazed everytime I hand in a 1 yuan or 50 cent bill.
2) Electric bikes, scooters and motorcyles are the kings of the road here, not the regular good old bicycles.
seabreeze98
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Haha, it rains in Shanghai most of the time.
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” (Stuart Chase)
Male bean counter looking for job in China.
CyniCritic
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
You made some good points but I have to seriously disagree with a few of those points
I've never experienced weather as bad as that in Beijing. Strong wind? What about spring and autumn in Beijing not to mention the sandstorms.
Look the same as Beijing to me
More aggressive yes, worse no. Both are equally as shite.
Worse than Beijing? You are kidding right?
Ever been to Sanlitun or taken the subway in Beijing?
This I have to say is utter rubbish. Much nice architecture in Shanghai, but thats a matter of taste.
I agree about the coins though. Real pain in the arse. Another bad thing that you might not have noticed when travelling is that there's no central heating in the buildings, so in winter it's frickin cold. Also it's heaps more expensive in Shanghai to do anything really.
seabreeze98
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Have you been to the French concession? Is it any good? I think the Bund is ok, and a few modern buildings here and there, but I want to see 'authentic' old architecture.
Yes, things seems more expensive than in BJ, and no frigging central heater. If it's too cold, the wall-mounted aircon doesn't work. What a joke.
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” (Stuart Chase)
Male bean counter looking for job in China.
toby-BJ
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
I agree I might've made some incorrect observations, but I'll stand my ground on the buses and stations.
I'm a big fan of public transportation, and BJ's bus system is very efficient. Shanghai's is just not. They had this whole long stretch of area where if you were standing too far away, the bus will leave you, even if you try to run after it. You're standing way too far because there are no marked areas which bus will alight where.
About the dirty streets, I'm not kidding. I know it's not spic-and-span clean here in BJ. However, in Shanghai, you see big garbage like plastic bags, styrophore, etc. At least in BJ, I don't see those.
I also notice people in Shanghai throw here and there. I also see those in BJ, but BJ-ers throw little stuff like small papers/tickets, cigarette butts. But Shanghainese literally throw on the street their dabao bags, etc, which shocks me.
Actually, when I got to Shanghai, you know what first came into my mind? I thought I was in MANILA!! LOL
autumn_sun
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Yet another useful post.
Starved for attention, eh?
All Pandas Should Hang
otto
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
looks like you're the insecure starved for attention one.
now go take your dirtnap, you nasty little sh*t
"Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
seabreeze98
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Where was that? Apart from maybe the SH Railway station area I can't remember much garbage on the street. The xiaoqu, just like in BJ, have their small garbage building where you throw your stuffs instead of leaving them on the street.
I've not used the bus much there, so can't comment.
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” (Stuart Chase)
Male bean counter looking for job in China.
toby-BJ
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Uhmm...on the streets that we were walking on. hehe
I also noted that the locals in Shanghai are less gentlemanly than here in BJ. They don't care if an old lady/man is already standing in front of them, even if where they're actually sitting is supposed to be for the elderly. Hello!!
coffeeandtea
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
I wanna know what Watson thinks of this thread
autumn_sun
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
You are old enough to care??
All Pandas Should Hang
Muji
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Don't really know about shanghai, just feel it's no difference from other big cities
bcomplex
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Beijing is grimey - much better than Shanghai
CNlady
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
I really like shanghai, there're some really cool bars/lounges/cafes.
Black, White, Yellow... don't we all have red blood?!! ...or blue occasionally -- in women's TV ads...
deZine
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
BJ Vs Shanghai (THERE IS NO COMPETITION)
1> Most awesome buildings (ever been to Xijiahui area?) - hate the freakin hutongs and the like. I think CBD area in Chaoyang park, etc is the closest to ever being a match for SH buildings.
2> Much better looking / dressed / behaved people (laowai and locals both)
3> The Subway!!
4> The AIR. I can BREATHE when I get off @ the Shanghai airport.
5> MUCH better bars / clubs / restaurants. - overall experience
6> The Bund.
7> Roads / Traffic is way better than here. More cars, but faster travel, smoother roads.
8> Its the shiznit !!!!!!!!!!!!!! :twisted:
I wanna chew up some reviews!
jensun5
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Yeah, because you have started what interesting topics?
I love it when peolple complain about the posts yet have never done one themselves.
Dumbass
Stopping at third base adds no more runs than striking out.
seabreeze98
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
BJ Vs Shanghai (THERE IS NO COMPETITION)
1> Most awesome buildings (ever been to Xijiahui area?) - hate the freakin hutongs and the like. I think CBD area in Chaoyang park, etc is the closest to ever being a match for SH buildings.
There are hutongs in Shanghai, although they call them by a different name. If you leave Xujiahui and the Bund, same crappy unfancied buildings all over town.
2> Much better looking / dressed / behaved people (laowai and locals both)
Orly? Not too sure about that. Seen plenty of laowai and locals (or are they waidiren?) not so well dressed. And yes, that would include me also when I am there. :D
3> The Subway!! :D
Tried taking line 4? A wait of maybe 10mins for the next one. The subway's crammed just like in BJ. Tiring to do the line changes, as you need to walk a lot. SH Railway metro station -- you actually need to buy another ticket when changing from line 1, just like for line 13 in BJ)
4> The AIR. I can BREATHE when I get off @ the Shanghai airport.
True. Although you don't see the blue sky a lot in SH, the air is better than BJ. But it friggin rain so often.
5> MUCH better bars / clubs / restaurants. - overall experience
No idea. Not been to enough of them to speak on this.
6> The Bund.
Touristic trap, with the people trying to sell you roses and everybody trying to get a picture of them with the Bund in the background. You should try the Pudong side of the Bund, better. Oh, and the pedestrian Nanjing East rd? Try being there after 9pm. Calls of 'massagee, beautiful girls sir, just try sir, etc'
7> Roads / Traffic is way better than here. More cars, but faster travel, smoother roads.
Not in the Xujiahui/Huahai lu area. But I agree, much better traffic than in BJ. No idea how they achieve this.
8> Its the shiznit !!!!!!!!!!!!!! :twisted:
If u say so.
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” (Stuart Chase)
Male bean counter looking for job in China.
seabreeze98
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” (Stuart Chase)
Male bean counter looking for job in China.
seabreeze98
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
Shiiiite, after dinner took a cab from Huaihai lu, dropped a friend around Zhongshan Park, then got back to my hotel room.... 80-90rmb. Friggin expensive.
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.” (Stuart Chase)
Male bean counter looking for job in China.
xwgn09
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
once i meet a guy come from India,who did not know china so much ,but he keep on saying shanghai is so so great,beautiful .,..for his opinion,hehe,
MrTang
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
some one kill xwgn09 please.
Im a f-ing Idiot.
eastofeton
Re: I Didn't Like Shanghai :(
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