Savoring the Treasures of Grand Shanghai in Post-Pandemic Travel Life

life is beautiful

Perhaps it's the greatest hope for tomorrow right now

Music is lively, melodies catchy

A flowing, beautiful tune – life is so wonderful

Wedding dances, New Year dreams

Toasts among friends, a warrior's triumphant return

Faith and hope stretch on and on

A shooting star crosses a blue sky and clear sea

In the post-pandemic era, we protect our families

And continue to live a beautiful life

If you smile to life, life will smile to you.

One of the meanings of travel is probably to give you more firsts and unexpected beautiful scenery. This time, Lady Azi wants to talk about the most familiar and fashionable metropolis, Shanghai. Here is a gathering place for the elite, yet every corner exudes a romantic sentiment of luxury and petty bourgeoisie. It's a super cozy staycation spot that will make you linger...

Let's savor the essence and charm of the Magic City together

Take a leisurely walk toward the warmth of the sun

Toward the scenery

And experience the happiness of "slow travel"

No matter how far you travel, you always return to the starting point

You must take the first step to walk through that narrow door

On a day when the scenery is just right

One flower, one world, in romantic times

A Duolun Road, a hundred years of Shanghai

Spring on Duolun Road still dances with tree shadows, the road is clean, and the wind blows from the street corners.

The statues of literary celebrities along the road make you feel close to those literary masters. Back then, they gathered here like clouds; now, they leave behind endless reflection and memories.

The road is no more than 550 meters long, but it winds and twists, quiet and secluded. The pavement is made of cobblestones, and the click of high heels is especially crisp here.

In the 1920s and 30s, a large number of cultural figures like Lu Xun, Qu Qiubai, Mao Dun, and Ye Shengtao once lived here.

Shanyin Road – getting close to the flavor of Lu Xun

"Shanyin" was once the name of Shaoxing, and "On Shanyin Road" is often described by old literati.

At the intersection once stood the Uchiyama Bookstore; unfortunately, it's now an ICBC bank, with only a sign on the wall marking it as a place Lu Xun frequented.

Shanyin Road is a small, down-to-earth lane, like a girl next door quietly growing up in the alley, never pushing herself forward or seeking attention. Then one day, you suddenly see that pure beauty, serene and poised, yet graceful.

This is a quiet residential area, its small buildings tucked away on the edge of the bustling city, seeming to have solidified into memories for passersby to savor.

The former residence of the master (Lu Xun) is inside Lane 132.

Sinan Road – the true expression of Shanghai

Walking through Shanghai's bustling streets, desire fills the air. Yet with just a small turn, you arrive at a lovely road, quiet and tranquil, full of stories... The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Zhou Enlai Residence are both here.

In early spring, the large plane trees on both sides stretch out their tender leaves, the sunlight filtering through – it satisfies me, almost like an artistic, petite bourgeois vibe.

Drifting further along, you see houses with unusual architectural styles. Shanghai's history, though short, makes you feel at ease.

In my eyes, it is a romantic, elegant, charming street.

If you walk along Sinan Road, you'll find garden villas of all styles lining both sides: English, French, Spanish...

Each stands independently, with exquisite black cast-iron balconies, Baroque-style carved round windows, cobblestone-clad walls, and spacious, open gardens in front, so very quiet...

You can lose your heart with your sweetheart on Tian'ai Road

In the area around Shanyin Road, there is a small lane parallel to it called Tian'ai Road (Sweet Love Road).

A unique sense of silence and a leisurely mood pervades the place. The road is flanked by walls, blocking the view, and two rows of dense dawn redwoods add a touch of mystery.

It's known as Shanghai's "most romantic" road. When I walked there, there were few people. A Shanghai auntie specially told me to go to the end of the road, where there is a special love mailbox.

Every letter dropped from this heart-shaped mailbox gets stamped with an English "love" postmark. Take a photo or send a letter, savoring a moment of love and romance to keep as a lasting memento.

The Bund – the intersection of prosperity and vicissitudes

Strolling along the Bund, this path once trodden by boatmen and laborers, after over a hundred years of construction, is now lined with high-rises and bustling with traffic and people.

The steel-and-concrete buildings of the Bund silently recount the dreamlike prosperous tales of old Shanghai.

The essence of the Bund lies in these architectural complexes, known as the "Exposition of World Architecture."

Standing here are 52 classical revival buildings of various styles, proudly called the Bund's World Architecture Expo. It was the financial center and a hub for foreign trade organizations in old Shanghai, and today, there are also many art galleries to explore.

There's a trendy hotel here, the Shanghai Edition, a must-visit. From London, New York, Miami, Barcelona, Bodrum, to Sanya, and now the Magic City, the Edition brand has ascended to the ranks of the world's top luxury hotels in just 16 years.

The "street-style" icon of global hospitality

A "palace" where celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Liu Wen stay

The 7th worldwide, the 2nd in China

It's located in the Nanjing East Road commercial district, at the very starting point of the "No. 1 Commercial Street in China," Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, just a 5-minute walk from the Bund.

Around the hotel is a bustling commercial area, but one turn takes you to the city's lively local life, with old Shanghai's neighborhood scenes right before your eyes.

The hotel's greatest feature is the mix of old and new, luxury and simplicity. Inside the old architectural frame, a fashionable interior structure is born, creating a dramatic space.

It has gradually become a trendy landmark in Shanghai. Enjoy a meal and a stay, and the flavor of the Magic City will slowly seep in.

Nearly 70% of the hotel's space is designed as social shared spaces. The guest rooms are clean and minimalist, with simple design – all-wood walls paired with soft carpets, warm and comfortable.

A touch of understated style, with natural materials like wood, cotton, linen, and the signature white gauze curtains. The feeling of coming home, completely relaxing.

Through floor-to-ceiling windows, you can feast on the breathtaking urban landscape of Shanghai and the Bund, with the Oriental Pearl Tower right in view.

The all-day dining restaurant Shanghai Tavern, which also serves breakfast, is led by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton.

The Japanese restaurant HIYA is the top photo spot in the hotel.

The stunning spiral staircase, a must for Instagram moments.

In addition to the spiral staircase, the restaurant's triangle windows and dormer windows are also great photo highlights, through which the exquisite view of the historic "Ten-Mile Yangchang" appears like a miniature painting.

The creative Chinese restaurant Canton Disco.

Gazing out at this modern, cosmopolitan city, the fusion of past and future, you savor the soul of the Edition.

Overlooking Shanghai's local life from the bustling Huangpu River

The dazzling podium building stands proudly by the Huangpu River

Only when you stand at the highest point

Can you see views you've never seen before

And experience moods you've never felt

If you want another place to experience the boundless charm of Greater Shanghai, then the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Shanghai Pudong is the one to choose. Standing by the Huangpu River, it looks out at the modern, skyscraper-filled Pudong, and also rises amidst the bustle to gaze at Shanghai's local life. If you want to climb high and enjoy the view in Shanghai, this is definitely the right place.

The hotel's architecture was designed by the same firm as the Burj Khalifa. Each space in the lobby is like ripples spreading after a pebble is thrown into a river, naturally positioned in the curved lobby space – quite magnificent.

The reception counter appears like a geometric sculpture, truly the choice of a luxury hotel. The furniture resembles boats of all sizes shuttling on a river, floating along.

The floor-to-ceiling windows that run through the atrium naturally invite light and shadows inside, and I absolutely love this lobby.

The reception area and executive lounge both exude luxury.

The guest rooms are elegantly and exquisitely designed, with a feeling of both modernity and classicism.

The entire room's design and coordination is both vibrant and stylish, yet classic and elegant.

The bathroom design also wins fans. Even the washbasin is specially designed higher than usual to prevent water splashing. Every detail feels heartwarming.

The hotel has a total of six dining venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, Chinese restaurant, western restaurant, tea lounge, bar, and rooftop bar, all crafted by the top Hong Kong design firm AB Concept.

The Hangar Kitchen on the second floor is the all-day dining restaurant, with culinary inspiration drawn from commercial cities around the world: Osaka, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Barcelona, Shanghai... It's as if you've entered one restaurant but embarked on a world food tour, enjoying global flavors all at once.

The Chinese restaurant Ling, specializing in classic Cantonese and Jiangzhe cuisine, blends Shanghai and French styles, creating a three-level dining area: Ling Gourmet, Ling Club, and Ling VUE, along with a tea lounge and rooftop bar to meet the diverse needs of guests.

Starting from the hotel, touch the pulse of a city, feel the vibrant atmosphere of Shanghai, and enjoy top-notch international service. Let's remember the happier things, thank those who bring color to our lives, and raise a glass to those celebratory moments...