Shared bikes, exploring Shanghai

#SignUpAprilHotelTester2025 Just landed back in Hong Kong, I can’t wait to record this very different trip to Shanghai. I never expected that in just 2 years, the whole city (the places I’ve been to) would improve so much. First, let me give you some bookmarks for spots to visit: 1. Senlan Lake Park (there’s a Hema Max there) 2. EKA - Tianwu 3. Lalaport 4. Qiantan Taikoo Li 5. SMP Shanghai Magnolia Plaza 6. Zhang Garden 7. Both sides of the Bund Greenway 8. Suzhou River Greenway Little tip: For shared bikes, it’s best to buy a multi-day unlimited pass, usually the first hour is free. As long as you return the bike and start again every hour, a multi-day pass costing just a few yuan is definitely enough for the above itinerary. The advantage of shared bikes is the freedom—you don’t have to wait for a bus, you can stop whenever you want, and you can reach many places that are usually inaccessible by subway or ride-hailing. The greenways in Shanghai are very pedestrian-friendly, usually separated from private cars, but at some intersections, be careful because vehicles turning left don’t have to wait for the light, so it’s necessary to slow down before the intersection. Safety first while having fun. For all the spots/malls above, I won’t stop you from exploring or taking photos; you can also do some more research online to make your trip smoother. As for food, since most of the transport this time was shared bikes, I passed by many unassuming local eateries. Just to share the price range, we ordered a portion of xiaolongbao, a portion of shengjianbao, a portion of potstickers, and a portion of small wontons, all totaling 32 yuan. The shop is family-run: the boss’s wife handles the dough, the boss makes the xiaolongbao, their son, probably around elementary school age, helps clean tables after school, and an older gentleman, maybe a grandfather, chats with customers and does some PR. You can completely trust the taste of these Shanghai dim sum. Please don’t compare them to familiar Hong Kong chains like Tong Kee or Bao Dim Sum, because if you haven’t tried these, you might not realize you’ve been eating junk for so long. How do they compare to Din Tai Fung or Jade Noodle Xiaolongbao? Small shops offer not just flavor but also warmth and local character. That’s priceless. This Shanghai trip, I never expected that after booking flights on Trip.com, I could spend so little and still enjoy so much, much more than before. I wonder what you all think about traveling like this? Let’s share and discuss!