After a long flight across the pond, we finally arrived at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport. Our overnight layover in Shanghai allowed us just enough time to visit the Bund. Although touristy, this riverwalk deserves a spot on your bucket list for the people watching alone. And food? Yes, please! We sailed through customs, and we were on our way.
Financial Fiasco
Before leaving the airport terminal, I reached down to confirm that I had everything important in hand. Passport, check! Currency, check! Credit card …where is my credit card?
With a pit in my stomach, I slowly accepted that I lost my primary credit card.
At the time, I thought I left it in the ATM. Nope! This little card managed to slip into a tiny tear inside the lining of my bag and hid there for several months before I found it by chance. This experience underscored an important travel lesson–bring multiple methods of payment!
The Cab Crash Pay Off
After this little financial fiasco, we grabbed a cab and headed towards the hotel. Our driver quickly pulled away as we put on our seatbelts. Correction. We attempted to put on our seatbelts. Much to our dismay, this taxi did not have two functioning belts in the back seat.
Just after we realized the seatbelts were broken, we crashed into the car next to us.
Both cars came to a slow stop, and I let out a deep sigh of relief. We had no injuries and sustained only minor damage. Our driver’s emotions, however, got the best of him as he leapt from the car. These two drivers argued so loudly that, for just a moment, we thought they might turn to blows.
Our driver suddenly threw the car door open and angrily pulled a huge stack of cash from the glove box. He paid the guy off right there on the spot. A few minutes later, we arrived at our hotel.
Shanghai On The Bund
We pulled up to the Waldorf Astoria, and I immediately appreciated the neoclassical architecture of this grand hotel. Walking through the marble entryway, we quickly located the reception desk for check in. Our attendant confirmed that our Chase points covered the entire cost of our room and shared a second bit of good news. I received a free room upgrade to the King Luxury River Suite.
Ahh yes, let the vacation begin!
Strolling the Bund Promenade
As we looked across the Huangpu river from the Bund, towering skyscrapers consumed the horizon. Through our panoramic view of Pudong, we observed the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jinmao Tower and the World Financial Center. Before walking north towards the Huangpu Park, we paused to watch cruise ships, ferry boats and cargo ships pass.
Panoramic view of Pudong
Continuing our stroll down the promenade, we wandered through the gardens of Huangpu Park and stopped at Shanghai’s Monument to the People’s Heroes. We arrived a bit too late in the evening to tour the Bund History Museum, which sits just underneath the monument.
Monument to the People’s Heroes
Dining at Lost Heaven
We worked up an appetite while walking along the promenade, so we stopped at Lost Heaven for a bite to eat. This warm, romantic restaurant serves up Yunnan folk cuisine. Our host guided us to our table as we regarded the dark wood floors, tapestries and dramatic red lanterns.
Now seated in ornate wooden chairs, we perused the rather extensive menu. We ordered taro spring rolls, rice cakes and Yunnan style hot & spicy tofu. We quickly devoured our crispy spring rolls, which were stuffed with taro and arrived hot and fresh. Our rice cakes, similar to thick noodle slices, brought a wonderful chewy texture to our stir fry. We waited a long time, however, for our tofu to arrive. Despite the perfectly spicy flavor of this dish, it wasn’t quite worth the wait.
Crispy Taro Spring Rolls at Lost Heaven
Embracing Shanghai’s Magic
With a hearty meal under our belts, we returned to the promenade. While beautiful by day, Shanghai’s Bund waterfront is absolute magic at night. Vibrant colors permeated the skyscrapers of Pudong sending a rainbow of reflection into the river. At night, the radiant Oriental Pearl Tower stole the show. Ships of the Huangpu river got in on the act, as they competed for our attention with their own maritime light displays.
Magical night on the Bund.
After taking in this incredible light show, we headed back to the Waldorf Astoria. Our brief layover in Shanghai left us longing to spend more time in China. The next morning, we bid Shanghai farewell and continued our journey.
