The restaurant recommended by the best friend group, "Lao Ji Shi", is located near the Wukang Building. We have visited Wukang Road and happened to come here for dinner and rest. Calculating to arrive at the restaurant after 5 o'clock, there shouldn't be any need to book a table in advance. By then, through the small storefront, we had already seen several tables densely packed inside. The person in charge considered it and asked us to go up to the second floor for dinner, even reminding us to hurry up and eat. The space inside the restaurant is narrow, the lighting is dim, and the stairs are steep and narrow. The tables are next to the tables, and the chairs are next to the chairs. The seats are already full, with only the staircase facing a small table for us, leaving us with no other choice. In addition to the must order Braised pork belly with brown sauce, we also ordered salted chicken with cheese, braised water bamboo in oil, and Rolls of dried bean milk creams mushrooms. The staple food is noodles mixed with scallion oil. The Braised pork belly is too sweet and greasy. Try one or two pieces; Salted chicken truly lives up to its name, it's too salty. The dishes fully reflect the characteristics of Shanghai Benbang's "thick oil and red sauce". When you first come to Shanghai, you should always try the authentic Shanghai Benbang restaurants recommended by locals and selected on the Shanghai must eat list. The price is slightly expensive.

Zhouzhuang

There are many ancient towns in Jiangnan water towns, and Zhouzhuang, one of the six major ancient towns, has its unique position. Zhouzhuang is located in Kunshan City, Suzhou City, southeast of Suzhou City, separated from Shanghai by more than 70 kilometers. It has a history of over 900 years and is one of the first 5A scenic spots in the country. Renting a car for self driving is convenient. After driving for an hour, we arrived at Zhouzhuang. There are multiple parking lots and multiple routes into the ancient town in Zhouzhuang, and you can freely visit along the river.

There are various ways to visit the ancient town, such as taking a boat and having a water town dream. Instead of choosing to take a boat, we stroll along the riverbank and walk through the streets and alleys. The rectification of Zhouzhuang is a picturesque water town with a small bridge, flowing water, and a family. The environment is elegant and the architecture is ancient. The ancient town is crisscrossed by waterways, and the old buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties were built along the river. Surrounded by water on all sides, the character "well" forms the charm of the water town. With rivers and streets, there must be bridges. Zhouzhuang has many bridges, which is one of its characteristics. The most famous bridges, Yong'an Bridge and Shide Bridge, also known as Shuangqiao, are well-known in the works of painter Chen Yifei. The two bridges are located one horizontally and one vertically, with one side and one circle of the bridge opening, making them a scenic spot that photography enthusiasts and tourists will never miss.

Along the streets and alleys, there are various restaurants and small shops standing on both sides. The Suzhou embroidery fan, Wansanti, and silk clothing are quite unique to Zhouzhuang. Without any purchase plans, people cannot help but stop and admire them. The legendary "Ten Thousand Three Hooves" is undoubtedly the most beautiful scenery. From parking the car and looking around, to the streets and alleys of Zhouzhuang Ancient Town, sales are everywhere. Wansanti and Wansanjizi are representatives of Zhouzhuang cuisine. Glossy and glossy, with exquisite packaging, prominently displayed in the store.

The commercial genius Shen Wansan's Shen Hall, Zhang Hall, and many former residences have added cultural heritage to Zhouzhuang. Shenting Hall and Zhangting Hall are indeed magnificent. The courtyards and carved beams and painted rafters that have entered one by one are exquisitely carved. The decorations and pendants inside are also art treasures that are respected by modern aesthetics. The spirit of craftsmanship from the past is truly worth appreciating and learning from.

We walked around and felt a bit tired, and happened to find the "Wansan Restaurant" we saw in Dianping. The restaurant is built along the river, and the two-story attic allows you to enjoy the scenery of the small bridge and flowing water while resting. The group buying package is affordable and includes a must order order of 10000 cubic feet from Zhouzhuang, as well as steamed white silk fish, silver fish stir fried eggs, and river clam tofu soup. The three of them ate just right.

Luo Guanzhong, a painter, once commented that "Mount Huangshan Mountain is the beauty of China's mountains and rivers, and Zhouzhuang Village is the beauty of China's water town." Although his personal aesthetic views are different, the beauty of Zhouzhuang cannot be concealed.

In the afternoon, when we returned to Shanghai, there were few cars and the road was flat. It was still early to see the time, so we decided to take a brief stroll before returning to the hotel to rest. We chose a nearby major venue and the Sinan Mansion. The new red gray brick building is a major venue and memorial hall, serving as a demonstration base for patriotic education. Visitors come in groups of three or two, making it a great choice for taking photos and checking in. Sinan Mansion, located on Sinan Road, is a renovated cluster of historical buildings with cafes, hotels, flower shops, and more, combining fashion and history. The parking fees in the center of Shanghai are so expensive!

For dinner, I went to another restaurant recommended by my best friend group - Ruifuyuan Friendship Restaurant. Learn from yesterday's lesson and make a reservation by phone. It's after seven o'clock, so I waited for a while. I directly ordered a few pre planned dishes: snail stuffed meat, crab roe tofu, gluten, seasonal roasted bran, salad, crab roe stir fried buns, and a table full of sweet and sour pork ribs that I have been thinking about, which are said to have been sold out long ago. Having a full dinner, please console the elderly who have worked hard all day.

One day must visit within Greater Shanghai

During my trip to Shanghai many years ago, I lost my photos and left few in my memory. Xiaolongbao in Chenghuang Temple is an unforgettable impression. Chenghuang Temple and Yu Garden are the must see places in the city of Shanghai. Today's trip, we will not travel far, but visit the city.

Chenghuang Temple and Yu Garden are not far away from each other. They are both in a large area - Chenghuang Temple Tourist Area and Yu Garden Shopping Mall. It is said that many people know about Yu Garden, but they only visit the commercial area of Yu Garden Mall, and do not really enter Yu Garden. The Yu Garden Shopping Mall is very large and can be accessed from all directions. It is a large area integrating sightseeing, shopping and food.

The Chenghuang Temple is a Taoist temple built in the Ming Dynasty. It has a history of more than 600 years. The temple is not large. Inside, incense sticks are very strong. Cigarettes are curling up. There is a free place to get incense at the entrance. Three columns of light smoke are a little token of our intention. May everything go well.

Yu Garden is the place where the whole tourist area takes the quiet from the noisy. The bustling market without commercial shops is a unique garden in the water town of Jiangnan. It was built during the Jiajing and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of four to five hundred years. The park is surrounded by pavilions and towers, rockeries and real stones, winding along the corridor. The trees are lush, and the pool water is lush and deep.

Although it is late autumn, the weather in Jiangnan is still warm, with lush trees and a vibrant atmosphere. It is precisely because it is late autumn that the fragrance of osmanthus wafts in waves, bringing refreshing joy to the heart.

After circling around the Jiuqu Bridge, I entered another important theme: tasting big and small bags. Some of the steamed buns in Shanghai are for eating and some are for drinking.

The soup filling bags in Green Wave Corridor are expensive at 25 yuan per piece, but the queue is long and short, with a constant flow. The steamed buns, larger than the palm of the hand, are soft and soft. They are placed on a plate and carefully carried as they walk. The skin is thin, and the soup inside sways with the pace of walking, as if it is about to burst out at any moment. We were lucky enough to find a bench nearby and sat down to eat. When I was reading the guide before, I had to stand and squat to eat from person to person. It seems like the off-season is better! When eating, you should also be very particular. First, use a straw to open a small hole on the bun to dissipate the heat inside. The soup will flow into the plate along the small hole, and the plate must be held steady, otherwise it will flow down the thin paper plate, covering the ground with oil stains around it as a reminder. After drinking the soup, there are no more fillings left and there is nothing delicious about the steamed buns. Considering the expensive portion of the buns, we cannot waste them. It was almost noon, and we wanted to have lunch at the Green Wave Corridor. The queue entering the restaurant formed a long line with a bend at the entrance, but we gave up decisively. Turning around several shops, we came to the queue of Nanxiang Xiaolongbao. In the past 20 years, one of the few vague memories is to queue up at this corner to buy Xiaolongbao. I bought two drawers and packed them back to the hotel to rest.

In the evening, we set off again and headed towards Nanjing Road. Our sumptuous feast tonight was chosen at Guimanlong on Nanjing Road. It's still early, and we had a good afternoon rest. We decided to take a stroll on Nanjing Road first, and then eat Guimanlong.

Nanjing Road, known as the ceiling of a pedestrian street in China, is lined with shops on both sides. Looking ahead, modern architecture and European style old buildings blend together. A century old department store, as well as a new type of shopping center, with various restaurants, small shops, and food shops everywhere. Old Shanghai Snow Cream occupies a dominant position in regional souvenir gifts. The shop lightboxes are crisscrossing and shining brightly.

Gui Man Long, a Hangzhou restaurant, did not disappoint me. The ancient West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce, boiled dried shredded fish, and Sauteed Shrimps are all classic. The brown sugar Ma Ci and dry fried Stinky tofu are also delicious snacks, and the dishes are exquisite and beautiful. Beijing's Gui Man Long has been thinking about not being able to travel, and Shanghai has finally satisfied my taste buds.

After dinner, I walked into Nanjing Road again, where the colorful lights lit up and various light boxes flickered, creating a unique atmosphere that showcased the prosperity and fashion of Shanghai.

Chongming Island 2-day tour

Chongming Island is the third largest island in China after Taiwan and Hainan, and has become increasingly familiar in recent years. It is the backyard of short-term vacations for Shanghai residents. Especially the construction of underwater tunnels and cross sea bridges has brought it closer to Shanghai, making it very convenient for self driving.

Chongming Island is very large, with scattered places for sightseeing, mainly divided into two large areas: east and west. We first arrived at the Xisha Wetland Park and Mingzhu Lake Scenic Area located at the westernmost end of Chongming Island. Along the way, Chongming Island is so big, with fewer cars and people, a beautiful environment, and fresh air. The road is very new, with countryside and fields on both sides, without tall buildings. Driving on the road, there are high-speed fences on both sides, and the occasional traffic lights remind us that this is a road, not a highway.

Entering Xisha Wetland Park, looking ahead, there is a vast wetland with plenty of water, neatly arranged with large trees. The roots of the trees are rooted in the wetland, the trunks are straight, and the leaves are lush. We followed the wooden boardwalk towards the depths of the scenic area, and the towering trees gradually transformed into large reeds. Walking through the reeds, the boardwalk was winding and winding. Seeing that there was no way ahead, we turned a corner and saw another long boardwalk. The fresh air and refreshing plant scent make people forget the fatigue of walking. The most active crab in the wetland is undoubtedly the little crab, much more so than those seen digging sand holes on the beach. I don't know the variety, and even after reading the introduction, I didn't remember it. Anyway, it's not the hairy crab or swimming crab that I often see. Looking casually into the wetland, there were the figures of little crabs rushing forward and forth. A small cave is the happy home of little crabs. This size, according to Chef Li's standards, should be suitable for making drunken crabs. Tired of walking, there is a small pavilion in the middle of the boardwalk for tourists to rest. The picture introduces the top ten wetlands in the world. At the end of the boardwalk, it is just a stone's throw away from the Yangtze River. Leaning against the railing for a distant view, feeling relaxed.

Xisha Mingzhu Lake is an independent scenic area located three kilometers away from the wetland park. Here, we choose to take an electric scooter to tour around the lake. The eight kilometer path around the lake is picturesque, with cars shuttling between lakes, forests, and wetlands, making us feel like outsiders rushing in. Every man-made landscape is destroying its original natural beauty.

We got off the electric scooter at the nearest parking spot to the gate and first plunged into the pink grass to take photos. Pink and Daisy Grass, I have seen it in several parks and scenic spots in recent years. The climate here is so vast that we can't help but immerse ourselves in the bushes and take various photos. In the midst of lush greenery, pink always brings stunning photos.

Coming out of Mingzhu Lake, we wanted to find a place around the scenic area for lunch. At this moment, we felt the depression and desolation of the off-season, and several scattered farmhouse restaurants were all closed. I had to go to another scenic spot first - Dongping Forest Park. Fortunately, there was a restaurant at the entrance of the scenic area, not a farmhouse, but a type of restaurant operated by the hotel. We caught up with the last table before the chef finished work at 2:30 and ordered a few simple dishes. After a while, two more guests arrived and were informed that the chef had already finished work. I am secretly grateful that we arrived on time. Here, I tasted a small cold dish called Golden Melon, which is sour, sweet and refreshing.

Entering Dongping Forest Park once again deepened my first impression of Chongming Island scenic area, it's so big! From all directions, there are endless beautiful scenery and empty paths. We decided to follow the entrance and choose a small area nearby for sightseeing.

The trees are lush, the air is fresh, and there are many types of ornamental flowers and plants. The autumn color is just beginning, and the colors are colorful. There are many amusement projects and signs in the flower garden, as well as tips for the barbecue area. Thinking about it, in this natural forest oxygen bar, it is also a good enjoyment to wander freely with family and friends for a few days.

This small area has already made my legs sink.

We are visiting Chongming Island from west to east, with Dongping Forest Park located in the middle and the reserved holiday hotel nearby. I didn't plan what to eat in advance, so I found a restaurant with good reviews that was already full. The Bayi Road Pedestrian Street is like the center of a small town, with some shops and restaurants. We ordered KFC and went back to the hotel to rest, rewarding ourselves with a chocolate ice cream. It was our first self driving trip of over two hours from Shanghai to Chongming Island.

On the second day of Chongming Island, visit the Dongtan Wetland Park located at the easternmost end of the island, at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

In the wetland mudflat, the flower beds with colorful flowers are dazzling. In the pool, lotus leaves are green, but the lotus has fallen. The electric scooter took us to the depths of the scenic area, and we walked along the boardwalk. The Gesang flowers on both sides were charming and charming, walking into the depths of the Hundred Flowers. No matter how we took photos, they were all beautiful. The windmill cabin among the flowers brings a fairy tale longing. By the pond, there are captive ducks and geese chirping, adding vitality to the beautiful scenery. Dongtan Wetland Park is a necessary route for migratory birds and a wintering ground for waterfowl. Bird watching and photography tips can be seen everywhere in the scenic area. Unfortunately, the season we came to is not suitable.

Shanghai, History and Modernity

Back to Shanghai! Passing through tunnels and bridges, traveling smoothly all the way.

Our hotel today is located on Nanjing East Road, which is very close to the Bund. The two restaurants I was thinking about before were both near the hotel. The good location comes at the cost of inconvenient parking, and the hotel is surrounded by no traffic. Maybe we don't know the navigation yet. We turned around the hotel a few times, but we couldn't enter in any direction. I finally found a parking lot in a nearby small street, 24 hours a day, 120 yuan, so expensive! But there is no other choice!

Entering the hotel, a faint aroma rushed towards you, bringing joy and relaxation to your mood. We put down our bags and walked out of the hotel to solve the lunch problem first. The large pot of Chunsheng pan recommended by my best friend is located near the hotel. We walked over and it was already past one o'clock in the afternoon, but the restaurant still had a lot of diners in small groups. We ordered a portion of each of the three classic fillings: fresh meat, shrimp, and crab roe. Dip in a little vinegar, the outer skin is crispy and not hard, and the filling is delicious and sufficient without being greasy. After returning, my husband and I evaluated it as the best fried bun I have ever had. Moreover, it is affordable and the price is absolutely affordable. Just now, my mouth was in a hurry. After finishing my meal and going out to take a closer look, I realized that there were many honors hanging at the door: Chinese Famous Snacks, Chinese Gold Medal Snacks, Huangpu District Intangible Cultural Heritage, Shanghai Top 100 Gold Medal Snacks, Michelin on the list, Dianping on the list, all hanging on a wall.

Passing through a short alley, you arrived at the Bund.

The Bund is definitely a representative of Greater Shanghai. Many years ago, in movies and TV dramas, the appearance of Shanghai was inevitably brought in by the clock architecture of the Shanghai Customs Building. The diverse architectural styles of the world tell the history of Shanghai. Looking up, the landmark of the three piece set in Lujiazui across the street showcases the modernity and fashion of Greater Shanghai. While enjoying and walking along the Huangpu River, we arrived at Chen Yi Square. Chen Yi once served as the first mayor of Shanghai, and his statue stood heroically on the Bund Square.

The Bund is bustling with tourists, but it's much better than the peak season scenery I've seen before, and there's no feeling of overcrowding. Taking photos can also be relatively easy to capture, without the need for large group photos. Unfortunately, the weather is not good, the black paint is not transparent, and the photos are not beautiful.

I saw the famous Peace Hotel. This century old historic building is a representative landmark of the Bund's historic architectural complex and is listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit. Frequently appearing in movies and TV dramas, the mysterious legend of the Peace Hotel has never stopped.

Passing through the Peace Hotel, wow, our Jinjiang Capital Hotel is right next to it. When booking, I only noticed that it was more convenient to go to a few planned restaurants, but unexpectedly, I became neighbors with the Peace Hotel.

Taking advantage of the short time spent resting at the hotel, I went to buy butterfly pastry from an international restaurant recommended by my best friend. There is a sales agency nearby that doesn't require long queues, it's just a bit more expensive. Butterfly crispy pastry is bigger than the palm of your hand, with a milky aroma that fills the air. The sweet and creamy taste makes one cannot help but move their mouth and quickly taste it. You must be careful when eating, as the residue will fall all over the ground.

The hotel had a rest and set out again in the evening. In the afternoon, we could not wait to walk into Nanjing Road and cross it to eat "old man Sauteed Shrimps in oil". The hotel is located on East Nanjing Road. When you go out, you can see the Oriental Pearl TV Tower Tower on the left and Nanjing Road on the right.

It is absolutely possible for a restaurant to think about a city. I like Hangzhou and have been there many times. Since I have eaten the "old man Sauteed Shrimps in oil" recommended by my colleagues, I will have a big meal every time I go to Hangzhou. On this trip, I almost arranged a one-day trip to Hangzhou because of the "old man Sauteed Shrimps in oil". Later on, I found out that there was one near the hotel I had booked in Shanghai, and I was extremely excited. I have checked multiple times and there is no branch in Beijing. I think that if the "old man Sauteed Shrimps in oil" opened a shop in Beijing, I would definitely become its VVIP.

Stepping into Nanjing Road again. The stall of the old Shanghai snow cream was placed in a small pavilion in the middle of the road, and every time I passed by, I would be warmly called over to try it out. These days, this old Chinese product can be seen everywhere, with a faint fragrance of jasmine and osmanthus, which is my favorite. I am not a travel novice. I immediately placed an order online and delivered it to my home.

"Old man Sauteed Shrimps" has not been seen for a long time. Classic must order dishes: Sauteed Shrimps in oil, dried fried hairtail, West Lake lotus root rhyme, shrimps, tender sweet beans, and bread. It's delicious and satisfying. It seems that you have come to the West Lake again.

The night on the Bund is incredibly lively. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower Tower is changing colors from time to time, and lights of various colors flicker on the major buildings, making people noisy. The entrance and exit of the Bund has been changed to one-way access, and the police are maintaining order. If you want to take a photo in a good location, you have to queue up and squeeze in. So much so that I remembered a word "trample"!

I will leave Shanghai and return to Beijing today. It's drizzling outside, with a cloudy sky. We can't waste this precious morning time, having a casual breakfast at the hotel and setting off again towards the Bund. After leaving the hotel, the rain stopped unexpectedly, and only light gray and dark gray clouds drifted back and forth. This character explosion was too proud. Compared to yesterday's murky sky, today's photo has a much better effect. There were very few people on the Bund, and only a few were seen, forming a sharp contrast to last night's bustle. Taking photos casually and occupying a large area of space is too luxurious!

Walk across the Garden Bridge of Shanghai, find the place where the group of friends take photos when they come to play, and punch in. Without comparison, there is no harm. The blue sky and white clouds during the summer vacation are really beautiful. The Garden Bridge of Shanghai is not long, but about 100 meters long. The all steel silvery white bridge has a history of 100 years. It is also a common location for films and TV dramas before. Cross the Garden Bridge of Shanghai, walk to the Bund source area, walk back along the alley, and witness the history of exotic historic sites everywhere, thick and deep, tough and elegant. After returning home, my husband once asked me what impressed me the most on this trip. I said, "It's an old building in Shanghai that I can't see enough to calm my heart." As someone who loves mountains, rivers, and natural scenery, I didn't expect this answer myself.

At noon, have lunch early. I absolutely cannot leave any regrets to eat Yuxingji's crab noodles and shrimp noodles. Luxury and satisfaction. Squirrel fish in the group purchase set meal made up for my regret of choosing between Guimanlong West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce and Squirrel Mandarin Fish. This trip, the food was perfect, and we couldn't miss any of the planned delicacies!

After more than four hours of returning on the high-speed rail, we are starting to refine our itinerary for next month!

October 2023