Most Americans picture Shanghai as a skyline—but being inside the city feels completely different than the photos. In this episode, I share my first impressions of Shanghai during my recent trip to China, from the energy outside Yu Garden to quiet moments that made me stop and reflect on how wide the world really is. Standing in the middle of a crowded marketplace halfway across the globe, I found myself thinking about the life paths we see growing up—and the ones we don’t even realize are possible yet.

I also talk about the moments that stayed with me most: a man quietly praying at a temple, couples dancing together in a public park, and the surprising sense of safety I felt exploring the city alone. Along the way, I share practical travel tips—from the apps that made navigating China easier to experiences like the Shanghai Observatory and a nighttime river cruise. This episode is a look at the human side of Shanghai—the small moments between the famous landmarks that make a place truly memorable.

Episode Highlights

[00:00] – I introduce Shanghai and explain why the city feels very different once you’re actually there.

[01:05] – Standing outside Yu Garden, I reflect on how traveling later in life changed the way I see the world and the paths we think are available to us.

[05:03] – A powerful moment at Jing’an Temple where I watched a man quietly pray and leave with tears in his eyes.

[06:41] – I visit Peace Park, where older couples gather to dance, socialize, and enjoy life after raising their families.

[07:30] – Exploring different neighborhoods in Shanghai—from luxury shopping streets to quiet historic Shikumenalleyways.

[09:23] – My experience walking alone around Shanghai and why the city felt surprisingly safe for solo travel.

[10:00] – Visiting the Shanghai Observatory and taking in a 360-degree view of the city from the 118th floor.

[11:00] – A nighttime Huangpu River cruise reveals the dramatic contrast between the historic Bund and the futuristic skyline of Pudong.

[11:40] – Practical travel tips: the essential apps that made navigating China easier, including WeChat, Alipay, Didi, and translation tools.

Links and Resources

This episode is sponsored by China Eastern Airlines, who supported my travel for this journey. You can learn more about their routes and destinations at us.ceair.com.

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