Explore cultures, landscapes, and cuisines around the world.
Shanghai — futuristic skylines, ancient water towns, world-class food.
Pho, banh mi, Hai Van Pass motorbike rides and ancient alleyways.
Saigon — war history, bustling coffee culture, incredible street food scene. Walk the Cu Chi Tunnels by day, sip egg coffee in the Old Quarter at night.
Golden beaches meet the ancient lantern-lit town. The Hai Van Pass motorbike ride is legendary — coastal cliffs, ocean views, and hairpin turns.
Capital of northern Vietnam — the Old Quarter, West Lake, and Vietnam's egg coffee culture. Every street corner has a story.
Municipality of China · ~29 million people · Located on the Yangtze River Delta · Time zone UTC+8 · Best visited: Mar-May, Sep-Nov · Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY / ¥)
Shanghai's cuisine (沪菜 / Hu Cai) blends sweet-savory braising, delicate dumplings, and street food that defines the city's soul. Below is your curated guide to must-try dishes and where to find them.
| Dish | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| 小笼包 Xiaolongbao | Soup-filled steamed buns — the king of Shanghainese street food | Nanxiang Steamed Bun (豫园) 📍 |
| 生煎 Shengjian | Pan-fried bottom-crisp dumplings with pork gelatin center | Yang's Fry Dumpling (杨记生煎包) 📍 |
| 葱油拌面 Scallion Noodles | Savory scallion oil tossed with wheat noodles — simple perfection | Any neighborhood breakfast stall (any alley in the French Concession) |
| 红烧肉 Braised Pork | Sweet-savory pork belly braised in soy and star anise | Lao Zheng Xing (老正兴菜馆) 📍 |
| 大闸蟹 Hairy Crab | Autumn delicacy — steamed hairy crabs with ginger vinegar dip | Dadong Hairy Crab Restaurant (大王蟹餐厅) 📍 |
| Confucius Tofu 孔夫肉 | Soft tofu in savory gravy, named after Confucius | Shanghai Manjuelong (上海满觉蓉) 📍 |
🥟 Nanxiang Steamed Bun (南翔馒头店)
The original home of Xiaolongbao — Yu Garden's #1 landmark restaurant since 1900.
🥟 Yang's Fry Dumpling (杨记生煎包)
Best Shengjian — crispy bottom, juicy interior. Multiple branches across Shanghai.
🥟 Lao Zheng Xing (老正兴菜馆)
Century-old Shanghai restaurant — famous for sweet-savory braised pork and local cuisine.
🥟 Dadong Hairy Crab (大王蟹餐厅)
Autumn's king — Hairy Crabs steamed fresh, served with ginger vinegar dip. Multiple branches.
🥟 Shanghai Manjuelong (上海满觉蓉)
Hangzhou-style cuisine in Shanghai — signature Confucius Tofu & West Lake fish dishes.
The Bund (外滩)
Iconic waterfront promenade
Yu Garden (豫园)
Ming-dynasty classical garden
Pudong Skyline (浦东)
Shanghai Tower & Oriental Pearl
French Concession
Tree-lined streets & bistros
Getting Around: Metro has 20+ lines, ¥3-10. Get a Shanghai Yikatong transit card or use Metro Daduhui QR scanner.
Payments: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival. Link your foreign card. Small vendors don't accept cash.
Connectivity: Install Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps. Grab an eSIM for Google, WhatsApp access.
Visa: Most nationalities need a visa. 144-hour transit-free policy available for many countries.