Both my parents are Chinese: so, I am too. However, I was born in Canada, and have lived here my whole life. My sole connection to the Chinese culture is through my parents, in our celebrations and our customs. Although I have traveled to China many times over the course of my life (mostly to visit relatives), I never payed much attention to what was going on around me, and spent much of those trips lamenting the absence of my friends and YouTube (YouTube is banned in China). This time, I went in with the intention of making the most of my time, and I got to experience the places my parents grew up in like never before. This summer has been an insane cultural experience, and this will be the first of many blog posts detailing my travels during this time.
This year, I went to China twice: once for my brother’s wedding in June, and again for a cultural overseas summer camp in July. On the first trip, I traveled with my family; on the second, I traveled alone.
The first trip was an order of business more than anything. My mom and I (who live here, in Calgary), and my brother + his fiancee (who live in the Bay area), were to join my dad and the rest of my extended family in Shanghai for a celebration of my brother’s marriage. Although the event itself was only one evening long, our visit lasted 10 days. This gave me a lot of free time! My family and I spent this time having the most fun we could, and I got to experience the best of Shanghai: sights, food, entertainment, shopping, and family. 
Shanghai is the third biggest city in the world, and the largest city in China, with an estimated population of 24 million people (source).By comparison, the ENTIRE COUNTRY OF CANADA has a population of 37 million people (source). Shanghai is located at the east coast of China, at the edge of the Yangtze River and East China Sea. Although Shanghai was always a minor trade city for most of its history, the city began to flourish upon the arrival of Europeans in the 19th century, who recognized the city for its economic and trade potential (due to it’s position at the mouth of the Yangtze River), and began settlements and trade there. From then on, people from all over the world came to Shanghai to live and work, making it increasingly populous and prosperous. It is now China’s most important shipping and trading center, as well as a hub for finance, administration, and culture.
My extended family has lived in Shanghai since the 1940’s, just as the city was hitting it’s “golden age.” Although the city is lavish, most residents lead very ordinary lives, and do not typically visit the touristy, more popular parts of the city. However, having lived there their entire lives, my family members are nonetheless excellent tour guides.
Day 1-2 – June 7-8
Trip #1 began on June 7th. My mom and I, boarding from San Diego (we were there for my mom’s conference), get on flight to Vancouver. There, we stay overnight at a cheap hotel close to the airport, and depart for Shanghai the next morning.
From Vancouver, it’s a 13-hour trip to Shanghai PVG airport. It’s a long flight, and I sleep through most of it.
I only wake up each time the food comes around (even though its not very good).
And I sleep again. I don’t wake up until an hour before we land (protip: bring earplugs on the flight. Especially if it’s a long one. Babies are going to cry and you’re gonna want to sleep.).
Day 3 – June 9
At last, at the end of our flight: we arrive in Shanghai, where it’s just past noon. As usual, the sky is smoggy (Shanghai, as well as Beijing, China’s second biggest city, face immense pollution problems), and the air feels wet (especially compared to Calgary).
My dad picks us up from the airport, and we drive to our hotel.
The drive from airport to our hotel, which is located in the heart of the city (Lujiazui). Shanghai is a VERY big city in terms of area, and the drive takes us well over an hour and a half, due to both distance and traffic.
My brother and his fiancee, who arrived a day earlier, are waiting for us there. The Shanghai Kempinski is a very fancy hotel (5 star!), one of the most expensive in Shanghai to stay at. I guess we’re splurging for my brother’s wedding.
After throwing our luggage down and changing, we go eat dinner at a mall nearby. (Side note: Shanghai’s malls are AMAZING. More on that in later posts)
This won’t be the last time I say this. but food in China is GOOD (it’s cheaper, too).
After dinner, we call a cab back to the hotel (taxi fares are extremely cheap in Shanghai), but not before taking some pictures outside the mall, which is located on the opposite bank of the Yangtze River. I took a polaroid here.
We return to our hotel, and I’m eager to explore the place. There’s not much time, though. My mom is super tired from the long flight. However, I’m not. While everyone else is discussing the upcoming wedding, I sneak away to go visit the pool+spa of the hotel.
It’s pretty cool. The view is amazing, and my pictures don’t do the place justice.
As well, the amenities of these hotels are AMAZING (like you’d expect from a 5-star hotel).
I return to our room pretty late, and we go to bed at around 11pm, hoping not to be jet-lagged the next morning.We have lots of work to do the next day, as we’ve got to prep my brother’s celebration which is scheduled for June 11!
Stay tuned for Day 4!
*(all pictures/info are my own, unless otherwise specified)