We're used to long train rides by this time, so we found ways to pass the time during the 16-hour travel from Xian to Shanghai and during the wait beforehand. It was a night train anyway, so we basically just slept during the ride. We took the T54 train that cost us RMB312 per person.
We arrived in Shanghai at 2:30PM, all disheveled but still taking photos!
I'd already been to Shanghai a few years ago for a business trip, which was an interesting experience in itself since I was there during Chinese New Year. But this time, it was different since I shared it with my siblings, and celebrating my brother's birthday at that. It was my brother's first time in Shanghai so as the mastermind of this trip, I wanted to make it extra special for him. I purposely booked a business hotel near The Bund.
This was the Shanghai Baron Business Hotel, the best way to end our long, sometimes filthy, trip all over China, taking advantage of the comfy beds and hotel amenities. It was actually not that expensive at RMB600 per night.
The last time I went to Shanghai, I saw The Bund during daytime so this was also a first-time experience for me. I couldn't help but take a selfie. :)
We savored that last night we had in China. I slept so soundly at the hotel - obviously well-deserved after our numerous overnight train rides from city to city.
The next day, we woke up energized to explore the last city in our itinerary. Our first stop was the Old Shanghai Street. I had been here before and just like last time, I couldn't stop myself from buying knickknacks and what-not. They had my favorite White Rabbit candy and I bought packs and packs to bring home!
I wasn't able to go to the Yuyuan Garden the last time I went either, so this was another new experience. My brother and I obviously had fun posing at the different places.
There's no better way to end a trip than by shopping! I helped myself to clothes from Semir (like Bench in the Philippines).
And of course our last meal in China had to be dimsum!
Our flight back to Manila from Shanghai Pudong Airport was at 12:30 AM of April 10, so we finished our shopping and went back to the hotel. We left our bags at the reception during check-out that morning and had them call for a cab for us at 8PM. We were in the airport with time to spare before our departure.
This ended our journey all throughout China. We hiked through the tourist attractions of Beijing. We chilled in the cool weather of Harbin to the North. We stood transfixed at the extravagance of Chinese culture in Xian. And we soaked the cosmopolitan culture Shanghai had to offer. We saw the best of the best of Chinese culture from the traditional to modern. There are definitely more places in China left to explore, but this trip was the best introduction we could ever imagine. It covered our National Geographic-inspired dream destinations and gave us new experiences we'd cherish for a lifetime. Spending this vacation with siblings is also a treasure we would each keep forever.
Our total spend of about P40,000 per person was nothing compared to all the memories we acquired.
Project: Trip to China's Best of the Best Cities with the Siblings in 11 Days = Success! :)
