Our Shanghai Escapade: A Malaysian Couple's Adventure
My husband and I, completely clueless about Mandarin, just spent seven glorious days wandering aimlessly through Shanghai! 😄
Maybe we're a bit crazy, skipping the tours, all-inclusive packages, detailed itineraries, and famous eating spots... we just wanted to explore every nook and cranny ourselves to understand the real life of this incredible place.
Even now, as I'm writing this, my mind is still floating somewhere along the Suzhou Creek, where the afternoon sun poured down like liquid gold. After walking nearly 20 kilometers, our legs were aching, but our hearts were full watching our shadows stretch across the sun-drenched pavement, the sparkling bricks covered with rose petals – it felt so incredibly peaceful.
Shanghai truly lives up to its reputation: clean, modern, and incredibly safe. We only planned about two weeks ahead with a super simple plan:
- Visa: Obtained through an agent in 7 days, around RM800 per person
- Flights: Booked via Trip, about RM1800 per person
- Hotel: Initially booked 3 nights via Trip near a station, around RM400 per night, then went with the flow
- Local SIM card: 2GB per day
- Itinerary: Wake up each morning, pick a random direction, and just wander around all day! 😄
The total cost for the whole trip (7N8D, including 2D on the plane, a 1N1D stop in Hangzhou, souvenirs, and snacks) was RM10,000 for both of us – significantly less than we initially expected.
Food Adventures in Shanghai
Each day, we tried dozens of street food dishes. If it looked tasty and smelled good, we'd dive right in without knowing what it was! 😆 Our feet took us everywhere, from local markets to apartment courtyards filled with drying red scarves (and red... undergarments!), and parks bursting with fragrant flowers and birdsong. We even blended into the throngs of people heading to work on a Monday morning at People's Square, crossing the street like we'd lived there our whole lives.
My husband said:
"Just enjoy every step of your exploration. Forget the plans and the checklists. It's just you and me and the new things that excite us spontaneously."
This trip didn't produce any perfect Instagram shots or staged scenes. But we gained genuine, beautiful memories that we'll cherish forever.
Tips for First-Timers in Shanghai (from a Malaysian's Perspective)
Adding to all the great information shared by others, here are some tips specifically for those attempting Shanghai on their own for the first time, like we did:
- Deepseek App: Download it for chatting and translation – it's more natural and easier to understand than Google Translate (ChatGPT/Gemini are blocked there).
- Apple Maps: Super accurate for navigation and finding the best metro routes.
- Always have your hotel address written in Chinese. If you take a taxi, show it to the driver, as they likely won't be able to read English.
- Public restrooms are usually found in shopping malls (2nd floor) and metro stations, but can be hidden. Best to ask an employee (bring your own tissues, as they might not be provided).
Navigating the Shanghai Metro
If you're planning to use the metro:
- Don't hesitate to use a translation app to ask the staff at the Service Center (buy 1-3 day passes, ask about restrooms, get assistance transferring to other cities, or find lost items...).
- Before arriving at a station, check which exit is most convenient for your destination. Remember the next station to know which direction you're going and keep track of the station before yours so you know when to get off. You'll get the hang of it after a few rides!
In short: traveling independently isn't as scary as you think! Just do a little research beforehand. And when you don't expect too much – everything will exceed your expectations!
Wishing everyone a fun and memorable trip!
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