正文 Markdown
Some initial observations about Shanghai after not being back for 10 years: 1. The city is incredibly modern - more so than New York and even Tokyo. It's funny riding modern subways and trains here and reading about how California has to shut down the BART/Caltrain due to budget cuts on X. 2. Apps run everything - Wechat, Amap (Google Maps), Dianping (Yelp), Alipay, etc. Basically, there's a Chinese equivalent of every US app and more. 3. Meals are probably 1/3 the price of the US and absolutely delicious. There's ALOT of variety in Chinese regional cuisines. Funny enough almost every restaurant has a Dianping coupon you can use to get free desserts. I like my spicy food :) 4. Fewer foreigners than I expected and concentrated in a few areas. Coming from the US, it's just a pain to have to get a visa, set up eSim, download all the apps, etc. You have to do alot of research before coming here. 5. The overhead highways kind of ruin the vibe a little with the cityscape. 6. People still smoke alot, but appears to be mostly older generation. 7. Speaking of the old generation, they know to have fun. Went to Fuxing park and many elders dancing, playing yoyo, singing, and more. 8. In contrast, from what I hear, the younger generation is working super hard and many college grads cannot find jobs are are "tang ping" (lie flat). It's great to be back, will share more later.