On my last full day in Shanghai, I decided to venture into expat/tourist domain.

Here’s where I’ve got to mention my observations about Shanghai. I knew from conversations with friends and family that Shanghai has changed a lot in the past 5-10 years, how it’s grown and evolved into a booming cosmopolitan city. Keywords were Party town, colourful, modern, and fashion-forward.

This is my first time in Shanghai, and it was all of that. I guess I was expecting another Beijing, but I was blown away by the architecture, social scene and the amount of Chinese speaking expats in Shanghai! Old and new. East meets West. Locals and Expats. Shanghai is the great example of modern city living.

One such place where you’ll find all that is at Shanghai Xintiandi a residential area converted into a dining and retail pedestrian street. The buildings, like Tian Zi Fang, were Shikumen-styled. Exterior antique grey brick walls were retained and restored, but the interiors have all be done up in taste of all the modern F&B outlets, retailers and boutiques that have taken over this area.

The place has a really European feel, maybe it’s because of all the alfresco restaurants, bars and cafés. It just didn’t register that I was in Shanghai!

Spent a few hours doing what I love most. People watching. Family friends meeting up after 10 years, couples on dates, backpackers looking for cheap eats, Japanese tourists taking photos.

I sat at an alfresco café, pita & hummus, hot latte and keyword was… content.