Florivida the Travel Podcast #8 | Beijing & Shanghai: Temples, parks and skyscrapers

This episode focuses on a destination that still has something mysterious for many travelers: China. Willem and Rick take you to two of the most impressive cities in the country, viz. Beijing and Shanghai. From ancient palaces and the Great Wall of China to modern skyscrapers and a surprisingly good Universal park, this episode shows just how versatile China really is.

Watch or listen to the new episode at Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. On our website you will find all episodes of Florivida the Travel Podcast, blogs and additional inspiration about China, Beijing, Shanghai and our group tours to this special destination.

Are you considering a trip to China Or are you curious to experience these huge metropolises for yourself? Then this episode is definitely worth a listen.

Traveling to China

The episode begins with some salient facts about both cities. Shanghai is China's largest city with about 24 million people, while Beijing is the country's political and historical capital with over 22 million. What many people don't know is that both cities are surprisingly modern, clean and well organized.

Willem talks about his recent visit to China, during which he first stayed in Beijing for several days before continuing on the high-speed train to Shanghai. During his trip, he not only visited the most famous cultural highlights, but also took extensive time to explore Universal Beijing Resort.

The highlights of Beijing

During the journey through Beijing, several iconic sights pass by. From ancient palaces and temples to impressive structures that are among China's most famous attractions. Especially impressive is the combination of history, culture and the sheer scale of everything.

• Chinese Wall - One of the most famous sights in the world. The views of the mountains and the endless wall make this an absolute highlight of their trip through China for many travelers.
• Forbidden City - The former palace of the Chinese emperors. Consisting of hundreds of buildings, courtyards and palaces, this gigantic complex is the historic heart of Beijing.
• Temple of Heaven - One of the most recognizable buildings in China. Disney fans will immediately recognize the design as inspiration for the China pavilion in EPCOT.
• Summer Palace - A beautiful palace complex with gardens, temples and waterfront walkways. It once served as the summer residence of Chinese emperors.
• Square of Heavenly Peace - The largest public square in the world and one of the most important sites in modern Chinese history.

Universal Beijing Resort

One of the biggest surprises of the trip is Universal Beijing Resort. The park combines well-known Universal attractions with some uniquely themed areas you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness especially stands out. This fully covered area feels like a completely different world and is beautifully themed. Jurassic World Isla Nublar also impresses with spectacular waterfalls, attractions and a huge scale.

Also featured are Transformers Metrobase, Minion Land, WaterWorld and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. For theme park enthusiasts, Universal Beijing proves to be a destination not to be underestimated by any means.

Highlights of Shanghai

After Beijing, Willem travels by Chinese high-speed train to Shanghai. While Beijing is best known for its rich history and cultural sites, Shanghai, on the other hand, shows the modern side of China. The city combines historic districts with futuristic skyscrapers and is among the largest metropolises in the world.

• French Concession - An atmospheric district with wide avenues, cozy cafes, boutiques and an almost European feel. A nice place to stroll around quietly and discover a very different side of Shanghai.
• The Bund - The famous boulevard along the Huangpu River. Here you will enjoy stunning views of Pudong's impressive skyline.
• Pudong - Shanghai's modern business district, known for its futuristic skyscrapers such as the Shanghai Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower. An area that shows how quickly China has developed.
• High-speed train - The train journey between Beijing and Shanghai is also covered in detail. With speeds of over 300 kilometers per hour, this is a comfortable and efficient way to travel through China.

What is particularly striking in Shanghai is the contrast between old and new. Historic buildings here literally stand next to modern skyscrapers, giving the city a unique atmosphere you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Shanghai Disneyland

In addition to exploring the city, a visit to Shanghai Disneyland in depth. Considered the largest Disney park in Asia, this park stands out from other Disney destinations worldwide in many ways.

What immediately stands out is the sheer scale of the park. The iconic Enchanted Storybook Castle is the largest Disney castle in the world and is the centerpiece of the park. The attractions are also often larger, more modern and spectacular than their counterparts in other Disney parks.

One of the absolute highlights is Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. This attraction is considered by many Disney fans to be one of the best Disney attractions in the world thanks to its combination of impressive technology, large projections and physical sets. Also passing by are popular attractions such as TRON Lightcycle Power Run, a futuristic launch roller coaster that later served as the inspiration for the version in Walt Disney World.

For Disney lovers, Shanghai Disneyland is proving to be a destination that is absolutely inferior to the better-known Disney parks in America or Europe, and for some is even becoming one of the world's favorite Disney parks.

Rick's Travel Tip

In this episode, Rick shares some practical tips for anyone considering a trip to China.

One of the most important pieces of advice is to be well prepared to use apps:

• Alipay - In China, many payments are made via mobile payment methods such as Alipay, and a translation app also comes in handy during your trip.
• Didi - Also mentioned is Didi, the Chinese version of Uber. It allows you to travel easily and inexpensively through cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.

The high-speed train also gets a special mention. According to Rick, this is one of the most comfortable ways to travel through China. The trains are fast, modern and connect major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai in just a few hours.

His most important tip: prepare well in advance by installing the right apps. This will make traveling through China a lot easier and ensure that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.

With Willem on snack expedition

Again during this episode, Willem shares some of his favorite snacks from China:

• Peking Duck - According to Willem, you really shouldn't leave China without having tasted a traditional Peking Duck. In Beijing, this dish is often prepared at the table and served with thin pancakes, vegetables and sauce.
• Dumplings - A true classic within Chinese cuisine. Various types of dumplings pass by during the journey, filled with meat, vegetables and seafood, among other things.
• Street food in Beijing - In Beijing's historic streets, you will find plenty of small stalls and local restaurants where you can try all kinds of traditional snacks. According to Willem, it is precisely these local dishes that make a visit to China extra special.

In addition to the familiar dishes, Willem encourages travelers to try something new. China has a huge variety of regional cuisines, so there are different flavors and dishes to discover everywhere.

What becomes especially clear during this snack expedition is that food is an important part of the overall travel experience. From traditional dishes to local street snacks, China offers plenty of opportunities to discover new flavors.

Until the next episode!

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