Formula 1, Friends and Food. Exploring Shanghai.
Apr 22, 2016, 2:05 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
Nice shots at the race track.
By the way, a few comments from someone who had more than enough Paddock access for life
Get the metro to (and from - albeit that depends) the race track. It's fairly fast, and you'll not get a clueless driver. Unfortunately there are a lot of morons behind the wheels of Shanghai taxis. (And yes, I even took the metro couple times when I had the chance to get a car/bus transport for free instead. Sleeping 30min more is sometimes more valuable than a few Yuan saved )
If you're leaving when everyone else does, and you're going towards the city, there is the possibility to walk towards Baiyin Road (about 1.5km from the track, depends where you are exiting) and take the metro from there towards the city. Empty trains guaranteed
Yes, security in SHA can be quite harsh. With a proper pass, it's no problem at all, but I guess if you really just came with some kind of "nothing", it doesn't work. It's not much different at other tracks, though
I always liked the Chinese fans - heavily into the sport, much more than, say, those in Singapore who just saw it as an "event" of sort. Almost as dedicated as the crazy japanese supporters. And that says a lot.
By the way, a few comments from someone who had more than enough Paddock access for life
Get the metro to (and from - albeit that depends) the race track. It's fairly fast, and you'll not get a clueless driver. Unfortunately there are a lot of morons behind the wheels of Shanghai taxis. (And yes, I even took the metro couple times when I had the chance to get a car/bus transport for free instead. Sleeping 30min more is sometimes more valuable than a few Yuan saved
)If you're leaving when everyone else does, and you're going towards the city, there is the possibility to walk towards Baiyin Road (about 1.5km from the track, depends where you are exiting) and take the metro from there towards the city. Empty trains guaranteed
Yes, security in SHA can be quite harsh. With a proper pass, it's no problem at all, but I guess if you really just came with some kind of "nothing", it doesn't work. It's not much different at other tracks, though
I always liked the Chinese fans - heavily into the sport, much more than, say, those in Singapore who just saw it as an "event" of sort. Almost as dedicated as the crazy japanese supporters. And that says a lot.
Apr 22, 2016, 5:00 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SD, CA, USA
Programs: AS - MVP Gold 50k, UA, Marriott - Silver, OMNI Select Guest - Gold, HHonors - Blue, MLife - Sapphire
Posts: 8
Apr 22, 2016, 5:08 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SD, CA, USA
Programs: AS - MVP Gold 50k, UA, Marriott - Silver, OMNI Select Guest - Gold, HHonors - Blue, MLife - Sapphire
Posts: 8
Well that's a relief...
Apr 22, 2016, 5:24 pm
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,037
Sure, it's a little expensive, and it probably isn't much different from DTF in Seattle, but I am a fan (one of their most frequent customers, in fact).For those of you who are interested, here is our master XLB thread (note that most of the hole in the wall places no longer exist):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...gs-thread.html
Apr 22, 2016, 5:26 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
I must confess that Madone59 messaged me in advance about some more authentic XLB establishments, which are arguably better and more authentic than DTF, but since I wasn't thrilled about standing in line for 30 minutes in order to end up eating on a small stool, I recommended the DTF branch that is closest to ME. Sure, it's a little expensive, and it probably isn't much different from DTF in Seattle, but I am a fan (one of their most frequent customers, in fact).
For those of you who are interested, here is our master XLB thread (note that most of the hole in the wall places no longer exist):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...gs-thread.html
Sure, it's a little expensive, and it probably isn't much different from DTF in Seattle, but I am a fan (one of their most frequent customers, in fact).For those of you who are interested, here is our master XLB thread (note that most of the hole in the wall places no longer exist):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...gs-thread.html
Apr 22, 2016, 5:55 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SD, CA, USA
Programs: AS - MVP Gold 50k, UA, Marriott - Silver, OMNI Select Guest - Gold, HHonors - Blue, MLife - Sapphire
Posts: 8
Whether you have been to Shanghai before or not you need to connect with Moondog. He is the epitome of the kind of person you hope to meet through FT and I hope I can be as knowledgeable and friendly to people visiting San Diego as he was to me. Before our trip I mentioned Sean and I were looking for Xiaolongbao or soup dumplings so we were instructed to meet at Din Tai Fung Xintiandi which was a short subway ride from our hotel at Yu Garden.
There they are. Little bundles of perfection, holding in their scorching delicious perfect soup. There may be better places to eat these, the law of averages say it's true, probably down some alley in a stall that has been there for 50 years but would they be significantly better? No. These are worth the trip which is why four of us went through five baskets of them.
Apr 22, 2016, 10:02 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Exp, HH Diamond
Posts: 55
It was nice running into you at the airport. I wasn't going to say anything at first, but I swear yours was the first FT tag I've seen in the wild.
That line was ridiculous and several people just walked to the front of the line bypassing who knows how many 100s.
I ended up taking Maglev into the city and from there was quoted nearly 10x the going rate for a cab ride to hotel. I declined and took the metro.
Trip looked like a lot of fun. Btw, I ended up cancelling my return this weekend. After having done a DFW-HKG-DFW turn the previous week, I was really wiped out.
That line was ridiculous and several people just walked to the front of the line bypassing who knows how many 100s.
I ended up taking Maglev into the city and from there was quoted nearly 10x the going rate for a cab ride to hotel. I declined and took the metro.
Trip looked like a lot of fun. Btw, I ended up cancelling my return this weekend. After having done a DFW-HKG-DFW turn the previous week, I was really wiped out.
Apr 23, 2016, 11:23 am
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Don't hate the player, hate the game
Great report! Looking forward to reading the rest.
Heading to Shanghai in June!
One friend that's going is solely going due to Peking Duck...has been begging to return for another taste since 2011!
We'll be staying at Ritz Carlon Pudong, and Park Hyatt, so I will do a report as well!
Heading to Shanghai in June!
One friend that's going is solely going due to Peking Duck...has been begging to return for another taste since 2011!
We'll be staying at Ritz Carlon Pudong, and Park Hyatt, so I will do a report as well!
Nice shots at the race track.
By the way, a few comments from someone who had more than enough Paddock access for life
Get the metro to (and from - albeit that depends) the race track. It's fairly fast, and you'll not get a clueless driver. Unfortunately there are a lot of morons behind the wheels of Shanghai taxis. (And yes, I even took the metro couple times when I had the chance to get a car/bus transport for free instead. Sleeping 30min more is sometimes more valuable than a few Yuan saved )
If you're leaving when everyone else does, and you're going towards the city, there is the possibility to walk towards Baiyin Road (about 1.5km from the track, depends where you are exiting) and take the metro from there towards the city. Empty trains guaranteed
Yes, security in SHA can be quite harsh. With a proper pass, it's no problem at all, but I guess if you really just came with some kind of "nothing", it doesn't work. It's not much different at other tracks, though
By the way, a few comments from someone who had more than enough Paddock access for life
Get the metro to (and from - albeit that depends) the race track. It's fairly fast, and you'll not get a clueless driver. Unfortunately there are a lot of morons behind the wheels of Shanghai taxis. (And yes, I even took the metro couple times when I had the chance to get a car/bus transport for free instead. Sleeping 30min more is sometimes more valuable than a few Yuan saved
)If you're leaving when everyone else does, and you're going towards the city, there is the possibility to walk towards Baiyin Road (about 1.5km from the track, depends where you are exiting) and take the metro from there towards the city. Empty trains guaranteed
Yes, security in SHA can be quite harsh. With a proper pass, it's no problem at all, but I guess if you really just came with some kind of "nothing", it doesn't work. It's not much different at other tracks, though
It was nice running into you at the airport. I wasn't going to say anything at first, but I swear yours was the first FT tag I've seen in the wild.
That line was ridiculous and several people just walked to the front of the line bypassing who knows how many 100s.
I ended up taking Maglev into the city and from there was quoted nearly 10x the going rate for a cab ride to hotel. I declined and took the metro.
Trip looked like a lot of fun. Btw, I ended up cancelling my return this weekend. After having done a DFW-HKG-DFW turn the previous week, I was really wiped out.
That line was ridiculous and several people just walked to the front of the line bypassing who knows how many 100s.
I ended up taking Maglev into the city and from there was quoted nearly 10x the going rate for a cab ride to hotel. I declined and took the metro.
Trip looked like a lot of fun. Btw, I ended up cancelling my return this weekend. After having done a DFW-HKG-DFW turn the previous week, I was really wiped out.
Geez man, you are getting it in before the revenue change over huh? Well happy travels buddy, thanks for saying hi ^
Apr 23, 2016, 2:42 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: IND, ORD
Programs: AA Platinum, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 134
Having a couple AMG's in the garage myself and bring a Hamilton/Rosberg fan this was an awesome trip report. I would love to be able to go behind the scenes sometime at a race. I had my AMG/Petronas Racing shirt on at the airport the day of the race and a flight attendant made a comment to me about liking the shirt. Thought that was pretty cool. Kind of mad because I'm going to be in Singapore the weekend after that race. Again, great report!
Apr 24, 2016, 6:08 pm
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
20,000 steps
Our second full day in Shanghai started with some much needed sleep. After the early wake up call, a ear shattering day at the races and the late drink sleeping in was a must. After a light bite in the M lounge Sean and I decided to search for SIM cards, get lunch, and take a old shanghai/ Bund walking tour. Between us we had three cell phones, so one was bound to work. After a very confusing walk up and down the street not finding a single place to buy a SIM we ended up finding a place right near the hotel that we had walked past about an hour earlier 
. Both of my phones were locked but luckily Sean's was good to so 80rmb later we had a working phone.
The SIM man working his magic
Before we left the news stand I grabbed a second SIM for our friend and fellow Trip Reporter TOMFORD because no man should be denied the love of a woman they meet on WeChat. Seriously, he was having trouble using the 'people near me' function with his US number so we got him set up with a Chinese number. Signs that your daughter is talking to TOMFORD on WeChat are: Asking if your family vacation will be at a Four Seasons, lobbying to make grandmas 85th birthday dinner at Per Se, and finally refusing to wear anything not made show this season in Milan.
After getting the SIM sorted out and lunch it was time to walk.
Quick trip back to Yu Garden
View down Fuxing Road from the pedestrian bridge.
This owl is angry, right?
Entry to Fangbang Road
Heading down the street
Fangbang was really interesting because it was clearly a main drag for tourists, but also seemed to serve some value to the community around it. If you turned a street or two away from the shops and stalls you were in Old Shanghai just wondering through peoples world. Also where on Nanjing Road by the Bund people are selling the same tchotchkes they are here, but the aggressive sales and targeting of tourists seems to be dialed down a little bit on Fangbang road.
Chop?
Happy ice cream cone face penguin
God's Temple front gate. We did't pay the entry fee but in hind sight I wish we had.
After deciding not to enter God's Temple, we turned left up Anren St. and off the beaten path right into old Shanghai. Walking up Anren provided a sliver of a glimpse into local China. I hesitate to call this "real China" because there is nothing fake about the Ritz Carlton, or the Ferrari dealership or any of the other hundred monuments to capitalism in Pudong but little streets like Anren are the veins of Shanghais massive circulatory system.
Fresh batch of dumplings going in
Local mechanic shop
Fresh fried goodness.
Haircut
Fresh
Wondering through some local shops, towards the bund
Beads?
Finally we had made it to the Bund and had our first good view of Pudong
Sean finds shade
After all of that walking it was time for some ice cream
Knowing we wanted to be back here in a few hours to shoot the skyline illuminated after sundown we started to head back and noticed we were at The House of Roosevelt. This private club was a central part of the Shanghai Parts Unknown episode, so we crossed the street to check it out. The bottom floor is a Rolex store on one side, and the Rolex experience on the other. Luckily the young lady working the Rolex experience today knew some of the same people I do within the company and she kindly gave us a personal tour through the history of Rolex. If you are into watches, even a little, I highly suggest spending 20 minutes and checking this out - it is really cool. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from inside Rolex Experience but the security guards were nice enough to let me take a few photos around the ground floor of the club.
We walked back outside heading to Nanjing Road and bumped right into a happy(?) bride and groom.
Looking back towards Pudong
Snacks
20,000 steps later we were back at Yu Garden and couldn't feel our legs. The thought of not using my feet anymore was only second to the thought that I needed to get out of my sweaty clothes so I suggested we check out the infinity pool on the top floor. I brought my camera with me, but immediately upon entering knew word(s) would be enough. Gross. The windows had not been cleaned in quite some time so where the infinity drain met the floor and the glass there was some serious green algae that ran from the floor up the glass. The hot tub was stagnant, and both pool and hot tub had rusted fixtures. The pool had a underwater light fixture with a rusted screw hanging out of it right near the entry steps so watch your legs. Below is the photo from the Marriott website, now you see why I wanted to take a dip.
Wouldn't you know it a few minutes in the pool area was all I needed to be motivated back onto my feet and into the shower. After a little shower, a tetanus booster and a nap the sun was down and it was time to head back to the Bund.
Shops lit up at night
Meat snacks
Waiting
Night time river cruise
Looking up the puxi side of the river
Came across another photographer enjoying the view
Night skyline
Into a cab and across town we were headed to meet Moondog for dinner again. I was able to snap a photo of the elusive flyertalker when he photo-bombed my street food photo.
Clink, clink
Many bottles of beer on the wall
I apologize I have forgotten the name of the Belgian pub we had dinner at, so Moony please chime in because it was really good. A great beef stew, some crusty bread and a Belgian beer were exactly what the doctor ordered. It was the next morning before we knew it and time for one last night's sleep in Shanghai.
. Both of my phones were locked but luckily Sean's was good to so 80rmb later we had a working phone. The SIM man working his magic
Before we left the news stand I grabbed a second SIM for our friend and fellow Trip Reporter TOMFORD because no man should be denied the love of a woman they meet on WeChat. Seriously, he was having trouble using the 'people near me' function with his US number so we got him set up with a Chinese number. Signs that your daughter is talking to TOMFORD on WeChat are: Asking if your family vacation will be at a Four Seasons, lobbying to make grandmas 85th birthday dinner at Per Se, and finally refusing to wear anything not made show this season in Milan.
After getting the SIM sorted out and lunch it was time to walk.
Quick trip back to Yu Garden
View down Fuxing Road from the pedestrian bridge.
This owl is angry, right?
Entry to Fangbang Road
Heading down the street
Fangbang was really interesting because it was clearly a main drag for tourists, but also seemed to serve some value to the community around it. If you turned a street or two away from the shops and stalls you were in Old Shanghai just wondering through peoples world. Also where on Nanjing Road by the Bund people are selling the same tchotchkes they are here, but the aggressive sales and targeting of tourists seems to be dialed down a little bit on Fangbang road.
Chop?
Happy ice cream cone face penguin
God's Temple front gate. We did't pay the entry fee but in hind sight I wish we had.
After deciding not to enter God's Temple, we turned left up Anren St. and off the beaten path right into old Shanghai. Walking up Anren provided a sliver of a glimpse into local China. I hesitate to call this "real China" because there is nothing fake about the Ritz Carlton, or the Ferrari dealership or any of the other hundred monuments to capitalism in Pudong but little streets like Anren are the veins of Shanghais massive circulatory system.
Fresh batch of dumplings going in
Local mechanic shop
Fresh fried goodness.
Haircut
Fresh
Wondering through some local shops, towards the bund
Beads?
Finally we had made it to the Bund and had our first good view of Pudong
Sean finds shade
After all of that walking it was time for some ice cream
Knowing we wanted to be back here in a few hours to shoot the skyline illuminated after sundown we started to head back and noticed we were at The House of Roosevelt. This private club was a central part of the Shanghai Parts Unknown episode, so we crossed the street to check it out. The bottom floor is a Rolex store on one side, and the Rolex experience on the other. Luckily the young lady working the Rolex experience today knew some of the same people I do within the company and she kindly gave us a personal tour through the history of Rolex. If you are into watches, even a little, I highly suggest spending 20 minutes and checking this out - it is really cool. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from inside Rolex Experience but the security guards were nice enough to let me take a few photos around the ground floor of the club.
We walked back outside heading to Nanjing Road and bumped right into a happy(?) bride and groom
.Looking back towards Pudong
Snacks
20,000 steps later we were back at Yu Garden and couldn't feel our legs. The thought of not using my feet anymore was only second to the thought that I needed to get out of my sweaty clothes so I suggested we check out the infinity pool on the top floor. I brought my camera with me, but immediately upon entering knew word(s) would be enough. Gross. The windows had not been cleaned in quite some time so where the infinity drain met the floor and the glass there was some serious green algae that ran from the floor up the glass. The hot tub was stagnant, and both pool and hot tub had rusted fixtures. The pool had a underwater light fixture with a rusted screw hanging out of it right near the entry steps so watch your legs. Below is the photo from the Marriott website, now you see why I wanted to take a dip.
Wouldn't you know it a few minutes in the pool area was all I needed to be motivated back onto my feet and into the shower. After a little shower, a tetanus booster and a nap the sun was down and it was time to head back to the Bund.
Shops lit up at night
Meat snacks
Waiting
Night time river cruise
Looking up the puxi side of the river
Came across another photographer enjoying the view
Night skyline
Into a cab and across town we were headed to meet Moondog for dinner again. I was able to snap a photo of the elusive flyertalker when he photo-bombed my street food photo.
Clink, clink
Many bottles of beer on the wall
I apologize I have forgotten the name of the Belgian pub we had dinner at, so Moony please chime in because it was really good. A great beef stew, some crusty bread and a Belgian beer were exactly what the doctor ordered. It was the next morning before we knew it and time for one last night's sleep in Shanghai.
Apr 24, 2016, 6:28 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Death by laughter, I have no words.
Apr 25, 2016, 2:11 am
#43
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Looks like an awesome trip across the Pacific to Shanghai, Madone59. Always fun to meet up with fellow FT'ers too.
The Formula 1 must have been an experience, and the tasty Xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung. They recently opened a DTF in Dubai and I am a bit of a fan already.
. Always fun to meet up with fellow FT'ers too.The Formula 1 must have been an experience, and the tasty Xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung
. They recently opened a DTF in Dubai and I am a bit of a fan already.