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China is NOT What I Expected 🇨🇳 FIRST Impressions of Shanghai
Shanghai First Impressions: Hot Pot, The Bund & Phone
First time in Shanghai, China! Travel vlog with my honest first impressions, culture shock and surprises in Mainland China.
After visiting Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau before, this was my first time stepping into Mainland China. In this Shanghai travel vlog, I try to answer the questions I had before...
First time in Shanghai, China! Travel vlog with my honest first impressions, culture shock and surprises in Mainland China. After visiting Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau before, this was my first time stepping into Mainland China. In this Shanghai travel vlog, I try to answer the questions I had before arriving: What is it like to travel in a country where almost everything runs through your phone? Can you get around with limited English? And is China actually worth visiting? These are my honest first impressions of Shanghai — from the food, skyline and language barrier to phone culture, safety and the things that surprised me most about China.
Robert Berg's first trip to Shanghai shatters expectations. From navigating a phone-centric society to savoring hot pot at Haidilao, he captures the city's blend of futuristic skyline and ancient gardens. The Bund at night, the bustling fake market, and the surprising safety of Shanghai Tower all leave a lasting impression. A must-watch for anyone curious about modern China.
First time in Shanghai, China! Travel vlog with my honest first impressions, culture shock and surprises in Mainland China. After visiting Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau before, this was my first time stepping into Mainland China. In this Shanghai travel vlog, I try to answer the questions I had before arriving: What is it like to travel in a country where almost everything runs through your phone? Can you get around with limited English? And is China actually worth visiting? These are my honest first impressions of Shanghai — from the food, skyline and language barrier to phone culture, safety and the things that surprised me most about China.
Robert Berg, a travel vlogger, arrives in Shanghai with visa anxiety and a camera. He immediately notices the city's cleanliness and mix of old and new. His first meal is a spectacular hot pot at Haidilao, where the service and food blow him away. The next day, he hunts for an SD card, struggling with Chinese-only navigation apps and language barriers, but eventually finds a DJI store. He visits the Bund at sunset, marveling at the skyline, then explores Yu Garden, where his Alipay fails repeatedly—only rescued by friends. Day three takes him to a fake market, where he haggles for a shirt despite shopkeepers' camera fear. He dines at Din Tai Fung, noting the staggered food service. Later, he visits the Shanghai Tower observatory deck, calling it the best view in the world. He reflects on China's safety, seeing phones left unattended at the gym. In the French Concession, he runs out of mobile data, gets locked out of payments, and uses an eSIM to reconnect. He asks a local for food recommendations, ends up at an Italian restaurant with live opera, and concludes that Shanghai exceeded his expectations—he's already planning a return.
Robert Berg's first trip to Shanghai shattered his expectations. From the jaw-dropping Bund skyline and the world's tallest observation deck to the chaotic fun of a fake market and the delicious chaos of hot pot at Haidilao, every moment was a surprise. He navigated digital payment woes, language barriers, and even a visa scare—but felt safer than anywhere else. Shanghai is a cyberpunk dream that's both futuristic and deeply human.
Robert Berg explores Shanghai for the first time, navigating digital payments, breathtaking skylines, and authentic hot pot—discovering a safe, futuristic city.
First Impressions of Shanghai: Digital Payments, Skyline & Hot Pot
3:00 Use a physical SIM or eSIM with a Chinese number to access Alipay and WeChat Pay. Without internet, you're locked out of payments and maps.
20:10 For camera gear in Shanghai, go directly to the DJI store in a camera complex near Nanjing Road. It saves hours of hunting.
37:21 When at the Bund, skip the crowded escalator at Lujiazui Exit 6. Instead, use Exit 8 for cleaner skyline shots with fewer people.
7:19 Chinese malls are massive and often have anime stores, arcades, and Pop Mart. Don't judge by the entrance—explore every floor.
10:19 At a hot pot restaurant like Haidilao, use the water bowl to neutralize spicy food and clean chopsticks between broths.
33:40 Always carry your passport when using Alipay or WeChat Pay. Verification issues can lock you out, and you'll need it to re-verify.
3:00 Use a physical SIM or eSIM with a Chinese number to access Alipay and WeChat Pay. Without internet, you're locked out of payments and maps.
20:10 For camera gear in Shanghai, go directly to the DJI store in a camera complex near Nanjing Road. It saves hours of hunting.
37:21 When at the Bund, skip the crowded escalator at Lujiazui Exit 6. Instead, use Exit 8 for cleaner skyline shots with fewer people.
7:19 Chinese malls are massive and often have anime stores, arcades, and Pop Mart. Don't judge by the entrance—explore every floor.
10:19 At a hot pot restaurant like Haidilao, use the water bowl to neutralize spicy food and clean chopsticks between broths.
33:40 Always carry your passport when using Alipay or WeChat Pay. Verification issues can lock you out, and you'll need it to re-verify.
2:26 Arrival and Immigration
3:00 First Impressions of Shanghai
7:09 Haidilao Hot Pot Experience
14:20 SD Card Hunt and Nanjing Road
20:35 The Bund at Sunset
22:07 Yu Garden and Payment Troubles
29:32 Fake Market Shopping
38:01 Shanghai Tower Observation Deck
40:50 French Concession and Italian Dinner
45:46 Final Thoughts
0:00 We’re going to China!
2:25 Arriving in Shanghai
4:00 Hotel check-in & room tour
6:18 My first impressions of Shanghai
8:42 Trying hot pot at Haidilao
13:13 Exploring Nanjing Road
20:42 First time seeing The Bund
22:05 Visiting Yu Garden
29:00 Shanghai’s biggest fake market
34:04 Exploring Pudong: luxury mall & futuristic skyscrapers
38:01 Shanghai Tower & how safe China feels
40:47 French Concession & phone issues
42:02 Asking locals where to eat in Shanghai
first time in chinafirst time in shanghaishanghai vlogshanghai travel vlogchina vlogchina travel vlogmainland chinashanghai first impressionchina first impressionchina first timeshanghai first timevisiting chinavisiting china first timetravel to chinatravel to china vlogchinashanghaichina culture shockshanghai chinavlog chinavlog shanghaifirst impressions chinafirst time shanghaifirst time chinamy first time in chinaHow did you get through immigration in Shanghai?
Fill in the arrival card and a temporary visitor card, show proof of accommodation and a flight out, and you're good to go.
What surprised you most about China's phone culture?
Almost everything runs through your phone—maps, taxis, payments, and internet all use different systems. You need Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your passport, and if you run out of data, you're locked out of society.
How did you handle the language barrier?
It was challenging but doable. I used hand gestures, translation apps, and a lot of patience. Even in international Shanghai, very few people speak English.
Is China actually worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. The food, skyline, safety, and value for money exceeded my expectations. It's a must-visit destination.
