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Slow Travel | A 4-Day Girls Trip to Shanghai | Cafés, Hotpot, Night Views
4-Day Girls Trip to Shanghai: Cafés, Hotpot & Night Views
After becoming a mom, this was my first international trip without the kids… and honestly I felt both excited and a little nervous at the same time haha
In this slow living travel vlog, I spent 4 days in Shanghai together with my friend Hafsa — exploring beautiful cafés, walking through the former...
After becoming a mom, this was my first international trip without the kids… and honestly I felt both excited and a little nervous at the same time haha<br><br>In this slow living travel vlog, I spent 4 days in Shanghai together with my friend Hafsa — exploring beautiful cafés, walking through the former French Concession, trying hotpot, lamb skewers, soup dumplings, Peking duck and many more local foods along the way.<br><br>What surprised me the most about Shanghai was the contrast between the modern skyline and the more traditional corners of the city. One moment we were surrounded by futuristic buildings and luxury malls, and the next we were walking through quiet streets filled with trees, bakeries, temples and old architecture that somehow reminded me of Europe.<br><br>We also visited Tianzi Fang, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund, Wukang Building and 1000 Trees, did some shopping, café hopping and honestly drank way too much coffee haha<br><br>I hope you enjoy spending these few slow days with us in Shanghai ♡
Aisha Ba traded diapers for dumplings on her first solo-ish international trip post-mom life. With her friend Hafsa in tow, she dives into Shanghai's delicious contradictions: one minute they're sipping flat whites in a French Concession café, the next they're elbow-deep in hotpot and lamb skewers. From the neon glow of The Bund to the quiet, tree-lined lanes around Wukang Building, this slow travel vlog captures the city's double-life—part futurist skyline, part old-world bakery-and-temple charm. Cafés, coffee, and arguably too much coffee fuel their 4-day whirlwind through Tianzi Fang, Yuyuan Garden, and 1000 Trees. It's a slow, wander-filled reunion with a city that feels like two worlds at once.
After becoming a mom, this was my first international trip without the kids… and honestly I felt both excited and a little nervous at the same time haha<br><br>In this slow living travel vlog, I spent 4 days in Shanghai together with my friend Hafsa — exploring beautiful cafés, walking through the former French Concession, trying hotpot, lamb skewers, soup dumplings, Peking duck and many more local foods along the way.<br><br>What surprised me the most about Shanghai was the contrast between the modern skyline and the more traditional corners of the city. One moment we were surrounded by futuristic buildings and luxury malls, and the next we were walking through quiet streets filled with trees, bakeries, temples and old architecture that somehow reminded me of Europe.<br><br>We also visited Tianzi Fang, Yuyuan Garden, The Bund, Wukang Building and 1000 Trees, did some shopping, café hopping and honestly drank way too much coffee haha<br><br>I hope you enjoy spending these few slow days with us in Shanghai ♡
Aisha Ba's first international trip since becoming a mom took her from Seoul to Shanghai for a 4-day girls' trip with her friend Hafsa. The adventure began with a smooth arrival—no visa needed for 30 days, and the Didi taxi and Alipay apps became her best friends. Their first stop was a hotpot restaurant with three broths: super spicy mala, tomato, and regular. Aisha loved the mala with peanut dipping sauce, and the staff even performed a noodle dance (which she later learned you can skip).<br><br>The next day, they dove into Shanghai's famous coffee culture. The city boasts over 10,000 coffee shops—more than any other city in the world—and Aisha visited a cafe with a seasonal, artisanal menu. They explored the former French Concession, where tree-lined streets and old architecture reminded her of Italy. Lunch at Xiaoping featured spicy Sichuan beef and creamy crab rice, and they couldn't resist more coffee afterward. Tianzi Fang market was next, where they bought White Rabbit candies (too hard for toddlers) and spent an hour in the cute shop Blan Bunny. Aisha even picked up magnetic bunnies that reminded her of her kids.<br><br>Day three started at the iconic Wukang Building, followed by a bakery lunch with plastic gloves to eat pastries. They wandered through vintage stores, a pharmacy for Hafsa's allergies, and sampled street food: green mugwort rice cake, scallion pancakes (favorite), and zongzi. After another coffee stop, they stumbled upon a temple and then a shopping mall. For dinner, they attempted a popular lamb skewer restaurant but faced a 5.5-hour wait. They used the time to visit The Bund, where the skyline left Aisha in awe—far more impressive than any photo. They grabbed crab soup dumplings instead, then discovered two Shanghai it-brands: To Summer (fragrances) and Songmont (bags). A surprise chocolate museum visit yielded chocolate beer and candies for the kids. Finally, at 12:10 AM, they feasted on lamb skewers, ordering the lamb set and eggplant twice—it was absolutely worth the wait.<br><br>On the last day, they visited 1000 Trees, a mall known for its striking exterior. Aisha loved the view of the apartments opposite, reminiscent of Hong Kong. Inside, she tried an iced americano from a local chain and shopped at o.c.e., a Danish/Chinese brand with Nordic home accessories. Their final meal was Peking duck at Hong Kong Plaza, where the waitress suggested additional dishes. They regretted ordering only half a duck—it was that good. A quick stop at Yuyuan Garden for last-minute souvenirs and traditional Chinese medicine sachets wrapped up the trip. Aisha left Shanghai surprised by its mix of modern skyline, cozy cafes, and traditional corners, already hoping to return.
Aisha Ba's slow 4-day girls' trip to Shanghai was a delightful mix of modern skyline and traditional corners. From coffee hopping in the French Concession to late-night lamb skewers, she discovered a city that blends futuristic energy with quiet, tree-lined streets. The Bund at night, the quirky shops of Tianzi Fang, and that unforgettable hotpot made this a trip to remember.
Aisha Ba explores Shanghai's cafes, hotpot, and night views on a slow 4-day girls' trip, discovering the city's blend of modern and traditional.
4-Day Girls Trip Shanghai Cafes Hotpot Night Views
2:32 Download Didi and Alipay before arriving. Didi makes taxi-hailing easy, and Alipay is accepted almost everywhere. No VPN needed if you use roaming.
8:13 Shanghai has over 10,000 coffee shops—more than any other city. Don't skip the independent cafes in the French Concession for unique seasonal drinks.
4:44 At hotpot restaurants, you can choose multiple broths. The mala (spicy) broth pairs perfectly with peanut dipping sauce. Ask to skip the noodle dance if you're not into it.
24:47 The Bund is best seen at night. Despite the crowds, the skyline is far more impressive in person than in any photo. Plan to visit after dark.
24:16 Popular lamb skewer restaurants can have wait times of several hours. Use the waiting time to explore nearby attractions—the area around The Bund and the new Louis Vuitton store is worth it.
21:48 For a quick snack, try the scallion pancakes from street vendors. They are chewy and flavorful, and a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
38:57 Yuyuan Garden is great for souvenir shopping, especially traditional Chinese medicine sachets. The garden itself is beautiful and even more stunning when lit up at night.
2:32 Download Didi and Alipay before arriving. Didi makes taxi-hailing easy, and Alipay is accepted almost everywhere. No VPN needed if you use roaming.
8:13 Shanghai has over 10,000 coffee shops—more than any other city. Don't skip the independent cafes in the French Concession for unique seasonal drinks.
4:44 At hotpot restaurants, you can choose multiple broths. The mala (spicy) broth pairs perfectly with peanut dipping sauce. Ask to skip the noodle dance if you're not into it.
24:47 The Bund is best seen at night. Despite the crowds, the skyline is far more impressive in person than in any photo. Plan to visit after dark.
24:16 Popular lamb skewer restaurants can have wait times of several hours. Use the waiting time to explore nearby attractions—the area around The Bund and the new Louis Vuitton store is worth it.
21:48 For a quick snack, try the scallion pancakes from street vendors. They are chewy and flavorful, and a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
38:57 Yuyuan Garden is great for souvenir shopping, especially traditional Chinese medicine sachets. The garden itself is beautiful and even more stunning when lit up at night.
1:12 Arrival in Shanghai
4:19 Hotpot dinner
7:56 Coffee tasting in French Concession
12:57 Exploring Tianzi Fang
17:47 Wukang Building and bakery
24:47 The Bund at night
29:21 Lamb skewers at midnight
31:16 1000 Trees shopping mall
38:57 Yuyuan Garden and souvenirs
1:12 Arrival in Shanghai
4:19 Hotpot dinner
7:56 Coffee tasting in French Concession
12:57 Exploring Tianzi Fang
17:47 Wukang Building and bakery
24:47 The Bund at night
29:21 Lamb skewers at midnight
31:16 1000 Trees shopping mall
38:57 Yuyuan Garden and souvenirs
aisha baslow travelgirls tripshanghai cafeshotpotnight viewsfrench concessioncoffee culturesoup dumplingslamb skewersyuyuan gardenWhat was that fruit we had with the Peking duck?
I think it's some kind of persimmon—we asked ChatGPT to identify it!
What if you don't want the noodle dance at the hotpot restaurant?
You can ask the staff to skip it—I think that's what the locals do.
Which hotpot broth did you prefer?
I liked the spicy mala broth the most, especially with the peanut dipping sauce.
