A Few Days in Shanghai, September 2018

I spent a few days in Shanghai in mid-September 2018. My first real impression of the city was from high up, looking out over the Pudong skyline from across the Huangpu River. At night, it was just a sea of lights, with the Oriental Pearl Tower and the other skyscrapers dominating the view. It's a perspective that really drives home the scale of the place.

By day, under a thick layer of clouds, the view was different but just as impressive. You could see the sheer density of the city, with buildings stretching out as far as the eye could see. It felt vast and almost overwhelming.

The trip wasn't all just staring out of windows. One evening involved a long dinner with a large group, a nice, calm moment indoors before heading back out into the city.

I spent a lot of time down by the river in the evenings. At street level, the city felt more alive. The light from the buildings reflected on the water, with boats passing by. The towers themselves became massive, colorful displays. It was a completely different experience being down in it, rather than just observing from above.