HappyTravelerMar1
15 Jan 2020
We had one free day on a group trip to Shanghai. Everyone said it wasn't possible, looking at us dubiously when we shared our plans going back and forth to Beijing. But it was, and a very long day, but very worth it.
Picked up at 6:00a, returning after midnight (return flight was delayed). Saw a lot and it was very organized. Favorite part was seeing/walking The Great Wall. Drivers picking us up from Shanghai hotel and Beijing airport were very nice and helpful. Could have used a map/notes outlining airport procedure & terminal location, but we got there just fine. Our guide was a very cheerful, sweet young woman who wanted us to have a good time, but she hustled us right by Tianaman Square without noting it, redirecting our attention toward The Forbidden City (seemed on purpose). If we hadn't individually noticed what we were walking by, we would have missed it (even though it was promised on the itinerary & we wanted to see that part of history).
We also spent a lot of time at The Forbidden City, which started looking the same--how many thrones did the Emperor really need! She offered a virtual reality upsell, which we took, that we didn't feel was worth it. It took time and the graphics were pretty unsophisticated. She also talked very quickly with a very strong accent and I had to ask her to slow down/repeat herself several times until I just surrendered, smiling and nodding, missing much of the information. Lunch was tasty and a nice, quick break from all the swift walking, followed by jade store. Beautiful offerings, but prices didn't seem favorable.
Then to The Great Wall, which we were most looking forward to but were running out of time. I would have definitely swapped way more time from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, for sure! It's beautiful and remarkable and worthy of admiration. Note, the bricks are very uneven--some 1-brick height, most 2-brick height & some 3-brick height, where I had to hoist myself up with hand on knee (we're both 5'8"). Also, guide was constantly trying to pose us in "sweetheart" photos, initially appreciated, ultimately distracting from what we were there to experience.
Reminder: most restrooms did NOT have toilet paper, so bring your own & toilets are holes in the ground so for those with balance issues, bring your cane. I wondered how older people coped.
All in all, we saw a lot, tour front-to-back was very organized and we felt as safe as one can feel in a foreign country without knowing the language.
The magnificent Tian'an men Square is giganticly big and yet one could hardly set a foot in front of the other without bumping into someone. The history is rich and tragic, military and police are presents is everywhere. We were told not to look them in the eye nor to take pictures of them.