Shanghai & Beijing, China: Modern Marvels & Ancient Wonders 11–20 February 2025
China is a country that keeps evolving at an incredible pace. With visa-free entry for most nationalities in recent years, it has become much easier and more attractive to visit — and I’m sure I’ll be back multiple times in the coming years.
Hotels
In Shanghai I stayed at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental, a true luxury hotel in a fantastic location. In Beijing I stayed at an excellent 5-star hotel (name forgotten, but it was top-tier with outstanding service and comfort).
Shanghai Impressions
Shanghai is without doubt China’s most modern and dynamic city. It perfectly blends futuristic skyscrapers, luxury malls, and traditional neighborhoods. You can go from high-end shopping and Michelin-starred restaurants one moment to authentic local eateries the next.
A memorable experience was celebrating my birthday at a Michelin-star restaurant where they served longevity noodles instead of cake — a wonderful Chinese tradition.
Beijing & The Great Wall
After a few days in Shanghai, I took the high-speed train to Beijing (fast, comfortable, and efficient).
The absolute highlight was visiting the Great Wall. It is truly impressive — massive, historic, and stretching endlessly into the mountains. Climbing it also gave me a solid cardio workout!
Final Thoughts
China offers an exciting mix of ultra-modern cities and deep historical roots. Shanghai feels like the future, while Beijing gives you that powerful sense of ancient China with the Great Wall as the crown jewel. The food scene is world-class at every price level, and the country’s rapid development is visible everywhere.
Would I recommend China? Absolutely yes! Whether you love big cities, incredible food, or historic sites, China delivers. The visa-free policy makes it very accessible, and the high-speed trains make traveling between cities effortless. Shanghai and Beijing are a perfect combination for a first (or repeat) trip. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to explore more of this fascinating country next time.
