When we last spoke I was on a bus headed to Shanghai. We made it around 6pm. So, it wasn’t late but the sun was sleeping already.
Luckily, we weren’t sleepy so we headed to a market area our tour guide referred to as “Chinatown” to shop.
We’ve become fast friends with our fellow travelers after spending all day with them on a bus or sitting together for every meal. Luckily, everyone is super awesome and interesting and nice!!
They have pretty nice butts too.
(I have been photo-bombed and photo-butted so many times on this trip! I’m going to do an all butts post soon.)
The Chinese New Year is coming soon so everything is decorated for the celebration! There are so many red lanterns and lights around public areas and a ton of colorful decorations here.
Since it was freezing I warmed up with a hot boba milk tea.
And I did a little shopping. The one thing I wanted from China (besides eating Chinese food for breakfast, lunch and dinner) was my own set of chopsticks. I found a set I really love.
I was getting hungry by this time and got a few treats from one of the candy stores.
This almond one was the best out of the bunch (and I got another one).
The green tea powder on this wasn’t sweet at all, it was almost bitter. I’ve found most of the desserts in China are very mildly sweet.
Dinner was on our own, not with the group. Ben and I headed to a small restaurant near the hotel.
My egg obsession has been very happy here in China. I ordered ‘rolled egg’ and a vegetable stir-fry.
**Check out RunEatRepeat on Instagram for a video of my veggies moving! It was so weird!! But, the waitress didn’t say anything about it at all, like it’s totally normal.
We ended the night with a visit to the Shanghai waterfront. At night this place is GORGEOUS! It’s all lit up in different colors that reflect on the water. This picture just can’t do it justice.
I knew Beijing would be hard to beat, but this made me fall in love with Shanghai. Amazing.
Tomorrow is our last full day in China. It feels like I’ve been gone for weeks and weeks! I have loved every second, but I am a little ready to go home.
See ya in a bit!
Question: Do you have a set of chopsticks?
James says
I have a Japanese girlfriend and she converted me to eating exclusively with chopsticks! I love it now. It helps me to slow down while eating and take smaller bites.
Andrea says
I love the Bund in Shaghai. It’s such a modern area and such a contrast from all of the historic areas of Beijing. I bought some great tea in Shanghai when I was there!
kayla says
Those moving things are actually dried fish flakes or katsuobushi…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsuobushi
Laura says
I grew up in Hong Kong and Shanghai Since (finish middle school and high school there) and loved it. Shanghai is an amazing city 🙂 your pictures bring back some great memories! And I know how you feel, running in China can be a bit challenging. We used to have track practice cancelled at least once a month for dangerously high pollution levels!
Amy H. @ Run with Perseverance says
Oh my gosh, that water front is BEAUTIFUL! Looks like Shanghai needs to be added to my travel bucket list.
Oregon Girl Eats says
Speaking of photo bombs, I just realized that you are flipping us off in your newspaper header picture! Too funny! What’s up the photo-butts?!? Is it a China thing or maybe I just don’t take enough pictures. 🙂
Deb says
I have a pair of beautiful Chopsticks from when I lived in Japan as a child. (they actually look like the ones in your picture are Japanese Chopsticks – Chinese chopsticks aren’t usually “Pointy” but Japanese are). What an amazing trip you’ve had.
Sue says
Plenty of chopsticks at home since I’m Chinese but we don’t use them except during meals for festivities/celebrations. And if you do make a trip to Korea or Japan in the future, pick up some chopsticks too – they’re slightly different from the Chinese ones.
Really do hope you can run along the Bund/waterway. 🙂
runeatrepeat says
I didn’t get a chance to run along it, my one regret.
Losing Lindy says
I love chopsticks and love that set….
Becky @ Ok, so here's the plan says
I bought my boyfriend a set of chopsticks for Christmas (from an etsy shop based in Thailand), he loves eating with them. I still need more practice with them, especially when it comes to rice.
AdjustedReality says
OMGosh, Shanghai at night is beautiful, I must go! Seems like a lot of fun to be with a group, so you get some new friends! China is definitely now on my list to go visit!
Rosamund says
It all looks so beautiful! I had the same experience with a meal in China which freaked me out as I am a veggie. My friend who spoke Chinese asked the waitress and she said it is the onion flakes that go on top of the dish. They react with the sauce and air and just start moving, craziness. I did however see the silkworms in the middle of a produce section of a grocery store. They were packaged and sealed but a few of them were moving around and pushing on the plastic wrap around them. That was just creepy.
Livi says
haha I’ve never seen a butt photo bomb before ! so funny!
Meghan says
Only the ones I don’t use from take out sushi!
Anna @ Running for my Life says
Our chopsticks are part of a sushi set I purchased while we visited Tokyo, Japan! It’s fun to use them at home and remember our time there!
TartanJogger tartanjogger.com says
It looks awesome!
I do- a gift from someone who had visited Hong Kong!
Kathy says
Awesome pictures ..thanks for sharing all…and the photo bomb too! ha!
Dawn says
What a beautiful city, and so many interesting food choices. I could totally go for some hot boba milk tea right now 🙂
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. says
I have a pair of Hello Kitty chopsticks! 🙂
Kirsten says
Great pics! Isn’t hot boba delicious?? I am moving back to Shanghai in a month and cannot wait!
runeatrepeat says
Yes! I’ve only had cold at home!
Michelle @ 3cheaprunners says
Yes…but know how to use them is a completely different story
Garage Gym John says
So jealous! I love Asian food – real Asian food.
I’ve tried to buy fancy chopsticks before. They look nice at a set table, but wood is still the best for eating.
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork says
We do have a set of chopsticks. They were given to us as a gift many years ago and I don’t believe we’ve ever used them. My husband likes Chinese food more than me. I find it difficult to find a place that offers good gluten-free food as I’m usually stuck with boring steamed chicken and vegetables and no soy sauce.
Those lights of the city are amazing! So colorful!
Judith says
I love love love Shanghai. Definitely one of my favorite cities anywhere. The people are so lovely. I’m jealous!
Ashley says
We have 2 sets! They aren’t super nice, but I love eating with them every once in awhile!
Catherine @ foodiecology says
Gorgeous photos; what a stunning place! China is definitely on my list of places to visit before I die! 🙂
DiDi says
Here’s info on the “dancing flakes” you saw on your meal. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtN0y-AqIY4
Kelly says
Love the pictures, looks amazing!
michelle kim says
Yeah, our family has many many chopsticks (we’re Korean).
I would totally love going around and tasting all the yummy eats in China (probably good that their desserts aren’t too sweet).
Sally @ sweat out the small stuff says
Wow! Shanghai! Stunning! Enjoy your eats and your last full day…
april says
as much as i loved beijing, i completely fell in love with shanghai! my tour group went to the acrobats show on our last night there and had a blast – i highly recommend going if you get the chance! =)
Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki says
Wow what a gorgeous skyline! All the food looks so interesting and yummy
Megan says
I found a bunch of chopsticks in a kitchen drawer. I am guessing they may be from my old roommate… not sure though!
April says
We have three sets of chopsticks at home, I honestly don’t recall how I ended up with them! But we keep them around for when Hubs eats ramen or we get pho.
Amazing pictures!!
Jackie says
What an amazing trip!
Stephanie@ Run the Lines says
I do have chopsticks…somewhere. I bought a set when I was living in Japan but they seemed to have gotten lost in the shuffle of the moves since then. I will find them one day!
Casey says
I think the moving food comes from a reaction of the salty soy sauce or something. I saw a thing on it once!
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says
Wow such beautiful views! (Minus the butts of course – wonder if that is a Chinese thing!?)
Have a safe and great trip home!
Katie@RunningARagnar says
This is hysterical. I have never heard of Butt Photo Bombing. Bizarre! May have to start doing this. May have to work out more to start doing this.
Chicago Jogger says
That is a gorgeous skyline!! Safe travels home!
Hayley@healthyregardshayley says
YES! I love eating with chopsticks! I especially have a hard time slowing down when I eat so chopsticks help with that, plus it is just fun!
Mike @ FitFriend says
Nice, Shanghai has always been a top place in my goto list! Looks like there’s a strong variety of tasty but healthy food there too. Enjoy
Jessica @ PugRunAholic says
Looks like you’re having a blast! 🙂