Day 1 in Shanghai: Surviving New Year’s Eve in the World’s Most Populated Country

I’ve never seen this many people in one place. Ever.

It was New Year’s Eve in Shanghai—China’s financial capital and one of the most densely populated cities in the world. To give you an idea, China is home to over 1.4 billion people, and Shanghai alone has nearly 25 million residents, with one of the highest GDPs among Asian cities. This is a global powerhouse—and trust me, you feel it the moment you hit the streets.

Where We Stayed: Ji Hotel (Tiantong Road)

For Day 1, we checked into Ji Hotel near Tiantong Road. It’s not right next to The Bund (Shanghai’s famous riverside view), but hear me out—it’s literally right on top of a metro station.

Shanghai’s metro system is hands-down one of the most efficient I’ve used: fast, frequent, and super affordable. Having access to it right beside the hotel was a game-changer, especially on a day as packed as NYE.

Our Route: From Nanjing East Road to Yu Garden to... Chaos

• We started our day at Nanjing East Road, Shanghai’s iconic shopping street filled with lights, people, and energy.

• Then we strolled down towards The Bund to catch the iconic skyline views.

• After that, we grabbed a Didi and headed over to Yu Garden, where the ancient architecture met festive energy.

• And just when we thought we were done for the night, we decided to return to Nanjing Pedestrian Road... BIG mistake (or big adventure?).

The streets were packed shoulder-to-shoulder. We got caught in the crowd and somehow ended up back at The Bund, trapped in the madness of NYE.

When in Doubt, Walk It Out

With traffic completely jammed and public transport overwhelmed, we made the bold (but honestly beautiful) decision to walk all the way from The Bund back to our hotel near Tiantong Road. It took us about 15–20 minutes, and the cold air (around 2–8°C) definitely woke us up. But seeing the city glow during NYE on foot? Totally worth it. New Year’s Eve in Shanghai is definitely something you want to experience yourself!

Tips If You're Planning a Trip for New Year’s Eve in Shanghai:

• Avoid taxis or rideshares after 8PM—they’ll be stuck.

• Layer up—it’s cold in late December.

• Stay near a metro station—trust me on this.

• Be patient and expect crowds—but soak it all in. This city doesn’t sleep on celebrations.

👇 NEXT EPISODE 👇

[Day 2: A Slow Day in ZhuJiajiao — The Ancient Water Town Near Shanghai]