24 Hours In Shanghai: Taking Advantage of China's Visa-Free Transit

Shanghai is an awesome place to have a long layover. On my way to and from Bali, I had about 13 hours on the ground both ways. So, I left the airport and made my way into the city.

China is part of this amazing program called 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit (info here & here). It basically allows people who are laying over in China to venture outside the airport and spend their tourism dollars, all without the hassle and expense of getting a visa. You technically have up to 144 hours on this program, so you could even plan your trip with a few-day stop in Shanghai.

Since I was carrying on a large backpack, I had to get rid of that before leaving the airport. I left it at a locker near the check-in counters, which was cheap and easy to find. There's plenty of English in the airport to find your way. Before handing over my bag, I took a few key items out to take with me:

• Passport
• Money
• Phone charger & adapter
• Map
• Sunglasses & regular glasses
• Camera
• Snack

From there, I bought a ticket into the city on the Maglev high speed rail. Pudong is on the outskirts of town, so the rail gets you into the heart of it very quickly and inexpensively.

REALLY good photo of me next to the Maglev. This is what I get for not brining my selfie stick. 

The Maglev lets off at a station that, again, isn't quite to the heart of the city. So I transferred over to the metro. English is everywhere here as well, so it's really easy to use.

I made my way to People's Square, where I walked around in the early morning. I didn't see any other tourists, but I felt very safe. Which is important to note, since this was my first solo trip as a female traveler.

The Urban Planning Exhibition in People's Square, Shanghai.

The Shanghai Museum, also located in the People's Square.

Everywhere in downtown Shanghai is perfectly manicured.

From there, I started making my way toward Nanjing Road, which is a strip of commercialized stores and shops.

Pit stop for a little dumpling on Nanjing Road. 

Walking down Nanjing Road in Shanghai, China.

Having done some exploring, I was ready to taste the local cuisine. I'd found a place called Grandmother Shanghai Restaurant via my Lonely Planet guide, so I headed that direction. The staff was not super friendly to me here, but I came to find out that was general Chinese hospitality, at least to tourists.

I ordered myself three plates of food for probably $15 USD, which was more than enough for two people. As you can imagine, the food was insanely good. I regret to inform that I did not take a photo.

After food, I walked to The Bund, the beautiful waterfront parkway. There, I was stopped for my first selfie with a Chinese man! Always nice to make someone's day, but you gotta wonder where those photos end up. Anyway.

The bustle of the Bund against a backdrop of Shanghai's financial district. 

My favorite photo from the trip of Shanghai's Financial District. 

It was time to make my way back to the airport. I definitely gave myself more time than necessary to get back, since I wasn't sure how long it would take me to go through customs and security again. I got through both in under an hour, so had a good amount of time to charge my phone and get a snack before the flight.

Off to Bali I went!

On my second trek into the city, I checked the following off my list:

• Yang's Fry Dumplings
• Shanghai Museum
• Spicy Joint
• Shanghai Old Street
• Yu Garden

The breakfast of champions is dumplings. I got a plate of six at the renowned Yang's Fry Dumplings, also recommended by Lonely Planet. What they don't tell you is that no one speaks English, and it's a very quick-moving place. The cashier gives you a ticket, which you are then supposed to bring to the dumpling window, where they will give you your dumplings. I naively took my receipt and sat at a table until finally getting up to ask the cashier where I was supposed to get my dang dumplings. Very uncomfortable, but so worth it for these crispy chewy juicy bad boys.

Yang's [incredible] Fry Dumplings. Get a ticket at the cash register & give it to the fry guy through the little window. 

I spent the better part of my morning at the Shanghai Museum, resting my feet and exploring the galleries a bit. This was just about the only place in the city I found other tourists. It's a really beautiful and modern museum.

Inside the Shanghai Museum.

Walking through one of the many beautiful parks in Shanghai. 

At this point, I had already spent the last ten days on my feet backpacking around Bali, so all I really wanted to do was relax. So, after the museum, I headed to another Lonely Planet food local called Spicy Joint. It was a Sichuan place, so everything on the 100-page menu had a very rich, distinct flavor.

I ordered five things for about $11 USD, and probably finished a quarter. I had no idea I was ordering so much food! I felt so bad about tossing it that I had them pack it up for me, and I carried it around the rest of the day and ate it for dinner. Stay sustainable, friends.

I love how this photo juxtaposes the chaos of street traffic with the elegant buildings shrouded in fog. 

My feast for one at Spicy Joint. Absolutely unbelievable Sichuan for very little money. 

To end my second day in Shanghai, I walked through the older, more traditional part of town to get to the Yu Garden.

Walking through Old Town in Shanghai, China.

As I bought my ticket and walked into the garden, fat warm heavy raindrops started to all from the sky. It was nearing dusk, but dark grey clouds rolled in so quickly that it felt like night had fallen.

Then, it began to pour. Fortunately, I'd bought an umbrella earlier in the day for some light showers, which I used to hop from room to room in the garden. Eventually, it started to thunder and lightening, which lasted for about an hour. At one point, I just sat in awe of the beauty around me and the absurdity of a storm hitting in that moment.

I was a little scared, because I was on my own and needed to get back to the airport soon and get on a flight home. But sitting in a beautiful, ancient pagoda while rain pounds down all around you is a pretty cool experience, so I tried hard to just be in the moment.

Inside the Yu Gardens. 

You can kind of see the rain drops falling in the koi pond. Doesn't even compare to the lighting & thunderstorm that came next.

I really wish I had more time in the gardens. I also never made it to the Shanghai Tower or Oriental Tower for some city views, which many people recommended. That, along with a river boat tour, are the first thing I would do given the chance to go back.

I really hope I have another layover in Shanghai. I was really nervous about taking advantage of this 72-Hour Visa Free Transit program, but it was SO simple and painless. I would recommend anyone with a long layover to take advantage of it.

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Up Next: Read 10 Questions With A Badass Female Solo Traveler: A First Timer's Guide 

Goodbye Amsterdam, Goodbye Heart

As I sit in my living room in small-town, Washington State, USA, scarfing down Cheetos and guzzling Coke Zero, I could not feel farther away from my home of the past four months. And that's okay.

Of course, leaving my barren room and boarding a plane yesterday was tough. It was truly a goodbye and not a "see you later," as it had been for months when I would whisk away for the weekend, only to return Sunday evening relieved and content to be back within the confines of my sanctuary of a dorm room. This time, I don't know when I'll be back to Amsterdam. But, I walk away completely at peace with my time in the Netherlands.

Aerial shot of the Westermarkt (home of Sefa!!!).

Like any relationship you enter knowing it will have to end, my European lover and I made the most of our time together. I accomplished everything I wanted: visited every restaurant, bar, club, museum, park, and country on my list (for the time), learned an unbelievable amount about a new continent and myself, and made some of the most interesting and meaningful relationships of my entire life.

I finally understand what all people who have studied abroad seem to have, an intangible new way of looking at the world and even yourself. Its something you hear in the voice of previous travelers, right before you leave for your own abroad experience. It usually takes shape in the phrase, "You are going to have the most amazing time; it's going to change your life."

Amsterdam coat of arms. No, the x's do not stand for drugs, sex and money.

I thought, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Until it did.

I am easily a more independent, adventurous, appreciative, insightful, culturally-aware, worldly, and humble human being, thanks to my time abroad. Landing smack dab in the middle of Dutch culture and society forced me to expand my understanding of the world at large and, more importantly, turn a reflective eye on my own country. I learned that most Europeans don't think very highly of Americans, which is why it is so important to strive to be the best version of yourself when it comes to interacting in the international community. I think I won over a few people (looking at you, Dutch Buddy!).

Beautiful as far as the eye can see.

It's easy to feel like nothing has changed, having already aided my transition back into the U.S. with pedicures, PopTarts, and my car. But with each glance at my phone's screensaver (the Dam) or encounter with a bike lane (scarce in Camas, WA), I'm reminded of my perfect experience across the pond and the personal transformation that it entailed.

To all the people that made this experience possible - Mom, Dad, grandparents, friends - WOW, THANK YOU. I am so blessed to have had your support, both financial and emotional. To all the people that I met along the ride - CIEE peeps, my "Rage Fam," international friends - you have contributed to the best four months of my entire life, and I will never forget you. xx

My handsome PG boys <3

Final Days in Amsterdam

With only ten days left in Amsterdam, my abroad experience is coming to a close. I have spent the last month here, reveling in every experience that this city has to offer. Allow me to recap on a few of my best memories and subsequent musings.

Liberation Day

Pregaming Lib Day in the sun on the houseboat in front of my dorm!

Westerpark Lib Day Festival! Classic bike shot.

Another one of those underrated Dutch holidays, Liberation Day is celebrated every year on the 5th of May in the Netherlands, commemorating the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany during WWII. Unlike Kingsday, I hadn't heard about this holiday before coming abroad, most likely due to the fact that students take advantage of the long weekend to travel. Well, I was here, and I recommend everyone stay for this lively Dutch day. 

The city comes alive with multiple open-air festivals, both free and priced, catering to just about every musical preference you can think of. I personally attended two festivals, both free. The first part of the day, my friends and I spent at Westerpark, a huge park in the upper western corner just outside of city center. Here, there were 7-8 different little stages throughout the park playing an eclectic mix of music. We hit the park's famous food truck alley, people watched and then chilled on the grass, listening to some cool tunes in the sun.

Endless love for tourist groups that dress up in matching outfits <3

After leaving the Westerpark, we headed south to the Amstel River, where a massive concert was set to take place on the water. The Royal Family and various Netherlands officials were there, so you know it was a big deal. The musical menu took a turn for the classical, featuring mainly symphony and a cappella performances. Although not my genres of choice, it was cool to participate in the mainly Dutch audience and feel the strong sense of patriotism they share. All throughout the performance, little Dutch flags and red, blue and white balloons were passed throughout the crowd. It was tough to get a good picture from my (short) position in the crowd, but my blurry attempts give you the idea.

Crowd at the Concert on the Amstel.

Amazing floating stage and light setup for the Concert on the Amstel.

Liberation Day was a fun and lighthearted day in the Netherlands, but its deeper implications resonated with me on a different level. Living in Europe for a semester has truly opened my eyes to the scar that World War II left on the face of Europe, affecting especially those countries whose citizens were persecuted. I haven't had one class this semester that hasn't drawn on the second World War as a source of influence as to how our world is today, both in Europe and in America. Obviously, because the war physically took place in Europe, it is remembered more vividly and holds a more relevant position in every day life here. However, it's eye-opening and a bit shocking how little I, and probably most people in the U.S., think about this world-altering tragedy that occurred truly not that long ago and the implications that has for our society.

Culinary Adventures

Yummy tasting at de Kas ("The Greenhouse").

On a lighter note, I have been taking advantage of my dwindling days here to check out more of the cuisine Amsterdam has to offer! One experience, sponsored by CIEE, involved biking out to the eastern side of town to check out a restaurant called de Kas (Dutch for "the greenhouse"). I am so picking up what this place is putting down; they are the picture of sustainable eating in that they grow the majority of their produce in the nursery/garden attached to their restaurant and their farm 20 minutes away.

Brunch with Mama at the #1 Yelped place in Amsterdam, Gartine.

They firmly support the "slow food movement" that is picking up speed in Amsterdam, which is, in short, a response to the "fast food boom" that most Millennials have grown up in. Fresh produce, sustainable animal products, fair trade and the utmost care in preparing food are the cornerstones of this movement, and I am just so into it.

Beer Biking!

Hell yeah, we rented a beer bike.

The Rage Crew: "Like, We Rage"

Among other ridiculous things my friends and I have done in Amsterdam, this is certainly among the top five. Yes, people, we rented a beer bike! And it was epic. We are not the self-proclaimed "Rage Crew" for no reason; our group of 13 outdrank the group of Germans that proceeded us. GERMANS!

Basically, we rode this bad boy around town for two hours, consuming over 30 liters of beer and four bottles of champagne. The general public loved us, with strangers on the street pushing our bike up hills when necessary and clapping and cheering for us as we rode past. It may have had something to do with the spontaneous, but constant, stream of drinking justifications being shouted from our bike. For instance, "There's a huge dog in that window, DRIIIIINNNKKKK!!!!!" or when passing our favorite doner kebab place, "We love you Sefa, DRIIIINNKKKK!!!!" Pretty much everything about this city merits a celebratory drink.

For all intents and purposes, my brother and sister #family

These three experiences certainly don't encompass all of my recent shenanigans. Sometimes, what happens in Amsterdam has to stay in Amsterdam. But what they do illustrate are a few of my very favorite things about my time abroad: cultural-historic understanding, mindfulness, and my little CIEE family. These are the things that Amsterdam gave me, and for them, I will look back on this city with the biggest heart full of love.