Shanghai, known as the”Magic City”, exerts an indescribable allure. The century-old clock tower on the Bund faces the skyscrapers of Lujiazui across the Huangpu River, while the vibrant everyday life of the old alleyways blends with the trendy vibe of new commercial districts. A witness to China’s modern history, it is also a frontier of reform and opening-up.

Recently, Hailiang International School launched a new chapter of its”Experiencing China” curriculum. Following the study tour “Chang’an in a Backpack” in Xi’an, we took our students to Shanghai. Over two days, they decoded the city’s past and present among fairy-tale castles, skyscrapers reaching into the clouds, the century-old Bund and bustling streets.

First Stop: ShanghaiDisney Resort

Where fairy tales come alive and imagination takes flight.

Disneyland

Our group of students arrived at Shanghai Disney Resort around noon. Basking in the bright sunshine, the iconic castle stood majestically at the end of Mickey Avenue. Without pausing for lunch, the students excitedly gathered with their friends to take photos in front of the castle. For many of them, it was their first visit to Disneyland, and pure joy lit up every face.

The seven themed zones invited everyone to wander at their own pace. Some sprinted straight for TRON Lightcycle Power Run, screaming in exhilaration as they roared through the darkness; others were utterly mesmerized by the jaw-dropping special effects in Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure. Some strolled through the boutles at a leisurely pace, hunting for the perfect souvenirs for their loved ones; while others just sat by the curb, spellbound by the vibrant parade, and watched as their favorite cartoon characters emerged from the screen to wave warmly at the crowd.

After dark, the castle fireworks show began as scheduled. Amid the glowing lights and bursting fireworks, the students gazed upward with sparkling eyes. Some remarked that they had only seen such scenes in videos before, and that being there in person felt completely different.

Second Stop: The Oriental Pearl Tower

Above the clouds, witnessing the city rise.

Early the next morning, under a cloudy sky, the students made their way up the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower.

The high-speed elevator ascended at 7 meters per second, reaching the 259-meter panoramic observation deck in less than a minute. As the elevator doors opened, the whole of Shanghai unfolded beneath their feet: the meandering Huangpu River cut through the city, the century-old buildings of the Bund stood quietly on the opposite bank, and the skyscrapers of Lujiazui loomed faintly in the mist.

“Look over there — that’s the Bund, the heart of bustling Shanghai a hundred years ago. And this side is Lujiazui, which was just farmland merely 30 years ago.” Pointing out the window, the teacher shared stories of Shanghai with the students.

Standing there, history and the present converged in one view. Many students took out their phones to take photos, while others leaned against the glass window and watched carefully. One student wrote in the study tour journal: “Shanghai didn’t spring up overnight; it is the accumulation of a hundred years.”

Third Stop: Huangpu River Cruise

On the river, listening to echoes of history.

Leaving the Oriental Pearl behind, rain spattered the sky. The students stepped aboard the Huangpu River cruise, embarking on their voyage amidst the rain.

The river breeze carried drizzles across our faces. Scenery on both banks drifted slowly past in the mist. On one side stood the century-old buildings of the Bund — the Customs House, Peace Hotel, each with its own story. On the other rose the skyscrapers of Lujiazui — the Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, each reaching toward the future.

The cruise guide remarked, “This river has watched over Shanghai’s whole evolution: from a humble fishing village to a thriving international metropolis.”

The students listened quietly. Some took photos, some recorded videos, and others simply leaned against the railings, gazing at the river in the rain. The Huangpu River on a rainy day was less noisy and more peaceful.

Fourth Stop: Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street

Between the lanes, feeling the city’s pulse.

In the afternoon, our group of teachers and students explored Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, celebrated as”China’s Top Commercial Street”. Lively and vibrant, the avenue blended traditional time-honored brands with trendy fashion houses, where century-old architectures stood face to face with modern shopping complexes. The pavement, freshly washed by the rain, glistened, and the air was filled with a lingering sense of freshness.

The students’ task was simple: to wander, observe, and soak up the street’s lively atmosphere. Some bought butterfly pastries and said they were delicious. Some took photos by the mailbox, planning to send postcards home. Some stepped into a qipao shop and looked around for a long time. Others squatted by the roadside to watch elderly men play Chinese chess; even though they couldn’t understand the game, they watched quietly for quite a while.

Some students said that they used to think Shanghai was only about skyscrapers. But walking along Nanjing Road, they realized that the old streets, time-honored shops and local residents are the true essence of the city.

As dusk fell, the students boarded the coach for the return trip.

The two-day and one-night trip was short, yet everyone brought back something special—perhaps photos of Disney fireworks, memories of the panoramic view from the Oriental Pearl, the Huangpu River in the rain, or a butterfly pastry from Nanjing Road.

These moments will stay in their memories, gradually shaping their impression of Shanghai.

One student wrote in their study tour summary:

“What Shanghai taught me is not just to see its prosperity, but to understand how it came to be what it is today.”

From the red walls of the Forbidden City in Beijing

to the foot of Purple Mountain in Nanjing

from the thousand-year echoes of Xi’an

to the vibrant pulse of modern Shanghai ——

The “China in My Eyes” program has one mission：

Let students measure this land with their own steps

and witness this era with their own eyes.

At HIS

Every journey we take

Is to understand China more deeply

And connect with the world more broadly