When Duke University student Matthew Rodriguez landed in Shanghai during a layover, he turned 24 hours into an unforgettable cultural deep-dive—and his video just broke the internet.
With China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy fueling wanderlust (and Instagram feeds 💫), Rodriguez zipped through Shanghai’s highlights like a pro. His day included:
🍜 Breakfast at a bustling xiaolongbao spot, where he mastered chopsticks mid-bite
🏯 A sunrise photoshoot at the Bund, blending colonial-era architecture with futuristic skyscrapers
🚲 A bike tour through alleyways dotted with 100-year-old shikumen houses
“I expected neon lights, but the real magic was in the morning markets—vendors laughing, steam rising from dumpling baskets,” Rodriguez said in his clip, now shared 50K+ times. 🥟✨
Why It’s Trending: Gen Z travelers are ditching rigid itineraries for “micro-adventures” in Chinese cities. As one TikTok comment read: “Who needs a week? Give me 24h and a metro card!” 🚇
Got your own China story? DM us—we’re sharing the best ones next week! 👇
