What to Do During a Shanghai Stopover? Make Xiaolongbao Like a Local
Turning a Shanghai stopover into a hands-on cultural experience.
Sometimes the Best Stopovers Become the Best Memories
Nick and April weren't planning a holiday in China.
Shanghai was simply a stopover on their journey home to Australia after traveling through Italy.
Instead of taking a nearly 30-hour journey home in one go, they decided to spend five days in Shanghai before continuing their trip.
Sometimes, the best destinations are the ones you never planned.
Recovering from Jet Lag, One Day at a Time
Their first day in Shanghai didn't go quite as they had imagined.
Jet lag won.
They slept for hours at the hotel, and by the time they woke up, it was already late in the evening.
Like many first-time visitors to China, they assumed there probably wouldn't be much open at night—and they weren't sure if it was a good idea to go out.
I smiled and told them something that surprises many travelers.
Shanghai is a city that stays awake much later than many people expect. Even late at night, it's easy to find restaurants, convenience stores, and people enjoying the evening outside.
By their second day, they were already feeling much more confident exploring the city.
Every dumpling gets a little better with practice.
Learning to Make Xiaolongbao
That second day brought them to our studio for a Xiaolongbao cooking class.
Neither of them had made soup dumplings before.
Nick mentioned that he usually does more of the cooking at home.
Naturally, he thought he might have a slight advantage.
Well...
By the end of the class, April's Xiaolongbao were just a little prettier.
Thankfully, Nick took it with a smile.
As with many beginners, both of them improved quickly after folding a few dumplings. Watching each soup dumpling become neater than the last is one of the most rewarding parts of every class.
And when the bamboo steamer was finally opened...
Every single Xiaolongbao disappeared.
That's always one of the best compliments we can receive.
Freshly steamed Xiaolongbao, ready to enjoy.
A Conversation About Chinese Gardens
While chatting during lunch, Nick and April told me how much they had enjoyed visiting Yu Garden.
That naturally led to another recommendation.
"If you like Chinese gardens," I said, "you should visit Suzhou."
It's one of China's most famous garden cities, and thanks to the country's high-speed rail network, it's an easy day trip from Shanghai.
Nick's eyes lit up immediately.
April laughed and explained why.
"He just wants to ride the high-speed train."
Honestly, I thought that was a perfectly good reason.
Sometimes the journey is just as exciting as the destination.
A memorable second day in China before continuing their journey.
Culture Note: Why China's High-Speed Rail Is a Traveler's Best Friend
China has one of the world's largest and fastest high-speed rail networks, connecting major cities with clean, comfortable, and efficient trains.
For visitors staying in Shanghai, this makes day trips remarkably easy.
Suzhou, famous for its UNESCO-listed classical gardens, can be reached in as little as 30 minutes on many high-speed rail services. Other nearby cities, such as Hangzhou, are also convenient options for a day or overnight trip.
For many travelers, riding a Chinese high-speed train isn't just transportation—it's part of the travel experience itself.
Beginner Chinese: 高铁 (Gāo Tiě)
高铁 (Gāo Tiě) means high-speed rail.
You'll often see or hear this word while traveling around China.
For example:
我们坐高铁去苏州。
Wǒmen zuò gāotiě qù Sūzhōu.
"We're taking the high-speed rail to Suzhou."
If you're planning to explore beyond Shanghai, 高铁 is one of the most useful travel words to know.
More Than a Cooking Class
One of my favorite parts of hosting travelers is seeing how quickly first impressions change.
Less than twenty-four hours earlier, Nick and April weren't sure whether it was a good idea to leave their hotel after dark.
Now they were confidently folding Xiaolongbao, planning a high-speed rail trip to Suzhou, and discovering that some of the most memorable travel experiences happen far beyond the typical sightseeing itinerary.
Travel has a wonderful way of replacing uncertainty with curiosity.
Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation, one shared meal, and one new experience.
A Stopover Worth Remembering
Shanghai may only have been a stopover on Nick and April's journey home.
But perhaps that's exactly why experiences like these matter.
When you slow down long enough to learn a new skill, share a meal, and talk with local people, a city becomes much more than another destination on the map.
It becomes part of your story.
Looking for Things to Do During a Shanghai Stopover?
Whether you're spending two days or a full week in Shanghai, a hands-on Xiaolongbao cooking class is a memorable way to experience Chinese culture beyond the city's famous landmarks.
You'll learn how to make authentic soup dumplings from scratch, hear the stories behind the food, and enjoy the meal you've created together.
And who knows?
You might leave with more than just a new recipe—you might leave already planning your next trip on China's high-speed rail.
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