Shanghai Has Changed Forever Since The Lockdown (

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Join me on this little walk down memory lane..

[@dellingson4833]

Will those same people let "them" lock them down again. What didn't you learn the first time people. Oh, i forgot your in China never mind.

[@TheOriginalDaveJ]

Hey Tommy! Reckon you must have a woman seeing as you ain't been out and about as much as you used to be. Good to see you again tho, stay safe and take it easy 🙏

[@joshuamleyba2731]

what kinda business did you run there?

[@audidreamscometrue]

you must have had your eyes and ears covered during the pandemic If you think No guns is worth it lol

[@dellingson4833]

@@audidreamscometrue What are you attempting to say to whom?

[@calvinl2199]

Thanks for sharing. Lived in Shanghai for 12 years, had the time of my life. Felt a bit nostalgic watching your video.

[@calahad]

This was a random YT recommendation to me, but it was refreshing how down-to-earth and straight to the point this video was. Lots of information, a bit of interaction, and a great deal of context. Kept me hooked the entire time. Well done.

[@ValentinaMitchell1]

That’s awesome! Tommy, has a lot of videos he has posted on here, recently I’ve sent back and watched most of them. He puts the # of the vlog in each title, so if you watch one you can find the before or after video easily!

[@supertuesday600]

China is a dying economy. Most major foreign companies have left. And their property market is crashing real bad. Unemployment at all time high as local businesses and factories shutting one by one daily. It's game over for China under CCP.

[@wenoyang6571]

@@supertuesday600 The extremists love the China collapse theory🤣🤣🤣

[@gcburns4]

Obviously Shanghai is reeling with population loss and tourism is hurting badly, I see no real propaganda in this video, but it sure smells of paid promotion

[@canto_v12]

@@supertuesday600 that’s what I’ve been hearing since I was a kid and China was poor. Still waiting, and now China is not poor.

[@melodymaker396]

Tommy, as a person who's too old to travel these days, your videos on China and other worldly adventures brings me much joy and a look into the historical aspects of those countries. I'm looking forward to more of your adventures into China and elsewhere. Stay safe my friend.

[@Shineon83]

It’s great that we can “go along” on the journey with him ❤

[@johnsonlee9797]

@anglohan5428 美國 台灣必須時常造謠中國落後 民心才不會被中國吸引 因歐美 台灣大公司工廠 都去了中國設廠 倫敦 紐約的 城市建設 落後 上海 北京 約20年 台北落後 上海 北京 約50年 台灣藍綠 與美 英 建設外行 選舉內行 搞不好市政 只能造謠 詐騙中國落後 轉移自己無能 讓無知基本盤 繼續無知 對選舉很有利 London's NEW YORK infrastructure is about 20 years behind Shanghai and Beijing Shanghai China | The World's Richest City | kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5uulIudftaNpck kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJeVaqF6gaetl6M

[@野爸爸]

​@anglohan5428哦！轮子！问候你妈妈好！

[@tombimashri8149]

Who said his too old to travel, his not old. His content is 100% he deserves much more subs nd likes

[@Shineon83]

@@tombimashri8149 You misunderstood. The person commenting said that he/she was “too old” to travel

[@Miloxiaocelao]

This video hit home for me. I grew up in Shanghai, in fact, the Shikumen houses at around 3:12 time stamp is where I identified the most with, place where I spent lots and lots of time in my childhood at my grandma's. That place shaped the Shanghainese identity in me. And though I have known these places have been torn down, and my grandma has been placed in new places way out in the boonies, it still came as a shocker to see the buildings boarded up in your video, and demolished in some other areas. When you walked in one of those alleys at 3:59, oh those red bricks. I could almost smell the century-old wooden floor and mildewy staircase, the maroon paint peeling off of the windows, showing the grey wood or the red rust underneath. There would be some green moss by the sinks. I took pisses by the sewage, because I refused to go use the toilet in the house, for it was too dark and creepy. There would be a public toilet by the trash dumpster, but that would stink the living soul outta ya. Good times. 2019 was my last trip to Shanghai, and have not gone back since. And since then, the United States has become my home. Partially because I've become a stranger to the place where I called home, granted somewhere I have strong disagreements with, and have ton of baggage from, and partially because I have almost lived in the states for as long as I had in Shanghai. This has been a wild journey.

[@adventuredigitalisrael]

תודה!

[@SuperLooneyrooney]

Lived/work in Shanghai from 1998 - up till summer 2021. Great found memories. It was the golden age of modern China and was proud to play a small part in her development.

[@toolateto]

Finally ! A China tour by Sabbatical ! Cant wait to watch the series !

[@H99x2]

Beautiful work Tommy! This is why I subbed to you when you just started out. There are no ridiculous '10 cent street barber' videos that everyone is copying nowadays from Bald or Harald. Just real authentic travel, history and culture! A plethora of emotion. Beautiful man

[@valuetraveler2026]

this guy is the real deal.

[@matthewweber8927]

Years ago, I also lived in Shanghai in my early 20s for school and work. I like your presentation. It was respectful, honest and well balanced.

[@boweny1824]

Man, I found myself shedding tears multiple times while watching this video. The emotions are so overwhelming, and it’s hard to put them into words. There were moments when my tears flowed without me even realizing. I originally came from ShanghaiI and spent over a decade living in Canadian cities and Shanghai. However, due to the pandemic, I hadn’t returned to Shanghai for more than three years. Half a year ago, I finally made it back and discovered that many things had irrevocably changed. For instance, the vibrant pubs, clubs, and bars that once lined Hengshan Rd were now all closed. My heart holds both Canada and China as my homes, and I deeply miss the openness and beauty that Shanghai once embodied. But luckily, during my stay in Shanghai, I found a job in a Canadian company, which assigned me to work in Shanghai. Now, I find myself fortunate to live in both cities, experiencing and appreciating two distinct cultures simultaneously.

[@Radicalstories92]

I tried leaving China too.I can't.I have been to HK,Macau but my heart is in China😂😂😂😂I must return

[@joey3291]

That lockdown and many other lockdowns during the past three years saved millions of lives, including many of my families. I appreciated the efforts my government paid to take care of us.

[@VettigeVetzak]

@@joey3291lol what a bunch of nonsense. It’s been shown now that the lockdowns had no effect on ‘saving lives’. The propaganda has worked well on many…

[@The-Real-Ando]

My mother was born in Shanghai, the family lived in the Bund and lived that western foreigner life. My grandfather was a photography buff and there were multiple boxes of photos of 1930’s Shanghai. They moved to New Zealand when the Japanese invaded, I’ve often thought about visiting. Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@moonwinghuang3913]

那时候能过西方人生活的确是最上层了

[@minli143]

If your family still have these photos, those will be very precious and valuable collection.

[@handaxia1251]

@@franktoh3041 yellow trash 😂 ignore the bait..

[@Shineon83]

What a fascinating history your family has had! Have you considered writing a book?

[@The-Real-Ando]

@@Shineon83 thanks but, with respect it’s not really Empire of The Sun material. The story is pretty common really, refugees, from war in mother’s case, an economic refugee in my father’s case, try to make a new life in a foreign land. They studied and worked hard and contributed to their new home as most refugees do. I’m not trying to be smart at all, but it does happen every day, to very regular people.

[@mohdsharkawiluabdullah2256]

YT algorithm brought me here, and I picked up the recent China vids first and watched. Greetings from Labuan island off Borneo Malaysia. Thank You for the great contents, Tommy.

[@creambabyjazz]

Thank you let me know my hometown . I didn’t go back last 5yrs… and now I scare that lock door not only lock down. There’s no more my childhood’s Shanghai. You’re right. I luv my SH since I was born till 2008 still in my dream now

[@fairalways]

Tommy! My son was a student who was allowed into Shanghai during early Covid even before diplomats. He spent about 3 months in quarantine. He loved it there. He spent a lot of time skateboarding.

[@Eliphasleviathan93]

When the cop thought he said "shit shack" and then said "toilet?"..... gold.

[@DiceTomb]

That’s quite the vivid imagination you have

[@levinchau123]

really really really appreciate your videos, I first started watching your video about Hong Kong, and I was really shocked about how much you knew about the situation of my home. I hope for your success on KZbin as your experiences are very relatable and interesting.

[@UntangledKnots]

I’m incredibly jealous of Tommy. He can do this as his day job. I did it for a few years but ran out of money and got tired of not having my own bed. I only managed Mandarin Japanese and a bit of Cantonese. Would have been great to learn some African languages in Africa…maybe some day!

[@曾志海-c4z]

​@@UntangledKnotsyou are also awesome 😂

[@markray814]

Lived there for 15 years and left in Jan 2022. It was home. I was back in April 2023 and the feeling is changed. Not sure it will ever be the same. It’s a pity as it was such an amazing city

[@barrelrolldog]

Wow thats sad, how can it feel changed in such little time? (1 year)

[@michyan82]

I can tell how emotional and nostalgic you are going to your past haunts. I have no doubt I’ll feel something similar when I go to Beijing for the first time in 8 years this autumn. Thanks for these videos 🙏

[@dimitar297]

It will always be Peking for us lovers.

[@Q_QQ_Q]

​@@dimitar297it's still Peking duck .

[@maojianfu]

听了你的叙述，感受到了你是如此的爱上海，把它当成自己的城市，自己的家。你看到如今模样的街道，不禁感慨万分。虽然失落了几年，相信上海会慢慢从疫情中恢复过来的。需要一个过程而已。希望你在那里的旅程愉快！多多和我们分享你的见闻和当地人们的真实生活。

[@dennischristo]

Thanks for all of your videos. Really interesting to see all parts of every country. Thanks again and keep them coming.

[@looppp]

your china videos are my favorite i can sense how much this country means to you cheers tommy

[@MrReymoclif714]

Debauchery clubs?

[@ay-mx1vi]

Thanks!

[@cistamakedonija8210]

After watching these videos I really want to visit Shanghai. Big support from Macedonia my friend.

[@christians218]

Tommy is an absolute legend... Something about his style, persona just relaxes me when I can't be there myself. My hat off to you sir!

[@justingeturgun]

Changed a lot since 2010 when I lived there I used to smoke chunghwa cigarettes and liqun ciggs. I acually loved it there and your so right about never having to worry about someone robbing you it was so safe and no drug addicts on the streets.

[@anonimosu7425]

Honestly felt the Xi administration took a turn for the worse

[@Rudy1150]

I have no idea why i clicked on this video. Random recommendation from youtube. Mostly I watch videos on Chiang Mai as I want to retire there and then begin to travel around Asia. What amazing perspective you have.

[@ianslade22]

I was an expat in Shanghai from 2014-2017, I worked in entertainment/acting/film world and was very active in a lot of different expat social scenes. I lived in the French Concession and drove a scooter every day. I loved Shanghai very much, I believed that I would be living in Shanghai for a long time. 2017 was a very interesting year, there was a noticeable sea change / mood swing in the whole city. There was a bitter sweet sensation of seeing the city at its best whilst knowing it was going to probably go inward/ anti-outside /anti-global direction. I think about Shanghai all the time, it was an amazing time in my life. Thanks for your video!

[@australianpainter42069]

You wanted to say immigrant

[@ianslade22]

@@australianpainter42069 where did I want to say immigrant

[@australianpainter42069]

@@ianslade22 you wanted to say you were an immigrant, not an expat

[@NBDHDLL]

Shanghai go inward/ anti-outside /anti-global ? shanghai or USA？🤣Do you know that China is the largest trading country among 130 countries in the world? USA = outside/global? keep your CNN joke😅

[@mingshentse5069]

That was the reaction to the hostile attitude from the US. Trump didn't start the trade war from nowhere.

[@akberkhan6329]

Visited Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Great Wall, taught english in a port city called Lianyangang in Jiangsu province. My China experience was wild -- was in 2006 -- China was growing like crazy and they were making the transition of bringing farmers into the cities. Thanks for sharing! Nanjing's 1912 Bar district was always a ton of fun! Looking forward to your China videos!

[@johntheman9842]

@anglohan5428get a life bro

[@Values-008]

​@anglohan5428Hawaii Independence!! Alaska Independence!! Indiana Independence!! California Independence!! Let's drive the white invaders out of America and take back Indian territory!!

[@user-tk1jj1cp9x4]

The 1912 bar district lol I remember that that super classy and tasteful little area. Good times.

[@Anonymous------]

​@anglohan5428 FREE AMERICA FREE NATIVE AMERICANS NATIVE AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE FREE HAWAII FREE HAWAII POLYNESIANS HAWAII INDEPENDENCE FREE GUAM GUAM INDEPENDENCE FREE ALASKA ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE FREE SCOTLAND SCOTLAND INDEPENDENCE FREE NORTHERN IRELAND FREE PUERTO RICO FREE FALKLAND ISLAND FREE AFRICA FROM WESTERN COLONIALISTS FREE ALL COUNTRIES FROM USA's MILITARY BASES AND BIOWEAPON LABS FREE THE WORLD FROM USA THE WORLD BULLY

[@leanlifer]

You mean Lianyungang, right?

[@mahtin]

I’ve watch you travel for a handful of months; but this video (and the previous one) explains a lot about your background and history. It all makes sense now. Plus, you showed me more of Shanghai than I’ve seen in my own China travels. I can’t wait to watch your future journeys. Ni hao.

[@TheTruthIsFiction]

I’m surprised that he only lived there 7 years and can speak Chinese. My father lived in China for 22 years and cannot speak a single word.

[@RZKID2]

Many intelligent people speak different languages. It's very easy for them. 🇨🇱🧨💣🍺🌮🍺🌮💥💥

[@Washingtonstateisgreat]

上海一直都是我最爱的中国城市。以前每年出差旅游都要来七八次，甚至疫情期间还隔离过两次累计一个半月。但她变了，昭华已逝。看着视频后半段，80%,话语间的停顿，虽然你没有明说，但可以感受到你的遗憾和失望。没啥难过的，我们曾经见过她最好的时光。美人老去，英雄迟暮，记忆永存吧。 Shanghai is always my most favorite city of China, used visit 7-8times a year, even quarantined two times for one and half months during pandemic. But she was changed, those best time were gone. In the second half of of ur video, 80%, the silent pauses, although u didn’t say still could feel ur disappointment and sadness. Don’t feel that way, like a beauty becomes old, like a hero turns weak, but all the memories we will cherish forever. Thanks for ur amazing video.

[@david-reason]

I lived in The French Quarter in Shanghai from early 2010. I felt that it wasn't really China, so I moved to Chengdu (home of the Panda) and lived/worked there for 6 years. I've now lived in Bangkok, longer than China, I have very fond memories of the amazing people I met there. I'm with you on this journey. Best wishes from Bangkok.

[@spaniardxxxiii2801]

hahha bro, i had it alright because i could get food. it was bad. so thankful to my neighbors. i didnt leave until 4 months ago. God bless you for going back to visit. I will always miss it.

[@ferniecom-go8ig]

I discovered your videos recently and I admire the big bullocks you have to be traveling anywhere in the world alone and are willing to talk to complete strangers in hopes of a genuine connection. Keep it coming man, your channel deserves a lot of success

[@johnsonlee9797]

There is a problem with the vlogger's head, it is not the victory of capitalism, it is capitalism serving socialism

[@TheGRAYSvarietySHOW]

It's easy to travel alone, try traveling with children and a nagging wife..

[@slchang01]

@anglohan5428 How much do you get paid for postig this multiple times? This video is not for your stuff, Get a life...

[@krodriguez963]

I'm so ready for the journey through China ❤ thank you for this video

[@tombimashri8149]

Truth right there

[@1giveslife]

Apparently, I was arriving when you were leaving. I stayed in GZ for almost 2 years during the C19 drama. I had a great time. I was traveling with a Chinese friend and going to buffets while people in the US were trying to figure it out. I left China a little before omicron and them losing control. I loved Yunnan and Sichuan. I went back several times while there. My goal was to see Mount Everest and go to actual Tibet but didn't work out. I will someday. Enjoy your travels west. I look forward to see the videos.

[@Swgam]

I will be in Shanghai in just over a month. Super excited to explore this city myself!

[@TheHighBear]

I found you yesterday and I'm so happy I've been watching your content as a marathon and going backward from new to old it's great and I love it. Now I kinda wanna move to Shanghai ngl. Keep it up and be well!

[@hiasausmwoid1247]

Danke!

[@Kaygee79]

I can see your sentimental feelings towards Shanghai. Felt like a tour with a local... because it basically was! :D

[@kaiyi7322]

LOL,stupid of you!!!@anglohan5428

[@ImpGaming]

maybe he shouldnt add a click bait title. I havent watched the videop , i made it to the first couple mins until he said "the foreigners are never coming back" lol,. and then he mentioned he went to NY , LOL., of all places he said ny. My god, china , especially shngai cant be compared to new york. just the infrastructure alone is embarrassingly bad in new york while china is so modern and clean. in ny i took the metro and i saw 20 rats, 4 pieces of fresh poo, about a hundred homeless and crazy people doing drugs, saw fights, garbage, more rats, in china everything was sparky clean, no crime, no rats, no homeless. so i dont know if i can watch this video given the click baity title of "china bad" narrative when its literaly the opposite. china is the most advanced nation on earth in terms of infrastructure and freeedoms. Cant even walk on ny without getting mugged, cant walk with a beer in my hand, cant gamble online, theres no freedoms in usa. its a dangerous rathole especially ny. kindly put.

[@josiahr1375]

I've got to move to Shanghai for about 3 years in a few weeks...In a way I'm kind of happy it's a little bit emptier there now. Less crowds is a plus for me. But it will be a challenge to learn a new language. I'll try to checkout a few of your videos as you travel across the country. I'm also looking forward to exploring different parts of China and Asia while we are living in Shanghai. I'm really looking forward to their metro system! Growing up in a city like Toronto where the transit is such garbage, it is such a pleasure to be in a place where transit is reliable and everywhere.

[@jeremyzed6726]

Great video, sorry I don't know your past with the city, as I only came across your channel today, and there aren't videos from before 2020, I completely understand why you are disappointed after what happened to you during the height of the pandemic. I guess the pandemic served as a great sieve for us all, especially in the case of Shanghai... To segregate thoes who value development, prosperity and stability over a almost wild state of nature and negative notions of freedom. As someone who was born in Shanghai, and grew up in Canada and the UK, my perspective of the world changed a lot through the years, the contrast between the two worlds grew apart in the last few years, especially during the panademic, as someone who exiperenced lock downs first hand in London and Shanghai. I thoroughly enjoyed my time during the lockdown in Shanghai and was very much disappointied in how the government caved in and terminated the zero-covid policy. I figured, I probably changed quite a bit too, and the rate of which was accerlated during covid. I think I overcame my more primal needs and wants that drove me to live in the west when I was younger, and now understand what is more important for me, through this great sieve, I have choosen my pass, to come back, and to be with my country, my city, heading into this tumultuous time ahead, across the globe. This is why you see the city change so much, to suit the transforming needs of its people. Bars and restaurants closing to be replaced by boutique stores and café like Aesop and Pain Chaud(they are sooo good, highly recommended). The Shanghai Conservatory Of Music(one of the best in China)expanded and got a gorgeous new open campus down the road where the bars were(tbf, the bars shouldn't have been here anyways, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music have its own elementary and secondary schools right next to it, and it was just not appropriate for the bars to be such proximity to kids like that anyways). In my eyes, you are right, shanghai is changed forever, but it's for the better.

[@Shineon83]

GLAD you’re going “back” - to a country you didn’t grow up in….(Anyone who could be happy in China after experiencing the freedom of other countries-def doesn’t belong in the West :) Good luck.

[@jeremyzed6726]

@@Shineon83 sorry I should have said “coming home” instead, I didn’t spent all my childhood abroad. Anyhow, that’s beside the point. I believe where you call home isn’t fully contingent on if you have grown up there or not, it’s more about shared values and beliefs. Well, I mean in extreme cases, the Jews haven’t been there in a millennium, and they still believe they belong in the Gaza Strip lol. But that’s a whole another Can of worms that I probably should have stayed clear from lol. You are right, I don’t belong in the “west” and, that is why I’m going back, to a place where we share the same virtues and values. I believe people have the right to find their own place in the world, if someone doesn’t like China, they are free to leave. But for me, my place is here, in China, with my people. On an another note, I compared and contrasted and found what I preferred for me. Maybe you should give it a try too, maybe you will find something about yourself that you didn’t even know. Come visit Shanghai, I might be biased, but it’s my fav city haha, second is Vienna, love that place. But yea, Shanghai is a very welcoming place, come see for yourself if this “lack of freedom”( more accurately described as the positive notion of freedom) is your cup of tea, just come experience the life here without preconceptions, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[@hyc1266]

@@Shineon83 There aren't much more freedom in the west than in China, except crimes and drugs.

[@cber5077]

@@jeremyzed6726 nice answer/reply 😀. I agree that people should be able to find the place that is good for them, for their own reasons. I lived in Shanghai from 2008-2013. It’s a wonderful city and I enjoyed my time there. I left to live in Malaysia because it was more affordable (rent and kids school fees). However, I visited Shanghai often, for work, until 2019, and I’m looking forward to start visiting again soon.

[@nancysiow6262]

this has been for me one of the best videos I have watched on YT on China/Shanghai - please keep your commentary up! look forward to tracking along with you

[@KuroYasuke]

I just started watching your videos. I really like your genuine interaction with the locals. Some channels try to have sensational content which feels very fake. I haven't thought about going to China but your videos make it very appealing 👍🏾

[@danielelliott3963]

Thankyou Tommy if ever visited China I may would have only done big cities. Like previous videos Africa, Suriname you are opening eyes and world of possibilities not just me sure other people feel this from your vids. Stay safe & enjoy the journey

[@stepintodiscovery]

I can relate to you, I used to live in China for 11 years, with that same dream, and left when the whole pandemic started… now,come to think about it, its kinda sad the whole life journey

[@Anonymous------]

​@anglohan5428 ​@anglohan5428 FREE AMERICA FREE NATIVE AMERICANS NATIVE AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE FREE HAWAII FREE HAWAII POLYNESIANS HAWAII INDEPENDENCE FREE GUAM GUAM INDEPENDENCE FREE ALASKA ALASKAN INDEPENDENCE FREE SCOTLAND SCOTLAND INDEPENDENCE FREE NORTHERN IRELAND FREE PUERTO RICO FREE FALKLAND ISLAND FREE AFRICA FROM WESTERN COLONIALISTS FREE ALL COUNTRIES FROM USA's MILITARY BASES AND BIOWEAPON LABS

[@piershunday]

Very heartfelt and moving, I miss living in Guangzhou- my home for nearly 10 years. Those that were there remember those halcyon days.

[@ILoveCiniminis]

I can't wait for this adventure across China! Take care man, I was looking forward to these vlogs the most.

[@tophfingerboards]

these videos are so great. i've spent a lot of time in China too but I haven't seen a lot of these places. I was mostly in Beijing. Those $2 packs of cigs got me REALLY smoking tho. i think that was the only time I actually smoked a full pack a day for an extended period. it was just too easy. and this was back when you could smoke inside anywhere anytime under any circumstances. you could smoke at a doctors appointment and the doctor would be smoking. I took a class and the teacher just chainsmoked the whole time. Best country ever. Americans could never.

[@johnwalkowiak2002]

Damn love seeing how many subs you have since I started watching your channel!! Great job!! Looking forward to your future growth and success.

[@markchang5285]

I miss the city too. So much has changed, and some things can never go back to what they were before

[@azatoth73ad]

Chanced upon your video. I'm one of those 100k foreigners who stayed and is still in Shanghai. I was locked in my own apartment, separated from my family for a total of 73 days during that infamous Shanghai Lockdown. I was so tempted to leave during that Lockdown period. Thinking back, the whole Covid situation just feels so surreal. And you're right, Shanghai (and the whole of China) has changed a lot during those 3 Covid years, the whole country isn't what it used to be.

[@junmi4088]

你说臭名昭著，不知道你的家里老人是否呆在上海？我们上海人却很感激保护了很多老人感染

[@bryandeng570]

@@junmi4088 动态清零政策确实保护了一些人，尤其老人和体弱多病的人3年。但是极端的封控政策确实存在诸多问题，凡事都有两面。希望这一生不会再遇到这种pandemic 和极端封控。

[@yongzhu8454]

The only change is that foreigners may have a lower sense of superiority.

[@willliamjocz3606]

@@junmi4088Boot licker

[@treeinafield5022]

Okay that outro was exciting. I'm turning on my notification for you, excited to watch more of your journey.

[@edgykoala1732]

I love this video. I live in China, but listening to your point of view as another foreigner is refreshing.

[@edgykoala1732]

This place is my home. My soon to be wife and home are here. It has changed a lot though.

[@justinsullins4320]

It looks a lot less lively and energetic now. When i was there in 2021 before the pandemic it was so vibrant and the city was thriving even during the pandemic. It is so sad the government had to overact to the pandemic because China was so amazing before that. I can relate to you because we lived in Nanjing and felt more at home and with a thriving life then ever. We lost our good friends, way of life and our really nice lifestyle. it is sad but most of the expats we knew left as well. I am not sure if it will ever be the same again because I think most expats have a bad taste of China now but if things go smoothly for another few years, I could see it getting full again. There is simply just not another country where you can live as luxuriously on a budget as in China. I might move back there because even the pandemic wasn’t really that bad, only I hadn’t seen my family in over three years. It annoys me when I tell my friends and family how amazing China is and they do not believe me. I even had one person tell me I was secretly paid by the ccp. I had to tell them I was not lying. We live in Japan now, and while it is better life quality it is just not the same. I do not get as high of a lifestyle here but living standards are much better. Still I find it boring compared to the adventures and good times in China. I can relate to your video and thanks for sharing.

[@SpicyLoops]

Wow. Absolutely incredible. You're my window into China. I've always wanted to see what it's actually like in China. Can't wait for your coming epic road trip!

[@treeinafield5022]

There's alot of good China KZbinrs out there. I recommend "Little Chinese Everywhere", "Katherine's Journey to the East", "Nick in China" and "Nico".

[@SpicyLoops]

Sweet! Thanks for the recommendation

[@ryanzhang701]

It’s better to come visiting by yourself, and it’s always bits of other people’s perspectives through news or videos other than your own experience.

[@weiwujiang6884]

Actually when I went back to my hometown, a small city in Hunan, I’d been shocked by all the new buildings and wider roads which are totally different from what I remembered. It’s a new city for me even it’s a place I grown up from. I’s standing in the street, thinking maybe nowhere should be supposed to wait for my returning, people in there also move on with their life. Good thing was when I met one of my best friends and her family, the home feeling came back to me. I guess, the bond between people is tighter than a bond of a past memory.❤

[@JoolsUK]

Shanghai shut down, you were shut out, and that made you into a KZbinr. And we are better for it enjoying your multilingual travels. Look forward to another Africa trip one day !

[@braindrain329]

I'm so excited for this journey!

[@Leehuss5582]

Sabbatical has been a group of travel vlogger/bloggers I watch. I really like how you give us viewers a brief history lesson as you film. Enjoyable 👍✌

[@spiffydigs]

Well, said.

[@1738Creations]

Unemployable losers? Get better role models

[@morriselee]

@@1738CreationsThat’s his full time job as a vloger. With nearly half a million subscribers, he makes very good money, better than most “full time jobs”, certainly better than your job. Give people some respect, dude! You don’t have to be an a**hole.

[@1738Creations]

​@@morriselee Sex workers make more than him. Investment bankers who bring down businesses make more than him. Money isn't an indicator as to a good life. Neither are bot followers. I'm a senior engineer who, at the moment, is responsible for planes reaching their destinations. Without divulging too much about my employer. My job is far more important than this clown or anything anyone here will ever do. The only people who watch this trash are the idiot generation because it's their dream; to do nothing, contribute nothing to society and get paid. He's a talentless, unlikable shill. Why this garbage got recommended to me isn't even known to clueless dent heads at KZbin.

[@Leehuss5582]

@@morriselee Exactly @Morriselee 💯 👍

[@ShapeyFiend]

My friend just came back after living there for 8 years teaching English. I'm curious what type of startup you were running. It's difficult to run a business but even if it doesn't work you learn a lot in the process.

[@Rob_430]

I also am curious what brought him and his business to China, of all places.

[@Austine1452]

​@@Rob_430maybe the second largest economy in the world is bound to attract entrepreneur's from all over . dum dum

[@Rob_430]

@@Austine1452 dum dum? I meant it being a Communist country, dum, dum.

[@davidk.d.7591]

​@@Rob_430it's not communist though. Hasn't been since the 70's

[@ivanencinas9259]

@SabbaticalTommy What you said about Shanghai being your city but not being able to live there again hit close to home. We met a few times at the languages exchanges you organized at My Place. Glad to see that you’ve gone back to the city.

[@bakerjames7941]

Tommy, I can feel the pain and passion inside you about China coz I also lived in China for 12 years and returned home in 2022

[@magicalpilgrim]

Hey Tommy..”everything you’d ever want”? Suggestion, travel over to Taipei, Taiwan…you’ll have all the incredible aspects of Shanghai, and freedom too…..

[@charlescg3904]

Taipei has its unique charm but is completely different from Shanghai, it’s got a more local city charm. Shanghai has both the old and new, once a pearl of the east and the Paris of the east, the culture can be seen through the old city Bund while the new bustling city can be seen across the bund. The scale isn’t comparable, prior to the 1940s, even Tokyo couldn’t compare to the massive scale. It’s unfortunate what the lost decades in the 60s/79s did and COVID and poor policies have done to the city but finally things are recovering and hopefully will be more open in the future as well.

[@sizanllakcuf]

Love your videos! I like your style - a combination of raw footage, no music, interactions with locals, your own story, etc. Keep it up!

[@grashalm_]

Loving this series already! Looking forward to learning more about the Chinese on your trip!

[@cale971]

So happy about this news about you travelling China !! Can't wait to see what you show us. Always eager to see your episodes.

[@michaeljiang960]

chinese who livescin shanghai here. very impressive video and knowledge and reflections, well done. subscribed.

[@Houthiandtheblowfish]

apparently they are not what we are told that they are

[@IPangkhor]

So awesome man 🤙🏼 can’t wait for other episodes 🙏🏼

[@yonight6871]

When Shanghai closed the city, it paid a huge economic price. The virus is too severe to be blocked. After the unblocking, Shanghai resumed normal life.I've visited China four times and saw different regions. Every time I've visited... I've seen big improvements. I would even be bold enough to say that the major cities in China are now overall cleaner looking than the major cities in the US. For one example, I've visited public parks in Dalian and was amazed at how clean they look. No litter or graffiti anywhere... even the skateboard rink looks clean. And there are lots of people out there enjoying the parks... but seem to have respect for the facilities there.The greening of the city is very good, and there are many electric cars on the street, which proves that the Chinese government attaches great importance to environmental protection.What impresses me the most is that life is very convenient, a cashless society, the subway system is very new and clean, and the people are very friendly.Other than some culture shock, I feel China is very safe. You can also go out late at night. In the US, I dare not go out at night, for fear that black people will shoot me. When I return home and tell my co-workers about my travels to China.... they refuse to believe me or the pictures I took. They just want to believe that I was shown around a "fake city" built for showing tourists. The fact that I was walking around these cities unescorted... still won't change their beliefs. No, these people still want to believe that China has "backward smoggy cities, where everyone still rides bicycles and wear grey old clothes because they are all poor and starving". I often hear ignorant statements such as: "The poorest Americans still live better than the average Chinese". The irony is these people never traveled to China or even want to watch these videos. And yet... these folks talk like they are all "China experts'. Anyway, have fun in China and God bless you.🙏👍❤🤚

[@zenithchan581]

A lot of Americans tend to look at Asia in terms of their beliefs. But they have never visited Asia. Americans tend to see themselves as the center of the universe to the point that sometimes they can't see anyone else at all.

[@bradebronson8835]

Shanghai is cleaner and safer than the best parts of America....

[@myaopan]

I had the same impression of Chengdu. In many ways, it’s quite nice and safe.(never liked the hot pot though)

[@justinsullins4320]

I know what you mean. I had people tell me before that I was secretly working for the ccp when I told them this. I just told them that is not the case at all and they chose to not listen. It is very annoying talking to these close minded people.

[@yonight6871]

In the Western media, China has always been promoted as: poor, backward, industrially polluted, rural, full of surveillance and police, and evil communism.@@justinsullins4320

[@AarononYoutube]

its like listening to you talk about a long lost love, heartbreaking.

[@RiskGrave]

It’s refreshing to find a travel channel that doesn’t beat you over the head with politics. I hope it stays that way, it’s nice to have that escape.

[@davidnelson4960]

Appreciate all the hard work you in.

[@wkuntjoro6130]

I do enjoy your narration, showing your close relation and history with Shanghai. It is nice to see Shanghai in a more personal view as you show here.

[@revelationmd]

Absolutely first class video mate. You have a great way of introducing the viewer to the experience and a wonderful way of interacting with the locals. Keep ‘em coming please!

[@a11wang]

Thanks for the video. Very interesting looking from a different perspective. I was born and educated in Shanghai. Moved to US. And visited Shanghai almost every year until pandemic. Waited 3 years, until this year. Finally back visiting in March. I walked down the street like you did and enjoyed people, store, food/snack and traffic. You can get a lot from chat-chating with common people on the street. (I speak Shanghainese like a local. So a lot easier). It is quite amazing how much Shanghai changes constantly every single year. Every year, they have new big thing that amazes me, like new highway, new subway line,... They are building so fast, and so modern. So much energy, yet unfortunately it is hitting road block. This time after 3 years of absence, I saw 3 brand new very modern big shopping malls within walking distance of where I stayed. Unfortunately, very few active shoppers. A lot of old stores are closed. Also, there are fewer people on the street. But people are nice as always. Wish Shanghai can withstand the turbulence and shine again. Looking forward to see your travel in China. Enjoy the trip, and educate the world.

[@bepitan]

wasn't this their final end game ...no more foreigners, it just came a bit quicker than they had expected.

[@pixelwash9707]

Chinese CCP created the most arrogant nation in the world, and still the only country which does not allow foreigners to become citizens by marriage.

[@chemavivar]

Hey, i was looking your argentina videos, cause im half argentinian and then i'm in Shanghai and i see you are here right now, cool videos...

[@tcteing2981]

This is interesting... I just got hooked n was viewing since morning. It is well past mid- night n I m still awake n looking forward to more .....well done n thanks for sharing!

[@kb1688]

@11:30 as a NYker and also visited the same place here and other places in China. I totally agree. Never have to put your guards up while walking the streets in China as compare to the States especially in NY. But for American or foreigners who have never traveled outside the US it's hard for them to even imagine the other side of the world is so beautiful (with politics aside).

[@moladiver6817]

If there's one thing Americans should be able to relate with in China it's their dirty politics lol. I prefer neither place thank you very much. Shanghai looks great on the surface but don't look underneath if you want to make it out again. American politics is so prevalent among the people it is deafening whereas China's is equally deafening but in total silence. When politics hijack people's daily business something's terribly wrong, no matter the label of the political system.

[@broodyhenloloa]

In america we got "diversity" "cultural enrichment" coming every day in thousands from southern border. Because men in small hats don't like america.

[@mytube-kd1fx]

@@moladiver6817 For ordinary people, politics is dispensable and is just a tool for politicians. If a country does not even have security, what is the point of voting?

[@李凉凉-b7o]

@@moladiver6817 For the vast majority of Chinese people, politics has nothing to do with them. It is Americans who are hijacked by politics.

[@jamiemorrison6431]

Another amazing video. Modern Technology has its downsides but the fact that people like you Tommy can share your knowledge and experiences with all of us is one of the benefits! You deserve so much success with this channel!

[@Andy-ck5iu]

I am amazed by your language skills. Did you teach yourself to speak so many languages?

[@TheRealFeechLaManna]

I studied at Beida back in the mid 2000's..Had a great time, tarvelled from Heilongjiang to Hainan..China was a great place to be a laowai back then..Enjoy your travels and be safe ;)

[@passby8070]

I love your style, it's brilliant, beautifully narrated and well explained. Will certainly be keep following your trails across China and beyond!

[@FarawayJohn]

Same happened to me in Thailand, lived there for two decades until one day late 2019 I wasn't allowed back. We cannot trust these places as home again, but our special love for them never ends.

[@JackJones7556]

Why wasn't you allowed back in? Visa issues or was you accused of something?

[@gerdalva5720]

@@JackJones7556 My guess, illegal substances.

[@JackJones7556]

@@gerdalva5720 Probably a bad random guess on your part, and I have no idea why you are responding..

[@FarawayJohn]

Haha good replies. Yes the visas changed to no longer allow us to roll over tourist visas, multiple entry tourist visas and visa exempt entries by beiefly visiting another country which was a great lifestyle. Now I am 50 so qualify for a retirement visa so would be fine, but it was a lesson that without a passport from the East we are always westerners as they can change the rules. @JackJones7556 @gerdalva5720

[@MutualistSoc]

Dude. Massive respect for China for not just doing eminent domain on the "nail house" owners. My grandfather's farm back in the 50s was in the middle of a new hwy construction. The Feds offered him slightly below retail, like a 10% haircut. He didn't take their offers. They ended up rolling him with the Eminent Domain law and forced him to sell.

[@canto_v12]

We don’t hear about it overseas, but China’s judiciary and its government supervisory bodies have modernised massively in the past 3 decades. For all the flak our countries continue to give it, they’ve really come a long way to try to balance infrastructure development with more humane treatment of individual plight.

[@sisselhansen3915]

Yes, and, if your farm lays in the middle of a highway- project of such dimentions, you'll have to be a good lawyer to fix it!

[@jeff4invest]

Tough, what ever happened to the 40 acres and a mule .

[@Skyjacker_]

I hope you make it to Gansu. That's in my top-three provinces - oozing with history that place. Would be cool if you could get down to Guizhou, Guangxi and Yunnan too, but that may be a bit of an ask. I once took a month-long trip by bus from Guangxi to Qinghai (South-West to North-West China). Great trip that. Xi-an and Chengdu are also great cities to visit.

[@DaWu76]

man, just listening to you wax poetic about Shanghai, i felt a sense of bittersweet longing for a city i've never even lived in

[@tenzindolma6266]

You were not the only one feeling this ...

[@MrChopemup]

I’m so happy I traveled extensively in the early 90s to Asia. Shanghai was like a bicycle town. It was quite amazing back then. All those mopeds lined up were bicycles.

[@DecemberNames]

amazing vid. i always found it incredible how 1.5bn people can live together mostly in peace while the rest of the countries with fraction of population constantly fight each other. I just wanted to take a moment to say how amazing your video was! I was really impressed with the quality of the footage, the editing, and the overall presentation. You did a great job of explaining the topic in a clear and concise way, and I learned a lot from watching your video.

[@PoboyMusic]

Almost as if diversity isn't a strength at all.

[@Mia3HD]

Well, because the world has changed since 2020, Shanghai changed too. Just checked the percentage vacancies of the retail spaces in San Francisco, Chicago & other major US cities, you will be shocked by these numbers, very scary.

[@alhkcblack9617]

It's a time of transition in many cities. Lots of places closed down the last few years but I believe lots of new places will eventually pop up it'll just take a while.

[@hyc1266]

NYC also. Most people were not allowed to go outside to work and collected unemployment until the end of 2022. Those who work in offices were working at home and many are still working at home now. Office buildings in Manhattan are still half empty. Many companies have cut down their office space. Restaurants are still struggling. Only the supermarkets are not really impacted by the pandemic.

[@euroschmau]

In the mid 2000s I did my Historic Preservation graduate school thesis documenting the shikumen: the architecture and lives of the residents. At 3:00, I recognize that area as where I did my research. It breaks my heart to see them in the state they're in now. I remember the lively shophouses and bustling lanes full of people, some having been there all their lives, some newly arrived from the outer provinces. I knew these neighborhoods' existence were precarious, hence an immediate need to try and preserve their memory. Shanghai is a wondrous city, and I am thankful I saw it during a time of boundless enthusiasm and energy, though alas, the relentless march of time and "progress" has taken its toll. Anyway, thanks for this video taking me down memory lane.

[@jeremyzed6726]

Don’t be too saddened by what’s shown here at 3:00 mark. These shikumen are not being torn down, they are being “refitted” I guess would be the most appropriate words to describe it. Like how they keep the facade and important heritage features of Grade II listed buildings in London, and completely make it a brand new building inside, with the latest codes and features you come to expect with a new build. To give it a new lease of life. The only difference being, with these refitted buildings in London, they become extremely unattainable, though in Shanghai, people get to move back in, and most shops too will get their shop front back. It’s just a huge upgrade, designed to make these old neighbours safe from structure and electrical issues, and integrate better into the city, think kind of like xintiandi. People can choose to sell the property due to how attractive they typically are to buyers after the refit, but that’s completely up to the residents. How do I know this, first this is a common policy now for Shikumens in Shanghai. Second, the sign on the wall states it.

[@chungewang183]

​@@jeremyzed67263：00处的房子是需要拆除的，那些房子不是保护建筑，它们年代太久远而且品质不好，在4：30后出现的红砖石库门房子才是保护建筑。

[@barrelrolldog]

@@jeremyzed6726 reffited? where? There might be a handful of them to get this treatment but the vast majority are being bulldozed and replaced with cookie cutter skyscrapers.

[@jaswan79]

I am very excited about these videos coming up.

[@notlam44]

Our paths have been similar, Tommy. I lived and worked in Shanghai for 6 years and left in February 2020. My place was on the edge of the French Concession, about half a mile from the Camel and I used to go there a lot to watch sport or play pool. So shocked to see it has now gone. I used to love cruising around those pretty streets on my electric scooter at any time of the day or night. Never any fear of being mugged or troubled. Like you, I will probably never go back to live there but I do miss the friendly people and its charm.

[@Ree-b]

I did 18 years in China. It became my home. I saw the country change and moof over those years. I lived in many cities but ended up a Shanghai princess in the end.. I did 78 days of complete lockdown in Shanghai. I “paid my taxes and I loved my country” ( insiders joke) And I still wanted to stay.. This year I return to my home country. My mama is unwell, so I needed to go. I miss it everyday.

[@joshzhang7041]

Come back soon!

[@jackmair1549]

Tommy your vids are the best man, always so informative. I am travelling the world with my Job at the moment and always trying to explore new places, I feel like documenting my travels like you do.. but i never do

[@RaulEdu33]

Thank you for posting this, brings back a lot of memories. Lived in Shanghai 2009-2011 and went back to study my masters 2013-2014. Back then it was Shangheaven, a great city for expats, businessmen and travelers. It changed so much and the pandemic only exacerbated the situation for foreigners residing in China.

[@Elfan97-ec1uk]

​@anglohan5428I'm in Hongkong ! I'm so free! What are you talking about? 😂😂😂Go take your medicine !😂😂😂😂

[@earlysda]

@@Elfan97-ec1ukElfan, sure, you are so free in Hong Kong that if you criticize the CCP you will have all your freedom taken awy.

[@Blinky.Catttt]

​@@earlysdaLOL............ Have you..... taken a look at the newspapers they sell in Hong Kong, criticizing the CPC nonstop? Do you know... the South China Morning Post? Hardly pro-CPC. Sigh, ignorance is so sad.

[@hyc1266]

​@@earlysda Sounds like you know better than the people living in Hong Kong. Get lost. Go mind your own business. It's none of your business whether other people have freedom or not. You are the one need to be freed. Work on your own freedom first because you don't have free thinking.

[@YTStopCensoringFreedomOfspeech]

@@earlysda It's pretty common in every country if you start encouraging people to overthrow the government, you will likely be arrested. The CCP is the government. They don't have other political parties. Even if you lived in the US and started saying bad things about the US government. You will likely get beat up by patriots or be arrested under bogus charges if you become too well known. Protesters end up being arrested all the time in the US. Each system has some differences but in the end, all governments don't want the people to start riots.

[@DWilliam1]

I remember when you had 15K followers. Your success is a testament to the interesting and high quality videos you put out. I throughly enjoy them.

[@josephzhavec964]

This felt so personal. I hope your doing better. This was a great video!

[@doonhilla]

Such an intriguing country China is, looking from the west. Can't wait to see the upcoming videos.

[@befeleme]

Fun fact: The one city in the world which had the longest lockdown of them all is Melbourne, Australia, where I live. Six months! But, frankly, I don't hold any grudges. I do not believe that the politicians who forced this upon us had a sinister motive. With the knowledge that was available at that time, what choices did they have? Lock down the population or risk thousands of dead and overwhelmed hospitals? Of course, now we do understand that this was an overreaction - but as the old saying goes, "after a battle, everyone is a general".

[@hyc1266]

I feel that many foreigners and even some Chinese in Shanghai, think they should have different privileges and don't follow laws in China. Shanghai lock downs would be shorter if everyone in Shanghai stay put and not moving around to spread the virus. Guangzhou had similar lock downs and were cleared in short times. There were many cities in the world had longer lock downs than Shanghai. I guess there weren't much COVID deaths in Shanghai and people didn't care. In NYC, although we didn't have strict lock down, most people just stayed home and wouldn't go outside. Students had lessons on line for 18 months and people were not allowed to work except in "essential businesses". Many seniors stayed indoor for more than 3 years.

[@cpteoh7134]

@@hyc1266 That is the problem with the cities where has more foreigners. These cities are usually influenced by the foreigners with western values: self oriented, this especially true during lockdown period, most of the foreigners refused to wear mask and ignored the warning of the government and doubted every effort done by the government.

[@saikokandy]

@@hyc1266 `· FACT`·!!!iiiii`· iii!!`·

[@robertwilson6009]

​@@hyc1266you couldn't legally leave your house for 60 days silly. Source: me I was there.

[@colinwinogradoff6794]

​@@hyc1266sweden never did lockdowns and they did as well as anyone. You can't hide under the bed for the rest of your life. Shanghai has been damaged for years to come.