The Layover... 17 Hours In Shanghai

How to not spend your layover running around fog and smog.. On my way home to New York, I thought I would have the sunset and gorgeous views of Shanghai. Instead, I ran a midnight marathon to see, couples holding hands.

Here's what 17 hours looked like from the airport to downtown Shanghai

* Asked for the 72- hour visa, and showed them my ticket itinerary. They want to make sure you're coming back

* I took the metro directly from the airport to the downtown area of Shanghai. About ten stops in, we had to exit the train and run across the platform to enter another train. I have no idea why, but lets just say you need to use your pushing and shoving skills to get on and off.

* I arrived to the packed, busy streets of East Nanjing road and walked a few feet to my hostel. I stayed at Hosteling Internationals Shanghai Nanjing Rd. Youth Hostel. I was in an all girls 6 bedroom dorm with bathroom attached. It was nice and clean, but pretty cold for a December night. Before booking, I was not aware of the $100 Chinese Yuan deposit needed, so luckily I took out enough money before my trip.

* After a quick nap and charge of my phone, I went to explore. It was midnight and the booming streets were DEAD! I walked into the first restaurant I ate and enjoyed some rice, chicken in peanut sauce with a bottled water. I scarfed my food down and ran out to explore. The food in Shanghai is amazing, I ate at a few restaurants.

* The night time cleaners were washing the streets, the city was extremely foggy/smoggy. I walked to the boardwalk to see the views of the Oriental Pearl radio and TV tower. Through the fog, I could see the faint lights of the tower. Really, I didn't see a thing except couples holding hands, taking photos. I walked for about an hour and headed back to shower and sleep.

* In the morning, I woke up early hoping the smog had gone, but that was a lie. I couldn't even see a few feet in front of me. My photos from this trip are lack luster.

I headed my way back to the airport to catch my flight to New York.

My only suggestion if you have a night time layover is make sure you book a flight that lands a bit earlier, so you can actually enjoy something. If you have a layover less then eight hours, I don't suggest traveling into the city, it already takes an hour to get to the cool spots of Shanghai. I will definitely go back to really experience Shanghai, but I wish I just stayed at the airport hotel and sat in a bubble bath until my next flight.