Shanghai Has Changed Forever Since The Lockdown ( 

Join me on this little walk down memory lane..

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.

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.

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

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.

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 🙏

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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

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 RU-vid as your experiences are very relatable and interesting.

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

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.

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

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

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

I'm so excited for this journey!

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

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.

Looking forward to the adventure Tommy! Thank you for all you do.

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

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

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

everything‘s gonna be alright. I’m a Shanghainese. During the pandemic lockdown, we are not forced to stay home. We do so because we care about everyone in the city so we would rather stay home

Thank you for sharing. You have a clear way of explaining things and showcasing a location with respect. This was really interesting - all in a good way.❤

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!

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.❤

thank you Tommy i thought this was great, i love your japan videos the most, heck i love all your content, it all takes you on a different adventure each time thank again brotha

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

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

I am very excited about these videos coming up.

great video. Always interesting to hear from the locals instead of a news broadcast. Look forward to your journey.

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。

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

Thanks for the tour, Tommy. I look forward to seeing your journeys into the interior of China. More power to you.

I was living in Shanghai during the 3 month lockdown. It truly was hell. Two elderly people in the place where I live jumped out the window to commit suicide. I will never forget that hellish time. Endless testing, being locked in our apartment for weeks at a time and being send gov food packages. Endless apps and QR codes. After the lockdown was listed you have to remain tested daily to have a green health code. Every single place you wen, ever shop, everywhere you had to scan your code. What a nightmare.

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

I came here when I was 26 and never left. Build a family, got a stable job to support it, been through the lockdowns, which as you said weren't that bad, in retrospect. The time during the lockdown was feeling quite bad and was more a mental challenge than anything. But since this city is where my family is and my life takes place, I call it my home, so the urge to leave and abandon the city crossed my mind, but after all I decided to stay and fight against the odds (we won). Come to Shanghai, it's great. The crazy (but never sustainable) times are over, yes, but tbh the more peaceful (and still crowded) Shanghai has its charme. There is still always something new to discover, it's modern, got all the food and sights you need. People are kindhearted and happy to welcome foreign visitors, so my larger Shanghai family tells me, because foreigner were always important part of this town and the Shanghainese life.

What an excellent content! Can't wait for more of your China series!

I'm SO EXCITED FOR THIS TRIP. Thank you. ❤

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 👍✌

Dude I love your videos and I’m always left impressed by your linguistic skills meanwhile I’ve been trying to learn Portuguese for the past 6 months and I feel no closer to being fluent then I was 7 months ago🤣

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

Appreciate all the hard work you in.

Thank you . Tommy. Looking forward to enjoy the journey in China with you .

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

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

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.

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.🙏👍❤🤚

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.

I can see the raw emotion in you when speaking about Shanghai.. almost like that one lover everyone has that got away

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!

Your language skills open up so much of the world that most people can never see... I'm looking forwards to your video's in the west of China.. Great video as always! You'll have 1m subs before long!

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.

thanks for this @sabbaticaltommy... much respect

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

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!

A little bit sentimental. Thanks for taking us on your trip across China, and I went to CHina this summer too. It was really fun.

I do enjoy your travels please keep on doing this much appreciated.

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 👍🏾

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.

@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).

Excellent video Tom, thanks!

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.

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!

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.

A nice and very sentimental video! Welll-done, pal. I love it.

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

Shanghai is still fine post lockdown, a bit more chill these days, but still plenty going on. Fewer foreigners for sure, but many still here.

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

I am STOKED to see your travels in the more remote regions of China! Live while you can.

Never stop Tommy. We love this. For us that can't just leave and travel all the time. 🤘👌🍻

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!

@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.

Yeah, looking forward to the tour. Cheers

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Just came across your channel by chance and it looks quite interesting. I like your neutral view. Honesty is the best policy. From watching just a few episodes, I now know that SH has really lost a lot of foreigners since 2020. Will explore your channel more. Will you stay in China long this time?

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

Yeeesss I’m hyped for more China videos!!! Such an interesting and beautiful place

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.

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.

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".

Excellent well done tour, Tommy!!! Very impressed:)

Good work. Great questions to the locals.

I have lived / worked in Shanghai for 12 years and I am one of the 100,000 who stayed during the pandemic. In fact I caught the last flight from London back to Shanghai before international flights were suspended. Everyone was telling me not to go back, that it was not safe etc but I had absolutely no concerns about returning and it was the right decision. I then lived through the 2 (or was it 3) month Shanghai lockdown and I honestly didn't get stressed by it at all. Yes, sometimes it was a challenge to get food, but it was available. For families with children I think it may have been more of a difficult time and I know many families that did leave. The subsequent almost daily testing after the lockdown ended was annoying but the implementation and use of technology for screening was accepted readily by everyone. I felt safe to travel and we all quickly adapted to using phones / QR codes to board trains, flights, access to buildings etc. I didn't even feel the need to have any vaccinations and then just as quickly as all the testing and screening was implemented it suddenly ended and things returned back to normal. It was like nothing had happened.

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.

Hell yeah brother! I just found your channel a few days ago. It seems that I jumped in at a good time. Can't wait to see your adventure in China!

Haha sick video man, its pretty funny were all so acclimated to the typical bike frames when we encounter one like yours we still end up stepping over the seat instead of just sitting and sliding foot across to other side.

I sense the emotionality in this journey. I’ve heard Kunming is very nice. You plan on visiting there? Great content!