When news spread that NYU Shanghai would be making its permanent residence in Jin Qiao (金桥) no one knew what to expect. An entirely new neighborhood, the Class of 2018-- students who had grown accustomed to the convenience of a neighboring Family Mart (全家) and the fifteen minute walk to school at Motel 268-- returned to campus as inexperienced in navigating their new neighborhood as their freshmen cohorts. So apart from the obvious international shopping center across the road (and please, venture farther than Wagas), what else does 金桥 have to offer?On mornings when sweatpants are the only answer and the metro is far too intimidating, a quick walk out of the dorm gate on Zaozhuang (枣庄) road will lead you to small grocery stores, a Halal Noodle restaurant, organic vegetable and fruit stalls, and a Tangbao 汤包 place-- a great location if you’re in the mood for an authentic Shanghainese style breakfast.Visa or passport problems? There is a shop where you can easily print whatever you need and take ID photos, as well do dry-cleaning (ten points for multi-tasking). Need a break from the gray skies and equally as gray buildings? To the right of Middle Yanggao Road (杨高中路) is a small park where you can jog or pick up the racket and play in one of its fully functional tennis courts. An entrance to Century Park (世纪公园) is a mere fifteen minute bike ride from the 金桥 dorms, and sports recreational biking paths, an exotic zone (whatever that means), and massive shade-bearing trees for the nature lover in all of us. Walking around Jinqiao, it is sometimes hard to believe we are still in China. International families cross the street and women with blonde hair whip past traffic on scooters, demonstrating not only what NYU Shanghai can expect of its new home but also what China can expect from its evolving relationship with the world. International high schools decorate the newly constructed streets, inviting international youth to their doorsteps as their parents seek employment opportunities within the city above the sea. Biyun Road (碧云路) hosts a variety of useful places such as the Parkway Health Jinqiao Health Center (997 Biyun Road 碧云路999号), Times Grocery Store (they sell Eggo waffles!) and Carrefour. Decathlon, a giant sporting goods store that rivals Patagonia in the United States, is located on Lantian Road (蓝天路) near Biyun Road (碧云路).One question still remains: where is the nearest Family Mart (全家)? For those of you who still crave the delight of Family Mart ice-cream and the questionable (sorry I have to say it) sushi rolls, not to worry! There is a friendly 全家 only ten minutes from the dorms. Go to the metro station closest to the Zhangyang Road (张扬路), turn right, and then keep walking along the highway. You should see a Holiday Inn and then the beauty we call Family Mart. Happy Exploring! This article was written by Sunyi Wang. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Gabriella Namnik