Melo Villareal
From futuristic skylines to centuries-old heritage streets, Shanghai became the ultimate photography playground as Anne Curtis explored one of China’s most captivating cities with the new vivo X300 Ultra.
Shanghai has long been one of Asia’s most photogenic destinations—a city where gleaming skyscrapers stand alongside beautifully preserved historic neighborhoods. It was the perfect backdrop for vivo’s latest global campaign, which brought actress and travel enthusiast Anne Curtis together with renowned fashion photographer BJ Pascual for a creative journey showcasing the imaging power of the vivo X300 Ultra.
Anne Curtis in Shanghai for vivo X300 Ultra
Rather than staying inside a studio, the campaign embraced the city’s vibrant streets, allowing Anne to experience Shanghai through the smartphone’s advanced camera system while discovering two of its most iconic locations.
Discovering Shanghai’s Modern Skyline at the North Bund
The adventure began at Shanghai’s North Bund, one of the city’s fastest-growing waterfront districts known for its breathtaking skyline views.
Standing near the striking Silver Egg landmark, Anne pointed the vivo X300 Ultra toward one of Shanghai’s most recognizable icons—the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Using the smartphone’s impressive 200MP 85mm ZEISS Gimbal-Grade APO Telephoto Camera, she demonstrated just how much detail could be captured even from a considerable distance.
After reviewing the image, Anne couldn’t hide her amazement.
“This is how tight you can get. That’s crazy. Insane.”
The resulting photo highlighted not only the tower’s signature red spheres but also the clarity and precision made possible by vivo’s flagship imaging technology. For travelers who enjoy photographing city skylines, observation decks, or distant landmarks, the telephoto capabilities showcased exactly how a smartphone can deliver camera-like results without carrying bulky equipment.
Travelers exploring Shanghai’s waterfront will appreciate how locations like the North Bund offer endless opportunities for architecture, skyline, and golden-hour photography.
Walking Through Shanghai’s Historic Shikumen District
From futuristic architecture, the production shifted to one of Shanghai’s most charming heritage districts.
The team headed to Shikumen in Huangpu District, where narrow pedestrian streets, stone-gate residences, boutique shops, and traditional architecture create a completely different atmosphere from the city’s towering business districts.
For Anne, the location became more than simply another photoshoot backdrop.
“I really love where we’re shooting right now, which is considered like a heritage promenade, so I get to see a lot of heritage architecture—not only just see it but shoot alongside it,” she shared.
The neighborhood’s preserved facades, textured alleyways, and warm natural lighting provided an ideal environment for street photography and environmental portraits.
Captured through BJ Pascual’s creative direction, the campaign blended fashion photography with travel storytelling, proving that some of Shanghai’s best photographic moments happen not only among skyscrapers but also within its historic communities.
A Smartphone Built for Every Travel Photography Style
One of the campaign’s biggest takeaways was the versatility of the vivo X300 Ultra.
Whether photographing towering skyscrapers, intimate streets, architectural details, or lifestyle portraits, the device seamlessly adapted to changing environments without requiring additional camera gear.
The vivo X300 Ultra features an advanced imaging system co-engineered with ZEISS, including:
- 200MP ZEISS Gimbal-Grade APO Telephoto Camera (85mm)
- 200MP ZEISS Documentary Camera (35mm)
- 50MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera (14mm)
This combination allows users to switch effortlessly between ultra-wide landscapes, documentary-style street scenes, detailed portraits, and long-distance telephoto shots—all from a single device.
For travelers who prefer packing light while still producing high-quality travel content, the smartphone offers flexibility across multiple shooting scenarios.
Why Shanghai Is a Dream Destination for Mobile Photography
Few cities in Asia offer as much visual diversity as Shanghai.
Within a single day, visitors can photograph futuristic skyscrapers, riverside promenades, colonial-era architecture, vibrant shopping streets, traditional alleyways, and illuminated nightscapes.
The contrast between the North Bund’s modern skyline and the timeless character of Shikumen perfectly illustrates why Shanghai continues to attract photographers, filmmakers, and content creators from around the world.
According to vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director Liu Lu, the city was intentionally selected because it reflects the strengths of the smartphone’s imaging capabilities.
“Shanghai offers an incredible visual contrast between contemporary architecture and historic neighborhoods, making it an ideal setting to demonstrate what the vivo X300 Ultra is capable of in the hands of creators. The campaign reflects how today’s smartphone photography can adapt to different environments while preserving detail, depth, and perspective.”
The Ultimate Travel Companion for Creators
As travel content increasingly shifts toward mobile-first storytelling, smartphones are becoming essential tools for photographers, vloggers, and everyday travelers alike.
Anne Curtis’ Shanghai adventure demonstrates how a single device can document an entire journey—from panoramic cityscapes and fashion portraits to cultural neighborhoods and architectural details—without sacrificing image quality.
For travelers planning their own adventures, whether in Shanghai or elsewhere, the vivo X300 Ultra positions itself as a capable companion designed to capture every destination from multiple perspectives.
The vivo X300 Ultra is now available in the Philippines for PHP 109,999 through vivo concept stores nationwide and the official vivo e-store.
Follow vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok for more highlights from Anne Curtis’ Shanghai campaign and behind-the-scenes moments from the shoot.
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Read: A Look Inside vivo Global Headquarters in China with Anne Curtis
