Under Construction


Advertisement
China's flag
Asia » China » Shanghai
April 4th 2007
Published: August 6th 2007
Edit Blog Post

East Beijing RoadEast Beijing RoadEast Beijing Road

Quiet streets in the early morning hours.
From skyscrapers in Pudong, to thriving shopping, eating and nightlife districts in Puxi, to ship-building along the Huangpu river...everywhere you look, Shanghai is bursting with activity. This city is dotted with construction sites, signaling China's desire to become an economic powerhouse with Shanghai firmly at center stage. It's a booming, busy place with far too many cars and people, but it's flashy, fun and focused on money.

The roads are jam-packed with aggressive taxi and bus drivers who wouldn't brake for their own mother. Bicycles rule the side streets - sometimes with oversized loads - and they rarely obey traffic signals. Sidewalks are a crush of people, each one with a cel phone, and the touts are relentless. These days it's all about the bottom line, all while keeping a Chinese perspective. Thankfully the two are not mutually exclusive.

Qibao is an ancient canal town with historical architecture, crowded markets, and picturesque bridges over sleepy canals. It's managed to survive for 1000 years, but sadly it appears it might not be around for much longer. Bulldozers are slowly demolishing the quaint brick homes to make way for cookie-cutter housing blocks. It's a shame really, as the government seems to
XintiandiXintiandiXintiandi

A collection of posh restaurants and cafes.
think that everyone wants to live in standard-issue concrete apartments rather than in traditional homes and villages.

We saw the same thing in Old Town, where new development is encroaching on the borders of this historical district. The walls that used to protect the area are no more, and I get the feeling that the temples, bazaars and antique shops aren't too far behind either. What's keeping the area alive is the Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar. It's a tourist haven, but the dumplings are delicious and the gardens are a peaceful respite from the noisy city streets.

But still, considering the kind of city Shanghai is, the kind of city it wants to be, you don't come here to explore Chinese history and culture (head to Xi'an or Beijing for that). What you will find is a city that's comfortably Westernized with European architecture and Chinese roots. It's a fascinating place with plenty to offer: take a stroll along the Bund or the elevated Hunagpu river promenade, or step into the French Concession for a taste of European villas and cottages. Dine at swish restaurants and cafes in the old stone buildings of Xintiandi and wander the quiet passages
Fenyang RoadFenyang RoadFenyang Road

In the French Concession.
at dusk when you've had enough of the traffic. And who can forget Pudong? Barely 20 years in the making, this former marshland now boasts one of the most impressive skylines on the planet.

While not very Chinese on the surface, it's a diverse city with much more to offer than meets the eye. The sites aren't jaw-dropping and the pollution is killer, but there's some excellent food and architecture to be had. A place of contrast, it's where old and new, traditional and modern, East and West collide...and it works. Just don't get mowed down by a taxi while crossing the street.

Camille & Denise


Additional photos below
Photos: 27, Displayed: 24


Advertisement

Juanyu PavilionJuanyu Pavilion
Juanyu Pavilion

The names translates as 'rolling up the rain curtain'.
QibaoQibao
Qibao

Chinese for 'seven treasures'.
Old TownOld Town
Old Town

Named so because it's the old part of town.
The BundThe Bund
The Bund

In the early morning, the buildings have that warm, golden glow...rather than the cold, drab grey you see in the late afternoon.
Good DayGood Day
Good Day

Sunny blue sky!
Bad DayBad Day
Bad Day

Thick, hazy pollution. *cough*
World Financial CenterWorld Financial Center
World Financial Center

When first conceived, it was slated to be the world's tallest building at 492m. When finally completed it will rank #3.
SunriseSunrise
Sunrise

Looking east towards Pudong from the Bund.
One XintiandiOne Xintiandi
One Xintiandi

Ritzy private club.
Bei DajieBei Dajie
Bei Dajie

Crowded market filled with food stalls, tea houses and tacky souvenir shops.
French ConcessionFrench Concession
French Concession

The most pleasant neighbourhood in Shanghai.
Jade Water CorridorJade Water Corridor
Jade Water Corridor

One is said to enjoy a romantic and poetic feeling walking along this corridor.
Narrow AlleyNarrow Alley
Narrow Alley

Love your neighbours.
PollutionPollution
Pollution

Might as well breathe straight from the exhaust.
Qibao Temple PagodaQibao Temple Pagoda
Qibao Temple Pagoda

The pagoda has 8 levels, a lucky number to the Chinese.
Tai ChiTai Chi
Tai Chi

In the wee hours of the morning along the Huangpu river promenade.
PudongPudong
Pudong

Sunrise on another clear, sunny day.
Huxinting Tea HouseHuxinting Tea House
Huxinting Tea House

Comed here for overpriced tea in a cold, empty historic tea house in the middle of a pond.


23rd April 2007

Jade Water Corridor
Camille, did you feel a romantic and poetic feeling while walking across? Tip: next time take Denise with you. After breathing in that smog I can't believe you are going to come home and bitch about my smoking!! After hanging around that crap, my lungs are probably cleaner than yours! Love you two and miss you lots, Mom
23rd April 2007

Coolness
If only it were a cleaner place, I might actually take time to plan a visit to this place. As it is, I'll settle for your exquisite descriptive writing. Oh, and too bad the Janyu Pavilion didn't translate to "rolling on the river", cuz then I'd get to do some gnarly Tina Turner dance moves everytime I see the picture.
25th April 2007

Shame
What a shame knocking down the old beauty. They should knock down the factories and cars. Aiyah
30th April 2007

Those Asians!
That's my uncles and cousins for you. Ruled by the almighty doh-lah! I guess this apple fell really far from the tree. Then again, I AM Dutch!

Tot: 0.213s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 15; qc: 100; dbt: 0.1285s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.3mb