Wednesday 31 December 2014

A day out in Shanghai

I had a day off last Sunday, so, along with some work colleagues, I visited Shanghai, the largest city in the world and home to 25 million people – most of whom seemed to be walking towards me as I made my way along the riverside towards the Yu gardens and Temple of the gods. 

The Bund


It really is the most amazing city, the ultra-modern skyscape of offices and hotels contrasting with the narrow streets of the old town. My colleagues and I dined out Saturday night in the French quarter, which wasn’t very French but full of expensive western designer shops and up-market restaurants.

Allegedly - the tallest building in the world


 While I explored on Sunday they all got drunk in one of the expensive hotels along the Bund; I have to say my preconceived notions of what communist-run China would be like have taken a big knock – this place rivals any big western city, everyone appears to be well-off, new western cars clog the streets (Audis and BMW’s the most popular), fighting with millions of electric scooters and cycles, all of which disregard any apparent rules of the road including traffic lights or any kind of common sense. It made a nice change though from the little town where the shipyard is – I managed to eat in a couple of vegan restaurants, even managed to get some fresh fruit!
They still do bustling alleyways

Temple entrance

Gods
Gardens


?chinese writing


Spotted on a scooter handlebars


Shops

Lunch

8 comments:

  1. Good to hear from you. The pictures look beautiful, I would have suspected it to be more fogged up. But the air doesn't look that bad. I hope things are well with you, and I wish you all the best for 2015. Cheers, SonjaM

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  2. Hi Sonjs - the following day there was a dense smog, couldn't see the tops of the buildings.
    Nice to hear from you, here's hoping you and Roland have a great 2015. Regards, John

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  3. Happy New Year , Nikos to you and the missus. Here's hoping 2015 is a good riding year.

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  4. Fantastic pictures. Happy New Year.

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    1. Happy New Year too, to you. Hoping 2015 is a good one.

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  5. So glad you got out for a day to relax and enjoy. And you managed to find vegan eats and fruit. Nicely done.

    Thanks for sharing the pictures too. It looks like an interesting place to visit. Although I don't think I could handle that many people.

    Happy New Year. Or are those wishes a smidge early since you are in China?

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    1. Trobairitz, I think the best bit was finding vegan restaurants - I've been subsisting on a basic diet here.
      There is definitely too many people, and the traffic is horrendous, worse than anywhere else I've been.
      It's definitely New year here now - not sure of the time difference with USA.
      Anyway, thanks for dropping by- all the best to you and Troubador for 2015. Regards, El D

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