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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| They still do bustling alleyways |
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| Temple entrance |
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| Gods |
Gardens
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| ?chinese writing |
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| Spotted on a scooter handlebars |
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| Shops |
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| Lunch |
