a book tells how modern Shanghai was shaped
A book tells how modern Shanghai was shaped, “The Last Kings of Shanghai”, has been one of my readings in the lockdown. How it was shaped? probably many different explanations on how and by whom, we wouldn’t find any answers boring anyway.
This book is more than just entertaining. Through rich investigation, the author tells the story how two Jewish families the Sassons and the Kadoories (Kelly) transformed Shanghai into an international cosmopolitan before mid 20th century. buzzling with glamour. With ‘go get’ attitude, the Sassons and the Kadoories pioneered the foreigners in their era to bring industrious mentality into the city. If you are fascinated by the dynamic culture uniquely in Shanghai, or why it’s named as the capital of “international architecture”, or just interested in those buildings on the Bund. The book presents intriguing picture how the city was initially formed by location and how it’s shaped with the influencers then. Not surprisingly Shanghai is the most pro western city in China. Half a century later, still plenty of literatures and films dotted the fondness for that period, such as the book Peace Hotel (aka Cathay Hotel ).
Interesting books take us afar and away. Back to the reality, whilst we are still adjusting limited travelling for the time being, for the remaining half of year 2020, I feel this book gives me the comfort in my ‘comfort zone’!
What’s the fun in those fine days!
Always get prepared before your planning and travelling, so much to do!
How we enjoyed this quiet time at Shanghai
How did we enjoy this quiet time at Shanghai? It’s been a couple of months since the outbreak of coronavirus. We’ve been staying in and keeping outdoor venturing minimum, building up the inner zen …
Still, having fun: how to pass the time during the time of ‘staying in’ all that long, especially not by choice! Exercising at home, making spaces at living rooms, getting used to stretch out any time if feels like; friends try to perfect the culinary skills, no fear with heat in the kitchen… It will be an epic winter in the memory.
Shopping apps are the nearest and dearest for the restrained lazy toes, instructions on how to make the use of Hema, DingDong（叮咚买菜）, not to forget TaoBao, and, JingDong… Those delivery guys are the heroes.
Like entering uncharted territory, will life or the way of living quite the same or different in Shanghai from now on? Oh, perhaps… wait and hope, as Dumas cheered.
Get ready when it’s all over..
Our blog image overlooks NanPu Bridge at Power Station of Art, we’ll make a “splash” on it in blog in the near future.
Favourite Local Breakfast in Shanghai
Did you know the favourite local breakfast in Shanghai? Too many choices as it appears. There’re fritters (油条), you have them with porridge; or wan ton (dumplings); or savoury pastries… just follow the locals, check out the queue they are in. I have discovered the best fried dumplings in town, Yang’s Fried Dumpling, I have been there backwards and forwards several times during this time, with the easy access transport. Today, it’s the ‘chive egg pancake’ at the same street, Huang He Road (one of the many foodie street areas), shown in our blog image Old Shanghai Pancakes, one of the favourite local breakfast, only a few yards from the celebrated Jia Jia Dumpling, oh the long queue once you get there, worth the waiting, promise …
Read more our blog on local food
Did you know the Chinese National Day
Did you know 1st Oct is the Chinese National Day? It’s been 70 years, the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China. Celebration are in full swing, major cities like Shanghai obviously Is a cool show piece, whilst the rest of world has been through tear and wear, such as financial crisis, conflicts of political ideology, drama of Brexit and etc, China has been unstoppable rising to a formidable superpower. Credit should be given when it’s due.
Bund (wai tan) is a must to visit for the locals and visitors, you’d be lucky to get through during the main festival time, like in National Day. Police closely watch over, one of the main reasons is to keep the crowds in order, this is to respond the tragic accident a few years ago, when 39 people died due to the traffic chaos.
It was great fun to get to the point, when you seet the east side of Shanghai in the front, after wiggling through pedestrian area at Nan Jing Road, we took a photo shot at that famous view, as we have done many times, still not bored. Our Bund walk was not shaken by the typhoon this time.
Check on our blog wai tan
Shanghai Night we took this video at La Terrazza at Bulgari Hotel Shanghai.
Share your thoughts and tips and experience in Shanghai.
More about Shanghai Walks v04
More about Shanghai walks, today we stretch out to the border of Xu Hui district, where the new Shi Ku Men lanes are revamped lately.
Just passing by Shanghai Orchestra, we are at Jian Guo west Road, the lanes are neatly knitted and feel like in the maze of beautifully structured waves of red brick walls, we saw a boutique (like one of the many in the area), we step inside the porch and patio, we discovered a perfume boutique “Facon”. The idea of the scents was conceived in Shanghai and produced in Grasse. A restless kitten was running inside the store cheerfully, the lady in the store showed us an article about its creator Mr. Bonzom, I think he is very brave to do so in such a competitive market. we are given some samples before left.
This area has been turned into a string of luxurious villa, Jian Ye Li, owned by Capella. It’s cleverly done, the villas with two or three bedrooms have own entrance, facing the courtyard, quietly nestled in the heart of the city. On the opposite of the road, we stood in awe, we saw the shops lighten up on the ground floor alongside the road. It is amazing, where traditional architecture brings you to the 30s at this moment and the interiors chic and contemporary.
We continued our walk before dusk, back to the buzz of Shanghai itself. I am always amazed about the adaptability of this city, where one style can seamlessly merge with the another. My friend suggested not to stop, a lot to see at Xu Hui, one of the coolest neighbourhoods by TimeOut. Happily, consented, I know not far we will be sitting in a cool place, sipping our favourite drinks.
Interested in the area? Read more our blogs
Oh, what are the fun & tell me more
How to get ready for summer in Shanghai
How to get ready for summer in Shanghai? Wow, is summer actually a festival? Why get ready? Pretty simple, it’s noisy, busy and no need to stay put the humidity, get ready, so much fun in summer.
Grew up in Shanghai, I know that it’s hot in summer, and it seems the temperature in summer gets higher over the time. If you haven’t developed the resilience over the heat and humidity yet, it’ll put you in a cool state to enjoy what the heat throws. Anyway you can always resort to the indoors. Fair enough, there are TV festival then Shanghai International Film Festival in Jun. it’s suppose that the films will be interesting this year, highlighted to address the hot issue of ‘belt and road’, which the countries along the new silk road get chances to bring out their works.
At the moment, the annual Lavender Festival is in full bloom at Pu Dong, Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts zone. This festival runs till the end of June, you can make insta-friendly trips. For any sporty person, Dragon Boat Festival can entertain you mid Jun with its traditional rhythm, plus its colour vibrancy. Seasonal staple Zong Zi is already available, you can taste the traditional treat with sweet or savoury fillings.
If you feel like to venture out of downtown, Song Jiang can be an option (the previous blog mentioned “Go Chong Ming”). Rich in history, Song Jian has a lot to offer with parks, temples, cathedral, mosque, plus an English themed Thames Park, nicknamed as “Small Britain in Shanghai”. Check on Song Jiang, to see anything of your picks.
See our picks, visit China Art Museum and enjoy Huang Pu River Cruise and Shanghai Lights, if your trip is a flying visit (see our blog One Day Only).
Happy summer!
How to enjoy Chinese New Year like a local
How to enjoy Chinese New Year like a local, so you are in Shanghai, you are not flying away somewhere afar, the town is nearly empty, traffic is kind…
Whether you go for the traditional Chinese affair, or, stay on the trend, you will always find your type. Let’s start with indulge yourself with the traditional flavour, all the fanfare and folk stuff. There’s the carnival.
Following the current Cultural Carnival, which ends in 14th Feb, Spring Festival Carnival takes place to coincide Chinese New Year (16/02-02/03) at SongJiang District, celebrates with traditional folk music shows, lantern show, stand-up comedians and lights displays, food stalls… Address: 888 LinHu Road.
It’s the 2nd year to celebrate the Chinese New Year for the newly established Shanghai Disney Resort, Impressed, not only by the charm of Disney with Chinese twist. Some locals are keen to have the New Year Eve banquet there, a worthy family event.
Brace yourself, it is crispy cold time of the year. Nothing can put people off to enjoy the brief quietness in such a busy town, you can appreciate the wintery blossom in Central Park, or parks like DianShan, ZhenRu for cool excursions out of the centre. A friend of took the blog image near her house at the recent snowy day.
Chinese New Year is always about the food. With plenty of expats living in the town, rest assured, you will find your favourites. Some apps expedite your decision, like ShanghaiWoW To be truly like a local, you need download the app WeChat, you can find any info you need, we mean any. it works like an altogether of FaceTime, WhatsApp and Facebook.
OK, if you are there, we wish you a happy time and will be great if you get in touch to share.
For the organised celebrations over the Chinese New Year, please check on the link:
How not to forget Shanghai you have been
How not to forget Shanghai you have been? Photos, plenty of them, insta it and of course blog it… Lots of different ways help to remember…
With fast paced change, Shanghai has altered so much, not people who visit it are amazed by the newness, resident are used to the ever changing. I have a map imprinted in the mind, where I was born and grew up, where the centre was and my favourite walks and meeting points. Over the recent years, Shanghai has stretched out much further, twenty four million people inhibit in this much larger city. It sounds sentimental to recall the old time, those little alleyways, simple old food, easy chitchat like everyone has time for each other, live was not overruled by digital. These tales are supposed to stay in the mind for a long long time.
Look at the skylines and so many hot spots. New Shanghai is equally exciting and can be more dynamic. We cannot help to recommend the easy appsShanghaiWoW for any new cool spot, or check on the official tourist sites for anything news worthy, it can be interesting too, see the example on Foodie Heaven
We will continue to blog in 2018, if you can share with us your experience in Shanghai, the places you went, the food you enjoyed and the people you met, that will be so cool.
Here comes Christmas in Shanghai …
Christmas… how time flies, we have seen the seasons come and go: Shanghai is the place we’ve been talking about All Year …
If you happen in Shanghai for this season, there are loads of things to do, check on the link Get into Christmas Swing for its mapping out in detail. Again we also recommend the trendy App ShanghaiWoW for its city guide support, check out the trendy places for the seasonal promotion.
Even you stop here for a short stay, there are things you still want to enjoy, let’s not forget our collection from Viator Our Top Picks Or get some insights from our Blog About Shanghai, try our short & sweet A Flying Visit.
Perhaps, this city is in your mind for the next adventure, visit our links TO GO to get started and TO STAY to organise, or to drop a note to us Get In Touch, let us know your schedule, your budget, your interests and your thoughts, that’s really cool and be assured you’ll hear from us…
Thanks for stopping by on this site, we will be back after the festive season: wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!
How to eat like a local when you are in Shanghai
Eating out like a local is so much fun in Shanghai, so many choices and we selected two tours for you to taste.
How to eat like a local when you are in Shanghai, apart from sightseeing, city walks? We have build the recommendations from Viator with selections on ‘top picks’, ‘day trips’ and ‘extended tours’, here with “local food”.
Eating like a local? yes. Now, late autumn, Shanghai-ese are addicted to ‘hairy crabs’, it doesn’t sound delicate, but the dish is a delicacy and delicious for the locals. This has been tradition, it seems get popular to the entire nation’s taste buds.
Food breeds contentment for Chinese, they see it as the source of happiness. That’s why they greet each other with “have you eaten?” When it comes to the variety of restaurants, such as different regional styles, Shanghai can compete any places in the country. It also offers a fantastic range for international cuisines. Shanghai-ese shows tremendous appetite for acquiring the new flavours.
When in Shanghai, it is so much fun to eat like a local. We have selected two tours for eating like a local. The “Local Food Tour” lasts 3 hours, takes you to the old French Concession and the traditional Shanghai ShiKuMen, you taste noodles, steamed buns, 12 dishes at the different venues, currently it runs Evening tour, “Local Food Tour” so you get the chance to start with a beer as well.
Apart from the traditional food tour, another one on our list is the street food tour. You can enjoy the local Shanghai’s culinary scene, busting with flavours and aroma, you taste 12 to 15 different dishes in this 3 hours tour. “Eat like a Local” You are not going to be disappointed.
We will continue to recommend the tours / trips, share our excitement, and, have a feel on our selection. Read More
We’d love to share your thoughts, contact us if we can be of any helps.