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.
How to make the best shopping in Shanghai
How to make the best shopping in Shanghai, it’s not a funny question. We all know how much Shanghai has changed over the past 30 years, this means that we have to alter our mindset, which may expect that the prices of goods are still cheap. Plenty of shinning shopping malls sell the same or similar products at the same or similar prices just like we see at home. We assume that you want get something local, you want get bargain still. If that’s your thoughts, you still have plenty of choices.
First, we recommend the South Bund Fabric Market we mentioned it in our previous blog, we’ve been there a couple of times, looking for the materials for our fashion up-to-date and some traditional outfits. It’s a place worthy visiting, fairly easy to get there too (a short walk after getting off Metro line 10), four floors of stalls for you to browse or decision making. Different fabrics are available from all seasons. Before we went there previously, we took some magazine images with us to show the in-store tailors, we discussed with them what we want, we wanted something based on the images with own “creativity”. It’s a pretty quick turn out, we went back once to try the fittings, the third time we went was to collect. Overall, the prices we paid for tailor to made are fraction of some brands. Some ready clothes are available too, you certainly can ask the stall owners.
Not only just fabric for clothes, you can also find accessories or linens, we find some handcrafted items too. It seems that the displays changes over the time.
As long as you organise ahead, go there with open mind, it’s unlikely you will waste your journey.
More About Shanghai Walk v05
More about Shanghai Walk, it’s the time to venture out to the south bank of Bund, where Shanghai marina is located. As this part of the old town is going through transformation, highlighted by the authority, aims to be part of the grand metropolis attractions.
It’s such a transformation from the old shanty town to the current developing trendy area, all the buzz and cosiness, our image here only captivates the front sight on the bank.
We left the Shanghai Fabric Market, which we will follow up with the shopping guide later. It’s just walking distance to the South Bank. Still some of the shanty towns remain, we have a couple of images taken for our own record, pretty sure those shanty town will disappear in no time.
We arrived at Shanghai Marina. Chic promenade stretches out on the river bank, gone are those stubby old blocks. Marina has been there back in the 11th century, when Shanghai was initially just a fishing port. Fast forward to the 18th century, the Marina took the role to receive the goods and the imports from the inland, East Asia and the far beyond, where they started their first legs of journey into China. It has played the irreplaceable part to transfer the goods deep into the mainland.
From here, you had to take barges to the other side of Huang Pu river (Pu Dong), replaced by the metro lines and the bridges now. Apart from the restaurants, boutiques, still a lot are in the proceeding of development, we feel this area gives a different perspective to see Shanghai, from the grandiose north river bank does, where the old commercial titans dominate its storytelling. This area maybe more Chinese or with the sense of local culture and humility.
Quite refreshing to see that Shanghai showcases its appreciation to its own humble history, its struggling over the passages of time. South Bank was magnetic in the past, it has plenty to offer when looking forward.
Oh, what are the Fun or Something Cool
Autumn is the time to see Shanghai
Autumn time to see Shanghai is just lovely. After the sizzling hot summer, the air is cooler and place is back to entertain, this is the season to visit the place and it has the offers on your ‘wish list’ ticked.
It’s gonna be busy when you are here this year. Shanghai Tourism Festival commences 9th Sep and ends in 6th Oct, a true extravaganza for the city, includes food, lights, music, sports. The Annual Shopping Festival kick starts the Tourism Festival this weekend with promotions and concerts, participated by 2,000 companies, should be worthwhile to make trips to some of their outlets.
People can hardly miss the fun in this year’s Tourism Festival. A variety of events spreads across several districts. For instance, XuHui district prides itself with Hengfu Art Festival, it tempts with jogging events (every Saturday during the festival), street concerts and evening shows in the park. Some of its events are held at the celebrities residential villas, such as Jin Ba (late novelist) and LePing Zhang (late cartoonist). (See our highlights for this district.)
Apart from these events, autumn is genuinely nice to visit Shanghai. Change between the seasons brings out the charm of a lively cosmopolitan: colours, smells, noise and food. You can easily explore the city and its beyond, without worrying sunburn or freezing cold. (check on our affection for all seasons in Shanghai)
The KunLun Jing’an at Hua Shan Road
The KunLun Jing’an, previously Hilton Hua Shan sits on the edge of Shanghai’s French concession. It is situated at the prime location, Jing’an, just a few hundred meters away from Jin’an Temple, main traffic line (ie, north south line) is around the corner.
This Hilton has been around since the early 90s. Not kidding, a person’s feeling towards this Hilton can show his/her age. It was an event when the hotel was open to operate. Young graduates lined a long queue to battle the way for being recruited, they turned back on the state-sponsored placement, with the hope of career prosperity. Hospitality industry was in.
Two decades on, competition in the trade is in a completely different world. However, just like this Hilton, anywhere, hard to beat a hotel with the advantage of ‘location, location and location’. Whether you are in the town on business trip or for holiday, this one can be a cosy pick. Locals nearby also tends to appoint it as the meeting point before the shopping trips or dinner dates. The bird view from the Hilton has moved on from the overview of the residential blocks to the buzz of a commercial centre nowadays. Not only just Jing’an temple nearby is an attraction, also the convenience of getting around, such as within walking distance for the metro line 1, 2 and 7.
I enjoy the long walk from there, to explore the parks nearby (Jing’an, Xiang Yang), independent book stores, or, interesting boutiques in the area of French concession. Or, stretch out more, reach to the point where Pushkin statue is. Not bad exercise for afternoon stroll.
Book a Room, or check on Oh, what are the Fun
Go to our ‘To Do’ for more info
See Yu Garden for visual treat
Nested in the heart of city centre, Yu Garden has the layout of traditional Chinese garden: pavilion, artificial mountains, willow trees, ponds and the magnificent zigzag bridge. Built in the 16th century, the only traditional garden in the north of Shanghai, whether you are in Shanghai for a couple of days or longer, this place is a must see. We recommended this gem in our blog “One Day In Shanghai”(One Day In Shanghai).
Not only Yu Garden prides itself a visual feast, it makes a worthy trip for shopping. For a long time, it is the heaven for the wholesalers, when they source anything locally produced. Today, you still have plenty of choices for your Christmas list or just the impulsive binges.
Restaurants and food stores boast another reason for visiting. Lu Bo Lang and Shanghai Restaurant have been there for years, they offer the traditional food with local flavour, so delicate. Those restaurants often attract long queues of hungry eaters. The best thing in life is always worth waiting. One of the afternoons, you sit at Lu Bo Lang, sipping the Chinese tea with the delightful Dim Sum, a lake in your view when looking out the window, it is divine.
Getting there is easy. Almost every local knows its location. Metro line 10 and plenty of bus services go through there. Don’t be put off by the crowds, popular places like Yu Garden are often packed with visitors all day, perhaps try to avoid the peak hours, I wouldn’t miss out the opportunity for the local Dim Sum.
Our list for you to consider Discovery “the Traditional Charm”.