January 1, 2015
Shanghai, China
Blue Skies, Windy and Cold!
Happy New Year from Shanghai! Finally blue skies as the winds came to blow the smog away. My New Years eve was uneventful as I was tired from the day trip to Hangzhou so was actually in bed by 10pm. It turned out ot be the right decision as I was originally planning to go to the Bund to see the New Years Eve festivities. I didn't find out about the tragedy until I got an email from my housekeeper who was worried. So sad especially since all who died were young. When you see how important children are in China (due to the one child policy) and how much care they put into their children, it is tragic and heart breaking as a parent to lose your child to something that could have been prevented.
Because I did not know about the tragedy until later in the day, my plan was to go to People's Square then walk to the Bund, and explore the Yuyuan gardens and the Old Town including the famous temple.
First stop, People's Square which is a gorgeous and very clean small park in the middle of Shanghai. As I got there a bit early, there were still some folks practicing Tai-chi.
Old and New at People's Square
While wandering around, I saw many ladies with umbrellas with a piece of paper taped on the umbrella. The sheet of paper had photos of a young men. First I thought they were missing, so the mothers and fathers were there to see if anyone has seem them. And then I found out it is a marriage market! Parents go searching for ideal husbands/wives based on photo, zodiac sign, etc.
After checking out the marriage market, I walked on Nanjing Road toward the Bund. While walking, I went by the famous Shanghai Department Store No. 1, which really is the first department store in Shanghai.
Walking Nanjing Street was fun as closer I got to the Bund, the more magnificent Beaux Arts buildings
And of course, an Apple store
I got to the Bund which was crowded and with police everywhere! I did make a stop at the Peace Hotel though for tea and cake first.
View of modern Shanghai from the Bund
Magnificent Beaux Arts buildings remind one of when Shanghai was the financial capital of Asia and soon to become one again. It is also a reminder of the Opium War (which everyone should read about because China was treated unfairly), the Sassoons and the wealth the British gained at China's expense.
After walking the Bund, I walked to the Yuyuan gardens which was filled with so many people that I did not take a photo as I wanted to get out of there as the crowds were bothering me. So I ended up going from a crowded park to the crowded Old Town. Just wall to wall people. I didn't bother going to the temple as police were controlling the crowds. So I got out of there as quickly as I could, and caught a cab to the hotel.
After resting a bit in the hotel, decided to venture out again for a late lunch/early supper. Tony, the very knowledgeable concierge, recommended Ye Shanghai in the Xintiandi district. It is located in one of the "shikumens" - traditional stone houses, which are now homes to shops, restaurants and galleries. The food was quite delicious (no msg!) and great ambiance. Xintiandi is supposed to be the most expensive place to live in Shanghai and I believe it as there is a gigantic Harry Winston store right in the middle of the town.
My lunch: 18 different kind of vegetables and shrimp in chile sauce
Another fun day in Shanghai
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