A week exploring Hong Kong & Shanghai
Aug 1st, 2017, 05:31 PM
#21
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Walking the French Concession in Shanghai
During our days in Shanghai, we visited the neighborhood known as the French Concession twice. It’s a lovely neighborhood which has a few streets that still retain some of the “old Shanghai” charms which are rapidly being replaced with high rises and highways. Oddly enough, the area was never really populated by the French, but rather by local Chinese and Russian immigrants.
One of our more interesting stops was the Shikumen Open House Museum which shows what life was like in the area in the 1920’s and 1930’s in a stone-gate house (Shikumen). These houses were built in rows with many people crammed into them. Entire neighborhoods filled with these houses have been demolished to make way for modern apartments. The rooms are filled with period furniture and accessories and really offer a window into the time.
After visiting the house museum (and after walking all over Quibao) we needed to rest our feet and decided that a beer and a plate of French fries at a “Munich brew house” was just the answer. Yes, it’s a huge chain, but the beer was tasty and the fries were perfect.
There’s no shortage of interesting street life in Shanghai and the French Concession neighborhood was no exception (see blog for photos of street scenes and interesting wet market).
We also had a late lunch at the Citizen Bar and Cafe which has a nice selection of French inspired food. I would have loved to sit on that upstairs balcony but it was filled with people smoking and hanging out at their tables. We sat upstairs and had a nice salad, sandwich, and glass of wine nevertheless.
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2017/0...n-in-shanghai/
During our days in Shanghai, we visited the neighborhood known as the French Concession twice. It’s a lovely neighborhood which has a few streets that still retain some of the “old Shanghai” charms which are rapidly being replaced with high rises and highways. Oddly enough, the area was never really populated by the French, but rather by local Chinese and Russian immigrants.
One of our more interesting stops was the Shikumen Open House Museum which shows what life was like in the area in the 1920’s and 1930’s in a stone-gate house (Shikumen). These houses were built in rows with many people crammed into them. Entire neighborhoods filled with these houses have been demolished to make way for modern apartments. The rooms are filled with period furniture and accessories and really offer a window into the time.
After visiting the house museum (and after walking all over Quibao) we needed to rest our feet and decided that a beer and a plate of French fries at a “Munich brew house” was just the answer. Yes, it’s a huge chain, but the beer was tasty and the fries were perfect.
There’s no shortage of interesting street life in Shanghai and the French Concession neighborhood was no exception (see blog for photos of street scenes and interesting wet market).
We also had a late lunch at the Citizen Bar and Cafe which has a nice selection of French inspired food. I would have loved to sit on that upstairs balcony but it was filled with people smoking and hanging out at their tables. We sat upstairs and had a nice salad, sandwich, and glass of wine nevertheless.
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2017/0...n-in-shanghai/
Aug 3rd, 2017, 04:13 AM
#22
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People’s Square, the Marriage Market, and Museums in Shanghai
Our hotel, the Le Royal Meridian Shanghai, overlooked the Shanghai People’s square, a large area containing several museums, a theater, a major metro hub and a huge park. We found ourselves walking through or around it several times a day.
Every Saturday and Sunday the park hosts a Marriage Market. This is where parents come to advertise their eligible children using posters and hand made signs detailing their physical description, age, education, Chinese zodiac sign, and other attributes. The goal is to find a match for their child which in the era following the “one child policy” is a bit of a challenge given that now men outnumber women by 115 men for every 100 women.
At one point we witnessed a heated conversation that led to much shouting. No idea what was said, but I can only imagine someone’s child was spurned.
One of the more interesting museums in the park is the Shanghai MOCA (museum of contemporary art). It's quite small and didn't take more than an hour to check out.
Finally, we spent a few hours wandering the Shanghai Museum which focuses on Chinese art and culture. The museum has some beautiful examples of Chinese ceramics, furniture, and textiles.
Photos here:
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2017/0...s-in-shanghai/
Our hotel, the Le Royal Meridian Shanghai, overlooked the Shanghai People’s square, a large area containing several museums, a theater, a major metro hub and a huge park. We found ourselves walking through or around it several times a day.
Every Saturday and Sunday the park hosts a Marriage Market. This is where parents come to advertise their eligible children using posters and hand made signs detailing their physical description, age, education, Chinese zodiac sign, and other attributes. The goal is to find a match for their child which in the era following the “one child policy” is a bit of a challenge given that now men outnumber women by 115 men for every 100 women.
At one point we witnessed a heated conversation that led to much shouting. No idea what was said, but I can only imagine someone’s child was spurned.
One of the more interesting museums in the park is the Shanghai MOCA (museum of contemporary art). It's quite small and didn't take more than an hour to check out.
Finally, we spent a few hours wandering the Shanghai Museum which focuses on Chinese art and culture. The museum has some beautiful examples of Chinese ceramics, furniture, and textiles.
Photos here:
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2017/0...s-in-shanghai/
Aug 7th, 2017, 11:47 AM
#23
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Not sure if anyone is still with me, but we're nearing the end.
Old City Shanghai:
In among all the skyscrapers and apartment buildings, a tiny part of “Old Shanghai” remains. In it there are remnants of the old city wall dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1553) as well as pavilions, temples, and markets. On one of our days in Shanghai, we had the opportunity to explore a small part of it.
Dajing Ge Pavilion is built right into the old city wall. Inside is a small temple and a museum about the old city of Shanghai.
The Baiyun Guan Temple is right down the street from the Dajing Ge Pavilion. This is a Taoist temple also known as the “White Cloud Temple”. There are two floors with several small areas in each with statues of various deities.
More photos than text here:
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2017/0...city-shanghai/
Old City Shanghai:
In among all the skyscrapers and apartment buildings, a tiny part of “Old Shanghai” remains. In it there are remnants of the old city wall dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1553) as well as pavilions, temples, and markets. On one of our days in Shanghai, we had the opportunity to explore a small part of it.
Dajing Ge Pavilion is built right into the old city wall. Inside is a small temple and a museum about the old city of Shanghai.
The Baiyun Guan Temple is right down the street from the Dajing Ge Pavilion. This is a Taoist temple also known as the “White Cloud Temple”. There are two floors with several small areas in each with statues of various deities.
More photos than text here:
http://www.wired2theworld.com/2017/0...city-shanghai/
Aug 9th, 2017, 06:51 AM
#26
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SonjaK- I follow a blog called The Points Guy. He sends out alerts when his team spots good deals. I also follow View from the Wing and some airfare specials sites like FareCompare.
tnnc2- Thanks!
tnnc2- Thanks!
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