Shanghai Otv Guest House

Grand Ultimate Fist

by pbritton

Taijiquan, or Tai Chi as it is more commonly known by Westerners, is translated as Grand Ultimate Fist. A form of exercise practised mainly by the elderly or middle-aged, it comprises a series of slow, graceful movements which often appear to be random but can take such mysterious names as "Snake Creeps Down" or "Carry Tiger to Mountain".

It is easy to find practioners of Tai Chi in Shanghai if you are willing to get up early enough. The most popular time is at dawn in just about any public green space, or along The Bund. However, you could also witness this spectacle in the late afternoon in places such as Fuxing Park, Longhua Park or Renmin Park.

Drive yourself?

by rabbit06

Good luck if your up to driving in and around Shanghai, try to avoid peak times and become oblivious of all other drivers as they do! Apart from that you do get used to the style of driving and the roading system tries to accomadate the traffic including four under the Huangpu River tunnels dividing Puxi and Pudong along with many bridges.

Old Working-Class Shanghai

by marie415

I am of two minds about this, of course; 1930s, French-built lodgings are charming and very photogenic but boy they must be uncomfortable for their current occupants. I am in no way saying this is 'better' than the concrete monstrosities that most Shangainese seem to be aspiring to, and with good reason. At least the water doesn't leak. But I want to celebrate the beauty and harmony of these humble lodgings while they still stand.

Yu Gardens Woodwork.

by Guantanamera

Pictured here, another example of the fabulous classical Chinese woodwork...! Notice carefully that the ancient Buddhist symbol of the swastika is embedded into the design... Although, paradoxically, the design also contains the later fascistic swastika used by the Nazis, which turns the other direction... That could be confusing! Could this have been built during Chiang Kai-shek's rule...?? See my Hangzhou page for more info on this subject...

Tong Li (one of the water villages)

by Renee44

This is Luoxing islet, a small island near Tongli which was included in our day tour. We went to the stadium (Renmin) where there was a tourist centre to get day tickets by coach.

It costs RMB 110 each.

Old buildings at Tongli

Try the sedan ride. 3 people would carry u over 3 bridges (the way they used to carry the bride in the old days)