Zhenghang Business

Shikumen / Xin Tian Di

by Amareyui

One uniquely Shanghainese cultural element is the Shikumen residencies (longtang), which are characteristic two or three-storey black/gray brick structures cut across with a few decorative dark red stripes. Each residence is connected and arranged in straight alleys, with the entrance to each alley, the gate, wrapped by a stylistic stone arc (the name Shikumen is literally stone gate). The Shikumen residencies is a cultural blend of the elements found in Western architecture with traditional Lower Yangtze Chinese architecture and social behavior. All traditional Chinese dwellings had a courtyard, and the Shikumen was no exception. Yet, to compromise with its urban nature, it was much much smaller, and served mainly as a room without a roof, providing a "interior haven" to the commotions in the streets, allowing for raindrops to fall and vegetation to grow freely within a residence. The courtyard also allowed sunlight and adequate ventilation into the rooms. Before World War II, more than 80% of the population in the city lived in these kinds of dwellings. Much of the Shikumen residencies, however, are lost during the city-wide modernization process since the late 1980s. Xin Tian Di (New Horizon)is currently the only renovated Shikumen residencies in all of Shanghai. Despite being some of the oldest buildings in Shanghai, Xin Tin Di looks refreshingly chic. It really doesn't get much better when a renmant of the past can be transformed and become the leading model to emblematize a city's present.

Bund at night

by pginer

Go for a walk on Saturdays at night. All buildings are full of light and around mid-night the water from the river starts going up and filling the way. People play with the water and walk absolutely wet!

Shanghai dumplings galore!

by cheezecake_deli about Nanxiang Mantou Dian

This is the place for xiao long bao (delicious Shanghainese dumpings), though I didn't think it was the very best xiao long bao I've had. Still, it is extremely popular. You can't miss it in Yu Bazaar - there are loads of people queue-ing either to get in or to take away dumplings. It can seem a bit showy - you can watch the chefs at work behind glass panels. The dumplings themselves are v large and quite delicious... Xiao long bao - that's all they do, largely.

Yuyuan Gardens Dragon Decorations

by Ash59

Dragons are very significant in China. These carvings were found on top of a wall. It was explained to us that if two dragons faced each other, they must have something between them to separate them, otherwise they would fight. This is shown in the picture by these two having a carving of a sun between them.

Business, yes, but leisure trip, me-no-like

by koalaperhe

"Not for us."

Shanghai might be a growing business city. But with all the pollution, too much people everywhere, chaotic traffic, taxis without seatbelts running 160km/h on a freeway, poor-condition buses and whole families living on the streets in downtown.. I don't recommend it for tourists.

Nice, friendly people, though.