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Shanghai (pt 3) – Touristing the Old City

I actually did the “tourist” experience of Shanghai near the end.� I sort of dread crowds, and China is crowded!!

First of all, let me give you a recommendation for a reference, if you ever go there … Beijing & Shanghai, by DK Eyewitness Travel was indispendable.� We had others, but didn’t use them.� A map is a must have, too.� You will NOT find one in English within China.� The fold out map Shanghai, China Regional Map, by Periplus TravelMaps is really good.� Make sure to get the newest map you can find.� Shanghai changes very fast.�� Please note that cabbies cannot read English maps.

We started our touristing by heading towards the Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar.� We were told if there was a place to get ripped off, this was it.� We buried our money in our clothing layers (no, not there), and made a pact to only buy what we had pre-determined to bring home as souvenirs.� The Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar are on the Puxi side of the Huangpu River, and�are circled on the map of central Shanghai below.

Before we went into the Bazaar (and Garden), we decided to walk around the surrounding streets of the Old City.� Shanghai is nothing like some would imagine it.� No rickshaws.� No funny hats.� No dirt roads.� No rice paddys.� Shanghai is China’s most�modern city, with the Pudong side being all shiny, blingy and modern industrial looking.� The Old City is where most blue collar class live.� It has haphazard structures, people sweeping their steps with twig brooms, ethnic food wafting in the air and laundry adorning the sides of apartment buildings that resemble our worst Projects in America.� There is a faint smell of sewage every once in a while. One the most memorable things about Shanghai is that they do have those “hole in the ground” toilets that you need to squat over (and often bring your own toilet paper or you will have to buy it on the spot, FYI).�

While wandering the vendor’s stalls that surround the area, we happened upon a small marketplace which was brimming with beads and beading components (as well as finished jewelry).� I picked up some beautiful genuine crystal beads which were handfaceted and dyed a deep red.� It was quite the struggle to get a decent price ($1 for 2 strands), but I eventually did.� I snapped a picture before we left.� I thought the display was impressive.

While travelling the side streets, we scoured for a tea set to bring home; However, I couldn’t decide, so we didn’t get one at all. We bought a nice set of chopsticks for a Christmas gift, a few magnets for the refrigerator and mused over how good the Ipod knockoffs were … they are made in China, you know…

There were all kinds of things to entertain you for hours on end. I enjoyed watching the artisans at work.

On the next installment, we go into the Yuyuan Garden and Bazaar …

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One Response to “Shanghai (pt 3) – Touristing the Old City”

Comment from Donna H
Time February 27, 2008 at 1:30 pm

I love it. Can’t wait for the next installment!!!