Shanghai - en

After Hong Kong (and a train change in Guangzhou), we arrive in Shanghai.

We first saw the remaining buildings of European times, a bit amazed so many were left : Shanghai was created by Europeans needing ports in China, and practically didn't exist before (unlike Guangzhou with its much older history).

The Bund is particularly famous. We didn't enjoy that much the buildings of this promenade, which has just been rebuilt for the Universal Exhibition...

On the other side of the river, the skyscrapers proclaim the modernity and wealth of the city.

Very shiny...

But a bit disappointing after the memorable sight of Victoria Bay...

The Oriental Pearl Tower, symbol of the city.

Looking at the Bund from the modern part. They didn't skimp on the lighting.

An evening, we want to get a glass of wine at the top of the Hyatt, and, even though we preferred Hong Kong, the view was quite nice.

In the reste of the town, too, Shanghai is big, sometimes a bit too much - it's not a place for walking, but for driving !

A few old neighbourhoods are modernised with artistic galleries or restaurants...

Or only as mass tourism neighbourhoods, with nothing authentic left...

Even the neighbourhood where the Chinese Communist Party was founded has become a World Cuisine center for expatriates and wealthy Chinese !

Even if the destruction of the older neighborhoods is going ahead, we were able to find a couple of them...

Some streets reminded us of Ha Noi...

The police use bicycles but get to keep their sirens...

But Shanghaï loves showing its wealth in luxury consumption as in this walking only street. The prices are higher than in France...

World brands are everywhere...

And advertising, using the Rabbit year that is coming soon !

In the streets, some have style...

And others come as tourists, for a family outing on sunday...

Or for a bit of gymnastic...

And some remind China's history much more clearly.

One of the good things about Shangaï's wealth is that the parks are spotless, much to Damia's pleasure.

But it's a bit cold for walking around !

The Shanghai museum is wonderful, with ceramics,

or paitings,

or bronzes...

Duchamp copied Chinese artists with its ceramic urinals ?

Then we leave after four days. The Shanghai train station is huge, and serves to show the city is a future center of China and the World.

However it is quite cold - in Shanghai there are plenty air conditioners, but few heaters.

The train for Beijing, also very modern.

And a small beer before reaching the capital.

 

Except its museum, Shanghai was quite disappointing - its skycrapers, after Hong Kong, are almost ordinary ; and modern life has been implanted artificially, without a link to the city's history, and it rings empty. The modern or artistic neighbourhoods are created by real estate speculators rather than by the inhabitants, who care only about money and luxuries...