My last full day of my China trip. While waiting for a cab to take us to Old Shanghai Street, I saw our Singapore flag flying proudly. Apparently, this Metrocity Shopping Mall is owned by Singaporeans I supposed ( or joint venture).
Metro Shopping Mall with SG FlagTook a can to Shanghai's famous Old Shanghai Street. Actually found it rather commercialised. But then again when in Shanghai, it's tough to really find authentic old and ancient settlements, speaking from a tourist's point of view. Well, Old Shanghai Street was a charming piece of historical relic of this bleaming metropolitan. The structures looked rather new, like newly constructed. I hope that the buildings were indeed restored from the original architecture.
Old Shanghai Street
The Old and New Buildings
Cables overhanging the crowds
Courtyard
Old Shanghai Street was not just 1 street, but a myraid of small roads leading one to a variety of shops and food stores. I got my colleagues some gifts here. With the cool autumn weather, it was akin to walking in Bugis Junction, albeit the very obvious Chinese styled buildings. Finally found the restaurant for the very famous NanXiang Xiao Long Bao and the GuanTang Bao. Actually, they didnt taste nice at all. Thick and tough skin with little tastless fillings. Really wonder why they were so famous in the first place. The XiaoYang ShenJian Mantou can beat this baos hands down anytime of the day.
Drinking the GuanTang Bao
Our Lunch
We decided to explore the outside of the commerical Shanghai Street and found the real jewel of Shanghai's quarters. There in the narrow streets, it was buzzing with activities. People were busy buying their necessities, shopping for bargains, eating at roadside stores, all with the clothes and cable lines hanging on top of them.
The Real Shanghai Streets
Crowds
PoloMa? Where's PoloPa?We tumbled back to the commercial Shanghai Street with it's very red theme. Yes, red. The buildings were painted red and trees hanging red lanterns. It almost felt CNY while walking amongst the throngs of crowds.
Big Red Lanterns
Narrow Streets
While we were at Old Shanghai Street, we couldnt miss out ChengHuang Temple. Basically, the temple was constructed to mark the celebration for the founding of a new city. So one will be able to find several ChenHuang Temples all over China. The Old Shanghai Street was built around this temple, making it the 'centre of the attraction'. However, paying 10RMB for a compound visit of around 10 minutes seemed rather exorbitant. Well, we utilised the fee fully by really sitting there , resting our feet and legs.
Me at ChengHuang Temple
The Buddha of the Temple
Tree with Red Lanterns
Old Shanghai Street
Traditional Puppet Show
After walking for almost the full day period, we finally sat down for some local munch. We saw this tantalising beancurd and decided that we must have it. However, it turned out to be something we least expected. the beancurd was salty and the scrimps lent a seafood flavour to it! Rather odd to the tongue for us, but the locals looked all the bit satisfying though. Then we also ordered what looked like roasted pigeon, but turned out to be a tough baby duck! Not very smooth on our choice of food that day for sure.
Savoury Beancurb
We left Old Shanghai Street for the Bund again, this time going for the HuangPu River cruise. We board our ship at 6.30pm and within a few minutes the Bund and Pudong district lit with a dazzling display of lights. Just a pity I dont have a shake free camera so I didnt managed to post many of the taken pics as they were a bit blur. The cruise was a wonderful departure from the usual walking the riverside to take in the view. The cool breeze and the sound of lapping waters made it a memorable experience. The relatively clear day also helped to enhance the visibility of the buildings.
Time to Board the cruise!!
PuDong Disctict
Me with Pearl of the Orient
The Bund
After the 1 hour cruise, we went to meet up with Yufei again, this time for our dinner. Baby lobster, a local delicacy, was the main and only menu for our meal. Baby lobsters were cooked in 3 different flavours and they were simply divine. The only complain: They were really baby sized. Eating the lobsters was also interesting in the fact that we had to wear this plastic aprons and given plastic gloves (which I didnt use). We spent a good 2 and half hours in the restaurant chatting and laughing. It was a great gathering by any standards. And then just by a blink of an eye, it was time to head home for bed. Tonight would be a busy one for me. Have to try to squeeze in everything into my 2 bags. Wonder how heavy I will be checkin in onto the plane.
BuXing Street at Night
Baby Lobsters!!
Wearing my apron! like a skirt
Jeremy, Yufei and Me!!
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