Shanghai Feelin'

Shanghai streets are a cacophony of activity that just doesn’t stop. It’s a relentless, even aggressive energy. In each section of the city, a distinct atmosphere emerges. Traditional, modern, concrete jungle, dirty, unhealthy, fashionable, drab, commercial – all of these words mesh together with each street, district, plaza or lane. Each block of this Super City slaps you in the face as you walk thought it. Those walks range from leisurely, stressful, overcrowded, claustrophobic, beautiful or creative. The two negative variables that can turn your experience of a walking adventure in Shanghai upside down are Smell and Noise. 

There is one part of this city that straddles all of these thoughts and variables. The southern-most section of HongKou and a selection of streets behind The Bund, buffed up with enormous German Art Deco buildings. These imposing buildings stretch down narrow lanes that are packed and ready to pop with ceaseless motorized bikes, people, small businesses, and every now and then, a tree. It doesn’t sound relaxing, leisurely, beautiful or creative, but this part of the City emits history, money, fashion, old Shanghai and modern Shanghai. It is a melting pot often undetected by passer-by’s, whose touristic radars send them straight for the famed Bund or shopper’s paradise, Nanjing Road. That’s the best bit. Walking down these streets, you get a real feel for life here. History stands permanently in the Art Deco buildings. That mesh of European culture and Chinese energy give you a new picture of this part of the world, and City. 

As the buzz of Shanghai streets engulfs any pedestrian, so does the city’s nature. There are not many trees, the streets are nearly always dark - buildings block that out and the businesses are not stylish. They are businesses of necessity. Plumbing stores, housing appliance stores, little bits and pieces stores spill out onto the narrow sidewalks. On these roads you don’t walk straight, there’s always a metal pipe, puddle from a leaking AC, bike, Shanghai Grandma (they are the aggressive one’s) or truck pulling off crates. It’s all about business but the atmosphere is unbeatable. You get original Chinese enterprise with an injection of European culture. After all, Shanghai was originally a small fishing port built up over the past 150 years because of foreign trade.

You can set off in many directions, just following a maze of alleyways. You’ll find your neck craning, taking in the detail of the building designs, and imagining what it’s like to live inside. What does the apartment look like? Probably stylish. An ironic twist. Mostly, the exterior of these old apartment buildings are in desperate need of a paint job or brick replacement. It adds to the fun of a walk through this part of the City. People have to get creative to make a comfy home here. And Chinese are very skilled at doing that. Chances are you won’t get invited in as a bystander on the street. Instead you get to take in the energy of this part of Shanghai, it’s people, business and gardens. It’s a mix anyone is sure to enjoy.