4-15 Shanghai Walking Tour

 Lisa had arranged a tour for us with an American couple who have lived in Shanghai for a long time, Patrick and Tina.  Alas, we only saw Patrick and his interest was totally on the architecture of the period around 1850 to 1950.  This is the period where American and Western European countries were allowed into China and had a lot of influence.  The French, Americans and various other European countries were actually given stretches of prime property along the Bund in Shanghai, that they could develop and actually govern themselves!  For a while after WWII Japan was in charge in China.  But eventually it became all China and all other influences including Americans were kicked out of China and their sections were reclaimed by the new Chinese government.

The tour started on the Bund and never went beyond a few blocks away, but we did a lot of walking!

This building was once an embassy, but now is used for events.  We walked through the grounds which were quite beautiful.

The area on the Bund makes a wonderful backdrop for photos.  We saw so many model and professional photographers at work.  My angle was not so good - I'm sure the professional made sure his angle did not have traffic cones in it!

So many buildings from this approximately 100 year period still exist.

A decorative ceiling.

Part of the French Quarters.

Patrick pointed out a lot of society buildings.  There was a YWCA and a YMCA.

The Shanghai Customs Clock Tower off in the distance

A shot of the famous Shanghai landscape.

One of the older Christian churches still in existence.  China still has Christian churches.  They have  Catholic churches but the churches do not answer to Rome.  All religious churches report to the Chinese government department of religion.

This is the YMCA.

A lot of the old western middle-class neighborhoods - just a couple blocks off the Bund have been transformed from individual homes into multiple crowded tiny apartments where one room can house a family.  Imagine a formerly middle class home of about ten rooms now housing ten families.  Small alleys have been built between individual dwellings.

An entrance way into one of the crowded neighborhoods.

A lot of these neighborhoods have been slated to be torn down and replaced with something more respectable.  This has allowed a new industry of buying and selling of antiques to flourish.

The rooms that families live in are quite small - so the kitchens have been set up in the alley/hallways.  That also made it easier to put in water and gas lines to service everyone.  Sometimes you see rows of gas meters outside of these areas.  Each family pays for their own water.  In order to not have it stolen as they are all in a public area - people take off the handle or spigot (used to turn water on and off) or put a lock on it.  We did ask about toilet facilities - a lot of people use chamber pots.  There is a central place where they can dispose of the waste.

Another kitchen - not so nice.

Patrick talked to this women who was not at all happy with her choice of location for her new home as it is much further away from the water.  So she is going to take the money instead and find a new home herself.

As I mentioned earlier the upheaval has started a new market of antiquities.  The gentleman on the right is looking for antiques to buy.  Below - more items for sale.

These blue and white containers on the wall outside were for delivery of milk products.  

You see these carts everywhere in Shanghai.  They are used to haul almost anything.  The gardeners in Lisa's neighborhood use them extensively.  Sometimes they are powered by a scooter.

I have taken numerus pictures like this in many parts of the world.  How do they keep all those wires straight?

Temple with scooters.

A much nicer looking kitchen in an alleyway.  There is definitely different financial levels of living in these crowded neighborhoods.

Some of the highlights Patrick pointed out to us to show that the building once used to be for a upper middle class family.  These steep steps led to the servants quarters.

In case you have ever wondered how the laundry got to those high places that seem to have no access.  She is using a long pole with a hook on the end to take down her laundry.  Being so high probably prevents theft as well.

Patrick told us it was the change of the seasons.  So heavy winter bedding is being washed and dried to be put away until next year.

A tiny barber shop complete with barber pole.  The little girl kept staring at us.

An eye catching advertisement

Nice decorative filigrees.

Back on the Bund

We went into a bank that was from this hundred year period.  We could take photos in the foyer - but not of the banking area.

Almost everywhere you go there is a display like this - this is riot equipment for the police or guards of the building.

Outside this same bank building.

You still find these phone booths around Shanghai - not in use anymore.

Time for lunch after Patrick left us.