Shanghai, China
上海

Grand Hyatt Shanghai, Pǔdōng, Shànghǎi, China — January 7, 2004

This picture was taken from the 87th floor of the Jīn Mào Dàshà 金茂大厦 looking down to the lobby of the Shànghǎi Grand Hyatt on the 53rd floor.

The lamb restaurant, Shànghǎi, China — January 27 2004

This photo was lost for about 12 years on but was found on the hard drive of a broken computer. It was subsequently extracted and recently restored.

View of Pǔdōng 浦东新区 from the roof of the Peace Hotel, Shànghǎi, China — January 7, 2004

The Peace Hotel has been renovated and is now the Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai.

Shopping street next to Yùyuán Garden 豫园, Shànghǎi, China — January 14, 2004

Argument on Qiú Jiāng Lù 虬江路, Shànghǎi, China — January 13, 2004

I was heading toward Gong Xing Lu 公兴路 during an epic walk of Shanghai one early afternoon, quite lost actually, when I stumbled unto this scene. The vendor was selling sesame-covered deep-fried dough balls and also what looks like a Chinese version of French toast. All of a sudden the guy on the left starts tearing into the food hawker, and no sooner does a loud, verbal argument ensue. I watched it for a moment, and even took this pic, but I never understood what the problem was. Perhaps it was a turf issue like, don't sell you stuff on my sidewalk?

Selling art scrolls, Yùyuán 豫园, Shànghǎi, China — January 14, 2004

Bargaining for a Míng Dynasty Buddha, Yùyuán 豫园, Shànghǎi, China — January 25, 2004

View of Pǔdōng 浦东新区 from the roof of the Peace Hotel, Shànghǎi, China — January 7, 2004

A road in the French Concession, Shànghǎi, China — January 13, 2004

Antiquities for sale, Dongtai Lu, Shànghǎi, China — January 14 , 2004

View looking south over Suzhou Creek 苏州河, Shànghǎi, China — January 13, 2004

I found this bridge by chance and thought it was a nice view so I snapped this photo, which did not turn out as good as it looked in real life. At the time, I did not know where I was. Many years later, I found this photo location on Baidu maps total view, and this location happens to be on Tianmu West Road 天目西路, looking south over Suzhou Creek, which is also goes by the name Wusong River 吴淞江. You can see the futuristic Tomorrow Square building in the distance. As a side note, all the low-rise buildings along the river have been torn down and replaced by more modern high rises. It is baffling to see the difference.

The white sign says he fan or box meal , Shànghǎi, China — January 12, 2004

Sidewalk on Huán Zhèn Nánlù 环镇南路, Shànghǎi, China — December 26, 2003

Many sidewalks in Chinese cities contain colorful arrays of tiles in different patterns and designs. They are a pleasure to walk down and I hope the trend continues.

Spring Festival at Yùyuán 豫园, Shànghǎi, China — January 24, 2004

Sign, Shànghǎi, China — January 23, 2004

There were chalk-written signs hanging everywhere in the back-alley neighborhoods of Shanghai, and really all over China. I never knew what any of them said but often thought the signs were photogenic and enjoyed trying to capture them. This one may be community guidance, a new rule, or even an advertisement of service. I'll ask someone who can read it one these days, but at that point, perhaps all allure will be lost.

In the taxi, Shànghǎi, China — January 13, 2004

Most of the Chinese taxis of this era had the driver encased in a plastic shield. I found this safety measure to be odd as my perception of China was that it was a safe place. When the ride was over, one paid by slipping money through one of the many gaps between the plastic and the car, such as the ceiling. As the cars were small, it was sometimes tough to maneuver around the plastic barrier and get comfortable, especially in the front passenger seat, or behind the driver. As such, we often tried to hail a larger taxi with more room.

Witnessing the deconstruction of old Shànghǎi, China — January 13, 2004

The developers were tearing the buildings around this old lady’s home, yet she still persisted to stay put. I wonder how long she was able to stay in the home before they forced her out? I wonder what she is doing today.

New replacing the old, Shànghǎi, China — January 13, 2004

This entire community had been recently bulldozed to make way for new construction. The previous occupants had perhaps lived here for generations. Where did they go?

Old Shànghǎi, China — January 13, 2004

Spring Festival fireworks, Shànghǎi, China — January 27, 2004

Near the Shànghǎi Railway Station 上海火车站, China — January 13, 2004

View of the old Bund, Shànghǎi, China — January 7, 2004

Fun with Chinglish, Peace Hotel, Shànghǎi, China — January 24, 2004