Shanghai (Off off Tokyo): March 22-24, 2012

I was in Shanghai for three days. It was my 3rd visit of the city in last 12 months. I again found new and old aspects as well as dynamic changes of the city.

Tianzifang is a newly-developing fashion & cultural area. Tens of small shops are open along narrow passages in a block (about 200m x 200m). They sell clothes, art products and many other small goods.

Playful minds and jokes were found in many places in the area. US President Obama in Mao jacket was printed in bags and purses. A fake certificate to allow drink drive (authorized by Chinese authority) was sold. I felt the mood was similar to Camden Market in London (sub-cultural atmosphere, cynical jokes).


The place was not so crowded as my visit wan on Friday. The situation is quite different in weekend according to a local person. Thousands of people visit the market and it is hard to move smoothly. They have to be careful to pickpockets.

Xintiandi (quite near from Tianzifang) is a symbol of Shanghai modern. The area was redeveloped in the last 20 years and turned into a smart night spot (It is, of course, interesting in the daytime, too). Most of the visitors on the Friday evening were foreigners and non-Shanghainese Chinese.

I walked around a cultural area in the northern part of the city. There remain many early 20-century buildings in the area. The main street (Duolunlu) was redeveloped and several sculptures were placed at the street’s sides. The buildings were renovated and turned into shops and cafe rooms.

I walked a block from the cultural area and found an outdoor market on the road. They were old fashioed. The fish dealers had no cold storage showcases and there were no good-looking package services.

The contrast of modern and old faces of the city was impressive.