Preparing to gallop into the new year
Since I moved to Shanghai years ago, I have made it a point to visit the shops around Yu Gardens or Yuyuan (豫园) right before Chinese New Year…
Street Stories
A bit of London in Shanghai’s lanes
Shanghai has been enjoying spectacular weather over the last two days. Slim puffy white clouds drifted across clear blue skies, basking in brilliant sunshine. The brisk cold air added…
My China Dream: Breathable air in a walkable city
We are choking. For the last few days, Shanghai has been engulfed in smog so thick, you can feel the dust particles percolate in your nose down through…
Propaganda artist in residence
Weaving through the lanes near Yu Gardens (豫园) or north of Old Town in Xiaonanmen (小南门), whose layout had been hugely disrupted by carelessly erected temporary walls, blind turns and open sewers, it…
Cosplay* in the lanes
Even in the dusky evening, it was hard to miss the bulbous head of pink hair. I sprinted after her, nearly crashing into her back. “Hey! Sorry, can I…
Rolling out the red carpet
I rounded a bend in a quiet lane and found him sweeping studiously. The rolled up red carpet seemed a bit random in a residential neighborhood. “What are you…
Taking sides
Where a commotion takes place, crowds gather and traffic slows. I was in mid-conversation with a local resident who was pointing out a shop along Shunchang Lu (顺昌路)….
Radio confessions
“Hello. I need help.” “Who is on the line?” “.. can you help … I’m sorry, what?” “Caller, your name?” “My surname is Li.” “Mr Li. Tell us…
The Seven “Don’ts” for Residents
1. Don’t spit carelessly 2. Don’t litter 3. Don’t destroy public property 4. Don’t destroy greenery 5. Don’t jaywalk 6. Don’t smoke in public places 7. Don’t curse
The stress of a wedding dress
Peering through the window of the wedding store, past the orgy of exploding sequins, glossy taffeta and cheap lace, a gaggle of middle-aged and young women hurried around a young…