Neighborhoods

The former Royal Asiatic Society building

Far from the maddening crowds on the Bund, the Rockbund Art Museum on Huqiu Lu (虎丘路) is a favored destination that singularly embodies the East meets West history, design and architecture of…

The simplicity in patterned wood

I’ve always liked the predictability and soothing effect of uncomplicated patterns. This was one reason why I found myself standing in front of a discreet entrance off the…

The diversity of design in shikumen headers

What makes a shikumen (石库门) header an architectural tapestry so emblematic of Shanghai? The grey stone pediment, shaped in a triangle or semi-circle, contains designs that range from the…

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Latest Posts

What I am reading

Today’s links are all about Shanghai and China, and how the past and present influence and haunt each other. – Bai Xiaoci has been photographing his series, “I…

What I am reading

We travel around the world in this week’s photography links, touching on culture, poverty, urbanization and daily life. – New Yorker profiles Caroline Drake’s work on Central Asia with rather…

On the road in Kyrgyzstan (part 1)

One thing I promised myself with the blog’s revival is to share more as I’m hoping readers will evolve a little with me as we expand beyond Shanghai…

Little Bun: Superhero

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Trapped in a bustling mall at the worst possible time – lunch, I was in line at a restaurant when I spotted Captain…

Instagram glory

I confess that nowadays, the Iphone has become de facto of a wieldy DSLR despite my occasional dissatisfaction with the output quality of my old Iphone. My recent…

What I’m reading

Shanghai’s benevolent and beautiful spring weather is upon us, so get out there and enjoy it before the humidity and heat inflict their seasonal cruelty come June. Now, I…