Tianzifang Outlet in Shanghai rocks!
March 28, 2011 in China, Travel
One of the wider alleyways of Tianzifang
Shanghai is a city where it feels like there are an unlimited number of places to go, sites to see, stores to shop, restaurants to eat. So if you’re short on time, one place I would definitely recommend is Tianzifang outlet.
Sure, it’s kind of a touristy place, but it has all the things you would want — culture, quality restaurants and unique shops. You can easily spend a lazy morning or afternoon there, wandering the pedestrian-only narrow alleys that remind me of those old Chinese streets you see in movies. The place is set up like a little maze of these alleyways, each lined with shops and tasty restaurants with a variety of cuisines on both sides.
The Chinese characters say 'Tianzifang'
Some of these tiny shops sell interesting things, stuff you wouldn’t usually find elsewhere. Intricately made wallets and bags, hilarious Chinese communist propaganda goods, schmick household items and everything in between. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s cool just to take a look around.
But I did buy something. A samurai sword umbrella. Check it out. Pretty cool, huh? It was a bitch to bring it back though — had people asking to check it every couple of steps!
I also had lunch there at a nice Thai joint. Post coming shortly.
By the way, I bumped into a friend and former work colleague while I was there. We used to work in the same team, and he sat in the office next to mine before he moved to Hong Kong for the big bucks. We caught up when we were both in Taiwan on holidays at the same time and also when I went to HK last year (after India). But this meeting was completely coincidental. He was there sightseeing for the weekend Talk about a small world, huh?
Observations on ‘New China’: Part II – Smells
March 27, 2011 in China, Social/Political Commentary, Travel
A typical old Shanghai street. This one didn't smell at all. Surprisingly.
One thing that immediately struck me about China as soon as I stepped onto the street is that smells can hit you out of nowhere. And I’m not talking about the smell of cigarettes or garbage, which many countries around the world cannot hide from.
You can be minding your own business…and then bam! An overwhelming urine or fecal odour can smash you right up the nostrils. It’s the sewerage system, which for some reason is still rather problematic in China. Despite all the advancements over the last decade or so, the old pipes and drains still can’t seem to keep out the smells.
I’m not talking about those legendary public toilets in the countryside where it’s just you and a hole — often the smell can hit you in the strangest of places, including high class hotels, popular tourist attractions, department stores and even restaurants. In fact, most of the toilets themselves in these places are extremely clean and don’t smell at all — but the corridor or alleyway adjacent to it can stink to high heaven.
Of course, China is not the only country with a smell problem. I have experienced similar odour issues in Taipei, Hong Kong, Delhi, Bangkok, London and Florence (just to name a few), and even in good old Chinatown in Sydney. But China is the only place where the problem seems to be everywhere. And it’s so prevalent that locals don’t appear to notice it. They certainly don’t even flinch. I was very impressed.
Tags: China, odor, odour, sewage, sewerage, Shanghai, smells, stinks
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