After a good night sleep I felt like new again. I thought it would be a good idea to but the tickets for the bus tomorrow to Wuyuan. I did this at Shanghai South Long Distance Bus & Railway Station. It was all very painless except travelling by metro and foot takes forever as distances are large … the metro, trains and bus stations are all ginormous and super modern.
These facilities are big but aren’t white elephants at all … they are truly required to handle the crowds. Especially at the Long Distance Bus or Railway Stations, you get a glimpse of rural China in modern Shanghai. You see the odd oldie with two huge baskets or sacks at the end of a bamboo pole on their shoulder … plus there is a bit of spitting going on.
With my errand of the day complete, I proceeded to Tianzifang (on Taikang Road) which is a collection of boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants set in low-rise tenement blocks. These businesses operate from the ground floor while upper floors are still residential. Walking through the alleys, I loved the mix of expensive businesses with socks, knickers and other washing hanging above.
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- Very tastefully presented boutiques, galleries, cafes and restaurants line the alleys of Tianzifang.
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- Towels and knickers rub shoulders with the delightful businesses at Tianzifang.
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- Bohemian Pub at Tianzifang.
I continued by foot to Xintiandi, which was similar in concept but a lot more high-brow. It felt a little it too artificial for me and I preferred the rustic charm of Tianzifang. However, both represent pockets where new and old meet and merge successfully in Shanghai.
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- Cafes at Xintiandi.
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- Cafes at Xintiandi.
