Hawkers on the Bund, Shanghai's waterfront walkway along the Huangpu River, are a bit like blackflies: you have to be moving constantly to keep them off you. Slow down even a little, and they swarm you. Tennis shoes with rollers on the bottom? Flashing rubber fish necklaces? Pictures against the skyline?
"Bu yong! Bu yong!" (No need.)
Random picture of hawkers and walkers on the Bund.
Still, if you do keep moving, you can enjoy the stunning scenery of one of the largest cities in the world. O, our friend, colleague, and guide extraordinaire, advised us that this view, when he was a teenager, was farmland:
Times, they are a'changin'. Wikipedia says:
As in many other areas in China, Shanghai is undergoing a building boom. In Shanghai the modern architecture is notable for its unique style, especially in the highest floors, with several top floor restaurants which resemble flying saucers.As a matter of fact, we ate in one of those flying saucers -- the Italian restaurant on the 56th floor of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, the highest hotel in the world. It is consistent with my general luck that I spent the last two days eating at some of the Shanghai's best restaurants, and yet could only manage a few bites.
Random shots:
Lame-ass picture of Shanghai out the window of the restaurant in the aforementioned flying saucer.
Across the Huangpu river from the Pu Dong area seen above. The architecture on this side recalls the strong European influence on old Shanghai.
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