SHANGHAI: Wandering down Nanjing Road East (Day 3 + 4)

After Mandarin class in the morning, we (the 10 of us who stuck together in a group everywhere we went) went down to the heart of Shanghai. We got off at the subway stop at People's Square (人民廣場) and made our way down Nanjing Road East.

People's Square

Nanjing Road East (南京東路) is a long street lined with shops on both sides closed off from vehicular traffic (except for the shuttle train that runs on the road from end to end).

Looking east from Nanjing Road East

Looking west from Nanjing Road East

Careful! Bicycles crosses Nangjing Road East

Old Shanghai on Nangjing Road East?

Busy, busy, busy. That was my first impression of this important artery in Shanghai. People seemed to have converged from all directions onto this road and disappearing into the sea of crowds, making me feel lost and excited at the same time.

Foods of the day. After class lunch, pork with a thick sauce on rice, at a restaurant near the accommodation we stayed at (approx. 15 RMB).

Inexpensive, delicious lunch (about 15 RMB) at restaurant near accommodation

Afternoon snack that turned into an early dinner. Hot, steamed dumplings in the famous store of Nanxiang (南翔) at the Yu Gardens (豫園) area.

A stack of xiaolungbao (steamed dumplings)

The next evening (Tuesday night 2006-07-11), we hung out at a cafe (decorated in Tibetan style) just outside the accommodation...to register for our Fall 2006 courses, how saddening.

"Tibetan-style" Cafe near accommodation