We recently had the pleasure of taking a Gangster Tour of the former French Concession, led by Daniel Newman and Christopher Pegg of Newman Tours. Daniel, a charismatic Brit, spent the entirety of the tour in character as a Cockney hustler, while affable Chris led us to believe he was once in the employ of Chicago’s […]
Destinations
The Avocado Lady: Where to Get Western Groceries Shanghai
When I first moved to Shanghai, I heard about this woman called the Avocado Lady. She has a popular shop at 274 Wulumuqi Lu that has reached almost mythical status. What differentiates her from the countless other fruit and vegetable stands that line the sidewalks? For starters, she has produce that foreigners actually want to […]
Fuxing Park: A French Garden in Shanghai
The steam bath that is the Shanghai summer is upon us. My first inclination is to stay inside enjoying the comforts of air conditioning. But there are a few areas of the city still worth exploring this time of year, including the exceedingly lovely Fuxing (pronounced phoo-shing) Park. Once known as “the French garden,” Fuxing […]
Champagne Brunch at the Waldorf Astoria, Shanghai
After having a taste of luxury during the Red Velvet Afternoon Tea at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria on the Bund, we wanted to fully spoil ourselves with their Waldorf Champagne Brunch, possibly the most decadent brunch in the city. We decided my birthday was the perfect excuse for such an indulgence. The brunch begins with a small […]
The Great Wall of China: Getting There is Half the Fun!
When planning our weekend in Beijing, one day obviously had to revolve around a visit to the famous Great Wall of China. Once thought to be visible from space, the wall is a feat of engineering and one of China’s premiere tourist attractions. We prepared ourselves for the crowds and set off for our adventure. […]