We have just returned from a whirlwind three days in Beijing, and I feel like we barely scratched the surface of this impressive city. While not as glitzy and charming (or as pretty and clean) as Shanghai, the capital does boast multiple World Heritage sites and a slew of important historical relics. It also has […]
Destinations
Exploring Nanjing Road and People’s Square
In addition to People’s Park and a plethora of museums, Renmin Guangchang (People’s Square) offers plenty to see and do. Once the premiere shopping street in all of Asia, historic East Nanjing Road is still a popular destination for tourists who want to walk under its old neon signs. Several big department stores operated here in the […]
Visiting a Shanghai Marriage Market
Every weekend, a gaggle of hopeful parents and grandparents set up a marriage market in Shanghai’s People’s Park with the aspiration of finding the perfect match for their child. But instead of bringing along the lonely suitors, the matchmakers proudly post their children’s resumes for all the world to see. Potential in-laws can search through […]
Afternoon Tea, Haagen Dazs Style
Afternoon tea is a quintessential Shanghai experience, but what is a non-tea drinker like my mom to do? She and I stumbled onto the answer one day while exploring the Sinan Mansions neighborhood and nearby Fuxing Park. After a blistering day of sightseeing, we were desperate for some ice cream. We walked into the nicest […]
The Art of Chinese Flower Arranging
The Chinese have long had an appreciation for nature and flower arranging has been considered an art form for centuries. Mom and I had the pleasure of attending a course in this ancient practice during her visit to Shanghai. The day’s lesson focused on the construction of a “bird’s nest” base for an arrangement of […]