Mad About Shanghai

Exclusive : Shanghai Grand Prix F1 2013

I bring you some exclsuive photos of the China Grand Prix :

Photos courtesy of Mercedes Benz

Old Shanghai : Nongtang Sightings

Came across this communal washing area of a nongtang (alley for Shikumen houses).  For those uninitiated to Shanghai, this is sometimes a common area where the many households in a Shikumen to brush their teeth, vegetables ,plates, bowls and even laundry at times.

Not much privacy eh? Though getting rarer by the day, these sights can still be seen all over Shanghai.

Kung Fu Fast Food (Part 2)

I first wrote about Kungfu Fast Food a few years back.

While window shopping with Regine at Supermall in Pudong, we felt hungry (probably due to the cold weather),  she suggested going in for a meal. I agreed of course.

This is my favourite fast food chain in China as the food they serve is healthier as they are all steamed and it felt like a home cooked meal most of the time.

I ordered the steamed eggs and lean ribs set meal as usual :).

Snowing in Shanghai

It seldom snow in Shanghai, even in the coldest of winters, but it did this year.

Regine sent me some photos on my mobile phone and I thought I would share with you guys.

Lunar New Year Fireworks 2013

Let the fireworks begin!

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, especially during the countdown, one can hear the sound of  fireworks cooking off for hours even in the suburban areas. Yes, this is how the Chinese like to celebrate.

Some of these fireworks are improvised and homemade too.

(Photos from Regine)

Ya Kun is now in Shanghai !

Being Singaporean, one of the few things that gets me back to the Singaporean mode, after being away for extended periods of time from the country, is Teh.

Teh is simply milk tea, Singapore style. It is also one of the definitive drinks of Singapore food culture. Coupled with kaya (coconut jam) toast, and two runny eggs, that makes an everyday Singaporean breakfast.

Ya Kun is one of my favourite outlets in Singapore that serves Teh and kaya toast. I am glad when Regine sent me an sms to tell me that Ya Kun has opened an outlet in Shanghai!

The address for the outlet is :

上海市虹桥路1438号
地下1层B1-204

1B 438 Hong Qiao Road
Basement B1-204 Shanghai

Now thats hometown comfort.

A Walk Along the Bund

Just after a quick tour around Cool Docks, I took a walk with a friend and took some photos of the views around the Bund. I have not been to the Bund since the renovations were completed. There are now a lot more visitors friendly touches and photogenic spots.

Just near Cool Docks, there is a newly opened bar with a small man-made beach, beach beds included ! I guess this is a great idea for the summer but definitely not a good one for winter! No wonder there is no one there when we took the photos.

Cool Docks (Part 2)

Cafe Spotting : Wagas

A friend of me recommended me to this one. Though there are many branches in Shanghai, I have not tried it before. Its actually quite cosy. I like it ! The pasta is strongly recommended too.

You can check out the rest of the branches here.

Foot Massage : A Simple Indulgence

Being a runner, a long distance one,  one of the simple indulgences which I enjoy most is a foot massage. Especially in winter, soaking your tired feet in wam water with someone massaging them is more than welcome.

Of course, there are plenty of spas in Shanghai which offer foot massages, from the economical no-frills type to the luxurious pamper-yourself-silly type.

Talk about cheap foot massages, I have actually tried one costing RMB25 at a friend's neighbourhood one. It was actually quite good. So, never write those economically priced ones off !

I had a few interesting experiences too. Once, some muscles in my shoulders felt relaxed when when a specific area of the foot sole is massaged instead. I think there must a be a corresponding nerve interconnected somewhere. It was certainly a funny sensation.

Another time, a masseur asked me if I just had too much to eat before dropping by their premise. I replied "yes" and asked her how she knew. She touched a section of my foot sole and told me that the specific area she was massaging felt rough. Apparently, that was a sign of a full stomach. Amazing.

Also, in one of the shops I tried, I saw a line item in the menu offering massage with hydraulic oil ! I am not sure whether its a Chinglish printing error or really its done with industrial oil but I never tried it.

My favourite place to go for a foot massage (I cant remember the name of the shop) is one directly opposite Rendevous Hotel in Yan An West Road. One of the reason is because there is a nice cafe nearby where I always pop by after.

Of course, not everybody can handle a foot massage. Some Westerners I know actually decline to try saying that the experience is awkward, uncomfortable and painful.

However, I can assure you it is not as "bad" as it seems. For me, I just look at it from the angle of an athlete having someone to help relax the muscles after some hard training.

Trust me, it is actually quite refreshing and reinvigorating.

So if you are visiting Shanghai or  China for the first time soon, try it!