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Nanjing Lu Street (General)

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Paul Bacon
Paul Bacon
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
21
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Nanjing-Lu

  • April 5, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Paul Bacon from Rotherham, United Kingdom
Nanjing-Lu

I have never been to Nevada and as a consequence I have no first-hand experience of the bright lights of Las Vegas. Therefore I am unable to to comment on how the glitz of Nanjing Lu compares to that of America's favorite oasis. However, I have seen my fair share of east Asia—an area very fond of its neon—and Shanghai's main boulevard is possibly the sparkliest, shiniest, flashiest thing I have ever seen.The main drag itself is an interesting blend of contrasts. The architecture is at once both frighteningly modern and wonderfully antique. At one side of the street will be a giant glass-fronted hotel or department store, on the other a colonial creation with wonderful lines and ornate stonework, albeit covered in neon. Possibly the best living example of the two contrasting faces of Shanghai—past and present—blending together comes in a building close to the start of the road, near the subway station where things are still pedestrianised. I would imagine that a century ago it would have been an elegant hotel, bank or the like. Nowadays though whilst it maintained the elegance of its design it was covered by a 30 feet high illuminated Coca-Cola bottle. I could not help stand and chuckle at the symbolism.Nanjing Lu could also be considered China's equivalent of Oxford Street in London, or Fifth Avenue in New York, thanks to the plentiful supply of brand named shops and designer outlets. However, the contrast on Nanjing Lu managed to continue through to the shopping. Not only could you pay high prices in high-rise department stores, but back on street level you also see guys selling watches, DVDs and all manner of other fake goods from out of a suitcase. I even got a taste of an older Shanghai tradition and another industry that is growing in the new China. Whilst walking and minding my own business, girls would appear and ask if I wanted to go for a walk or go somewhere more private. Again I could not help but think there was an echo of old Shanghai appearing in the modern environment.Despite the heavy crowds that frequent Nanjing Lu, it is a nice place to take a stroll and pass a couple of hours. You can shop, enjoy the architecture or perhaps watch a century of Shanghai's history and culture condense itself into a piece of architecture. Of course a gentle stroll along Nanjing Lu is always a reward in itself as when the street ends at the Bund you are greeted by the spectacular view of the Pudong skyline.

From journal Shanghai on Life

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