As documented in various places on this blog, I have been a fan, critic, and victim of the massive Shanghai-wide renovation undertaken in advance of the Expo 2010. On the fan side of things, I give a big thumb’s up to the new subway lines, and – from an urban beautification standpoint – the renovation…
All posts in Shanghai History
East Seward Road Elegy: Shanghai’s War Against Its Architectural Heritage
[UPDATE 10/19 – Paul French of the excellent China Rhyming blog just posted some heartbreaking history and images of the White Horse Inn, on the former Ward Road, which was taken down during the recent Hongkou demolitions. ] [UPDATE 10/22 – Leading the pack on Hongkou-related news, Paul French just posted a very fine item…
When the Walls Come Down.
This afternoon I was poking around some demolished residences in Hongkou District (more on that in a few days), when I looked up and noticed a poster hanging from the collapsed wall in the background of the photo, below. I’ve blown it up a bit, and placed it in the lower right corner of the…
Games Hongkou People Play?
[UPDATE 10/11: Thanks to some very helpful comments, below, I’ve learned that the game is called ‘carrom’ and it’s been played in Shanghai for years. My friend Micah Sittig did a bit of digging, and put together an interesting post that gives a bit of history and Asian context to the game (thanks, Micah!) More…