Seems a basset will go to great lengths to punish you for leaving them behind in New Zealand.  If I didn’t know better I think this were Fortnum disguised as a shopping train.  I know for sure that it’s not a real basset though as a basset just wouldn’t like the heat that we’re experiencing here.  Once again it was well over 30 degrees today.

The heat didn’t stop our adventuring on foot.  Today we walked for miles to experience Shanghai’s main shopping drag, the Bund (waterfront full of Heritage buildings) and Pudong (the newly developed commercial district). I racked up a record 200 snaps on my camera so I’ve decided to write a series of short blogs with just a small selection that capture the spirit of this amazing city.  Hope you are sitting comfortably!

Coming out of the People’s Square Metro station into Nanjing Road is like emerging from the tube at Oxford Circus with knobs on. As Shanghai’s main shopping drag it is full of department stores, chain stores and the usual plethora of international brands.  The wide pedestrian only boulevard makes it easy to amble and soak up the atmosphere.

I am still puzzled by the huge number of shops here – proper shops selling upmarket gear at upmarket prices.  Sure there are the usual mass market goods too but they are not as cheap as you might expect they would be.  So far I’ve not been tempted to wild with the credit card – I’ll probably save that behaviour for Hong Kong!

We didn’t venture off the beaten track although I was tempted to explore a little more what might be down the small side streets.  They look so intriguing. Most streets are the same, lots of people, lots of signs and lots of washing hanging down from a great height.

Although the street is for pedestrians only there are plenty of main roads crossing over so you do need to take care.  Otherwise you might get run over by one of the millions of motorcycles which appear to have replaced the humble push bike as the preferred mode of transport around town.

Personally I think I’d choose the motorised rickshaw  for a more sedate way of getting around.

But whichever way you choose to move around there is no shortage of parking spots.  That is at least a major improvement on Wellington’s parking provision.

Our ambitions for sightseeing today extended well beyond the consumerism of Nanjing Road.  As we walked further away from the central People’s Square area towards the Bund the standard of shops did slip slightly.  Very reminiscent of walking from Oxford Circus to Tottenham Court Road.  Or for those kiwis reading this blog like moving from Lambton Quay and Willis Street to Manners Mall and Cuba street.

The thing that sticks most in my memory about this street is the sheer number of young people, all chit chatting on their mobile phones or listening to iPods.  Shanghai City Centre is definite the place for the young and trendy or for the middle aged hanging onto their youth.  We’ll head back there I am sure to check out the retailing in more detail but we had more important things to see and do today.  More on that later.