Wandering the tree-covered streets of Shanghai
Before I visited Shanghai, I thought that it consisted mostly of tall buildings and shopping malls, surrounded by plain concrete sidewalks and asphalt roads.
When my wife and I visited this city for the first time last October, we were surprised to see the large number of trees, shrubs and flowers that adorn the streets.
Look at the thickness of these tree trunks. These two trees are typical of most trees I saw in Shanghai.
I urge tourists to enjoy the Bund, the shopping streets, museums and the thousands of wonderful restaurants that Shanghai is known for. However, please take some time to relax and enjoy the numerous city parks and the landscaped streets that are tastefully decorated with flowerbeds and thousands of trees.
The streets in front of these new condo buildings are lined with tall trees.
I made good use of the bicycle that I borrowed from the hotel to ride around and explore Shanghai's neighborhoods. Shanghai is so flat that, like Amsterdam, it makes bicycling a pleasure.
Riding a bicycle makes it so convenient to stop wherever I liked. I got to browse and shop at the small stores for fruit and drinks. Whenever I saw something of interest, I just stopped, locked the bike and started exploring.
Here is a side street in downtown Shanghai. It looks like it could be a street in the suburbs or a country road rather than in the heart of downtown Shanghai.
I did not expect to see canopies like this on so many streets. It is as if nature provides natural sun umbrellas for the people of Shanghai. The shade must be welcome during the long, hot summers.
This street is in the old French Concession part of Shanghai. This photo was taken in the first week of October so the leaves are just starting to change color.
It must be beautiful in the autumn when all the leaves have changed color and are starting to fall onto the roads and sidewalks.
This street has achieved a nice balance between utility and beauty. The cars, taxis, scooters and buses can zip along while pedestrians can leisurely enjoy the trees and flowers while they are window-shopping or stopping to enjoy a refreshing tea as they watch the traffic go by.
