I still don’t understand why the fake DVD shops are tolerated in China. I am pretty sure copyright laws apply here but the shops are still open, still selling fake DVDs seemingly with impunity. Big Movie has outlets all over Shanghai but the biggest one I have found is on Xinle Lu. The one which… Read More »
Once the preserve of only martial arts enthusiasts, Feiyue got a new lease of life in 2006 since when it has grown in popularity especially, it must be said, with foreigners. It’s a Shanghai shoe, proudly Shanghaiese and I have a pair myself. They are really cheap – I paid £7.50 for mine – but… Read More »
I was looking for some bamboo for an art project and so I thought the flower and bird market was probably the best place to find bamboo. These markets are one of the historic joys of Shanghai. In Nanjing, the flower and bird market near FuZiMiao I think is far superior to anything Shanghai has… Read More »
I usually travel with two essentials; a packet of balloons and a bottle of whisky. I never give kids sweets and definitely never give them money. It makes beggars of them. Balloons are light to carry, cheap and universally popular. They are a great way of making friends, not just with kids but with their… Read More »
It’s very easy to get to Vietnam from China if you have time.International flights are expsnive so take an internal flight and then a b us. And if you go to Kunming you can cross the border at Hekou into Lao Cai town and then get a taxi for about $30 to Lao Chai village… Read More »
I wanted to get away from Shanghai for a while and looked on the map and could see that Vietnam was very close and I figured that if I got myself to Nanning I could probably get a bus across the mountains to Vietnam. SO that is what I did. Here is what I did… Read More »
Last night, the newly formed Shanghai Literacy Society held the launch of several books both dealing with the same subject – Shanghai during the war years. Betty Barr is a long term resident of China and well known amongst the expat population here. She has a very interesting story to tell and this, her latest… Read More »
That’s what my friend said when I sent him the photos of an empty Marks and Spencers. He was already packing his bags! What a dreadful shame and a massive disapointment for all Brits and many thousands of other ex-pats to whom M&S was an oasis. For many of us, it was the only place… Read More »