Me walk pretty one day*

French ConcessionProbably the best day of our Shanghai trip came when we persisted in going out for a walk despite the pissy weather, having had the best laid plans of visiting the ghetto and other historically significant places dashed by the rain and not knowing beforehand that a Shanghainese wedding starts at 3pm.

We had just enough time for the old French Concession, and although we didn’t manage to complete all the waypoints recommended by our Fodor’s guidebook, our 8RMB visit to Dr Sun Yat Sen’s Shanghai residence made it worth the sore feet and damp clothes.

Inside the two structures on the former Rue Moliere (the current Xiangshan Road) were well preserved and well presented bits of Chinese history and almost startling us were letters written by Dr Sun’s wife and daughter, couched in formal tones one would expect of letters written in that era, but in English!

I suppose my limited knowledge of Chinese and Chinese history made for a really interesting excursion, and it was not till we got home (and had a decent internet connection) that I learned more about Dr Sun, and in particular, why he had so many different names.

Prior to this Shanghai trip, all I knew of Dr Sun was that he something like founded modern China, had many houses all over the world (including Singapore), and married someone my dad tells me was from Wenchang, Hainan, where chicken rice was invented. (She wasn’t from Wenchang, but her father Charlie Soong was, but that never stops my dad from making Hainanese connections as regards prominent people. E.g. Unbeknownst to many, the wife of the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is Hainanese. Very useful information).

It is just as interesting that any place in China associated with Dr Sun are the only places in China where the non-communist republican flag can be seen. Digging around in wikipedia also led me to learn that the first Chinese republic wasn’t founded by Dr Sun.

If there’s anything this little walk taught us, it’s that I really have to read and travel more, or else I’ll persist in believing that the Hainanese invented pork chops and Russian food, owned the Raffles Hotel and built the Forbidden City.

Picture of other places in the French Concession:

We had raised expectations about the pretty tree-lined avenues of the French Concession and I suppose photographs look better than real life, especially when you factor in pissy weather.

French Concession
For the thirsty traveller

There's a hospital close by in case the experiments go wrong
Shanghai Qixiu Experimental Middle School – Naomi notes that there’s a hospital close by in case something goes wrong.

French Concession
Champs Elysees Palace – A condominium for people who want others to know that they live in the French Concession

French Concession
There was always the risk of this streetside knife sharpener having a go at a tourist taking his photo, but he’s smiling

French Concession
Across the street from the knife sharperner dude, a pet shop

French Concession
Down the street, an art gallery

French Concession
Fuxing Park

French Concession
The streets may seem quiet, but you still have to watch out for motorists who, by habit, bear down on pedestrians

French Concession
Grand houses and pretty gardens are the norm in the Concession

Morris Estate
On the grounds of the Ruijin Binguan, formerly the Morris Estate

*Thank you David Sedaris

iTunes is playing an illegal copy of China Girl from the album “American Fool” by John Mellencamp of which I have the original CD.

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11 responses to “Me walk pretty one day*”

  1. desmond!! Avatar

    I didn’t know Dr Sun Yat Sen’s English name is Dr Sun Yat Sen! I always thought it was Sun Zhong Shan.

    Interesting post! I learnt something new. =)

  2. desmond!! Avatar

    I didn’t know Dr Sun Yat Sen’s English name is Dr Sun Yat Sen! I always thought it was Sun Zhong Shan.

    Interesting post! I learnt something new. =)

  3. J. Avatar
    J.

    wah, french concession looks like a really nice & beautiful place! nice bldgs, shaded by trees.. (hate botak bldgs)
    imagine holding hands strolling with that loved-one… lomantica man..

  4. J. Avatar
    J.

    wah, french concession looks like a really nice & beautiful place! nice bldgs, shaded by trees.. (hate botak bldgs)
    imagine holding hands strolling with that loved-one… lomantica man..

  5. fynyx Avatar

    Hello Mr Miyagi:

    Sun Deming, Sun Dixiang,
    Sun Wen,
    Sun Rixin / Sun Yat-sen
    / Yixian,
    Sun Zaizhi,
    Nakayama Sho
    / Sun Chung-shan /Zhongshan —

    Wow, practically a name
    for every facet of
    this great man’s life!

    And the final irony & paradox with this,
    is that China
    best remembers him,
    by the name
    derived from, and
    invented through,
    a cultural rival.

  6. fynyx Avatar

    Hello Mr Miyagi:

    Sun Deming, Sun Dixiang,
    Sun Wen,
    Sun Rixin / Sun Yat-sen
    / Yixian,
    Sun Zaizhi,
    Nakayama Sho
    / Sun Chung-shan /Zhongshan —

    Wow, practically a name
    for every facet of
    this great man’s life!

    And the final irony & paradox with this,
    is that China
    best remembers him,
    by the name
    derived from, and
    invented through,
    a cultural rival.

  7. CB Avatar
    CB

    So you’ve read Sedaris? He is from my hometown.

    Funny as hell. Queer!! but still funny as hell.

  8. CB Avatar
    CB

    So you’ve read Sedaris? He is from my hometown.

    Funny as hell. Queer!! but still funny as hell.

  9. Mr Miyagi Avatar

    Yes. Wicked funny!

  10. Mr Miyagi Avatar

    Yes. Wicked funny!

  11. Beijing Hotels Avatar

    Interesting post. I have made a twitter post about this. Others no doubt will like it like I did.

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