Home » China » Into Shanghai, and then Inland China

Cathy: Its like going into the future.
Rupert (the architect): Its like going into the future where all the buildings are dirty.
Cathy: Except the ones that were built yesterday.
(conversation about Shanghai I was sitting in on)

Gone are the days when Shanghai was a paradise for imperialist adventurers - English grammar book for the Chinese (a phrase around which were based various grammatical exercises)

Into Shanghai, and then Inland China

Rob Lilwall
2007-12-01 14:44:05

Displayed times (last time: )

it. Until, that is, Al Humphreys (who knew of the old dream) used it as one of his strongest cards in an email persuading me to join him for the epic ride across Asia "the world's most exciting continent?. Somehow we managed to start this joint escapade in Siberia in winter rather than China in summer (I am still not entirely sure how that happened. I think it had something to do with a restless heart and a book about the Gulags?)... and then, after 9 months of cycling, I finally arrive in Shanghai.In quite a significant way, this whole bicycle extravaganza (which seems to keep getting longer and longer) was actually supposed to begin in Shanghai. I had a peculiarly random thought about 8 years ago that "one day I should cycle from Shanghai to London?... like most peculiarly random thoughts I shelved it in "the dusty recesses of my mind? and then forgot about it. Until, that is, Al Humphreys (who knew of the old dream) used it as one of his strongest cards in an email persuading me to join him for the epic ride across Asia "the world's most exciting continent?. Somehow we managed to start this joint escapade in Siberia in winter rather than China in summer (I am still not entirely sure how that happened. I think it had something to do with a restless heart and a book about the Gulags?)... and then, after 9 months of cycling, I finally arrive in Shanghai.What is it like? Glitz, flash, height, pollution, squalor, history, McDonalds, water... and it even holds a funky monthly retro roller skating disco (where I was very lucky not to break my ankle and bring this trip to a speedy standstill). Whilst the imperialist adventurers may have been sent home, the up and coming western professionals have taken their place - living the "work hard, play hard? life of style in this mother of up and coming 21st century cities. After a bit of a break and much kind hospitality, it is time to hit the rural back roads to Hong Kong.

On the ride out of town I am fortunate enough ...