A day in Shanghai

Shanghai, China

Dawn - Huangpu river edge

Pale light lies flat on the wide water, and the air feels cool against my face. I follow the river edge under the first light of the Huangpu. October to November brings clear autumn skies and comfortable weather, a good season for this walk.

Morning - The Bund promenade

Cold stone under my shoes holds the morning along the grand promenade. I move beneath the line of historic bank buildings and watch the European masonry facades. These nineteenth and twentieth-century banks, commercial houses and consulates face the river and recall the treaty port era, opposite Lujiazui.

Midday - Yu Garden pond

Still water in the pond gives back the shapes of the classical pavilions and the garden trees. I pause here beside the quiet water. Yu Garden is an extensive classical landscape designed during the Ming dynasty, a tranquil escape into historic Chinese landscape design beside the crowded bazaars of the Old City.

Afternoon - Ornamental rockery

Rough piled stone feels warm under my hand in the afternoon light. I rest beside the ornamental rockery in the Ming garden. These rockery piles form part of the walled garden complex, a tranquil escape into historic Chinese landscape design next to the Old City bazaars.

Golden Hour - Zig-zag bridge

Low golden light lies on the still water under the zig-zag bridge. I cross the bridge above the quiet pond. These zig-zag bridges belong to Yu Garden's Ming landscape, with traditional pavilions and ornamental rockery, a calm place beside the crowded Old City bazaars.

Night - Jing'an Temple courtyard

Cool courtyard stone meets my feet while noise from the commercial thoroughfare stays at a distance. I wait before the large ceremonial halls and courtyard statues. Jing'an Temple is an active Buddhist sanctuary founded during the Three Kingdoms period; the present structures reflect later rebuilding and include quiet halls for prayer.