It was an impromptu call up to Shanghai but nevertheless, I had a worthwhile trip to QiBao Ancient Watertown (七宝古镇). There is lots of photo opportunity found in this quaint little thousand year old town, where you can still find antique buildings from the Northern Song Dynasty.
[caption id="attachment_1064" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="Entrance to QiBao"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_1065" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="The Pagoda near the entrance"]
[/caption]May I suggest having an empty stomach when you visit this ancient water town. If not, you will be missing out on some good local snacks (上海小吃).
[caption id="attachment_1068" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="Xiao Long Bao (小笼包)"]
[/caption]It was so good that I had two baskets (16 pcs) by myself. I am a Xiao Long Bao's lover! I am a Chinese and I like my food to be served pipping hot! I always miss our Asian food when I am in European countries. And an interesting thing that I have noticed is that they do not provide shredded ginger and spoon in China. So...Does that mean the authentic way of eating Xiao Long Bao is without shredded ginger and spoon?
[caption id="attachment_1070" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="Tangyuan (汤圆)"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_1077" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="Candied Haw in a Stick (冰糖葫蘆)"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_1078" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="Vinegar Pork Trotter (猪脚醋)"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_1080" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="Braised Pigeon (乳鸽)"]
[/caption]
This is one of the three bridges found in QiBao. It gives me a feeling that I was in those ancient chinese series (古装剧).
When you are in QiBao, you got to take the boat trip along the canals to complete the whole feel.
Aaaahhh... So nostalgic...
Personally, I think it would be even better to have tradition performance acts such as an old Chinese man playing erhu (二胡) on the streets to enhance the whole laid-back atmosphere.
I also tried an attempt on street photography to give more characteristics to my photo album for this trip. Here are some of my amateur shots..
[caption id="attachment_1105" align="alignnone" width="584" caption="An emo me.."]
[/caption]If you are trying to figure out this photo, this is me sitting in the old boat.
I am pretty satisfied with my photos as I have captured the feel that I wanted to portray for this place. Looking forward to my next trip.. Till then.. ;)
Girlfriend, i like your photo album for this trip. It somehow portray an idea how the local cultural and customs. *thumbs up*
ReplyDeleteThanks babe! I like my photo album for this trip too! Definitely an improvement over the past three months I think.. :) Quickly buy your camera so we can have photo shoot trips! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are definitely getting better and better! I'm thinking of doing my internship in Shanghai, sent an application already, can't wait to receive a reply from them :O
ReplyDeleteThanks Shinn! Enjoy taking photographs... Hope to get a medium format camera soon. :) Which company did you send your application too? All the best!! :)
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