The first time I came to Shanghai we stayed in the Hyatt on the Bund. I can remember asking to switch my room to one overlooking the river. "sir, you currently have the Jewish view" the receptionist said. I bit my tongue.
Shanghai has a Beach! Right on the Bund next to the ironically named Cool Docks is a man made plot of imported sand - it's sandwiched in between a parking lot and the entrance to the pleasure-port.
Having enjoyed a few drinks on the roof terrace, it was about time to try The Waterhouse's Table No. 1.
There are a few odd pursuits that the Chinese enjoy, not that the UK is any different... but there's one (at least) that I'll never fathom.
Not long now before we'll find an honest pancake on the side of the road, can take a rickshaw taxi from the metro station and the polystyrene men will roam free.
The north bank of Guangzhou’s Pearl River is bristling with freakytecture. Just behind a monstrous grandstand overlooking the world’s smallest athletics field and to the left of a building made entirely out of crazy paving is the biggest name on the strip. Zaha Hadid’s Opera House.
One of the easiest things about Cantonese food is that it generally tastes as good as it looks. Restaurants tend to put their best stuff in the window. A glance over someone's shoulder at the colours and consistency of what they're eating will give a good idea of whether it's worthwhile. Besides, it's a custom to interrogate the waitress at length, somehow forcing them to admit their best secret dishes.