Lantern Festival Outing in 2010

Published on March 4, 2010, at 16:30. Duration: 1 day. The author visited the following places: Huai[...]

Published on March 4, 2010, at 16:30. Duration: 1 day. The author visited the following places: Huaihai Road, Tianzifang, Sinan Road, Zhou Gongguan, Fuxing Park, Shanghai.

Today is the Lantern Festival according to the lunar calendar, and it’s cloudy. Perhaps because the Spring Festival has just passed, the atmosphere of the Lantern Festival seems less festive. I went for a walk in the morning and was pleasantly surprised to see that the willows by the river have already sprouted, bringing the scent of spring.

A friend mentioned that it’s still snowing in Shandong today, and as a northerner, I’m quite unaccustomed to such a contrast.

I had previously agreed to go shopping with J, but she prefers to go out only after waking up naturally, which I’m quite familiar with. If I wake up early, I would have to wait for her for a few hours. So, I decided to take advantage of the morning and go out for a stroll first.

After glancing at the map, I decided to visit Tianzifang, not far from Huaihai Road. Changing into light clothes and shoes, my mood also became relaxed. I took the No. 43 bus, heading straight for Dapu Bridge. After getting off, I walked north along Ruijin Er Road until I reached Taikang Road, where I turned right and arrived.

Tianzifang is known as an artistic model in urban life. It’s hard for first-time visitors to find it. No wonder, as this place was originally an alley of factory workshops, and residents continue to live here as usual. Children excitedly play with the creative new facilities, while the elderly gather together to chat.I quickly toured around Tianzifang and left, as the tourists, mostly foreigners, seemed invisible to the locals. With time still on my side, I ventured northward along Sinan Road. This is a clean and tidy street, rich with historical and cultural heritage, lined with French plane trees that provide a canopy for European-style old villas.

At No. 71 and 73 Sinan Road, you’ll find the Zhou Gongguan and the Memorial Hall of the Delegation of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai. Further along, at No. 87 Sinan Road, stands Mei Lanfang’s residence. The road intersects with Gaolan Road, where No. 1 Gaolan Road is the former residence of Zhang Xueliang. Adjacent to this, at Gaolan Road No. 2 Jia, is the back door of Fuxing Park. On the east side, at No. 7 Xiangshan Road, lies the former residence of Sun Yat-sen, where Mr. Sun Yat-sen and his wife Soong Ching-ling resided in Shanghai from 1918 to 1925.