Magnolia Bed & Breakfast… A Lovely Blossom in the French Concession

If you want to be in the heart of The French Concession, the place to stay is Magnolia Bed & Breakfast. Tucked away in a quiet little street just off busy HuaiHai Lu, the green-colored terrace house is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle. The nondescript exterior may not look appealing, but once you step inside it’s all chic and arty in an unpretentious way.

I stayed there for two nights in April and was given the only available (and the biggest) room in the house, Ink Water Suite, due to a last minute extension by one of the guests… who’s complaining? The generous suite has a balcony with great views, an open concept bathroom and a walk-in closet albeit tiny! It is also the only room with a LCD TV. The other four rooms on the lower floors have a queen-sized bed each, and although on the smallish side are quite adequate and comfy for single travelers.

Breakfast, a choice of Western or Chinese, is served in the living room on the ground floor. It is also here that you can surf the Internet or help yourself to a cup of coffee from the complimentary Nespresso machine. Or you can just chill in the adjoining library cum lounge with a good book. Or better yet, brush up on your Mandarin and have a chat with the friendly ayi over a bowl of steaming soya milk.

Magnolia is the brainchild of Miranda Yao and Norris Chen. The dynamic wife and husband duo also runs the renowned cooking studio, The Kitchen At. I checked it out one afternoon – it’s very impressive I must say. The students I met there could not stop raving about its cooking classes. Wait till they stay at Magnolia… they will definitely love it a whole bunch like I did!

I Love Shanghai Part 2

One of the most picturesque streets in the French Concession is Fuxing Xilu (see last pic). The district not only boasts a graceful ambience, it also has a colorful history. It was once home to revolutionaries (Song Qingling, Sun Yatsen and Zhou Enlai lived here), triads, whores and writers. Many years on, the French Concession still remains the most happening place in Shanghai with its lion’s share of trendy restaurants, pubs, boutiques, art galleries and publishing houses. Bohemians will feel right at home here.

While the French Concession is quaint, the Bund is more spectacular and showy with its grandiose buildings. The Broadway Mansions (third last pic) at the northern end of the Bund, used to house the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in the 1930s and was one of Shanghai’s tallest buildings in its heyday.

I Love Shanghai Part 1

This was my second visit to Shanghai. My first was in 2005. It’s only been five years, but I was amazed how the metropolis has transformed or rather outdone itself! While the futuristic skyscrapers are impressive, I was more awe-struck by the historic architecture of the Bund and French Concession which gives Shanghai an old-world European vibe.

The French Concession with its Tudor mansions and Art Deco apartments, is undoubtedly my most favorite district in Shanghai. Pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing, I enjoyed taking leisurely walks along the tree-lined avenues. Early evenings and mornings are the best time to explore its nooks and crannies. On Julu Lu, Fumin Lu and Changle Lu, you’ll find Shanghai’s hippest restaurants (they’re always full so reservation is a must) and specialty shops. The townhouses on Julu Xilu are especially lovely… how I wish could live in one of them!

Nicknamed the Pearl of the Orient and Paris of the East, Shanghai is a city of contrasts where east meets west and old versus new (the Bund literally faces off with ultra-modern Pudong) which I’ve tried to depict in my photos. In my book, Shanghai is one of the most exciting cities in the world and you can’t help but fall in love with it!

11 Days in China

It’s supposed to be springtime in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Moganshan, but it felt like winter when I was there recently. Grey skies, strong wings and icy rain dominated most of the 11 days. Only three days had very brief bursts of sunshine. And to make things worse I came down with the stomach flu and spent an afternoon at a local hospital for observation. I’m glad it was nothing serious.

Hailed as the Paris of the East, Shanghai is indeed a very cosmopolitan and photogenic city. A three-hour drive away from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai is Moganshan. Blessed with scenic mountain views, Moganshan is a great place for peace and quiet, rest and relaxation. While Hangzhou, China’s number one tourism destination is really that! So if you’re not into sharing public places with busloads of tourists, then the Heavenly City is not you cup of Longjing tea (a famous green tea from Hangzhou). In case you’re wondering, no, I did not enjoy Hangzhou at all. But I love Shanghai and Moganshan heaps!