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Hong Kong & Shanghai Tours
9 mars 2016

Destructions along Suzhou River

Version Française

There are moments one would never like to experience. To stroll along ravaged Shanghai lilongs is definitely one of them. For some three years now, the lilongs situated along the Suzhou River or near the Huangpu are actually regularly destroyed (read my article "Goodbye Old Shanghai").

imageWhen looking at half torn down walls or missing glass windows, one cannot help rememberping some happier moments enjoyed there. There used to be entire families living in those houses not long ago (read my article about sunny lilongs and listen to my radio interview in French about them). It was only yesterday that children ran in those narrow alleys, with rejoicing faces. It was the time of community life. Old people used to mend broken chairs or peal off the skin from vegetables in the morning sun rays. There was happiness everywhere. The fresh products bought on the local market or the daily exercise on alley machines were the subjects of the discussions between neighbors. In the afternoon some of the habitants played mahjong as the others had their hair cut. At three thirty, it was time for grand-parents or parents to go and pick up their children at the local school. Most of them hurried to make sure to be the first at the school gate. When they came home, they helped the children with their homework, often made at the house threshold. Finally supper was taken together before a last digestive walk in pajama. This daily routine was only interrupted by pedlars on carts or repairmen offering their services. A real flavor of old Shanghai!

imageHowever, when I compare some of the pictures I have taken three years back with recent snapshots, I realize these days are now gone forever. Once more, Shanghai has changed in a glimpse, leaving me stunned and helpless. New buildings erected on the side of Suzhou River are clearly meant for different social classes than those living in former lilongs. Some of those residences are designed like those in San Francisco or Sydney. A clear indication of the search of the new upper classes for a more international way of life!

Former habitants of the numerous Suzhou River lilongs will probably be offered new homes elsewhere, but it will be far from the city center. This location has now become the exclusive territory of Shanghai nouveaux riches. Alas!

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