Shanghai Through the Lens — A Song of Old and New
Shanghai is where I grew up, carrying all my deepest feelings. A city with a history spanning over a thousand years, it has weathered one tumultuous era after another. Today, the old buildings and streets that remain are countless. In my spare time, I love wandering among these heritage structures, soaking up the old Shanghai charm. Shanghai is also a world‑renowned metropolis brimming with a futuristic vibe, dotted with stylish modern architecture, art galleries, and boutiques. Sophisticated and chic Shanghainese glide effortlessly through the CBD’s concrete jungle, into designer boutiques, steaming eateries, and bustling neighborhood lanes. In the city where they were born and love, they lead lives full of warmth and flair. Shanghai’s old and new are just a wall apart — a fusion of East and West. It’s this interplay of a little old and a little new that gives Shanghai its uniquely contradictory yet captivating flavor. This time, I’m driving the best‑selling compact SUV, the GAC Honda Binzhi, to explore the distinctive charm of this international metropolis with me.
The Bund’s Glittering Rainy Night
The Bund on Zhongshan East Road is the most iconic silhouette of Shanghai. On one side stand century‑old European‑style buildings. As warm amber lights illuminate them, they resemble a restrained, poised, and opulent elder, reading the footsteps of time. Across the river, Lujiazui’s skyscrapers glitter with modern lights. When the Bund’s clock chimes, a century’s scroll flashes before your eyes like a revolving lantern; you’re transported to another era, reminded of time, then gradually forgetting it.
The Bund never lacks an audience. Regardless of season, crowds flock here daily — wave after wave. From the straight stretch of People’s Square and East Nanjing Road, people brave the crowds and travel from afar just to catch a glimpse of the Bund. Graceful and serene both inside and out, the Bund welcomes every visitor from across China and the world with an open heart — embodying the spirit of ‘Isn’t it a delight to have friends coming from afar?’ It embraces all, with the inclusiveness of the sea accepting a hundred rivers.
Just like Shanghai’s unique allure, the Binzhi — a global model painstakingly crafted by Honda — boasts world‑leading prowess built from a global perspective. Visually, the Binzhi sports an avant‑garde look with an aggressive SPORT‑style body kit. Its massive U‑shaped front grille is wild and commanding, with a delicate black mesh inside, accented by silver chrome strips that elevate its fashion and design sense.
Driving the Binzhi past the entrance on Dianchi Road — a famous spot for wedding photos and influencer snapshots. The road is also home to a hotel steeped in history: the renowned Peace Hotel. Every Shanghainese knows the Peace Hotel; it was the most prestigious luxury hotel in old Shanghai, once a playground for celebrities and adventurers.
Stepping inside the Peace Hotel is like witnessing the opulence of old Shanghai — elegant without being ostentatious. As jazz tunes start, you can’t help humming the melody of ‘Rose, Rose, I Love You’.
The octagonal stained‑glass ceiling lets natural light pour in magnificently.
The protruding terrace on the 9th floor of the Cathay Hotel is arguably a holy grail for dates and proposals. From dusk to night, as the lights of Pudong across the water come alive and the Bund gradually illuminates, a different kind of resplendent glamour unfolds. In June, Shanghai is drizzly; the pitter‑patter scares away many tourists, but it also brings a rare tranquillity — especially on this rainy night. Driving along the Bund in the rain, every brick and stone seems saturated with the marks of time. The wet pavement, under the glow of neon lights, gleams with a glassy luster. Paired with the calm river and distant views of bright lights and giant screens, it creates a special ambience. Every so often, the big screen flashes ‘I Love SH’.
Having lived in Shanghai for decades and seen the Bund countless times, I’m still enchanted on this rainy night. The skyscrapers across the Huangpu River are veiled in misty rain, while the Bund’s colonial buildings glow brilliantly — this is Shanghai’s own romance.
Driving the Binzhi across Waibaidu Bridge, the iron bridge’s dark blue lights and the distant Lujiazui skyline complement each other, exuding a distinct cyberpunk flavour. The Binzhi is equipped with Honda’s new ‘Earth Dreams Technology’ 220 TURBO powertrain, a standout in its class. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in under nine seconds, giving me a real taste of its ‘hot hatch’ prowess. Paired with a silky‑smooth CVT transmission, it performs exceptionally well in dense urban traffic — following or overtaking with absolute ease.
With slick roads, the car heads onto the Yan’an West Road elevated highway. Here, the Honda SENSING safety suite on the 2020 Binzhi proves its mettle. The LKAS (Lane Keeping Assist System) helps correct the steering wheel, safeguarding the vehicle’s safe travel.
The LDW (Lane Departure Warning) function alerts the driver to correct the steering if the car unintentionally drifts out of its lane. Meanwhile, the CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System) can also preemptively slow us down — or even brake — to reduce the risk of rear‑end collisions.
The night is still young, but today’s drive comes to an end. In the darkness, the Binzhi’s classic optical fiber LED combination tail lights look sleek and shine brilliantly.
In the 1920s, Japanese writer Muramatsu Shōfū published the bestseller ‘Mato’ (Magic City) based on the real conditions inside and outside Shanghai’s concessions. From then on, ‘Modu’ became Shanghai’s nickname. Even decades later, no other word quite captures this ‘incredible’ city as perfectly as ‘Modu.’ The transformation of the former Harbin Building in North Bund — once teeming with hooligans and spivs — into a popular cultural and creative park is a prime example of Shanghai’s magical character.
In the early 1940s, the Harbin Building and its surrounding area lay at the boundary between the concessions and Chinese‑administered territory, making it one of the most complicated parts of Shanghai’s International Settlement. Today, with creative industries, bookstores, music, art venues, and cafés, the North Bund has ‘turned over a new leaf’ and become a new landmark for hipsters. Hongkou now has another ‘fun place’ to explore.
Harbin Road seems like a forgotten street — short and sparsely walked. Yet this lane filled with British charm is proudly dubbed ‘Hongkou’s Xintiandi’ by locals. Standing on Harbin Road Bridge No. 2, you can not only see Lujiazui’s iconic ‘Big Four’ — the Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center — but also catch glimpses of 1930s chimneys, old villas, traditional lane houses, and residential communities built between the 1950s and 1990s.
I really love FRANKS STORE on this road, an American‑style vintage shop. The ground floor is a café with movie‑theater‑style seating and period furniture that amplifies the retro feel. I ordered an iced latte — it tasted pretty good. The second floor is a vintage clothing boutique; everything from the décor to the apparel screams American retro casual. Most garments are from niche vintage brands in Japan, Europe, and the U.S., full of nostalgic design, with a focus on menswear.
The owner is Frank, who studied in Japan and later traveled the world, transforming his passion into a space he calls ‘Amekaji’ — the Japanese term for American casual style. It’s pioneers like him, bringing diverse cultural trends from abroad into Shanghai, that have shaped the city’s ‘Haipai’ (Shanghai‑style) culture and its all‑embracing spirit.
Driving past Changshou Road, I remembered a fascinating antique shop I’d visited long ago — Xiaofangting. Actually, Xiaofangting is a famous restaurant in Shanghai, and right beside it is the Xiaofangting Antique Store. The previous times I came, it was closed, but this time, it’s finally open!
Stepping inside, the room is a treasure trove of antiques from around the world. The elderly shopkeeper greets you warmly and patiently explains how each piece works, sharing the history and stories behind them — all collected from his travels across the globe.
You can see Edison phonographs and music boxes from over a century ago, antique ceramics from Italy, an array of charming sculptures and vintage dolls, and a rare out‑of‑print antique piano — making you feel as though you’ve stepped into a period mansion somewhere in Europe.
It feels like the shopkeeper is living my dream: traveling the world, hunting for all things vintage, and in old age, running a antique curio shop to spend the rest of one’s days.
Neil Gaiman wrote in ‘American Gods’: ‘What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not foolin’ a soul.’ In an age when print media is increasingly marginalized, a good bookstore in a city deserves to be cherished.
The bookstore I visit this time is called ZiWU Zhiwu. Entry requires scanning a code and purchasing a ticket for ¥50, which includes a coffee or soft drink next door. The space is a clean geometric design — square and minimalist, with no excessive curves, simply elegant. Apart from a staircase connecting the floors, almost everything you see is bookshelves and books. The ground floor focuses on photography and magazines, with a lounge area featuring sofas; behind them is a vintage record section, decked out in a chic all‑black palette.
The second floor has a wide range of books, with benches where you can sit and read. The bookstore adjoins a café that feels more like an art gallery, decorated with many design pieces. The entry ticket covers a drink, and other alcoholic beverages are available. The third floor is not open to the public — it’s a workspace, and even on the second floor some areas are off‑limits. The whole bookstore is very quiet, with few visitors on weekdays.
Just as the city’s libraries present a refined lifestyle concept, the Binzhi has consistently attracted young consumers with an ‘artful living’ philosophy. From the industry‑first ‘Avant‑Garde Art Marketing’ in 2014, to the customized ‘Insider Marketing’ campaigns for the new Binzhi aimed at winning the hearts of those with ‘individuality and a love for the cutting edge,’ and the ‘Refined Living Design Marketing’ introduced with the 2020 Binzhi, the car uses a variety of trendy marketing approaches to speak directly to young people, vividly showcasing an ideal urban lifestyle.
Parking the car near the graffiti wall outside the bookstore, I take a closer look: 17‑inch wheels are paired with highly distinctive winged LED headlights. The lights widen the visual effect of the grille, forming Honda’s signature ‘wing’ design.
The roof slopes downward from the B‑pillar, creating a fastback silhouette. The rear door handles are cleverly integrated into the C‑pillar — a hidden design that makes the rear doors look much sleeker. This not only enhances the car’s unified profile but, combined with the sci‑fi‑inspired ‘petal’ alloy wheels and flowing lines, gives the Binzhi the stance of a hot hatch.
The pragmatic interior design carries over, with every functional zone logically arranged and frequently used buttons always within easy reach. The Binzhi’s interior may not be wildly avant‑garde, but it’s incredibly user‑friendly; this relatively traditional layout feels particularly intimate.
Following Honda’s unique ‘MM’ (Man Maximum, Machine Minimum) philosophy, designers maximize comfort and spaciousness within limited dimensions. The rear ‘Magic Seats’ feature a clever 4/6 split‑folding design, two adjustable backrest angles, and can be configured freely to match luggage needs.
Shanghai is not just about glitz; it also boasts a profound history, tracing back to the 4,000‑year‑old Guangfulin site and Baoshan Temple, which dates to the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty (early 16th century). This time, driving the Binzhi feels like traveling through time to Baoshan Temple, now five centuries old. It’s also Shanghai’s largest temple, situated in Luodian Town, Baoshan, along the Lianqi River.
Stepping into Baoshan Temple, I’m awed by its late‑Tang‑dynasty palace‑style architecture. Built entirely with wooden mortise‑and‑tenon joinery, it follows a traditional Buddhist axial layout, progressing with rigorous structure and soaring halls. The whole complex is harmoniously arranged, blending with nature, using form to convey meaning — reflecting the profound and subtle wisdom of Buddhism. Walking through it, one can’t help but marvel at the grandeur.
Now, rain pours heavily; the visitors have dispersed, leaving only the sound of falling rain, echoing soft whispers of centuries past.
Light an incense stick, sip a pot of tea, and time stretches. In the temple, listening to the bells, the rain, the chanting, and the murmured prayers, the mind quiets and the heart feels cleansed. Temples truly possess magic. Baoshan Temple tips:
Address: No. 518, Luoxi Road, Luodian Town (by the Lianqi River). It’s quite far from the city center, so don’t set off too late — the temple closes early. Entry: ¥10, payable only in cash at the gate for an incense ticket.
The rain intensifies. I pull the Binzhi over to the roadside. In a puddle’s reflection, I glimpse the silhouette of the temple, resting quietly in the rain — solemn and serene, stirring a sense of reverence.
Go back 4,000 years, and Shanghai’s origins lie in Guangfulin. As folk sayings go, ‘First there was Songjiang Prefecture, then Shanghai Bund’ and ‘First there was Guangfulin, then Songjiang’s history.’ The Guangfulin site was discovered in 1958, with test excavations in 1961, while formal excavation began in 1999 and continues to this day. The total excavated area exceeds 40,000 square meters, making it the largest archaeological project in Shanghai’s history.
I came here specifically for the Cloud Academy (Yunduo Shuyuan), said to be Shanghai’s most beautiful bookstore — where you can almost touch the clouds. It sits within a well‑preserved Ming‑dynasty tall house, blending modern design into the ancient structure. The academy is laid out as three courtyards and two‑story pavilions. One of the two courtyards is accentuated with pine trees, called ‘Songshi Jing’ (Pine and Stone Realm).
The other courtyard, themed as ‘floating clouds,’ is named ‘Shuiyun Xiang’ (Water and Cloud Haven). This has become a new must‑visit spot, with people constantly coming to take photos. The ground floor sells all kinds of books and creative products, and of course includes a café offering coffee and light refreshments. The second floor occasionally hosts exhibitions. If you want a temporary escape from the urban clamor and seek a peaceful, leisurely place to enjoy tea and books, this academy hidden deep within Shanghai is the one for you.
Zhiye Chan Temple was rebuilt to commemorate Master Zhiye, a Songjiang folk hero known for providing free medical treatment to the sick. The temple complex includes a Mountain Gate Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Patriarch Hall, Five Directional Manjusri Hall, Main Shrine Hall, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Five Contemplations Hall, Prajna Abbot’s Chamber, Vipassana Pavilion, and more. The layout is balanced, rustic and elegant, finely constructed — it is another distinctive Buddhist sanctuary and an important center for Dharma practice, both in Songjiang and in Shanghai.
Not far from the temple, you can see Fulin Pagoda. Perhaps because both are Tang‑style replicas, Fulin Pagoda bears some resemblance to the wooden pagoda at Kiyomizu‑dera in Kyoto, exuding a deep sense of history. Red brick walls surround it; the setting sun leaves mottled traces on the walls, and occasional monks walk by — a truly evocative scene.
Italo Calvino wrote in Invisible Cities: ‘In the eyes of those who pass by without entering, the city is one thing; in the eyes of those who are trapped inside and never leave, it is another; when you first arrive, the city is one thing, and when you leave forever, it is another... The city does not tell its past, but contains it like the lines of a hand, written in the corners of streets, the gratings of windows, the banisters of steps, the antennae of lightning rods, the poles of flags...’ Every city has its own ingrained impressions and visions of the future. As cities evolve, they change day by day. Once‑familiar streets and scenery slowly fade from view. Yet in hidden corners, tucked away at street ends, vestiges and memories of the past still linger. It is in the interplay between past and future that the full picture of a city emerges. This clash of old and new makes up Shanghai’s everyday beauty, and records the city’s rhythm and transformation.
Pudong, this new city, feels like a magic box sealed for ages suddenly flung open, brimming with fearless new energy. Wide, bright streets, orderly buildings, vast green spaces — a sense of space, order, and technology. Everything is young, surging forward with a bold, heady momentum, inviting you to step on the gas and charge ahead.
Much like Pudong New Area, the Binzhi, as Honda’s latest global compact SUV, has been wildly popular among young people worldwide since its launch. The Binzhi embarked on its global journey in 2013; in nearly eight years on the market, it has sold in almost 130 countries across five continents, with cumulative global sales reaching 4.5 million units — meaning a new Binzhi owner is born every 51 seconds. Domestically, the Binzhi has exceeded 10,000 monthly sales for 14 consecutive months, with cumulative sales surpassing 900,000 in seven years — leaving many rivals far behind.
As night falls, Shanghai finally reveals its true face — a little dreamy and decadent, a little damp and southern. In the contradictory blend of old and new, it’s so proud and so enchanting; perhaps that’s my ‘Shanghai complex.’ Must‑visit spots: The Bund Old Street, Waibaidu Bridge, Peace Hotel, North Bund Harbin Road, Holland‑style Street, ZiWU Zhiwu Bookstore, Xiaofangting, Lujiazui, Baoshan Temple, Guangfulin
