Walking in City God Temple Bazaar (Chenghuangmiao) is akin to walking a maze of small streets with both sides exemplified by the wooden carvings and patterns representative of a dynastic era. I'm sure most buildings have been renovated but from what I saw more culture has been retained in Shanghai. Its architecture is more intricate but less jarring than its sister Beijing. Similar to any chinatown, there are lanes and lanes of vendors selling 'designer' clothes handbags watches, jade, painting, embroidery, etc. Though you can buy many of the same goods in New York or San Francisco, its kinda fun to shop for them here, on location, in the country where they are made.

There were many locals going to the temple right inside the bazaar. I was fortunate to have come at the right time (early am) and witnessed some kind of worship ceremony. There were sooo many worshippers burning incense and ghost money and saying their prayers. It was pretty intense to watch. Theres also the famous YuYuan Garden which is also perfectly situated in the heart of the bazaar. The garden takes you back in time and gives you a hint of what Shanghai really looked like before it became an urban jungle.

In case you're wondering what to eat in Shanghai, you should try the piping hot Xiaolongbaos a Shanghai specialty often called 'soup dumplings' from the authentic Nanxiang restaurant. You can get an individual king sized dumpling that has nothing but soup inside for about $8. If you're curious like me just try it to settle your curiosity but I personally didnt think it was anything special. It was just a novelty of sticking a straw inside an XLB to drink the soup.

I also tried the Shengjianbaos. These crispy-bottomed dumplings are filled with pork and broth, pan-fried, and garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Dip the crispy, chewy morsels in vinegar or eat them hot right out of the pan. These SJBs can be found on nearly every block in the city and they are dirt cheap. We ordered four of these and a big fat bowl of noodle soup for only $2 or so. Do not leave Shanghai without trying these street foods :-)

Do visit Tian Zi Fang aka 'Shanghai Old Street'. Its a cute area with small alleyways filled with shops selling cute trinkets, cafes, bars, and a handful of galleries. Its a nice place to just walk around and shop for souvenirs although its a bit pricier than normal.
 

 
Shanghai 11/26/12