Biking through a Village in Tangzhen

At last; my first video! Perhaps only of interest to those who have biked this short route, it's located in the town where I live (Tangzhen, or Tangtown). The large church near the end was built by a French Jesuit in 1898, closed during the Cultural Revolution (served as a warehouse for agricultural machinery), and completely restored about three years ago. Services are still being held and the church has become a popular backdrop for wedding pictures.
Unlike the church, the village i biked through probably won't be around in a few years. Tangtown is undergoing major development; old homes are being demolished everywhere, making space for new apartment buildings, shops, and a subway station.

Doing the rounds: eatable grass, scrap metal, and highway poles

Saturday was a beautiful day (about 15 C) and at last I got to bike around Tangtown to re familiarize myself again and see what changes could be detected in the last 2 months. Nothing out of the ordinary; stopped by the usual bike repairman to add some air to my tires; "Long time no see," he said in Mandarin with a strong accent. I then came upon a field where they were harvesting a grass type that goes into certain dumplings, they explained to me. Sells for RMB 1 per jin (500 g) on the market. Soon after I can across an older man with a metal detector on a pile of rubble. The scrap metal also goes for about RMB 1 per jin. But perhaps the most remarkable was the new highway that had been paved, but the electricity poles were still right in the middle of it. While not officially open, I witnessed some confused drivers trying to maneuver through them...And now you know the latest of the Tangtown neighbourhood...

Tangtown

Tangtown in Pudong is undergoing rapid development; about half of the town is being demolished and new buildings are springing up everywhere. According to the town's website, there are ambitious plans to turn this region into a major transportation hub and one of Shanghai's five designated areas for foreigners. Not that foreigners are limited to where they can live nowadays, but big villas are in an abundance. What is supposed to really transform this town is the new subway station (line #2), which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009 (give or take a year or two, is my experience).
Apart from that, it's been a frustrating month for biking; I either had a cold or it was pouring rain. Knock on wood for this coming weekend...

Vistas of Tangzhen

Tangzhen (or "Tang Town") where I live is undergoing rapid changes; they're building a subway station, expanding the main road Tanglu Rd, and new apartment buildings. Away from all the demolition, here a few views to give you a feel for the place.

Yan Village Update

It's gone.
(See Sept 1, 2007 blog)