The glitter of neon - the sparkle of Nanjing Lu and around

What is it about cities and neon lights?

Are they trying to be candles drawing people in from the surrounding areas? Is there something about city living that has to be bigger, brighter and more exciting then anywhere else. Is it a competition to see who can dazzle the greater number of people.

I was then told to wait. And wait. And wait. The problem was that arriving so late last night I hadnt eaten and my belly thought my throat had been cut. I was so pathetic that the bank clerk went and fetched me a sandwich

I thought this as I was looking out at the pulsating Shanghai skyline. The skyscraper opposite has a pulsating pyramidal tip which throws green light into the room. Nanjing is only three streets away and it is a riot of light at night. Shanghai is a superb city and just as much fun to wander around as Sydney. As soon as I step out the Metropoles front door you encounter China. Hundreds of bicycles rattle past, little songbirds are held in shops and the smell of noodles wafts through the air.

My first problem was getting my hands on Chinese yuan. The Metropole would not change it up so they referred me to the 'Bank of Communication' a few steps away. The bank was beautiful with a grand sweeping staircase. I found a counter and they referred me to another counter, who referred me to yet another counter. It was like Chairman Maos bureau of bureaucracy. I was then told to wait. And wait. And wait. The problem was that arriving so late last night I hadnt eaten and my belly thought my throat had been cut. I was so pathetic that the bank clerk went and fetched me a sandwich.

After Chinese food for breakfast (I was starving alright?) I headed south to the Yu Yuan gardens, got horribly lost and swallowed up by the crowds. So I just let my legs take me and ended up by the river at the famous 'Bund'. Incidently Zebra crossing are a laugh in Shanghai. You face death constantly just crossing the street. Even when there is a green light you have to cross with the other Shanghaiese and the cars still roll across. I must admit Shanghai gives me a buzz that Australia struggled to do.

The Bund is impressive. Across the Huangpu is the giant spike of the Pearl TV Tower. The riverwalk lines the murky river and gives views across to the Pu Dong side. The Bund is lined with old colonial buildings which reminded me of Liverpool. The clocktower of the Foreign Trade centre reminded me of the Liver Building in Liverpool. Also across the river is the Jinmao Tower which is so immense (88 storeys) so that movies are shown on its sides. When I wandered down here last adverts were being played on its sides hundreds of feet high.

I decided to cross to Pu Dong and there is a pedestrian tunnel. For 40 yuan you enter a persplex carriage and whizz through a tunnel lit by strobe and hallucigenic lights. The whole thing is very surreal with trippy LSD commentary. I ended up both confused and doubled up with laughter. This was probably how they brainwashed people in the Korean war.

The Pu Dong side esplanade has great views across to the Bund. Then back across with the hysterical tunnel which is the best thing about Pu Dong and a wander up and down the Bund. Then at where the Peace hotel hits the Bund is where Nanjing Lu starts. The whole thing was a mile long and just packed with shops, restaurants and department stores. The whole thing is covered in a smogasbord of neon lights. Chinese characters glittered from everywhere. Canto pop blared from the shops and hawkers watched for tourists trying to sell them fake watches and, um, more risque attractions.

Shanghai is wonderful. It stimulates the senses. Its a city with a strong identity despite being very modern. You ever wanted to see how to improve you city - come to Shanghai....