Where people gather

China is the most populous country in the world with 1.3 billion people. And Shanghai, it's most populous city, has roughly 18 million people! So yeah, Shanghai's a big place! But really, where do all these people go?

Observation: Aside from every shop and every street corner and every subway stop and everywhere else, there are four places where there are, literally, people mountain people sea. In no particular order, because it really depends on what's going on and what time of the day or night it is, I present the four places where I've seen the most people gather.

1. Shanghai Railway Station

Grand Central Terminal in New York pretty much dwarfs this place. So just imagine, I dunno, 10 times the amount of people crammed into a place that has 1/7th the number of platforms as Grand Central.

It's also connected to the subway lines via an underground tunnel lined with shops. People hustling to get from one place to the next; a very common scene in Shanghai.

I've always been a big fan of trains. This was taken on the way to a restaurant to meet some relatives for lunch. Shot through a cruddy window, so excuse the quality.

2. People's Square

On a consistent basis, People's Square is probably the most crowded place in Shanghai. Again, several subways feed into it. The following is one of the many hideous mascots Chinese artists have rendered, this one representing the subway.

The Square is where most of Shanghai's government buildings are housed. Many prominent Shanghai landmarks can be found here, including People's Park, Tomorrow Square, the Shanghai Art Museum, and the Shanghai Grand Theater (pictured), just to name a few.

I caught a show at the Grand Theater back in December of 2003. Can't remember anything about it except the place was HUGE.

For foreigners, apparently, there's a popular joint called Barbarosa right around from People's Park. Look Em, I found it!

3. Nanjing Road

Third on my list is Nanjing Road, sort of the Times Square of Shanghai. It's one of the busiest shopping streets and is often mentioned in songs and films. It also serves as the main artery connecting People's Square and The Bund (#4 on my list). It's rumored that there are over one million visitors per day!

A large part of the road is pedestrian only. The place really lights up at night. And there are even small trolleys that haul visitors along the main shopping areas.

Which takes us to...

4. The Bund

Probably one of the most photographed places in Shanghai, it's also one of the most famous tourist destinations in China. I vividly remember some of the architecture from my previous visit to Shanghai nearly 9 years ago.

It's a strip along the HuangPu River where one side you'll have old buildings that used to house international settlement trading houses dating back to the late-1800s, and the other with the more modern high-rises, some as recent as a few years ago.

Much like the Star Ferry that crosses Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, a great many locals ferry from PuDong to PuXi everyday. Of course, tourists are part of the crowds as well.

What used to be 0.50RMB cent ride is now 2RMB. Comparably, a taxi would run about 15RMB, and the subway 3RMB-4RMB.

The Bund is also a popular hangout for Shanghai beauties.

This was taken on the ferry. Ask nicely, and they shall oblige.