Soak up the nostalgia for the romance of travel A woman manning a push cart takes five, she waiting for custom, they for the train to pull in. Like coach tours, train travel brings you up close to the places between cities. An hour's ride will take you through verdant farmlands and factory estates to Suzhou, famed for its picturesque old buildings lining an ancient network of canals, and aptly dubbed the "Venice of the East" by Marco Polo.

Pampered bikes at a shelter. Others do with only a plastic bag over the seat. All over the city you'll find pavements dotted with bicycle sheds to protect them from the elements as shop assistants, office and factory workers attend to their day jobs. Those not served by the excellent metro and bus system take to two-wheeling as a practical solution to their daily commute, especially those living in untouched territory with their narrow twisty alleyways. At peak hours pedestrians have to navigate these crowded pavements as man and machine jostle for right of way.

Guerilla marketing A rusty steel barrel on wheels serves as sales counter, display and storage all in one. Compact enough for a lightning get away should the cops show up. And nothing to cry over if forced to ditch. Today the street corner, tomorrow the corner office. You never know, dreams can come true to those who dare to dream.

Cascading escalators lead up the multi-chamber atria to a world of supreme luxury. Its name is Super Brand, its size is more mega. This mammoth mall opposite the Oriental Pearl Tower oozes luxury from every corner of its 15 floors of shopping, feasting and entertainment. Practically all brands prefixed with designer are assembled here and that includes up and coming local and regional ones. Dozens of fine restaurants satiate the hungry and lifestyle services soothe and pamper the weary. On the topmost level the cinema and entertainment complex is the perfect excuse to unwind in the lap of luxury. This is one place where resistance is futile, so you might as well go with the flow.

Trimming hundreds of trees per km is no bonsai work. All through summer, winter, spring or fall Shanghai's beautifully tree-lined boulevards are maintained by an army of pruners who snip and saw their way through branch and bough to keep their wards in good shape. Some work from the relative safety of mechanised baskets, others hanging on the branches for dear life, tool in hand. It's one sector of the economy where growth has to be kept in check.

Will this passerby pass me by? Here and there beginner entrepreneurs hawk their wares while glancing furtively over their shoulders. While the city booms many eke out a precarious existence selling items like phone cards and watches. Great oaks from little acorns grow. Many tycoons started out with only the shirt on their backs and in time amass a fortune that is the envy of those who come up via an MBA. In this land of unlimited possibilities you never can tell how far you can go, especially with lady luck by your side and guangxi on tap.

The helter-skelter exterior belies the hidden gems awaiting the discerning art hunter inside. Nestled off a busy street here and there all over the city are clusters of converted old buildings that house art galleries showcasing the creative side of Shanghai. This city of 23 million is a powerhouse of artistic pursuits. Here age old traditions like ink and brush are practised alongside contemporary explorations in oils and acrylics. Not forgetting those whose muse is sculpture or installations. The high level of sophistication achieved translates into tastefully designed shop fronts, restaurant interiors, print and electronic media, fashion and home decor. Art permeates all levels of society and daily living from humble papercuts in rural homes to exquisite collections by the new tycoons. Feeding this frenzy for art is an endless stream of exhibitions and master classes by debutante artists and old masters. And at a gallery here you might just be lucky to pick up something by a yet-

As the lights turn green a scramble for placings in the run  to the next signalled junction. While the nouveau riche get around in gleaming rides, the teeming masses still rely on their trusty bicycles, mopeds, scooters and motorcycles which rule the asphalt at rush hour. In this densely populated city, vehicles of all description and sizes jostle for road space even where there are bicycle lanes to help shepherd 2-wheelers safely along. Motorists are generally expected to give way to cyclists but here ego reigns. Big commands respect and small fries on two wheels, or three, press their rights at their own peril. Pedestrians at designated crossings too have to be mindful of this.

Beautifully tended flower beds line the broad walkways with the  Shanghai Grand Theatre in the background. A giant plaza that acts as the lung of the city. Wide walkways are lined with finely manicured lawns and colourful flower beds, providing a welcome respite for tired city dwellers and tourists alike. In this district are sited the Shanghai Museum, Grand Theatre, Concert Hall and Exhibition Centre. Adjacent is the People's Park, a sprawling botanical garden with a small lake lined with tea-houses and coffee joints. An excellent venue for an idyllic afternoon's communion with nature.

Boats ply the Tong Li "water town" as residents relax in the shade. Bustling sun-drenched landing site. A short drive from the city are several ancient water towns such as Tong Li where living on the banks of canals is still a way of life. These rustic villages some dating back to the Ming Dynasty are increasingly serving the tourist trade with quaint souvenir shops, restaurants and tea houses. Petrol driven or muscle-powered, boats that used to carry the village produce are switching to canal cruises for day trippers. One thing remains unchanged – mail still comes by boat for some residents located beside the canals. As boats laden with sightseers zip past each other on the busy waterways, villagers while away the hours watching the world go by, sipping tea and playing their traditional board games like chess, or shuffling cards, cigarettes dangling from their lips, not minding the myriad tourists ogling and clicking away.