Scenic view from Nanpu Bridge, Shanghai

The best way to quickly tour the city without tour guide is by hopping on to the city sightseeing bus operated by Big Bus Tours. The fare starts at RMB100 (approx. $16) and the ticket is valid for 24 hours.

This was taken during our trip to Shanghai earlier this year and the partly-open upper deck of the tour bus makes it perfect for capturing the magnificent views as you cross the Huangpu River via Nanpu Bridge.

Perfect for city sightseeing

The huge H-shape column welcomes you as you enter the bridge

7-lane is wide enough? There are other bridges apart from Nanpu.

Three to four elevated roads criss-crossing each others.

Steel sculpture sighted as we exit the bridge

I love Shanghai & would love to be back here for another trip.

Interesting street-view of Shanghai

There are many places of interest in the busy city of Shanghai and it is totally unfair to force yourself to visit all of them in a span of just one or two days. A four- or five-day tour would be more like it.

I asked our host what is the population of Shanghai and was told that it's currently about 24 million. Compare this to Malaysia's (the whole country) 29 million people and you get the idea how condensed people are in the big city.

The followings are some of the not-so-glamorous selection of street photos during our visit:-

They say you miss the Oriental Pearl Tower and you've missed Shanghai. I tend to agree.

It maybe a modern city but there's nothing wrong capping a skyscraper with a piece of history.

Taxi drivers are in a 'cage' of their own, well protected. I think this is a good one to emulate.

This bear glass has Arabic wordings on it. I don't understand what is written there but it somehow feels awkward.[BTW, I don't drink]

In Shanghai, 'honking' seem to be the way of communication and you'll hear pretty much (or rather, too much) of them everywhere. So, that sign up there is necessary sometimes.

Ran out of idea for a catchy website name? Try numbers. They are unique, too.

Minimalist. An umbrella could be your taxi-stand shade when needed.

Smart idea - A trader using solar panel to power up his photo kiosk at The Bund. It costs you RMB20 to RMB40 per 8" frame.

Some people like the idea of a limousine as their wedding car

while...some prefer to wait for the taxi

UFO spaceship ready to 'sail' on Huangpu River? No, that's Mercedes-Benz Arena, the auto giant's show centre.

And...finally my favourite - Solar-powered road signage. It's cool and I like it.

Stay tuned. A posting of a different kind of captures will follow soon.