Nanjing by Night, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China - 4th October 2006

Nosher achieves something of an ambition in finally scoring a working trip to mainland China. Following a day in Hong Kong to sort out a visa, it was off via Dragonair business class from Hong Kong to Nanjing, to work on handset software integration for a week and spend a spare hour-or-so in the evenings wandering around. It's not easy, as Nanjing is off the beaten track as far as foreign tourists go, and there's naturally little in the way of English, so Nosher roams around with nothing more than a small map from the hotel, a recollection of which way the hotel might be, and a copy of "Instant Chinese". The nights are warm and lightly smoggy - although much more comfortable than Hong Kong - and there's a lot of activity at street level. However, the view from the 46th floor of the hotel is curious, as much of the city looks dark, with only small pools of neon, which itself is mostly turned off after 10pm. However there are several occasions to witness distant firework displays - celebrating weddings, the national holiday or perhaps the lunar festival occurring during the week. On the streets, the relative lack of foreigners is apparent, as Nosher seems to present something of a passing interest, with many a curious look, much like when in Manila a couple of years before. However, the place feels pretty safe - there are people out for a stroll - and there are quite a few traffic police keeping an eye on things. Like Bangkok, night-time brings out even more street-side food stands, and the air is thick with the wafting smells of food. On one night, our hosts take Nosher and the other visiting Qualcommers out to a restaurant for an extra-special dinner. At one point, a sizzling dish is bought in: it looks really promising until it is revealed to be split fish-heads in sauce. Yum. However, there are several new things which Nosher gets to eat, including jellyfish.

next album: A Few Days in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China - 7th October 2006
previous album: Lan Kwai Fong Market, Hong Kong, China - 4th October 2006

Sales posters and a traffic-light countdown

Food is brought out

The latest food is inspected

There's fresh local hairy crab

A view of downtown Nanjing

Our restaurant for the night

A view of the streets from the 46th floor

A Nanjing intersection

Searchlights on a building

Newsagent's stand on the street

A Nanjing street

Down on the streets, the first of many food stalls

There are some open food and flower shops

A girl sits on the kerb, waiting for sales

A massive pile of pavement fruit

Doing the washing up on the pavement

Bicycles and street food

Traffic passes the food stalls by

An illuminated arch, near the hotel

Cycles brave a busy junction

A glum girl waits to sell things on sticks

Nanjing's version of Picadilly Circus

More neon

The Chaotin Temple, lit up

A large and gaudy restaurant

A Chinese character on the Chaotin Temple wall

Pavement art

A dude writes with water on the slate pavement

The crowd is fascinated by the calligrapher

Bright lights

A vigorous game of Mahjong is occurring

Mahjong action

The game continues

Nosher manages to fluke some great food

A busy corner for street food

Outdoor café tables

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