杨思镇 (Yangsi Town) is described as a ‘城中村’ (a village within the city) and it’s an apt description. It’s an oddly shaped block of old and low, rickety buildings — on the east side of the Huangpu in Shanghai’s Pudong district, hunched against the small Yangsigang River (杨思港).
Once you enter the area, you really leave behind the big city of Shanghai. The roads here are too small for cars, and the houses too old and poor to accommodate shops or restaurants. It’s a grey and brandless world, except for the sign “拆” (To be demolished”) everywhere.
But despite being quiet, it’s still cozy. An ayi is getting a haircut, a shushu is selling fresh vegetables, a middle-aged guy is scrolling Douyin in his underpants with his pouch pointing to the skies.
And there’s a lot of variety, with tons of different building styles across decades. It has grown slowly — organically. But its demolishing will be swift. Many people have already moved out, their buildings have been barred shut, and others still have some time to move. Demolition starts in 8 days. We’ll see what comes in its place. I just had to come here and take photos before it’s all gone.
