Shibati (18 Stairs), Chinese: 老街十八梯
Picture of Shibati
Shibati – cramped between the shore of the Yangtze river and the Central Business District – is one of the view original parts of town on the Jifangbei peninsula, that have not fallen prey to high-rise buildings and future development plans of the municipal government. Walking down the worn out brick steps is like getting into a time warp and traveling back a few decades. In Shibati, houses are still built with wood and have tiled roofs. Between them vendors, eateries, beauty parlors and tailors have set up shop. You will even find the last relics of video-cinemas, with only a few seats available, playing old HongKong action movies for children and their grand-parents. The market below the stairs is bustling with people selling all kinds of merchandise, vegetables and meat.
Picture of Shibati
During the summer months, the deep old bomb shelter – a relic from the Japanese war – works like a giant air-condition, cooling the street below the entrance. Since most houses in Shibati do not have air-conditioning, on hot days you will find old men gathering in front of the gate in order to enjoy the cooler temperatures while smoking, or playing majong. Tourists are welcome to watch this scene as long as they do not disturb and they are even often invited to join a game of cards or majong.
