Rapid Travel Chai

The mind-boggling population density of China’s major cities is unfathomable without first-hand experience. Here’s a tour of a mega gated community, Shanghai Cannes (上海康城) in that city’s south. Estimates of the population vary, I will go with the security guards that said there are about 13,000 households, some claims have the inhabitants at as many as 80,000 which seems a stretch, though average household numbers are probably high from 3-generation households and also the apartments rented by migrant lower-income professionals that can have quite a few occupants, so 40-50,000 may be possible. Located in Xinzhuang in a long stretch of massive gated communities, Shanghai Cannes is known for its extreme density. Within the confines there are all the services needed from cradle to, well, there is no cemetery. There is a network of bus stops reminiscent of an amusement park, and all the nearby supermarkets run free shuttle buses.

Welcome to Cannes

Long ago sold out, sales building crumbles

Fully occupied, the management company cuts costs

The layout

On the move

Handymen buzz around

One tower of many

A rare sunny, dry day for laundry

Network of canals

Park areas

The fishing pole to end all fishing poles

Kindergarten

School

Retirement home

Many building have small grocers

Nearly anything bought can be delivered

Central square

Beauty salon

Stuffed animal laundry

Spa massage

Breast enhancement and weight loss

A world expo sculpture garden

Here come the new neighbors

Strolling home