Taking a cue from my friend’s blog Distracted Dispatches, I’ve uploaded some videos of driving on Yan’An Road in Shanghai.

Taxi drivers have it pretty tough in Shanghai. There are about 40,000 other drivers on the road to compete with, most rent their vehicle from the taxi companies (and take turns sharing it with another driver in 18-24 hour shifts to offset the cost and ensure the vehicle is always making money), and are responsible for most of the vehicle maintenance and all damages.

Because taxis are so cheap (11 RMB for the first 3 km, then 2 RMB for each additional km), I usually relied on them more than the city’s great metro system for commuting. Another bonus is that I’ve had many conversations with taxi drivers and learned a few things about China that I would not have learned otherwise. To their credit, even though I’m a foreigner I never once got taken on the “scenic route” or overcharged.

Having taken so many of them, I’ve gained a lot of respect for these drivers. Driving in Shanghai is insane, and the veteran drivers have amazing driving skills. Only in young or new drivers have I ever seen stress or road rage. With the older women and men that have been doing this for years, it’s like they’re on autopilot. The way they weave in and out of traffic, dodge or get through crowds of pedestrians, merchants pulling carts and the armies of bicycles and scooters on the roads is almost beautiful to watch.

Some other random things I’ve learned about taxis in Shanghai:

• 大众 / DaZhong taxis (turquoise coloured) in my experience are consistently the best in the city. Their drivers are friendly, their vehicles are clean, new, and in the best condition. Second best would be the green 巴士 / BaShi taxis. Orange, blue, and white I take if I don’t see anything green. Red taxis I only take as a last resort.

• Taxis with license plates that begin with “P” are private drivers. In my experience, these are the worst. These drivers own their vehicles and are not worried about customers complaining, so they don’t care about customer service and it shows.

• If it’s raining or rush hour, good luck. Drivers will often pass you by, or if they do stop and you’re not a good enough fare (going far enough), they will refuse to take you.

• There is no way to turn off the annoying LCD TVs on the back seat.

It really sucks that I will not be in Shanghai for Chinese New Year.  For those who haven’t experienced it, CNY in Shanghai is something that has to be seen to be believed.

On the eve of CNY, residents in neighbourhoods all over the city light off fireworks and firecrackers from the streets, alleyways, rooftops, and even their apartment complex balconies.  Districts often compete with each other for the loudest and most spectacular display. The end result is a light show beyond belief accompanied by a soundtrack to WWIII.

Beginning around midnight on CNY eve, the massive pyrotechnic shows begins with fireworks going off literally as far as the eye can see.  It’s not just a brief display either – it goes on hours.  Eventually it dies down, only to be started up again in the morning.  This goes on for about 2 weeks, but I recall last year hearing random fireworks going off for at least a month after the holidays (getting rid of leftovers perhaps?).

Last year, we enjoyed the show from my old apartment’s 18th floor balcony. The fireworks literally exploded in front of our faces as the debris ricocheted off the window.  A crack wasn’t completely closed and flaming debris actually made it inside.  My laundry nearly caught fire and for days the balcony smelled like sulfur and burnt cardboard.

The above video (not mine) can’t do it justice; imagine this everywhere.