Comments on: The Cool Docks, Shanghai

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:07:32 +0000

A good lesson to be learned. Be respectful, If a guard says not to take pictures, don’t take pictures. You won’t have any trouble if you do not cause any.

By: :: Shanghai :: The Cool Docks « twinklemama

:: Shanghai :: The Cool Docks « twinklemama — Thu, 12 May 2011 20:13:39 +0000

[...] More Cool Docks here. [...]

By: ledwrks_cg

ledwrks_cg — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:34:58 +0000

I was able to visit at least some of the’CD (Sep 21, ’10) – in a single word, barren. In fact a good majority of the facilities are still empty or under construction. Especially the further south you go (toward the ferry station).

It isn’t there yet, but could be in time.

As others have mentioned I was struck by how empty the entire area seemed to be not just the’CD proper. So, I can’t say the guards were rude. In fact I didn’t see anyone while I was there. It was in the mid-90′s, both temp and humidity, and therefore I don’t blame anyone for that either.

Though I encourage early adoption in an effort to find the trendsetting spots, in anything. You need to be aware that if you read “up and coming” in a tour book or map – this phrase sits at the far and very open end of interpretation where the Chinese are concerned.

I think whether actually stated or not this loose definition contributes to more than a few expat’s love-hate relationship with China, maybe even Iris’.

By: Historic Duolun Road, Shanghai | Unearthing Asia

Historic Duolun Road, Shanghai | Unearthing Asia — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:19:33 +0000

[...] a day of eating and history, head on towards The Cool Docks, your very first stop for a luxuriant taste of Shanghai’s soft, romantic side, and an excellent [...]

By: Shanghai's Hip Hotspots - Xintiandi | Unearthing Asia

Shanghai's Hip Hotspots - Xintiandi | Unearthing Asia — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:27:21 +0000

[...] a day of shopping and culture-immersion, head on towards The Cool Docks, your very first stop for a luxuriant taste of Shanghai’s soft, romantic [...]

By: 50 Moganshan, Shanghai’s Art District | Unearthing Asia

50 Moganshan, Shanghai’s Art District | Unearthing Asia — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:23:05 +0000

[...] a day of art-hunting and culture-immersion, head on towards The Cool Docks, your very first stop for a luxuriant taste of Shanghai’s soft, romantic [...]

By: Big in ShangHai » Blog Archive » Soweit die Füße tragen…

Big in ShangHai » Blog Archive » Soweit die Füße tragen… — Fri, 14 May 2010 10:02:46 +0000

[...] Dennoch ein Erlebnis. Bevor es wieder nach Hause ging, gab es noch eine kleine Visite in TheCoolDocks. Ein wenig frisch machen, denn wir waren Heute bei der Lauferei doch etwas ins Schwitzen geraten, [...]

By: Iris Jumbe

Iris Jumbe — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:10:49 +0000

Thanks for the feedback, Stuart. Haven’t been to the CD in a few months. Sounds like it is worth a revisit.

By: Stuart

Stuart — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:43:52 +0000

I have to agree with our Chinese speaking photographer that the staffing inside and out of this complex was not hospitable at all
(very rude in fact).It gave my group of friends the impression that the staff had a greater interest in talking to their friends and not wanting to serve us. They only showed interest in how much we spent.
If you want good business have good service and be polite.
We are residents of Shanghai and go to everything new that comes up and think that the Cool Docks has great potential but it lacks a pleasant energy flow and seems blocked off in parts.
I(We) will not go back until we hear that things have improved.

By: Iris Jumbe

Iris Jumbe — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:22:07 +0000

“… Cool Docks does not welcome foreigners, tourists or photographers. ”

I’m afraid I couldn’t disagree with you more, Yangzi Man. As Nik said, it really is unfortunate that you had such a bad experience and the story you described leaves much to be desired about the way you were treated. But the sweeping generalization I quoted above is just not accurate.

When I went to the CD to research this article, I, like you, went camera in hand. As you can tell from my picture, I could not possibly look more “foreign”. I took at least 40 shots, from all over the place and no one approached or tried to bar me. I’m not really sure from your description exactly which bit you were prevented from entering and I’m certainly not going to do PR for the CD but I have been there several times since and, while it’s still far from being the entertainment hub that Xintiandi is, I’ve noticed a mix of locals and expats and always been treated fairly.

If your article hasn’t been submitted yet, maybe it’s worth trying again? Perhaps it was just a particularly unpleasant security guard you met on that day. I hope you do manage to get your shots. Good luck!