Have you heard of Nanchang? As the capital city of China’s Jiangxi Province, seventeen years ago it was not an international city. To say the least.
This is what it looked like in 2008.
It still looks like this today…on one street. Our guide, Lucy, took us to the “old street.” It looked familiar.
The rest of Nanchang does not.
Seventeen years ago Ellie came “home” to the Gloria Grand Hotel. It was a perfectly adequate place to stay; I’m quite sure it was the best hotel in Nanchang. In the planning stages of this trip, I asked to stay at the Gloria Grand again. I was told the hotel no longer exists, but we could stay in the new hotel in the same location. That sounded fine to me. Now that I’m here, it’s more than fine. It’s amazing.
Seventeen years ago, there was not an international brand to be found. Today, I got a Nanchang Starbucks mug. (Starbucks mugs have been my “go to” collectible item for the past 20+ years.)
If I had the cash and the inclination, I could find just about anything else. (Notice the Gucci and Cartier stores in the first picture and the modern skyline in the two others.)
Nanchang has changed. Dramatically. I imagine other places in China have changed in much the same way.
When we were here in 2008, it seemed that the upcoming Beijing Olympics were China’s entrance onto the world stage. In 2025, it seems that transition is well underway. To say the least.
Blessings as always,
Caroline
P.S. While many things in China are delicious, we don’t recommend the green bean water.
Wander Tales by PC, PB, and Ellie 