Tuesday – Migrant Neighborhood Walk with Rachael and Jean

My new friend Rachael was kind enough to organize a tour and invite me to join. It was a great day – so informative and eye opening!

Here is how our tour guide described the tour:

Shanghai has a population exceeding 22 million, 9 million of which are migrant workers. These are the people who have built this modern metropolis from the ground up, clean its streets, do most of the menial labor jobs, and yet receive minimal social benefits from living here. As we wander the busy lanes , we’ll observe and sample street foods from all over China, while visiting some unusual business that are only found in these neighborhoods. You’ll learn about China’s hukou-based social system and the discrimination that stems from it. We’ll also discuss the issues migrant workers face while living away from home, and discover if the government is doing anything to address them. Several families have invited us into their homes to share their stories, talk about their sacrifices, and proudly reveal how they’ve found happiness and success. This tour will give you a fresh perspective on this hard-working group of people.