Trains rumble across the lower deck of the old Yangtze River Bridge while buses roll along the road above. Downstream, ferries carry commuters from bank to bank, and metro trains run right under the riverbed, so crossing the Yangtze is simply part of getting to work here.
Away from the water, cherry trees and lotus ponds ring East Lake, and early risers line up on Hubu Alley for hot dry noodles before the office. Summers are long, hot and humid, while spring and autumn stay mild and easy. A Local Friend keeps the plan loose, so a morning ferry ride can turn into a lazy afternoon by the lake when the weather invites it.
