This is an example of traditional Chinese housing, called a hutong (lane). One enters through an iron gate that opens on to a main street - this one was in Nanjing Road West. I nearly missed it, as the gate was so unobtrusive. There's a whole universe of cheek by jowl streetside living. Neighbours sit or squat, playing chess, washing their linen, or manning little stalls selling nibblies. There's no motor traffic , but bicycles whirr by quietly.

I bought an apple and slowly strolled up and down enjoying the peace and quiet, temporarily able to forget the honking of horns and belching of fumes on Nanjing Road a hundred metres away.