Over the last few years various fragrances have been trying to capture the special scents of Shanghai, like Bond No.9's Chinatown and YSL's Fleur de Shanghai. This latest creation from the house of XiangDian might have succeeded most accurately.

As you spray it on, the topnotes leave a powdery mist of the well-defined smell of pollution on your body (imagine inhaling deeply into exhaust fumes).

Once the topnotes disappear, scents of the most delicious street-food mingle with the distinctive smell of a popular local mosquito-water.
A hint of trash in the process of decomposing, combined with traces of dead fish and chicken make up the heartnotes of "Summer in Shanghai".

After that, a slightly, yet meant to be, sickening sweetness builds the basenotes, which gives you the feeling of Shanghai's moist summer air.
I can identify white florals and stinky doufu as the main components, which become dominant after the heartnotes fade (and exotic fruits? green tea? motor oil?).

As basenotes, these are what is left on your skin and on your clothes, what mixes with your personal smell and acompanies you throughout the day.

Wearing "Summer in Shanghai" is like taking a stroll through this beloved city of cities. Although this fragrance truly evolves its effects when it can mix with the own body's sweat - it is a rather lovely composition by itself.