On to Shanghai

We gathered our belongings, met in the lobby, and headed for the airport for our early flight to Shanghai.  Flying within China seemed easy, however, our guides took us to check in and walked us to the security gate each time, so we never felt vulnerable or insecure.  Joe and I were lucky enough to have an empty seat in our 3 seat row which allowed me to have a window and Joe got the aisle.  Since Xi’an is in the geographic center of China, having a window seat gave me lots to look at.  Lunch on the flight was a very spicy red pepper mini-wich which I eagerly offered to Joe.

Upon our arrival in Shanghai we walked at least a mile to baggage claim.  The airport is extremely modern and beautiful.  This time we had added a third bag to our collection of checked luggage.  We were met outside the gate by our guide, “Annie”.  Our bus was waiting to take us to Pudong  to the Oriental Pearl Tower (the highest tower in all of China).  To the Chinese it is known as “two dragons playing with a pearl”. This was a great starting point, and a very popular place for tourists.  It has several observation decks at various heights.  We went to the deck with not only floor to ceiling glass, but the floor was also glass.  It was dizzying, but interesting and allowed us to get a 360 view of the city of Shanghai.  We spent lots of time there viewing and going through the Shanghai History Museum. Pudong is the fastest growing urban area in the world. The Pudong district sprang up from farmland in less than 20 years. Pudong houses some of the world’s most architecturally innovative skyscrapers. One looks like a bottle opener with a large trapezoid opening near the top. The Pudong New Area is larger than Shanghai itself. There are more than 6,000 skyscrapers which serve as the headquarters of international banks and Fortune 500 companies.  Most of these building also have light shows and colorful lights at night which we found out and got to see first hand later.

Our bus crawled into Shanghai through one of the three tunnels and headed to the restaurant and theatre.  Since we were a bit early, we were allowed to go to a Silk Factory which happened to be on our way.  We got to see the process of soaking the cocoons of the silk worm, the spinning, and we even got to experience the stretching of the spun silk. There was even a bit of time to shop for the handmade silk products.

The restaurant was a noisy, rowdy, popular place with lots of people there for a company celebration.  This restaurant was once again family style with unusual and very tasty dishes.  From here we went to the famous Shanghai Acrobatic show at an old theater.

All of us were pretty spent, a few slept or dozed during the amazing performance, so we were all really happy to arrive at our hotel around 9:30.  This hotel is the Central View Suites located along Nanjing Road.  This is a well know location.  Nanjing Road is like the 5^th Avenue in New York City, only longer and with more world famous brand stores. It has long been the main shopping street in all of China. In addition to individual shops and boutiques, it is home to several of Shanghai’s most notable department stores, shopping malls and supermarkets.

Joe dashed out to get beer and coke before retiring to our luxurious suite.  Tomorrow we have Shanghai to explore all on our own.  Before Annie left, all of us asked about going on a river cruise.  She delightedly offered to not only hire a van/cab, but to get the tickets and accompany us to the dock and go with us on the cruise. 

Our group met at breakfast and made plans for the day.  Some of us wanted to go to the Cyber Mart, so we decided to start with a taxi ride there.  The concierge arranged a cab for us and we were off – on our own in a very foreign yet western seeming crazily busy city.

We enjoyed looking and being badgered to bargain and buy.  We purchased a Canon battery pack for our digital camera,  a couple of solar chargers for various electronics and Joe got some headphones.  Most of these were name brands that may not have been real name brands, but the price was right.

After gathering for coffee at the corner Starbucks, we headed out to walk to the Yu Bazaar. This turned out to be quite the foot expedition as we wandered through neighborhoods packed with little shops and people.  The streets were winding, narrow and busy.  We finally reached the Yu Bazaar. This area is complete with ceremonial gateways, rosewood lanterns, traditional pagodas. However, it was constructed to look this way intentionally in the 1990’s. It is one of the best places in Shanghai to shop for gifts and souvenirs.  Haggling is expected. A man talked me into following him down some alleyways to a house.  Once inside the courtyard we saw lots of watches, bags, luggage, wallets, etc.  I scored two Prada bags (I’m sure they are not real Prada, but they look perfect) and we were off.  Later, I found some other requested items to take home for souvenirs.  I was relieved and excited to find these items.

Our friends Peter and Dana, and Joe and I hailed a cab back to the hotel.  We took a 7 minute break to drop off bags and we were off for more adventures.  I was determined not to waste a minute of our time in this amazing city.  We grabbed some lunch at Wagas, and then began our walking journey to The People’s Park.  Along our walk we noticed many vendors selling merchandise and even one group offering French wine tasting.  This turned out to be a 1 to 1 ½ hour walk.  In the Square, there was a silent protest taking place.  I think there is a protest there almost always.  The people gather, hang their complaint on a wire, or bush, and walk around in front of the government building.  We were told that occasionally, an official will come out and ask what their grievance is.  That’s it.  The area is interesting and a very quiet, beautiful, park to enjoy. In the late 1800’s this area was a racecourse. The park has been created now to include trees, a small lake, flowerbeds, and manicured lawns.  There is also a Chinese garden, a rock formation and a lotus pond.  Groups of retired Chinese play mahjongg and chess, ballroom dance play with their grandchildren and enjoy the outdoors. 

We all met in the lobby at 6:20 to head to the river boat cruise of the Huangpu River.  The boat departed shortly after 7:00 and traveled along both sides of the busy waterway; first on the Pudong side to view the lighted, Times Square like skyscrapers with ever changing light shows as well as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the returned along the Shanghai side which in front of what is known as The Bund, colonial era government buildings.

We arrived at the hotel around 9:00.  Some of the group met for drinks, went our for massages, or just headed to their rooms to pack for the long day heading back to the USA tomorrow.  Big event tomorrow: riding the Maglev Train to Pudong to the airport.