Woke up to another beautiful weather day and enjoyed a sumptuous buffet breakfast. The hotel is modern and bright. From our window we have a great views of the tall skyscrapers and also the athletic complex at Fudan U. First stop is the Temple of the White Jade Buddha. This is an active temple with many worshippers stopping in to pray. We are taken around and then burned some incense and made a wish. On to a silk factory where we were shown how silk is made by worms and then processed. We bought a silk duvet and arranged for it to be shipped home. Also got some scarves and a purple tie for Brian.
Lunch today upstairs in a embroidery factory building. First time there was no lazy susan and they actually brought us a plate with our choice of chicken or pork. As we left it started to rain heavily and our afternoon plans changed from a park to the Shanghai Museum. Everyone was thrilled and we got to tour this fine museum with Chinese art, jade, porcelain, calligraphy, furniture and more. Jeff and I enjoyed a special exhibit on Catherine the Great on loan from the Hermitage.
The rain stopped when we left so we were able to drive to The Bund and walk on this avenue along the river. It is the home of many old European style buildings and the other side of the river is new and full of modernistic skyscrapers. Dinner was at a tourist factory – a three story building where every Caucasian in Shanghai was eating dinner. Very funny and mediocre food. More lazy susans with typical Chinese dishes. The parking lot was full of tour buses and afterwards we all headed to the acrobatics show at a nearby theatre. The show was pretty good with young athletes beautifully costumed and choreographed. Unfortunately I slept through much of it.
Shanghai driving may be the worst we’ve ever seen and they are so aggressive. Jeff and the guys loved watching and not being behind the wheel. The city has 19 million people and is very cosmopolitan and very impressive buildings.
Lunch today upstairs in a embroidery factory building. First time there was no lazy susan and they actually brought us a plate with our choice of chicken or pork. As we left it started to rain heavily and our afternoon plans changed from a park to the Shanghai Museum. Everyone was thrilled and we got to tour this fine museum with Chinese art, jade, porcelain, calligraphy, furniture and more. Jeff and I enjoyed a special exhibit on Catherine the Great on loan from the Hermitage.
The rain stopped when we left so we were able to drive to The Bund and walk on this avenue along the river. It is the home of many old European style buildings and the other side of the river is new and full of modernistic skyscrapers. Dinner was at a tourist factory – a three story building where every Caucasian in Shanghai was eating dinner. Very funny and mediocre food. More lazy susans with typical Chinese dishes. The parking lot was full of tour buses and afterwards we all headed to the acrobatics show at a nearby theatre. The show was pretty good with young athletes beautifully costumed and choreographed. Unfortunately I slept through much of it.
Shanghai driving may be the worst we’ve ever seen and they are so aggressive. Jeff and the guys loved watching and not being behind the wheel. The city has 19 million people and is very cosmopolitan and very impressive buildings.
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