As we were approaching Shanghai, I feared my first destination in the city might have to be a department store where both Eric and I would have to buy jackets. Somehow E’s suitcase contained the clothes for all types of weather... mine lacked a rain/wind jacket and Eric did not pack any long-sleeved attire at all! Well, we were nicely surprised... the day was sunny and the temperature was high enough for us to feel comfortable wearing what we had.
Shanghai is the largest (and one of the youngest) city in China! Our guide told us that there are over 20 million people living in Shanghai (Shanghaiese, floating population, and expats). Shanghai was the most impressive of all the cities we have visited on this trip! It was crowded and built-up but surprisingly spacious and clear (and clean). Shanghai is truly where the East meets the West. Parts of the city as we travelled through it reminded me of places in Poland (some from the 80s and others contemporary), cities in the US, and old cities of the UK, France, Germany... and of course oriental flavours of Hong Kong. Maybe it was for that reason that I felt in Shanghai at ease... very much at home. Our guide informed us that the city was divided between the British, American and French concessions at one point... hence the differences.
Our first stop was the Old Town
and the 16th century Yu Gardens built during the reign of Ming Dynasty.
Both places were very impressive. Especially the garden seemed quite magical. It reminded me of a park in Wroclaw I frequented a lot when I was a child. The park had a pond and in the middle of it, on stilts, was sitting a replica of a Chinese house. I loved crossing the narrow rickety bridge that led to the house and then walking from room to room imagining I was in a far-away land... I wonder what ever happened to that house... I will be sure to check it in a few days when E and I visit Wroclaw.
and the 16th century Yu Gardens built during the reign of Ming Dynasty.
Both places were very impressive. Especially the garden seemed quite magical. It reminded me of a park in Wroclaw I frequented a lot when I was a child. The park had a pond and in the middle of it, on stilts, was sitting a replica of a Chinese house. I loved crossing the narrow rickety bridge that led to the house and then walking from room to room imagining I was in a far-away land... I wonder what ever happened to that house... I will be sure to check it in a few days when E and I visit Wroclaw.
Our next stop was the Shanghai Museum. It was established in 1952 and it is a world-famous museum of ancient Chinese art: ceramics, calligraphy, bronzes, paintings, ivory and jade works, old Chinese coins (and banknotes), bamboo and lacquer furniture of Ming and Quing (Ching) dynasties, oracle bones and seals (and E wanted to see the sea lions too!). E did well enough and Eric and I had our fill of history and art. Old currencies caught my attention.
After the visit at the museum, we headed to Jin Jiang Hotel for a traditional Shanghai cuisine lunch.
The lunch was wonderful and once finished, we headed for The Children’s Palace (the first one ever established).
From what I understand, there are many children’s palaces throughout Shanghai (possibly the whole country). They are after-school activity and culture centres where older, retired citizens volunteer in helping to educate children in a variety of subjects.
After the visit at the museum, we headed to Jin Jiang Hotel for a traditional Shanghai cuisine lunch.
The lunch was wonderful and once finished, we headed for The Children’s Palace (the first one ever established).
From what I understand, there are many children’s palaces throughout Shanghai (possibly the whole country). They are after-school activity and culture centres where older, retired citizens volunteer in helping to educate children in a variety of subjects.
The Children’s Palace we visited was situated right next to the Musical Instruments Museum and after we saw the exhibits we were treated to a short performance. E (and most other attendees) was enthralled by the sounds of those old (odd looking) instruments.
At the following stop, E (asleep) and I (on guard), Eric visited the Jade Buddha Temple - a home to an exquisite and priceless white jade 2meter tall Buddha brought from Burma in the late 19th century. He took a number of pics but was not able to tell me much about the temple... other than “they had lots and lots of buddhas there.” Thanks!
At the following stop, E (asleep) and I (on guard), Eric visited the Jade Buddha Temple - a home to an exquisite and priceless white jade 2meter tall Buddha brought from Burma in the late 19th century. He took a number of pics but was not able to tell me much about the temple... other than “they had lots and lots of buddhas there.” Thanks!
And finally, our excursion ended with a tour of a silk factory where the process of silk making was explained and demonstrated to us... and we were offered to purchase a variety of silk products (bedding, clothes, scarves, etc). Although the colours and the softness of the fabrics were tempting, we did not buy anything.
PS I almost forgot... As you may remember I mentioned earlier (in my post about Nha Trang, Vietnam) the Polish TV series from the 1980s – Alternatywy 4. Well, as we were waiting for the bus to take us back to the cruise ship, I noticed this gated/guarded condominium complex (looking very much like the one from the Polish TV show)... and signposted accordingly:
Thus, even though Shanghai may look like the next western metropolis, Communism in the “City above the Sea” is alive and well.
Thus, even though Shanghai may look like the next western metropolis, Communism in the “City above the Sea” is alive and well.
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