Smoggy 22 , No it's Fog
This morning we had time to grab breakfast before our first excursion to the Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai.
Westin breakfasts - superb - 8th Chinese Cultural Wonder of the world. Back on board the bus at 9:00 (sleep in this morning - thanks Angie) and it took us only 10 mins to reach our destination which is about 400 m from our hotel. We found out later we could have walked there in the same time. We walk down streets and laneways that looks typically Chinese to me, however in our last 2 weeks of travel, we have seen very little of this style.
We enter the Yuyuan Garden (via the Yuyuan tourist market) which is a classical Chinese Garden. The garden was built in 1559 as a private garden for Pan Yunduan who was treasurer of the Sichuan Province. Everywhere you look there is something to catch your eye. I hope the pictures show the beauty of the garden and the adjoining buildings.
It is like an peaceful oasis in the middle of the bustling city.
Once we leave the garden we are in the tourist market area. This is huge compared to other shopping areas we have been to. However after having a look around the repetition is noticeable.
Over and over again it's the same hand cream, silk scarves, and the same silk pajamas. Manufacturing origin? Indeterminate! There are people constantly asking you to come to their store to buy Gucci bags, or visit their Jade shops, or buy their fake watches, or perhaps just one more little Samsonite suitcase before you leave our expert high-pressure sales tactics?
We detach ourselves from Angie and the rest of the tour group to avoid another lazy susan lunch and eventual walking tour of the Bund in favor of a return to the hotel for a refreshing cup of tea and an apple, then head out again north to Nanjing Rd where there is reputedly the best shopping in Shanghai. Here all the famous brands are represented, there are department stores and individual shops. One thing that surprises us is that off this glitzy modern mall are narrow streets, with the washing hanging outside, electrical cables and wires are dangling down the sides of the roadways and the two styles don't seem to go together.
Unfortunately, the marketing is well ahead of the reality and the weather turns cool and windy.
We head east back to the Bund and after Chris avoids a close encounter with a local hands-on hospitality operator, walk south down the street beside the Bund, admiring the many distinctive colonial (concession) buildings dating back to the early 20th century.
Tonight it's an early dinner in the Hotel (Chinese/Japanese Style - think Chinese food in a bento box) and then we are off to see the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. The show is held in the Shanghai Centre opposite the Portman Ritz Carlton and was exciting and entertaining. It was similar to a Cirque du Soleil show - except all the performers are Chinese. Spectacular!
On our return to the hotel we said our farewell's to Angie (our guide) who has an early start to the airport and to our fellow travelers who are also leaving early. We don't depart the hotel until 4:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Jenny Ferns
2018-05-26
Hi Tarina, I enjoyed accompanying you Chris and your Dad on this wonderful trip to China. Your photographs accompanying the relveant commentary, together with your extra humour made it very enjoyable. I'm glad I could tag along. Thanks a lot! Jenny.