Shanghai, Day 2

Friday, August 1

When we looked outside this morning it was pouring with rain, and we heard there was a big typhoon over Asia and we were on the fringe of it in Shanghai, with heavy rain expected for the next 2 days as a result. This didn't bother us as we met our tour guide Michael and boarded a bus to tour the city sites today. However the rain did slow the traffic down and we crawled along the freeway into town. Along the way we passed some amazing architecture with most of the new buildings being built in the last 20-30 years.

Rain, traffic and skyscrapers in Shanghai

There appeared to be a break in the rain, so Michael recommended we go to the Jin Mao Tower first instead of later on our tour. This tower has a lookout on the 88th floor, and the high speed lifts got us there in 45 seconds - sadly, but not surprisingly, when we got there it was a white out! Fortunately the wind had picked up and was blowing the clouds along at a good pace, so every now and then we caught a glimpse of the view.

Below is what we would have seen on a clear day!!

Consequently there were lots of photos taken inside the observation deck.

The Grand Hyatt Hotel is also located in the tower between the 56th and 88th floors, and their lobby on the 56th floor is the highest hotel lobby in the world. The view looking down at it was great.

View of Grand Hyatt Hotel lobby from the 88th floor observation deck.

Next was a stop at the Peace Hotel that was built and owned by Sir Victor Sassoon in the 1920s, and is now run as a Fairmont Hotel. During its history it has certainly accommodated lots of famous politicians, heads of state and entertainers, and had a real Art Deco feel to it.

Noelle in the lobby of the Peace Hotel

On the way to our next stop we had to walk through an old style shopping and market area and, as it was approaching lunchtime, there were lots of food vendors waiting for the lunchtime rush. However the guy selling what looked like sparrows on a skewer was making sure he was well rested after cooking up his offerings. We weren't even tempted to try them!!

This icecream shop was unique and tempting, but as we were close to lunch we decided against trying one today. Maybe another day!

Our next stop was the famous Yuyuan Gardens that date back to the Ming Dynasty (16th C), with lots of the original buildings still standing where the family who owned the property used to live. Much of their furnishings can also be seen. Following are some pics from these gardens:

The Walker touring party at Yuyuan Garden

(Al, Rachael, Maree, Lorraine, Noelle, Heather, Neville, Mum, Colin, Claire with Imogen, Nick and Angus with camera-shy flower girl, Savannah)

After a delicious lunch we were taken to a tea ceremony in a pearl wholesaler's shop and, after trying 3 or 4 teas, we were invited to look at the pearls in the shop. Noelle was very tempted but resisted! We were also given some free time to look around the shopping complex but any interest shown here meant an instant invite inside (more like pressure, pressure, pressure) to look around and try something on or, more importantly, buy. Fortunately the deadline to get back on the bus got us out of any impulse purchases but we did have one particularly persistent seller follow us all the way back to our bus spruiking all the way until we finally got into the bus.

Tasting tea at the tea ceremony

Back on the bus we were taken to see the British and French concessions that have largely been gentrified with trendy shops and restaurants and are now very expensive real estate. It was then time to head back to the Xijiao State Guest Hotel, and as it was peak time, the traffic was bumper to bumper in both directions so it was another slow trip. At least it gave us time to get some more photos of the old and new architecture which is reshaping the Shanghai skyline.

Soviet style building from the 1950s

Old temple amidst modern buildings

On our return, we only had a short break before it was time to go out for dinner with the Walker family, Karen's parents (John & Judy Qin), some of the bridal party who had arrived from Australia and the USA, and Nick and Karen. We went to a well regarded restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal, trying lots of dishes we had never tried before. Thankfully, most proved to be what they were called but one or two remain a mystery. Tomorrow is Wedding Day so as it will be a really big day we were all happy to have another fairly early night.

 

 

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