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Not enough days in Guilin, one of our favourite stops, we leave today at 9am for a flight with China East to Shanghai or in short the Chinese call Shanghai "Hu". China East airlines has large seats, and plenty of leg room, we enjoyed this short 2 hour flight. Lunch was on the plane, however Erin gave us a whole heap of snacks to take also, such a caring guide, we truly didn't need the food and still have them in a bag.
On arrival we met our local guide Peggy, the weather was drizzly, but nothing to concern us, as our first visit was to the Shanghai Museum. An impressive museum, modern and well laid out, the building itself designed like a Shang-dynasty ding pot.
Sections of the museum of interest were Calligraphy, Jade, Bronze, Ceramics and Coin Gallery, Seal and Sculpture Galley, Ming and Qing Furniture.
The area where the museum is currently was were the racecourse once was, it was Shanghai's social life in the early 20th century and the club was one of the most profitable corporations in China. When the communists came to power, it was turned into a park and square used for political rallies and then the museum.
Shanghai is one of the largest cities in China, Shanghai means : above the sea, (it sits only 4 metres above sea level) as it was a busy port that allowed the British to trade freely, the city become an outpost of glamor, high living and decadence. There were areas, divided into concessions were foreigners lived in mini versions of Britain, France, the US and Japan. Concessions have their own police forces and judiciary, a situation that attracted not only entrepreneurs but criminals and revolutionaries. The Bund (Quay) is still lined with colonial buildings from when Shanghai was the third largest financial centre in the world. When communists took over the city it was stripped of its grandeur, however around the 1990's investors poured in with an infrastructure boom that continues now, hotels, skyscrapers, all lit up on one side the Huangpu River with the other side still remaining with it's colonial buildings.
After the museum we did venture to the French Concession, were Jackie Chan promoted this area to be left as it was, before the modern city demolished the historic. Many years ago, the houses were all about three stories high and almost looked Tudor style, with small balconies. This area mostly houses upmarket coffee shops and restaurants now, later in the evening it does have alot of live music available. Dad and I decided we'd have a treat at the Hagen Daiz, with a flower pot ice-cream/sorbet, it was six flavoured ice-creams in a waffle basket.
Dinner was next, one of our nicest meals, a lovely coriander flavoured chicken soup, much like what they serve in Australia, lemon chicken, fresh fish, string beans and beef, sticky rice and beef, omelete and sausage. The soup always comes after the main meals, then to finish off they always service watermelon or orange. Whenever the Chinese talk about food, it's always about what the food does for you - for your health, there is huge amounts of vegetables served more so than meat. The restaurant had a lot of tanks for choice of fish, lobster (from Australia), sea snails, crabs, prawns etc.
The evening concluded with a Huangpu River Night Cruise, about 1 hour trip along the river, you stay on the one side of the boat for viewing, as one side The Bund is the majestic yellow sepia type lightly but elderly waterfront, and then when the boat turns around, The Pudong is on the other side where the modern metropolis lights up which is brilliant and multi-coloured, a true contrast to other side. The Huangpu River actually meets up with the Yangtze River.
9pm we check in at the Holiday Inn, for an early night in. And guess what, we love this hotel, the beds are soft! Yeah!! The hotel even has a pick of pillows, firm or soft.
- comments
Cherie Looks like we had a wonderful time, tee hee. Home now safe and sound, flight was excellent, smooth sailing through all the airports, customs etc. Enjoyed the trip with Johnny, you and Dad. Hope you are enjoying your last couple of days. Have fun, thinking of you, love Cherie, John and Zali xx