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We arrived in Shanghai at midday after a 16 hour train journey from Xi'an. We were welcomed by the dense smog to which we would quickly become accustomed.
Our first stop was the bund, a riverside area of European architecture built largely by the french in the colonial area to house banks and government bodies. The first thing I inevitably noticed was how much it resembled Liverpool's pier head (http://jimkurtz.com/Pic%20frm%20China/The%20Bund%20Shanghai.jpg) (http://www.benbest.com/travel/Bund.jpg) (
Unfortunately, the view across the river towards Shanghai's dazzling modern skyscrapers was obscured by that smog. Shanghai has the world's third tallest building, but you can barely see it.
Shanghai is so big (20 million people) that getting from place to place is never easy and can drain your energy. But areas like the French concession and the Yuyuan gardens provide real respite. The gardens in particular were a real highlight, a maze of ponds and pavillions in which to relax.
The other great highlight of Shanghai was the Propaganda Poster Museum. Housed in a block of flats in the suburbs, it wasn't easy to find, but well worth the effort. The owner was extremely happy to give us a tour of the postes denounning American imperialism, mocking Britain's steel production rates and of course lauding Chairman Mao. (http://www.taschen.com/media/images/320/default_ecard_chin_prop_01_0706191604_id_50247.jpg
We left Shanghai impressed, but ready for some fresh country air.
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