Early start today as we had a lot to get in.

We started by taking the tube to the station for the 361Mph Maglev Train for a super fast train ride, from here we took another tube to the Global Financial Centre which stands at a whopping 492m tall, most of the group took a lift up to the observation desk at the top of the building but we decided to save a bit of cash and stay at the bottom。

After this it was time for an orientation walk around the city, the tour headed from the financial centre past the peoples square to the French Concession.

The French Concession was the centre of catholicism in Shanghai and many Chinese people where not allowed in to the concession. Chinese criminals could enter the concession and as such the Concession housed the first meeting of the Chinese Communist Party.

From here we headed across Guangchong Park to the antique market where Sandy bought some incredible chop sticks. Next we stopped at the animal market, this was quite distressing as we saw animals rammed into cages that were not big enough for them without food or water. That said we did spot a small rabbit cage that was filled with a handful of crisp packets which helped to lighten the mood abit...

Next, we visited the Nong Tang district which was much like the Hu Tong in Beijing, this was in startling contrast to the rest of Shanghai which is an incredibly modern and westernised city (much like a Chinese New York). One thing that has really struck me in China is how everybody seems to be very happy to see western people and whilst walking around the Nong Tang we spotted an old lady peering out of her window at us, we all waved at her and her face lit up.

We then headed on to the Shanghai Old St, which strangely enough has a Tesco and M&S on it, and went into the area surrounding the Yuyuan Gardens. This area is full of traditional chinese buildings and is stunningly beautiful, there are lots of craft stalls and Sandy treated herself to a lovely paiting （she got a fright when the artist wiped his hand across the painting to prove it was dry though）。

We finished the day with a boat trip on the Yangtze River to see the lights of the bund and the financial district. Once the trip had finished we headed back to the market so I could buy some much need shorts as my were all dirty with sweat and then we took a late night stroll along the bund.

A lovely day was spoiled by a very keen street trader who followed us for 15 minutes trying to sell us some flowers，by the time we had lost her and reached the hotel it was half eleven at night （we started our tour at 8am）。

The next day was a travel day as we made the marathon journey to the old capital Xi'an。。