Actually we've been to Shanghai once or twice already and there are some of the adventures also on this homepage. But Shanghai is incredible. There are always more places to explore.
The Nanjing Dong Lu was this time busy and decorated with flags. The red flags are most probable a rest of the 1st of May celebrations. People are dancing on the streets, practicing Tai Chi or what ever. That's all pretty normal live in Shanghai. That 4 out of 6 are really bad is on the other hand not standard.
The
Expo will open 1st of May 2010 in Shanghai. Until then there is a tough
schedule to be kept: street construction, renovation, pull down,...
Let's see, when they finish. But a little foretaste how the
international Pavilions will look is already there. We think the Idea
of Switzerland is nice. A cable car in the own Pavilion - perfect.
How
long the traditional houses in the ancient part will survive isn't
clear. More and more are broken down to make space for skyscrapers and
modern living houses. It's still one of the most wanted areas in
Shanghai and a lot of money is earned in building new houses.
We're
fascinated similar to the city of Chongqing. At every corner the
flavors of food are present but we didn't buy anything. Somehow we're a
bit disappointed by not finding the Yu garden. Everybody we asked said:
yes, this way, this way, but somehow it was never the right direction
;-)
Very
nice is the view from this part of Shanghai to the skyline of Pudong.
That's really a big contrast.
At
the end we found the Yuyuan market. This is the touristical center of
the ancient town here. The houses are new build in the style of the
Ming dynasty. At the market they sell plenty of tourist stuff like chop
sticks, silk scarfs, tea pots, pearls, silver necklaces and chinese
musical instruments.
Walking the famous criss cross bridge to the even more famous Huxinting tea house we arrived at the Yu garden. Yes, at the end we made it.
The
tea house is really pretty but way too expensive. Seven Euros for a cup
of tea? Well that's a no go.
The
Yuyuan garden is one of the most famous here in china and was build
during the Ming dynasty. Well, there is no comparison possible with
European gardens or parks. No flower beds but plenty of small ways,
houses, pagodas, rocks, plenty of water and a 400 year old ginkgo tree.
Ignoring
the hot weather we walked to the Bund and got some nice snap shot
impressions of the daily life in Shanghai.
The
bund is still a big construction yard at the moment but anyway it's
worth to have a sneak look to the skyline of Pudong. Until the ExPo
opens, all the construction work will be finished - maybe.
For our next visit in Shanghai we need to visit in the french quarter, the paper street, the..... well that's a completely other story........
Old meets new.....
....views and impressions from Shanghai......
