Hi All,
As we sailed north in the East China Sea at a rate of knots to reach the further northern port of Shanghai, the temperature kept dropping while the waves kept rising. During dinner we had waves breaking over the windows while eating in the Britannia Restaurant on Deck 3. By the time we reached the port of Shanghai the morning temperature was at 7 degrees. We prepared to leave the ship with a few extra layers and thermals for our 9 hour tour of Shanghai.
The City of Shanghai has a population of 24 million and is the third largest city in China. To imagine the density of Shanghai, is to imagine all of the population of Australia living in a city the size in area, of greater Sydney. In the older areas they live in flats of 4 – 5 stories while closer into the centre of the city they live in multiple high rise of 30 – 40 stories. However between and around all these high rise buildings are gardens and parks for everybody to come out and enjoy.
It was a very sunny Easter Saturday. The weather the week before had been rainy and even much colder. This meant that many of the population were off work and deciding to go out and enjoy the sunny weather.
Even though the capacity to purchase a car is restricted in China the amount of traffic and crowds travelling around made the roads and pathways seem as if all the population had come out to get warm.
Our first visit was to the Jade Buddha Temple in the CBD of Shanghai.
Our local guide wanted us all to not get lost in this mass of people and as it was the Year of the Monkey, she had her monkey on her guide stick for us all to see above the crowd of heads.
The temple was a draw card for the local Buddhist followers as well as those coming to visit the city from areas far distant. Prayers are offered and then when answered the people return to place the red ribbon on the tree for thanks. More prayers can be given for more money by burning red fake money envelopes at the temple.
Our next visit is to see the National Museum of furniture, clothing and pottery. This is a very new building and well laid out with the provision of many western toilets, for which we are most welcome to see.
It is now time for lunch in one of the oldest Hotels in Shanghai, full of old colonial traditions and architecture.
After lunch when the crowds are really starting to come out we head to the Central Market area and 300 year old Tea House and grardens. This is for local shopping and tourist and is like Darling Harbour on New Year’s Eve. The crowds are so dense that we now have to form one conga line and just try to follow our guide with her Monkey on a Stick. Our guide asks if we would like some private shopping time. This group of dedicated shoppers declines for fear of being lost in the crowd and never getting back to the ship.
We head in to the Gardens for some peace and tranquility. This is provided by the layout and planting of the gardens. Made for a noble family at the time, after the cultural revolution this was taken over by the state and still owned by the government for all to enjoy. All around its wall it is protected by the dragon headed serpent.
Before heading back to the ship, we take a drive along the famous Shanghai Bund or waterfront.
This is a place that I had visited some 30 years ago, where locals met westerners to practice their English.
Today it has been remodeled with garden, walkways and a fast underground rail system to bring many people to enjoy the outdoors. Across on the eastern side of the river which was swamp 30 years ago there is the modern commercial centre of Shanghai. Here many skyscrapers of the multitude of banks, stock broking and legal offices are located. The famous Shanghai Communication Tower can be seen rising to a skyward height. However its height has now been surpassed by a couple of other buildings to claim world height records.
