On Monday morning, after a deluxe buffet breakfast at the hotel, (they offered everything from french bread and brie to boiled grubs.... yes, that's right, the big fat worm things! And no, I didn't eat them), Robert and crew headed off to the food show and I headed off to the ferry pier. I walked there, which took about an hour, and took the same ferry crossing that we did the morning before. The weather had shifted from sunny blue to grey overcast skies, and I realized how lucky we were to have such a perfect Shanghai Sunday.
My destination today was to visit the Old Town and wander through the streets, exploring local areas and old neighbourhoods. From the ferry landing I headed west and wandered into the textile district. There were rows of shops selling lace, ribbons, zippers, thread and shoelaces in bulk. It was interesting to see. And the streets were colourful with people darting about on bikes and laundry blowing in the cool wind.
I loved the blend of street level shops and the apartments above with the clothes drying racks protruding from the windows and balconies. There was so much character everywhere I looked.
Eventually I found myself in the Old Town area, and was so impressed by the restored traditional architecture. It is a shoppers haven! The ground level is full of shops selling Chinese tea, trinkets, souvenirs, silk scarves, clothes, toys, watches, pottery, cosmetics.... you get the picture! Rather touristy, but intriguing at the same time. There are also lots of places to eat there, including KFC, Dairy Queen, Häagen-Dazs and Starbucks. I succumbed to an Oreo blizzard at Dairy Queen... one of my guilty pleasures of home.
Aside from all the shops and architecture there's a big pond with hundreds, no... make that thousands of koy fish swimming about.
And when you feed them, this happens: (click here to see a splashing video)
Outside the walls of the Old Town the streets have their own charm and intrigue. Wigs seem to be a thing in China. I see wig shops in almost every mall. Apparently this wiggery caters to the younger generation:
Leaving the boundary of Old Town I strolled through the neighbouring streets, soaking up the old world sights and sounds. These old residential areas of towns and cities in China are my weakness. I just can't get enough of them. The old ways of life are alive and well in these quaint old alleyways.
After hours of walking I managed to tucker myself out pretty good, so made my way to the nearest subway station and headed home to the hotel. After a relaxing rest in my hotel room, I met up with Robert, Kevin and Karen, (Robert's friend from Vancouver and Chinese translator for the food show), at 5 o'clock and we went for a lovely meal at a Chinese restaurant, followed by a wander home in the evening rain.
The next morning all four of us went to the Shanghai Museum. This museum is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. It's a MUST SEE museum if you are ever in Shanghai. The displays are of ancient Chinese bronze sculptures, paintings, calligraphy, coins, seals, jade, Ming and Qing furniture, ethnic costumes, and ceramics. Probably some of the oldest artifacts ever found are on display here. There is pottery from 6000 BC. As I stood before these historic pieces and I couldn't help but feel a well of emotion flood over me.
After the museum the others went back to the food show and I went back to Old Town. I visited Yuyuan Gardens, which is inside the Old Town. It's an area of pavilions and pines, rockery and carp-filled ponds.
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| Yuyuan Garden pavilion |
From the gardens I took myself on an extended walking tour. For several hours I wandered the streets somewhat aimlessly, seeking the underbelly of Shanghai, the local areas rather than the tourist destinations.
Eventually I ended up at the Cool Docks, a waterfront area of old converted warehouses. It was a bit of a disappointment but I spotted some cool graffiti:
As late afternoon transformed into dusk, the streets started to fill with kids walking home from school, people shopping for their dinner supplies, and I sought out the most local alleyways and narrow streets I could find. It was magical to me. The charm and richness of life astounded me. I drifted through the narrow streets in a daze, filling up my senses with the surrounding bustle of early evening, and the scenes of daily Shanghai life. No photographs I've taken can convey the atmosphere and experience, but here are a few to give a hint of what it was like:
Back to Old Town to see the night lights and to meet up with Robert and crew for our last night in Shanghai.
The next morning I got up at 5:30 am, had breakfast with Robert at 6:00 am, and then started my journey home via subway to the Maglev train stop, a speedy 7-minute ride to the airport, (click here to experience the speed!), a 3 hour flight to Hong Kong, and from there a 3 1/2 hour bus ride back to Huizhou.
It was a fantastic trip. Shanghai was impressive and magical, and I am one lucky little sister with an amazing and generous big brother. Thank you, Robert, for inviting me to visit you in Shanghai and for making it possible! It was a trip of a lifetime.
