...on to Shanghai...

We arrived in Shanghai on Monday evening, May 7th, for our last few days in China.  Some American friends of ours who are working in Shanghai had invited us to stay at their apartment, which we greatly enjoyed and appreciated.  True to all the reports we'd heard, Shanghai is a very large, very fast-paced, very modern city.  It is located on the coast and is considered the commerce center of China. 


We visited the Oriental Pearl Tower, walked along the Bund, and shopped near an iconic tea house.  As with the other Chinese cities, transportation was efficient; even though the prices were a bit higher for subway fares compared to Xi'an and Beijing, they were still reasonable.





We walked by this fruit market every day we were in Shanghai.

The Soup Dumplings (far left with straws) are popular in Shanghai.

 

This park near the Bund appears to be a popular gathering place for the local residents.  

Tea house near Yu Gardens.



On the Bund.  The border patrol station is next to the flag and in the background is the Oriental Pearl Tower.

This French bakery is right near the subway station at the center of town.  Shanghai's French colonial history is evident in many design  & dining aspects.

Stella was still traveling with us!  The dragon topiary in the background is much larger than it appears.

The Oriental Pearl TV & Radio Tower was built 1990-1994.  It is one of Asia's highest buildings.  It is 1,535 feet high.  (Chicago's Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, is 1,451 feet high.)

We had afternoon tea in the revolving restaurant (Asia's highest restaurant) near the top of the tower.

The observation platform is some sort of plexiglass, I think!  The barges chugging by on the river below look like Legos.  This platform is near the top of the building, but not at the very highest point.

Walking on air?

At the base of the Oriental Pearl Tower is the Shanghai Museum.  This museum is one of the nicest we visited.  The wax figures and detailed displays describe Shanghai's colorful culture and history.  This scene highlights cricket fighting, a popular sport enjoyed by all ages.

Pepe, too, enjoyed the view!  This diorama modeled the historical setting of the buildings we passed during our walks along the Bund.