A snapshot of Shanghai

Since we arrived a day early for the tour, we had time to investigate Shanghai on our own. And since my personal tour director has previous China experience, off we leapt. Metro to the Shanghai museum. Like much in town it is modern -- and impressive. The furniture from the Ming and Qing dynasties was the highlight. Superb. Unfortunately the ceramics we not on show as they are being moved. Then to the Yuyuan Gardens. There was more of the press of humanity here that you might expect, althoughstill not really bad. Narrow lanes, Chinesee architecture and tourist stalls. The Gardens themselves had a calmness and were quite impressive. Then to a shopping district Tian Zi Fang where old houses in random lane ways had been converted into shops. Then back to the Metro stop near the hotel where I thought to advise the tour director on which way to go. This turned out to be 180 degrees in the wrong direction. And it was a while before we thought to ask a young couple about our position on the globe. After consulting WeChat they sent us on our way from whence we had come. Back at the hotel we met the group for a drink and a welcome dinner.Read more