When I stepped off the plane at Shanghai airport, I felt
slightly shocked to be in China. Although I had traveled to Hong Kong and
Taiwan in 2012, being in China proper just feels … different. I’m in the second
largest country with the world’s largest population, and I don’t understand
anything! Sure, there are signs in the Roman alphabet and I recognize a handful
of Chinese characters, but I really do feel lost in this country. And earlier
today, I actually was lost for about an hour.
Luckily, though, streets are at 90 degree angles and some of
the street signs are labeled with an E and W to help with cardinal directions.
If I get lost, I can just head East toward the Bund. And once I’m there, I’ll
be rewarded with such an impressionable skyline.
I saw the Bund when I first landed on Saturday.
Unfortunately, half of China seemed to be enjoying the Bund with me. I used my
height to take pictures over all of the tourists around me, but couldn’t stay
long on the waterfront with so many travelers jostling around me.
I had an early night, and spent Sunday morning at the
beautiful Yuyuan Garden. Although the garden was also crammed with tourists,
the area is so massive that you can find some space to breathe. I couldn’t stop
snapping pictures of the beautiful buildings, impressive rocks, and extensive
greenery. After a while, I became a bit overwhelmed. The original beauty of the
place was replaced with thoughts of ‘How can there be so much?’ I particularly
enjoyed the details on the roofs, with dragons, phoenixes and their mythical
brethren. Unfortunately, I’m traveling with my cell phone for a camera, which
is not the best for detailed distant photography.
With an entry fee of only 30 Yuan (5 dollars), it is definitely a must-see
in Shanghai.
The afternoon was spent wandering around the city looking
for People’s Square. Somehow, I missed it but ended up at the French Concession.
The tree-lined streets were beautiful and provided a nice
contrast with the morning’s garden stroll. A visit to the Site of the First
Meeting of the Communist Party of China rounded out the afternoon. I imagine it was a bit propagandical, but the
information in English was sparsely translated with just a couple of dates and
names.
I’m back at the hostel now for a quick rest, but I’ll be
back out to explore for dinner and some more sights!
