The Story so Far (part 2)

So, we returned from our trip to Guilin & Yangshou happy that we had seen more of China, and also feeling that we understood the Chinese a little better.

Just a couple of weeks after we returned from the south, we decided to take a day trip to Shanghai. Alasdair had spent a lot of time in Shanghai during his many trips to China last year and had been desperate to introduce the rest of us to the city since we had arrived. Shanghai is about 200 miles from Nanjing but takes just an hour and a half on the fast train. We had a great day and managed to see so much, especially considering that we had 2 kids in tow! We visited Pudong (with all the skyscrapers), enjoyed lunch with a good but slightly hazy view of the Bund, strolled around Tianzifang (touristy but some lovely little shops and an authentic feel if nothing else) and visited the Yu Yuan area where Angus polished off a huge portion of pork dumplings. Just as well as Alasdair had to queue for 20 minutes at the "famous" stall! Here are a couple of pictures showing just some of the contrasts in Shanghai - we'll definitely be back again, after all we still have the "Fake Markets" to explore!

The Yu Yuan area. It looks so peaceful but don't be fooled!
There were hundreds of people hanging off the bridge trying to get a photo of the man in the boat!

Just a few of the tall buildings in Pudong.
The one in the middle is the tallest building in China, until they finish the next one!

The day was capped off nicely by the great compartment we had on the train we had on the way home, a bit like business class on rails (although I think the actual businessman who had to share with us may have sacked his secretary as soon as he got back!)

Just a week or so after our trip to Shanghai, I would be flying home with the kids so we made the most of our last weekend in Nanjing with another day of tourism, this time to the Confucius Temple. A very peaceful place in the middle of one of the most commercial areas of the city, it was an interesting day out.

Inside the temple area

After (very briefly) contemplating the teachings of Confucius, we left the temple and entered Nanjing's biggest pedestrianised area which is teeming with shops, stalls and McDonalds! If you can't buy it here, you probably don't need it! Olivia came away with a delightful set of fairy wings....and she wonders why she gets so much attention when we go out anywhere!

Olivia being a fairy!

So, that's basically what we have done and seen since we've been here in China. We have lots more planned and lots more stories to tell so watch this space!