Shanghai

Our last full day in Shanghai and China is a free day for us to explore the city on our own. Where to go and what to do?

With a map and some instructions from our hotel staff we head out to tackle the subway system. It is extensive, modern and very efficient. With the help of locals we purchase our subway tickets to the Bund which includes a transfer from one subway line to another.

We arrive on the very wide pedestrian road that is very crowded with young well dressed people and very up market shops. Which way to go to arrive at the Bund? Lets turn right.......wrong decision as we talk to a local lady who tells us we are going in the wrong direction. OK, we are finally heading in the right direction until we get side tracked.

 After our 10 days of Chinese food, that we enjoyed, a McDonald's magnet reached out and dragged us in.

The Huangpu River separates the Bund from the new financial center of Shanghai and China. 20 years ago this new financial area was farm land. It now has some of the worlds highest buildings.

There is a constant stream of river barges, mostly carrying coal or sand for building purposes.

On the city side of the river are the old colonial buildings where Britain, France, Holland and Japan had their business and customs houses.

A 'Living Wall' stretches for about a city block, part of the Bund walking area.

The Chinese Flag flies high over one of the original trading houses, these buildings were all refurbished and are maintained by the Government.