Now we actually wake up in Shanghai. From the mountains directly to the mega city. These contrasts are still very impressive. Markus was here with Robert almost 10 years ago and already knew a little bit about what we will see today. Our tour guide is already waiting for us and we go to the Bund.
It is a long promenade along the Huangpu River, which flows into the China Sea. The Bund consists of over 50 houses in a wide variety of architectural styles. The English ones are easy to recognize. From here you have a perfect view of the financial district of Pudong and the Shanghai Tower on the other side of the river. The twin city of the port city of Shanghai is Hamburg. The world is somehow small.
We drive from the Puxi district under the river to Pudong. What you can’t imagine at all is that 30 years ago there were only small houses on the Pudong district. They all had to make way for the new city project of the financial district. We take the super-fast elevator in the Shanghai Tower to the view floor and can enjoy the view all around.
Then we look at a bookstore on the 52nd floor. there is an exhibition of small drawings with beautiful sayings. We liked that very much. The biographies of Angela Merkel and Arthur Schoppenhauer were also available in Chinese.
Here are some texts about the pictures.
All the Michelin restaurants I’ve been to aren’t as good as mom’s craftsmanship.
Don’t change just because you want to take care of others. Happy self.
Ah, I’m sorry I didn’t reply to your message. Because I’m busy playing with my phone.
We continue to Gucheng Park, the park of the old town. Many colorful flowers, the spring sun and the green meadows invite not only the tourists to stroll. It is a colorful hustle and bustle. The Yu Garden is a 400-year-old garden from the Ming Dynasty. In addition to old pavilions, small lakes, stone formations and old trees, you can also discover beautiful blossoms. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people on the way. After all, it is Saturday and the weather could hardly be better.
Immediately afterwards we dive into the Yuanyuan Bazaar. What a hustle and bustle… Food stalls, silver jewelry, perfumeries, sportswear, no matter what, here you get everything at the tourist price. There were dumplings, spring rolls and noodles for lunch.
We really feel like having a good coffee now. So off we go to the French quarter. There was a colorful mix of European or Japanese restaurants, coffees, bakeries, and even Läderrach chocolate. We have a good time and stop at the Italian restaurant. Cappuccino with Illy coffee and a tiramisu, fantastic.
We have a great conversation. In this district “Xing tian di” – new heaven on earth – is also historically important as the location of the first party congress of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921. And finally we stroll down Nanjing Street. It is THE shopping street. Here they are all from Rolex to Tissot to Swatch. Li-Ning, Fila, Sketchers and whatever they are called.
Tonight we will take a look at the Bund and Nanjing Street again with lighting. So now we have a break.
After the many impressions, we come back from the Bund, a grill room turns us on. Once again, a piece of meat and a sip of wine fits just fine.