Shanghai - Day 4 (Today!!!)

I went to bed very very early last night, because I was bored and I didnt fancy sitting drinking on my own in the hostel bar. I, therefore, got up at 7.00 this morning and was on the way to the metro by 8.00. The metro system here is excellent. Large trains, with air con, with good annoucements, good directions etc. At 8.00 though, it was jam packed with commuters.

I visited a temple first thing, which was actually given some space and some of the interior buildings contained simpy stunning Buddha statues. One room had a packed gallery of small Buddha's. There were maybe 100 of them and each one different. Other rooms had large and bright golden statues. One room had a four faceted statue divided by a ring of arms. I really cant describe this one better, and I didnt dare to take a photo, so you will have to use your imagination.

Next, I headed to Yuyuan gardens, which turned out to be very little garden and very lottle shops, shops, shops. This seems to be a them of Shanghai. The parks are not a patch on those in Beijing. Disspointed I headed off to find lunch. I spotted a possible place on the map and caught the metro again. This time, it was a good choice. Posh, yes, but I found a reasonably priced cafe that sold me a coffee and a burger (yes, I finaly sold out and had some western food, but I have not broken my principal of no McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, or Burger King, all of which are found in similar numbers to in England here in China).

Next, I walked back to People's Square, to the Art Museum. Just one exhibition today :-(, but it was excellent :-) If only I could remember the painter's name...

Finally, with the overcast, muggy weather unbroken, I returned to the Shangai Museum to look at the bits I missed last time.

That brings me neatly up-to-date. I am going to go and check that the metro runs early enough for me to catch to the airport tomorrow and to pack.