Hi all, an update of the rest of our time in Shanghai:

Hoping this will work now (although photos don't seem to want to be added!)

We spent much of our second day wondering around (looking for a temple that didn't seem to exist even once we had a map). Very tired feet and legs! In the evening we went through the Bund Tourist Tunnel to the other side of the river- this area is all newly built. Tunnel was very odd! We went in little cars that arrived at a station (a bit like a ski lift), the tunnel was full of different flashing lights- and random words like lava and meteorite shower were announced and the colors and lights would change- not entirely sure of the point of this but found it very amusing! Will put up photos if possible (bizarre). We had a nice dinner over the other side and a wander along river.

On day three we actually found the temple- Temple of the Shanghai City God- photos to follow. Next to this was the Yuyhan gardens, traditional Chinese gardens. These were amazing, except for very achy backs- don't think we've ever walked so much, even at Boom.

The following day we went to a river town- supposed to be the Venice of Shanghai. It was about and hour and a half on coach from city centre, amazing scenery- hundred of Paddy fields. Unfortunately it was tipping it down for most of the day- seemed quite apt in water town. We didn't realise our tickets included a guide- who only spoke Chinese with tiny bit of English. Mostly he didn't bother translating at all. Luckily we met two guys- one from Oz and one from Taiwan who translated some for us. Shame about the rain as would have been lovely to go on boat ride through the narrow streets.

On the way back the coach stopped at silk shop- very sly!! Apparently the tourists trips do this a lot. Spoke to Taiwanese guy (Max) about our plans- he said a trip to China is not complete without going to Beijing! So we changed our plans!

Back in Shanghai had dinner- a bit like a fondue but with soup and charcoal flame. you cook meat, potatos and dumplings in the water soup. Very difficult to order as staff didn't understand a word we said! an experience though!

Saturday night we went to the train station and booked a sleeper train to Beijing. Had to put bags through security xray machines, and were pulled over by police as we had spray deodorants. Apparently very dangerous!! They took them, so we're probably a bit smelly now!! Train comfy, slept all night, and had breakfast noodles delivered to our compartment before arriving in Beijing at 7am

xx