Shanghai sits way up the Huangpu River from the East China Sea and is a bustling thoroughfare of barges and ships.  It has always been an important trading and shipping port but only became a financial center for China within the last 30 years.  Just since the 1990’s the West Bank of the Huangpu River has been filled in, built up and has become a great juxtaposition to the much older east bank.  A walk along the waterfront boulevard, known as The Bund, in the Pudong area is a great place to look in both directions and see the two different versions of Shanghai.  An early morning – first glimpse of Shanghai – is impressive – –

The older part of Shanghai contains several temples housing absolutely stunning Buddha ‘displays’.  Not to be missed is the Jade Buddha Temple.  In the middle of the old part of town surrounded by high rise apartment buildings, is an active monastery originally built in 1882, lost to the revolution in 1911 and rebuilt in 1928 to house two precious Buddhas, which luckily survived destruction in the revolution.  Several halls house perhaps 40-50 Buddhas with the Jade Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha (a recumbent Buddha indicates that the Buddha is dead) the highlights.

Both the Sitting Buddha and the Recumbent Buddha are carved from crystal clear white jade, giving them the beauty of sanctity.  The Sitting Buddha is over 6’ tall and portrays the Buddha at the moment of meditation and enlightenment.

Just outside the Temple grounds is a marketplace with anything and everything you might want from jade and pearl jewelry to Godiva ice cream cones;-)

Yu Yuan Garden is another ‘scene’ of serenity in the middle of old town.  It was built over 400 years ago during the Ming Dynasty by a government official for his parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.  It is small in size but includes pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters.

Venture across the river to Pudong where the brand new Shanghai Museum sits. This beautifully designed, high-tech space resembles undulating sea waves.  Large windows, terraces and an open air, winding ramp from the 4th to the 2nd floors bring light and brightness into the museum.  It’s 13 permanent exhibition galleries include 5,000 years of China’s history in bronze, sculpture, ceramics, jade and painting.

Pudong is an area of glass skyscrapers, metal bridges and elevated roadways AND lots of green and flowers – –

Take the time to head up to the Observation Deck on the 88th floor of the Jin Mao Building (the one with the spire on top below) in the middle of the financial district.  This building also houses the Hyatt Regency on its upper floors and you know that means a spectacular look at the 33 floor atrium inside as well as the sights of Shanghai outside!!

A fantastic area to check out for shopping or night life is the Xin Tian Di area.  It is billed as the most fashionable and affluent shopping, eating and entertainment district in Shanghai.  We stayed away from the shops but enjoyed a glass – –

And with that – it is good night and goodbye to Shanghai.

E & G – Amazed and impressed by Shanghai