Shanghai sightseeing

Mostly photos in this post.

First, this is why the US will never catch up to China in Science and Math. This is just a random bridge (click to enlarge).

Next an update on some good sights I have seen in Shanghai. First, I went to the Shanghai Museum in the People’s Square. While I didn’t expect it to be very interesting, it was actually pretty cool. Tons of jade, porcelain, Chinese paintings, calligraphy, etc. Which you wouldn’t think would be that interesting, but it was. There were intricate jade carvings from as old as 2500BC. Note the baby being stepped on by the emperor giving the gun show below.

After the Shanghai Museum, I went to the Yueyan Gardens. Also very cool. These are antique gardens and buildings from the Ming Dynasty (1300-1600s) and a touristy but cool surrounding market. (Note the Starbucks and Dairy Queen)

Finally I have walked along the Bund a couple nights. This is the riverfront area that divides Puxi and Pudong new area. It’s a really pretty, very interesting mix of Concession era and modern buildings. The Puxi side of the river is mostly old Victorian buildings and the Pudong side is all new skyscrapers. There are some great rooftop bars and restaurants with especially cool views at night.

Lastly, I took the Shanghai Tourism Tunnel with some friends the other night. It is sort of like a trippy Disney World ride, where you take a little train under the river from Puxi to Pudong. But in an effort to be cool and modern, there are all sorts of psychedelic lights, weird sounds, and inflatable clowns (like you would find on the roof of a car dealer). Despite how it looks in the picture below, we were probably going about 5 MPH. One of the weirdest places I have been in China. Nice views from the other side though.