SHANGHAI - CHINA

We are arriving at Shanghai train station from Hangzhou

The high speed train between Hangzhou and Shanghai.

Some of the crowd departing from the Shanghai train station. The station is modern looking, clean and well kept.

Driving on the super highway into down town Shanghai we pass miles of modern looking high-rise apartments. But notice that each window has a local air conditioner - no central air here. I bet the franchise on portable air conditioners is very valuable.

As in Beijing one has to note the varied architecture. These modern buildings are not the standard, look-alike concrete monoliths in Russia.

Another unique building - but note the 4 rows of air conditioners.

Steel, aluminum, glass and concrete - these are examples of inpressive architectural designs.

The lobby and check in counters in the elegant, five-star Regent Hotel at 1116 Yan An Road, West, Shanghai, China ( web site -

Part of the lobby - restaurants are on the upper levels here.

Part of the lobby - restaurants are on the upper levels here.

Part of the lobby - restaurants are on the upper levels here.

The Shanghai Regent hotel at night.

An ice sculpture in the elegant hotel restaurant.

Entrance and one of the buffet bars in the hotel resturant.

Another buffet section in the hotel restaurant

Another buffet section in the hotel restaurant

Another buffet section in the hotel restaurant

View of the hotel lobby from the restaurant on 2nd floor.

A musical enertainment in the hotel.

Lovely musicians entertaining the hotel guests between the lobby and restaurant of the Regent Hotel.

The entrance area of the Shanghai convention center where we are attending the famous acrobatic performance. The center contains several hotels, meeting places, theaters, stores and restaurants.

The theater hall is beginning to fill.

We were discouraged about taking photos during the spectacular performance, but here the cast is taking their bows.

After the performance some of the cast are signing booklets and DVD in the lobby.

The tour group is returning from the theater to the bus.

Another view of the concourse level inside the huge convention center.

View of a few adjacent buildings from the balcony of the Shanghai convention center.

View of a few adjacent buildings from the balcony of the Shanghai convention center.

View of a few adjacent buildings from the balcony of the Shanghai convention center.

A traditional Chinese architecture building set among modern high-rise buildings and adjacent to the elevated super highway through town.

Rushing by bus along the elevated super highway, we pass rows of modern buildings - but there is a temple amongst them - we will visit it later on.

It seems that every building has its own unique architectural design. We pass many as we travel on the elevated highway.

It seems that every building has its own unique architectural design.

It seems that every building has its own unique architectural design. The buildings are not all crammed together as for instance in down town Manhattan.

It seems that every building has its own unique architectural design. The buildings are not all crammed together as for instance in down town Manhattan.

A massive apartment complex behind rows of older individual homes.

The variety of intriguing buildings is endless.

The variety of intriguing buildings is endless.

The variety of intriguing buildings is endless.

The variety of intriguing buildings is endless. And great amounts of space remains between the modern buildings.

We arrive near the old section of Shanghai near the river and find a youth drum corps practicing in a local park. This is the corner of Fuyou Road and Renmin Road (which follows the route of the medieval city walls, torn down in 1913

We arrive near the old section of Shanghai near the river and find a youth drum corps practicing in a local park.

A typical narrow street in the older parts of Shanghai.

Another street corner in downtown Shanghai. This is Fuyou Road

We are entering the Chenghuaang Miao - tourist shop area - (named for a local temple) around the Yu Yuan garden and Huxinting Tea house - the most famous 'must see' place for visitors to Shanghai. The entrance is on Fuyou Road in the 'old city' that was once surrounded by walls.

The sheer density of shops and their signs assails the tourist visitors.

One of the small squares in the Chenghuang Miao area - the whole place is geared for sales.

One of the pools next to the Yu Yuan (Jade Garden) complex.

The Huxinting Tea house across a gold fish pond.

We are entering the Yu Yuan garden - This unique area was created in the 16th century by a senior court official (Pan family) in honor of his parents - but they died before it was completed. It has survived remarkably well through the centuries. It predates the European invasion and creation nearby of the International Settlement by some three centuries. The complex contains ponds, walkways, bridges, rockeries and many small buildings. During the Taiping Rebellion the "Little Sword Society" occupied these buildings - thus giving it a special stature in the eyes of the Chinese Communists during the Cultural Revolution.

Notice that Starbucks Coffee has invaded the Chinese tea house.

A sign at the entrance to the Yu Yuan gardens.

Detail of the facade of one of the buildings in the Yu Yuan garden complex

A passage way in the Yu Yuan garden complex.

Detail of second story balconies and roof decorations in Yu Yuan gardens

One of the rock gardens in the Yu Yuan garden complex

More buildings in the Yu Yuan gardens

Another pool and rock wall in the Yu Yuan gardens.

Another pavilon in the Yu Yuan gardens

A rock garden wall in the Yu Yuan gardens

A decoration on a roof in the Yu Yuan gardens

A guardian dragon designed into the eves of a roof in the Yu Yuan gardens

An ornamental tree, wall and pavilon in the Yu Yuan gardens

Another guardian dragon and figures on a roof in the Yu Yuan gardens.

A gold fish pond and rock walls in the Yu Yuan gardens

Pools and bridges fill the Yu Yuan gardens.

The rock gardens form an essential element in Chinese gardens - here in the Yu Yuan gardens in Shanghai

Another group of gold fish ponds, walkways and buildings - not the circular gate - in the Yu Yuan gardens

Having left the Yu Yuan gardens we again enter the shopping area of the Chenghuang Miao tourist district.

Some body is watching over us from the second story balcony here.

These elaborate roof top eves practically touch above the crowded streets.

The zig zag bridge and Huxinting Tea House in theChenghuang Miao shopping area.

The zig zag bridge and Huxinting Tea House in theChenghuang Miao shopping area. There is that Starbucks Coffee again.

Dolls anyone? A window display in a store

More decorative architecture - upper levels of building

A square in the Chenghuang Miao district.

Where there is a Starbuck Coffee a Haagen-Daze and KFC can't be far away.

Ruth has been admiring the high priced goods here.

Crowds of eager shoppers pour through the district.

Now we are at the famous Bund - the section of the International Settlement along the Huangpo River - the old European style buildings remain.

Now we are at the famous Bund - the section of the International Settlement along the Huangpo River - the old European style buildings remain.

Now we are at the famous Bund - the section of the International Settlement along the Huangpo River - the old European style buildings remain.

The view from the Bund - waterfront promanade across the Huangpo River to the spectacular new growth in the Pudong section.

View from the Bund waterfront down stream of the Huangpo River toward the main commercial shipping area and the Yangtze river.

View from the Bund waterfront upstream of the Huangpo River

The Pudong section of Shanghai with its tallest building and TV tower.

Some of the many modern buildings in downtown Shanghai.

International buildings along the Bund in down town Shanghai

A river cruise boat passes us on the Huangpo River with Pudong in the background - the sky as so often is grey with smog.

The famous clock tower (Big Ching) of the Custom House built in 1927, and next to it on the far side is the former Hongking and Shanghai Bank built in 1921 - the tower is modeled after Big Ben in London.

Another river cruise boat loaded with tourists passes along the Bund.

Each of these modern buildings has its own style.

Now we are having lunch at a Mongolian barbeque restaurant - Each patron fills a bowl with his own selections from an extensive board, like at a salad bar but with various kinds of meat also. Then he brings the bowl to this grill and the chefs prepare it and return it.

The selection bar at the Mongolian Barbeque restaurant.

Upstairs from the Mongolian restaurant we enter a silk rug weaving factory and huge show room. - The Shanghai General Carpet Factory, 15 Caobao Road. This is the largest manufacturer of carpets in southern China, but the 'factory' part here is just for demonstrations. The carpets are made in many other locations. It takes two girls worning 8 hours day for 14 months to make a 6x9 foot rug. The rug should last at least 150 years.

The weaver follows an intricate design on a cartoon - just like tapestries were made in the Middle Ages.

A large carpet still on the loom

Another gorgeous silk carpet.

This view shows the balls of silk thread that the weaver pulls down to tie into the backing

An other lady hard at work on her rug.

Here this expert is using an electric sheer to sculpt indentions to raise parts of the design by cutting some of the silk - obviously a highly skilled operation lest the carpet be ruined.

Another fine rug.

Another lady working on a new rug.

A spectacular rug - one should not walk on these.

The show room has several thousands of carpets and tapestries, all hand made.

The show room has several thousands of carpets and tapestries, all hand made.

The show room guide is demonstrating that the silk rugs will look different depending on which way one looks at them. The light reflects differently from the silk as the rug is turned around.

These must be tapestries, not floor coverings.

A fortune in silk for one's wall, if one had a wall that could accomodate it.

The sheen of the slik reflects the light in various ways depending on the angle.

Magnificent carpets

Magnificent carpets

Magnificent carpets

Magnificent carpets

These workers are doing what?

Now we are headed for the Shanghai Bowuguan - museum - opened in 1996 - that houses marvelous exhibits of Bronze, ceramics, furnniture, coins, seals, paintings, calligraphy and more from ancient China to the present day.

Passing more interesting buildings - they should put their utility lines underground.

Two more architectural styles.

Another KFC on a busy corner.

More interesting buildings.

More interesting buildings.

More interesting buildings.

The upper part of the Shanghai museum

The entrance to the Shanghai Museum - with a variety of guardian statues. There is our guide again with her rainbow spinner

Modern buildings near the Shanghai museum

Inside the Shanghai museum - the lobby - the floors are connected by escalators.

A display of designs

Swords found in archeological sites.

Bronze axe heads and spear point

A pillow - headrest - West Han 1206 BC

Three drums

Large drum - AD 420

Parts of molds used for bronze casting.

Parts of molds used for casting

Parts of molds used for casting

A mold broken open and the ball cast inside it.

A mold and a bronze (or copper? ) cup - demonstration of the technique of casting known to the ancient Chinese

Two swords in remarkably fine condition

Two swords and a spear point.

A descriptive plaque describing ancient casting methods.

Sculpture Buddha - 550 AD

Sculpture Buddha - 550 AD

Carving - Sakyamuni Buddha Stele - 540 AD

Stone carving - Gathagota Buddha - Zhou dynasty - 559 AD

Stone - Thousand Buddha stele - Zhou Dynasty 557 - 581 AD

Seated Buddha

Three figures

Female statue

Three small figurines

Medium size statue of Buddha

Three small figurines

Large statue of a guardian spirit

Statue of seated Buddha

Large vase - red dragon glaze

Large vase mellon shaped, with design of flowers in glaze

Display depicting a typical medieval kiln

Display depicting a typical medieval kiln

Display depicting a typical medieval kiln

Display depicting a typical medieval kiln

Museum interior showing the multi-level escalators

One of the displays of minority costumes in China

One of the displays of minority costumes in China

One of the displays of minority costumes in China

One of the displays of minority costumes in China

Full scale models of typical boats used by minority group in China

Tibetan demon mask

Tibetan demon mask

Miao woman's costume

Miao costume

Miao costume

Miao costume

Ancient Chinese vases - general view of ceramic gallery

Ancient Chinese cooking pot 4 ram headed - Late Sheng 13th -11th centuries BC

Ancient Chinese pot

Ancient Chinese pot - Hu - western Zhou 9th - 7th Cent BC

Ancient Chinese vase -2square Hu dragon design - early Spring and Autumn era 710-7th Cent BC

Shi Huan Cui - food container - western Zhou - Xian Reign - 827-982 BC

Two more Huan

Large Hu - for wine - with dragon, Mid Spring and Autumn era 7th century BC.

Fou - water vessel - late Warring States era - 475-4th century BC

Water container

Fou - King of Warring state - Late Spring and Autumn 6th Cent BC -

He - wine vessel with dragon snout - Mid Spring and Autumn era 7th Cent BC

Zun - wine vessel - late Spring and Autumn era - 6th cent BC

container - late Spring and Autumn era 6th cent BC

Cowrie container - 8 yaks - Western Han - 206 BC

Large vase

fragments

large vase

Bodhistattva - wood - Song dynasty AD 960 -1279

Bodhisattva - gilt Bronze - Tang dynasty - 618-907 AD

Bodhistattva - gilt wood - Song AD 960 - 1279

Bodhisattva - gilt Bronze - Liao - 918 - 1125 AD

Lokapala - Song dynasty - 960-1279 AD

Mize at the entrance to the Museum

More interesting buildings passed on the way back to the hotel.

More interesting buildings passed on the way back to the hotel.

More interesting buildings passed on the way back to the hotel.

More interesting buildings passed on the way back to the hotel.

The old styles set amongst the new beside the modern elevated highway.

A marvel of glass

Modern apartment building complex - note the bumper to bumper traffic on the elevated through highway.

Modern apartment building complex - note the bumper to bumper traffic on the elevated through highway.

Modern hotel

View of part of Shanghai from the hotel room.

Now we are at the Shanghai Qi Cai Silk store. The store has large show rooms plus a demonstration area to educate the visitors about how silk is made. here we see the water baths in which silk cocoons are placed. Then a single thread on the cocoon is found and attached to the arm of the machine above. The machines unwind the thread automatically and roll it onto spools.

Now we are at the Shanghai Qi Cai Silk store. The store has large show rooms plus a demonstration area to educate the visitors about how silk is made. here we see the water baths in which silk cocoons are placed. Then a single thread on the cocoon is found and attached to the arm of the machine above. The machines unwind the thread automatically and roll it onto spools.

The store manager is explaining how the silk threads are stored on these spools.

Here these ladies are taking silk thread and making it into nets for use in bedding.

Here these ladies are taking silk thread and making it into nets for use in bedding.

The silk store guide is explaining how these nets of silk are combined into light, fluffy pieces to be inserted in pillows and bedding.

Silk, silk, and more silk, raw silk, silk garments, silk products of all kinds.

We are examining the fluffy silk that will become the inside of a comforter.

So light, but so warm, silk is ideal for the inside of bedding.

Here the guide is showing the cover for the bedding - of course one cannot wash the silk filling, so the outside silk cover is removable.

A complete bedroom set - pillows, blankets bed cover.

An elegant silk ladies ensemble.

Racks and more racks of silk garments of all sizes, colors and designs.

Racks and more racks of silk garments of all sizes, colors and designs.

Silk cloth ready to be cut and fashioned into your custom-made suit.

More silk for table cloths and accessories.

A silk product for every occasion - rugs, wall hangings, table cloths, what ever.

Complete home furnishings with emphasis on silk.

Trying a silk scarf or shawl.

A silk kite.

The young artist is applying designs by hand to a silk shirt.

Another complete bed set.

A garmet fit for royalty - or some one wanting to appear as such.

Back along the elevated express way - another interesting apartment complex - and a gated community

With every passing mile one finds new scenes of different architecture.

Here we have arrived in the parking lot outside the gated Zhujiajiao Ancient Water town - while the community continues its ancient ways it also takes advantage of having become a well -known tourist attraction. The town is a warren of twisting alleys interspersed with canals and bridges. The tourist highlight is a short ride on a Chinese version of a gondola. But what is this? Yes, KFC knows where the tourists will congregate.

The main 'street' of Zhujiajiao is actually this canal. Tourists board the 'gondola' at one point and disembark at the other end of town, then walk back via bridges and alleys.

We have just passed under the three arch bridge - these craft are powered by the sweep oar in the stern. Of course as everywhere else in China the majority of the tourists are Chinese.

Passing along a narrow side canal, it seems the majority of the buildings facing these canals are busy restaurants, at least on the ground floor.

The number of tourists requires a steady procession of these small gondolas

Traffic jam in down town Zhujiajiao - ahead is a gondola whose operator is maneuvering between two craft outbound as he is returning to the landing place for another group of passengers.

A wide section of the main canal - all the homes appear to be in good condition

Moving along another canal over which is a 4-arch bridge.

Rounding a corner into another canal, we are being photographed as we photograph as well.

Passing a city Buddhist temple.

Now it is really getting crowded, as the gondola fleet all approach the landing place to discharge their passengers and hurry back for another group.

A better look at how the sweep oar is operated.

This restaurant has two stories with views onto the canal.

Another traffic jam as we pass under this low foot bridge.

Passing many stores along the canal.

Our boatman appears serene but watchful as he maneuvers the gondola toward the landing stage.

This gondolier is busy trying to turn his gondola around in the narrow canal in order to return for another group of tourists.

Now we are walking back through town - obviously the narrow streets are not designed for vehicles

A local entertainer is enjoying herself with the passing crowds - in front of a relief on wall.

The town markets have virtually everything possible for sale. Note that here we found the clearest sky and most smog free place, much better than in Shanghai.

The entrance to this courtyard is protected by the usual demons.

A secluded courtyard off the main alley.

We are watching from one bridge as another traffic jam develops underneath another high arch bridge.

A fellow tourist is photographing the passing gondolas.

This artist is deeply engrosed in his skillful work

A covered footbridge.

The makings of a fine meal for discriminating palettes.

Upper stories of Buddhist temple seen over other roofs.

View of the main canal in Zhujiajiao from a bridge.

View of decorated roof.

Another view of temple

View of two story restaurant beside a canal

A description of the Tai'an Bridge

The shops on this alley are so close together there is hardly a space between the opposite roofs above.

The balconies have elaborate wood work.

It is lunch time and this lady is preparing a variety of dishes for expected patrons.

Perhaps these turtles will make good soup - or pets.

View from bridge toward the open water

View from the bridge in opposite direction.

Zhujiajiao is on the tour route of a hig speed cruise ship as we see here.

Another view of the gondolas on the main canal in Zhujiajiao - the canal is lined with open dining rooms

The famous 5 arch bridge over the main canal in Zhujiajiao

A young Chinese girl greets us - with some prompting from her proud mother.

An inscription on the waterfront in Zhujiajiao

The young lady has her treat

Here she is smiling for the photographer

The crowds at lunchtime in Zhujiajiao

The entrance to another courtyard - guarded by the usual lions

We are walking back through Zhujiajao to the bus parking lot.

The area outside the tourist part of Zhujiajao - note the apartment buildings as well as the stores. The old town has been preserved while modern apartments have been outside the tourist area.

Rows of town houses along the highway toward Shanghai.

Back in Shanghai the traffic policeman has stopped a taxi.

Passing another modern sky scraper.

Shanghai has motels - at least this one beside the elevated express way.

An intersection beside the elevated express way - Goodyear Tires has a place in China.

View from the hotel window of Shanghai looking toward the downtown with the towers in Pudong in the distance.

View from the hotel window in another direction - the bridge on the Huangpo is visible.

View from the hotel window in direction away from downtown. The city has preserved large sections of older buildings amongst the sky scrapers.

The old and new together - note that the sky is much less poluted today.

Clear sky above these new buildings.

We are visiting Yufuo Si - The Jade Buddha temple - The temple houses two white jade Buddhas, one seated and one reclining in sleep, from Burma in 1882.

In the courtyard of Yufuo Si - Jade Buddha temple.

Chinese are praying in the courtyard of Yuofu Si - Jade Buddha Temple

An ornate statue in its enclosure in the Yuofu Si

Statue of one of the guardian kings in the Yuofu Si.

Statue of another one of the guardian kings in the Yuofu Si.

Statue of one of the guardian kings in the Yuofu Si Buddhist temple in Shanghai.

This guardian king looks ferocious - in Yufuo Si Buddhist temple

A golden statue of the happy Buddha in the Yufuo Si temple

In the Yufuo Si courtyard the faithful are burning incense.

A row of seated Buddha statues in the Yufuo Si

A row of seated Buddha statues in the Yufuo Si

Another group of statues (bodhisattva?)

Another golden statue of Buddha

Golden statues

Another pair of golden statues - bodhisttva?

A golden statue - is this the Goddess of the sea?

Two more golden statues - guardian kings or bodhisattva?

Two more golden statues - guardian kings or bodhisattva?

Two more golden statues - guardian kings or bodhisattva?

Two more golden statues - guardian kings or bodhisattva?

Decorations on the ceiling in the temple - one of the many buildings in Yufuo Si.

An incense burner in the Yufuo Si templs courtyard.

Full view of one of the courtyards in the Yufuo Si temple.

Gold leaf screne in the Yufou Si Buddhist temple

View of one of the courtyards in the Yufuyo Si from second story balcony

Courtyard scene in the Yufuo Si temple

A covered walkway in the Yufuo Si temple

Decorations on the ceiling of a walkway in the Yufuo Si Budhhist temple

Decorated eves of one of the buildings in the Yufuo Si temple

The famous reclining white jade Buddha - The sleeping Buddha is enering into nirvana. Statue in the Yufuo Si temple

Yes, in a Buddhist temple area there is a sales shop.

Yes, in a Buddhist temple area there is a sales shop.

Yes, in a Buddhist temple area there is a sales shop.

Another courtyard in the Yufuo Si Buddhist temple

Another statue of Buddha in the Yufuo Si temple compound.

Rooftop figures in the Yufuo Si Buddhist temple

A view of an incense burner in the Yufuo Si temple courtyard.

Outside the Jing'an Si Temple

Outside the Jing'an Si Temple - getting across traffic in Shanghai can be a dangerous enterprise. The temple is on Nanjing Xi Lu street, one of the main east-west streets in Shanghai

Outside the Jing'an Si Temple - getting across traffic in Shanghai can be a dangerous enterprise. This temple is in the middle of downtown, in contrast to the Yufuo Si, which is on a secluded street in the northern part of Shanghai. The Shanghai Center is just a few blocks beyond in this photo.

Here we can see how close the Jing'an Si Temple is to modern Shanghai.

Another view of modern Shanghai across the street from the Jing'an Si temple

Another view of modern Shanghai across the street from the Jing'an Si temple The glass facade is still going up on this sky scraper.

Another side of the Jing'an Si temple - holding its place amid massive modern construction.

Well, we finally made it inside the Jing'an Si Buddhist temple.

In a courtyard of the Jing'an Si Buddhist temple - an incense burner decorated - but that modern skyscraper under construction outside looms high over all.

Another statue of Buddha in the Jing'an Si temple complex.

Another statue in the Jing'an Si temple complex

Another view of statue in the Jing'an Si temple

General view of much of the Jing'an Si Temple complex

General view of much of the Jing'an Si Temple complex

Large bell in the courtyard of the Jing'an Si Temple

Buddhist monks gathering to prepare to burn some materials - in the back yard of the Jing'an Si temple

Buddhist monks in procession - back yard of the Jing'an Si temple

View of another part of the Jing'an Si temple

View of a part of the Jing'an Si temple

View of a part of the Jing'an Si temple

Some of the modern high rise buildings that surround the Jing'an Si Temple

In one of the courtyards of the Jing'an Si temple

Buddhist monks gathered for ceremonies at the Jing'an Si temple

The Buddhist monks are preparing for a ritual burning outside the Jing'an Si temple

The Buddhist monks are preparing for a ritual burning outside the Jing'an Si temple

A ferocious lion guards the Jing'an Si Buddhist temple

Another striking example of modern architecture in Shanghai.

Entrance to a very modern store in downtown Shanghai

More of these amazing sky scrapers seen at dusk.

An apartment complex contrasted with the single family homes in foreground

Another view of an interchange in the elevated super highway system - seen at dusk.

We are driving down town to visit the Bund and Pudong region at night. Here we are passing modern buildings at dusk.

The Radisson - lite at dusk.

Dusk along the elevated highway into downtown Shanghai.

Dusk along the elevated highway into downtown Shanghai.

Dusk along the elevated highway into downtown Shanghai.

Dusk along the elevated highway into downtown Shanghai.

Entrance to the Oriental Pearl TV tower building for a view over Shanghai

Looking up at sky scraper in Pudong section of Shanghai

The future 'tallest building' still under construction in Pudong section of Shanghai.

Another sky scraper in Pudong section

The new moon in first quarter just below Venus - we see it again in a few days at Yichang.

Inside the tower - waiting in line for the elevator ride to the observation deck.

View over Huang Po River to the Shanghai Bund at night.

View over Huang Po River to the Shanghai Bund at night.

View over Huang Po River to the Shanghai Bund at night.

View over Huang Po River to the Shanghai Bund at night.

View over Huang Po River to the Shanghai Bund at night.

View over Huang Po River to the Shanghai Bund at night.

As we are leaving after viewing Shanghai from the observation floor, we see the crowds are even larger than when we arrived. Another bit of good timing by our tour director, who is always a step ahead of everyone.

View of the high rise buildings in Pudong from street level at night.

View of the high rise buildings in Pudong from street level at night.

View of the high rise buildings in Pudong from street level at night.

View of the Shanghai Pearl TV tower at night

Shanghai at night - Pudong section - Citibank building - wonder how they are doing now.

View of a passing tourist cruise boat on the Huang Po as we prepare to cross back to the Bund on a ferry boat.

View of the Bund waterfront on the Huang Po River from the Pudong side.

The moon and Venus over Shanghai water front.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront in Pudong.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront in Pudong.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront - view from a ferry boat in the Huang Po River.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront - view from a ferry boat in the Huang Po River.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront - The Bund - view from a ferry boat in the Huang Po River.

Shanghai at night along the waterfront - The Bund -

Shanghai at night along the waterfront - The Bund -

Shanghai is brilliantly lighted at night - view of the Huang Po river front.

Shanghai is brilliantly lighted at night - view of the Huang Po river front on the Pudong area side.

A passing house boat or something like it on the Huang Po river.

A brightly lit cruise ship on the Huang Po river at Shanghai.

The tower at the customs house area on the Bund river front in Shanghai - view at night.

The Bund at night

The custom house clock tower on the Bund river front of Shanghai at night

The facade of the Xujiahui Cathedral (St. Ignatius)_ Catholic Cathedral in Shanghai. The cathedral was built in 1846 at the location of the grave of Paul Xu Guangqi, who was the first convert and the assistant of Mateo Ricci. It was reopened in 1979.

The facade of the Xujiahui Cathedral (St. Ignatius)_ Catholic Cathedral in Shanghai.

The Catholic chancelery building next to the St. Ignatius cathedral - with yet another high-rise building behind it.

Another modern building near the St Ignatius Cathedral

Another unusual building near the St Ignatius Cathedral

Details of the facade of the St. Ignatius Cathedral

During a taxi ride from the cathedral we pass this merchant on his way to market. - as seen through the window glass

On sunday morning we are visiting the 'Children's Palace" which is a special school for performing arts and painting. Visits to schools is a special treat arranged by Vantage company

The young aspiring ballet or acrobat performer is at the barr.

The instructor has been these youngsters the art of sword fighting for the stage

This young fellow is showing off his technique

Young artists at work

Young musicians learning to play ancient Chinese musical instruments.

Another class of eager young artists at their drawings.

Aspiring dancers enjoying a break

Now they are preparing for another exercise

Of course no school or facility is complete without a sales store.

Now we are on our way to the Shanghai airport for flight to Yichang - passing the old and new in architecture.

a view from the bus of local and express ways while passing over them . China is going all out to construct modern highway systems.

Shanghai - the modern Hongquio Airport - but the city is building an even more modern and larger airport for international traffic on the coast in the Pudong industrial and trade section.

Shanghai - the modern Hongquio Airport - but the city is building an even more modern and larger airport for international traffic on the coast in the Pudong industrial and trade section.