Finishing Up Shanghai: The Four Seasons, Bund and Yu Gardens
One last day in Shanghai and we headed out very early to visit "The Bund," Yu Gardens and stop by the Four Seasons to visit Lisa Low, Director of Public Relations. The United Airlines Shanghai to Chicago flight didn't leave until 4:00 pm today which gave enough time to accomplish everything...we hoped.
The Four Seasons was within walking distance and Lisa told us about a new area, Taikang Road, filled with restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. I mentioned before that there is always a new area to explore. Thanks, Lisa, and we hope to reconnect on the next trip to Shanghai and discover even more with Lisa's help. If you appreciate the finest in luxury and service, stay at The Four Seasons. And if you can't afford a luxury hotel, splurge just once and still book yourself into The Four Seasons. An island of tranquility and service. FYI: We pay our own way and all my reviews are completely unbiased. No comps for this reviewer!
Read some of my past posts for more suggestions in Shanghai and details about The Bund.
On the streets again past parks with the locals practicing their Tai Chi, doing morning aerobics, playing badminton and schmoozing. Down Nanjing Road that more than 1,000,000 people walk and shop on EVERY DAY. On another street with upscale shopping malls. One was having a Salvatore Ferragamo: Evolving Legend 1928-2008 exhibition, a retrospective showcasing hundreds of the designer's works. There was a giant shoe replica outside of one Ferragamo shoe made for Judy Garland that would cause a sensation even now.
All right...where are the Yu Yuan Gardens? Entire city blocks surrounding the gardens had been razed recently and with no past landmarks, it took a little bit of doing to find.
Perservance and there it was. Gaudy, crowded, kitschy and even more fun than ever. (Watch the video below...)
The Yu Yuan Gardens is a fully restored classical Chinese Garden with fish ponds...View image...dumpling restaurants churning them out fast and furiously...a plate of birds? chickens? roasted to a turn...teahouses...bridges...and a plethora of stalls and shops selling souvenirs.
One last new Shanghai sight. McDonald's is open 24 hours a day...View image... and delivers your order on a motor bike.
Next time, we have got to take a boat ride on the Huangpo River and go over to the new Pudong side. We've also never visited the Sun Yatsen and Zhou Enlai residences. There just never seems to be enough time. Don't forget, Lisa Low is going to take us to her hangouts. We'll be back!
