Shanghai is huge and more than a little intimidating, but doing a fair amount of walking somehow made the place seem smaller and more manageable.
Look at all that Chinese. Who knew?
Our hosts live in the Jing'an neighborhood, named because of the huge landmark temple nearby. It's a great place to live, with lots of restaurants, markets, and things to do. And the temple itself... well, it's gorgeous.
Inside is nicer than outside - the ground floor outside is taken up by shops, which pay rent to the temple. The courtyard is a respite and feels very removed from the craziness of the city around it.
There were actually a number of people praying in the temple; I hope they don't have to pay the admission fee like we did.
Another fun place to stop by, if you're in town on a Saturday, is the marriage market in People's Square (more information here).
This is where you come (or your traditionally-minded parents come, with or without your consent... probably without) to find a suitable marriage match. Marriage resumes are posted in tight clumps all over the square.
Important information to include: height, weight, level of education, salary...
Does this laminate make me look sexy?
There are matchmakers who set up card tables for interviews.
Oddly, they paired Logan with a plate of bok choy in oyster sauce.
If you do successfully couple off, the Bund is a popular place for brides to take wedding photos. The place was infested with lovely ladies in beautiful dresses.
We also went to the Shanghai circus, which is a standing circus that doesn't travel and always has shows. On the weekends, there are animals involved.
The permanent building is interesting; different from the Big Tops I'm used to.
It was really fun to feel like a little kid again! The arena is small, so even with the cheapie seats we were right in the action. I particularly enjoyed the horse acrobatics.
And while I was most certainly impressed with its training, the performing bear made me oddly sad. The childrens really liked it, though.
Logan also took a trip in search of art. He didn't come home with anything, but he did find some pandas he liked. Some kung fu, some not.
So, the lesson of this post, if there is one? Walking around cities is a lot of fun and you should do it. The end.
No one got hit by a truck.
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