Day 3: Shanghai part 2

Old Shanghai!

The Bund

At the Top of Shanghai World Financial Center - tallest building in the world

After another delicious breakfast at the hotel, we got an early start and explored shanghai.  Our first stop was the city's financial district, in which we visited the Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC).  The SWFC is the tallest building in the world and the highest observatory on earth.  The elevator ride of 450 m only took us less than sixty seconds.  All the staff wore uniforms that looked very futuristic, like they were from star trek, (pretty lavender and grey colors).  The view from the top was incredible allowing us to see not only the rest of the financial distrcit (including the Pearl Tower & Jinmao Tower which both used to be the world's tallest buildings).  The view from the top allowed us to see all of Shanghai. 

After our time at the top of the world, we were off to the Shanghai Museum.  Instead of taking a cab, we chose to partake in Shanghai's subway system, which was immaculate, clean, and very efficent.  After departing from the subway, we began our tour of the exhibits in the museum which included; chinese painting, calligraphy, jade, bronze, and Catherine the Great.  After we learned a lot about the Chinese history and heritage at the museum and a quick rest, we met up with a representative from Fudan University, Ms. Liuthe.  

We were fortunate enough to have already gotten to know Ms. Luthie as she had been able to attend the 2nd Annual Chinese Symposium this summer at Oklahoma State University.  When we arrived in old Shanghai we took to the streets in order to learn about how to haggle and bargain (with a lot of help from Vivian and Ms. Liuthe).  The markets were very busy, full of vendors, fine stores, restaurants, performances, and more.  The architecture of old Shanghai was incredible, and provided us with an incredible experience.

We started to wrap up our evening with dinner in old Shanghai where Vivian picked out a number of great dishes so that we could truly experience some of the best cuisine that Shanghai had to offer.  Some of our favorite dishes included the Pumpkin Seasame Pie and the Xiao Long Bao (the Shanghai Special Dumpling).  The Shanghai Special Dumpling is one of the most unique dumplings and can only be found in Shanghai, made up of an array of delectable flavors that we will never forget.  Finally, we went to the Shanghai Bund, which was truly a sight to behold.  The Bund is made up of an array of old and historical pieces of architecture that span a range of ages and eras.  The Bund looked across to the Shanghai Financial District that was lit up in an elegant display of lights and beauty.  Shanghai and it's people have provided us with an unforgettable cultural and educational experience that will stay with us for years to come.

Tomorrow we're off to guangzhou to experience some of China's southern cultures and customs.

-Ally