Shanghai gloom

This morning dawned cold and wet, with much of Shanghai barely visible in the gloom. It was milking time at the cash cow farm and I was taken to a series of ‘historic attractions’ which rapidly dropped their pretence and tried to squeeze the last of my RMB out of me. I did buy some silk – it is one of the leading manufactures here, but resisted the jade, the pearls, the tea, the knick-knacks, the assortment of unrecognisable foodstuffs and the rest. The highlight was the Yu garden, a pleasure garden built in the centre of the city between 150 and 400 years ago. It was a delightful oasis, even in the pouring rain.

Yu Garden

Cherry blossom

This afternoon’s treat was a trip to the ‘Venice of the East’, Zhujiajiao.

Zhujiajiao canal

We had a cruise on the canals for a few minutes and then a walk through streets of old houses, entirely lined with taterias.

Beida Street

It would have been more charming on a sunny day and without the interminable traffic jam on the way back to town. I am really off big cities, their advantages don’t quite overcome the costs. No matter, for my grand finale I am going to see a Chinese acrobatic show.