Day 2 in Shanghai

June 5
We had a busy day in Shanghai today! After buffet breakfast in our hotel we headed to the Jade Buddha Temple where we got to see prayer and song taking place. The temple was like a maze with constant walking through different little buildings and up and down stairs to different rooms. We got to see the famous Jade Buddha statues and ended our visit with a tea ceremony where we got to sample and learn about the different type of teas native to China and that the monks drink daily. Just before grabbing lunch we made a pit stop at the Jin Mao Tower to go up to the 88th floor and take beautiful pictures of the Shanghai skyline and river. It was exciting being in this tower not only because it’s the 2nd tallest in Shanghai but because it was were scenes from Mission Impossible 3 was filmed! After lunch we headed over to the The Bund which is a one mile area along the west side of the Haungpu River giving a scenic view of Pudong. Walking around and seeing the difference in architecture on this side of Shanghai was very unique, beautiful Romanesque buildings made me feel as if I were in Europe not Asia! It was very hot and humid today in Shanghai so we decided it would be a good idea to head indoors to the silk factory. The silk factory was so cool, we got to see and hold the silk worms and see how silk is produced from beginning to end. I ended up purchasing a silk comforter which just so happens to be perfect for Calgary’s unpredictable climate because it is super breathable to keep from sweating on warm nights but super warm and can’t forget so soft. After we left the silk factory it was cooled down a bit and we decided to stop at the famous China Town in Shanghai which is a popular shopping district where you can find nick knacks, souvenirs, clothing, local and international food options and so much more. It was a packed place to shop, so many people squeezing in the narrow walkways. It was kind of funny for us Canadians to be in “China Town” in Shanghai! The buildings had authentic Chinese architecture and looked just like our version of china town in Canada. I found a few souvenirs here in China Town which I just had to have to take home which included a jade bracelet, a silk robe, chopsticks with pretty Chinese designs painted on them and a tea cup set with some Chinese tea herbs! After dinner at a local Peking restaurant we headed straight back to the hotel and I passed out right away.

Monks and locals praying in Jade Buddha Temple and famous Buddha statue carved of pure Jade!

Jin Mao Tower - 88 floors!


Silk factory and silk worms!

China Town in China?! haha