Shanghai Noon

The group’s time in Shanghai has been very enjoyable thus far.  Starting with a delightfully uneventful trip through the Beijing airport’s security, the students boarded the ninety-minute flight to Shanghai and got on the bus after the flight at approximately 11:00am.  After a quick bus tour of the city, we sat down for a tasty lunch at a small restaurant near the Huangpu River.  Once lunch was completed, we received a brief tour of the waterfront area of Shanghai, then entered the Oriental Pearl tower, the third-largest TV tower in the world.  The group took the elevator ride up to the “second sphere,” an observation deck 263 meters above the city.  The views were amazing, and no better view exists of the city that boasts over 6,000 buildings of 18 stories or more in height.  A clear-floored observation deck a couple of meters below allowed those in the group with a steady stomach to look directly below their feet to the ground far, far below.

Upon descending from the heights of the Pearl tower, the group took a brief jaunt through the Shanghai history museum before re-boarding the bust and heading to the hotel to check in.  After about an hour to refresh, the students reassembled for a quick dinner, and finished the night with a performance by a world-renowned Chinese acrobat group.  Think Cirque du Soleil with even more emphasis on the acrobatics! The 100-minute show left the students (and your humble professor) with their jaws agape.

After the students enjoyed a restful evening, Saturday morning began with a trip to the Jade Buddha temple.  Though not designed for the volume of visitors this well-known site receives, students nonetheless experienced the wonder of a traditional Buddhist temple.  From there, the group headed to the Silk Factory, where every step of the silk-making process was highlighted—silkworms included!  Purchases of ties, scarves, robes and pillows concluded the visit.

A quick lunch was next on the agenda, followed by a trip to the Yuyuan Gardens.  These well-known gardens are a Shanghai highlight, and their serene settings offered a unique perspective on Chinese culture.  Far from serene was the adjacent market, where the group honed their bargaining skills even further after the exploration of the gardens.  Gifts and souvenirs in hand, the group returned to the hotel for a bit of downtime prior to dinner.  Duquesne alumni and Shanghai resident Kristin Graham joined the group for an informal dinner, and offered insight into the world of finance and finding a job halfway around the globe.

Tomorrow, the group continues their tour of Shanghai by visiting the Zhujiajiao water town—an experience that should give the students some insight into the everyday life of the Chinese citizens in Shanghai.  We return to Beijing by plane tomorrow evening.

Best,

Professor Ryan