Shanghai/Zhujiajiao

On our 2nd day that we were docked at Shanghai's port, Bill and I went on a tour to what is considered one of Shanghai's ancient cities, Zhujiajiao, going back in history at least 1,700 years.  It is the best preserved of Shanghai's ancient cities and is known as the "Venice of China."  We had a 1 and a half hour bus ride through the Chinese countryside, or the outskirts of Shanghai, to reach our destination; I'll be honest - I don't remember much of the bus ride because I was dozing.

Zhujiajiao (also known as Pearl Stream) was a charming city with old bridges and waterways, filled with old buildings and quaint-looking shops and restaurants.  We saw food stands where the edible items were being wrapped in leaves as take-out containers, fresh eggs with the hens right next to them, and women cooking and washing on coal stoves. (hmmm,that might have something to do with the crappy air quality).  We visited a post office that dates back centuries to the Qing Dynasty( kind of a Pony Express for the emperors) and also an old-time herbal/pharmecutical facility (lizards and snakes were among the suggested cures!).  Throughly loved the charm of the city and seeing a bit of old-time China. 

We took a boat ride through the town after our walking excursion.  At the end of the ride, it was possible to buy small fish, eels ot turtles to put in the river to indicate that one was a good person.

Important information:  the KFC in town does not have a western toilet....but there is one to the right of the temple near the beginning of the boat ride.

Next posting: Beijing, Tian'anmen Square & the Forbidden City.