The bus back to the city where we were getting the train to Shanghai was running late, so we had to run for our bags in the hotel then over to the station. The whole way we were determined we were going to miss our train, but we made it and we were on our way to Shanghai!

I had a really good time in Shanghai, discovering the arty side, visiting the main art galleries and museums, along with the art district on Moganshan Road. The art district was interesting, its wall that ran along the river was covered in graffiti, the mane gallery building was a converted warehouse, so each corner you went round had a little gallery slotted in.

In contrast to the shining and new contemporary side of Shanghai is Old Town Shanghai, Nanshi. Nanshi had lots of little silk and food market areas among its old wooden buildings lined with hanging lanterns. The old town also contained Yuyuan gardens, an area with pagodas, lakes and ponds, water features, small buildings and little galleries. Whilst walking through it you didn't feel like you were in one of Chinas biggest cities. At night, the streets are lively with food stalls from noodles, rice dishes, hot pots to kebabs, which was perfect for trying all of Shanghai's specialties. 

We jumped on Shanghai's metro system to the French Concession area. Walking out onto the street, we really could have been in France, with little cafes and bakeries, and white walled houses, to small narrow shopping streets. From there we headed to Pudong area, Shanghai's business spot, where Shanghai owns the worlds tallest observation deck, The Shanghai World Financial Center. 492m high, for me who's not good with heights, getting to the top was a pretty big achievement. The view was well worth it in the end, I still can't quite believe I did it. The night was then finished of with a walk along Shanghai's river front, the Bund. Again, another very different area with another style of buildings separate from the rest of the city, the Bund was lined with expensive designer shops, fancy restaurants and big important buildings, for us, it was just a very pretty walk, no shopping on that street with those prices. Added to this was the view across the river, with the colourful lights reflecting of the water.

With it's changing scenes and many moods, it's mixed cultures and artsy side, Shanghai is also at the top of my travels with Harbin.