Что можно посмотреть в ШАнхае What to see in Shanghai

July 20, according to the tour program, we had an excursion day planned. We had a hearty breakfast, and at 9-00 a minibus and Vanya, a young Russian-speaking Chinese, were waiting for us at the hotel (transport and a guide were included in the price of the tour, the burden of entrance tickets to sightseeing objects fell on us). The first point of the program was Yuyuan Park - a pretty park with Chinese-style buildings, walls, bridges, figures, sculptures, all kinds of greenery and ponds with red fish. The weather was sunny and hot, temperature +40, despite this the park was filled with visitors of all races - despite the roar of chirping cicadas, Chinese was heard everywhere in different languages ​ ​: ). Vanya told us about the history of this park, proudly walking in front of our group with a Russian flag. Everything in this park was for a reason, everything was a symbol of something, every thing carried some meaning, “this means this, but that means this, etc. ” Souvenirs were sold at the exit from the park. Buying a set of postcards, I decided to bargain and asked the saleswoman the price. She turned the package over in surprise and showed a price sticker on the back. In her eyes read: “What are you? 30 yuan. Isn't it clear? " "Twenty, " I said decisively. No? Ok. , - and went to the next kiosk. “Ok, Ok, ” the saleswoman immediately gave up. Vanya watched with interest. After receiving the money and handing over the postcards, the saleswoman asked Vanya where they came from. “From Russia, ” Vanya smiled and waved the flag.

After enjoying the nice pictures, we went to the Temple of the Jade Buddha. First, we examined the objects surrounding the temple - typically Buddhist monastic ones, and then (paying extra) visited the actual jade Buddha. There are a lot of people everywhere. Despite the ban on video and photography, they took pictures and I also filmed it. There are also many, many things in Buddhist temples, and every detail means something. 1725227.jpg" style="height: 600px; width: 800px" /> You just can't remember everything Vanya said. Then we were taken to lunch.

After lunch we went to the western outskirts of the city to the Shanghai Zoo. Hongqiao Airport is located near the zoo, aircraft can be heard and seen from time to time. The zoo is located on a large area, many large animals (tigers, lions, elephants, ungulates) are in open fenced areas. There is a huge pond for waterfowl. Because of the heat, the animals hid in the shade, and they were practically invisible. And we had to pass through liters of soft drinks. And also, near some trees and shrubs, the names of which suddenly became known to the Chinese, there are signs that this plant is like in an arboretum.

At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, exhausted, we returned to the hotel. We rested and by 7 pm we arrived at the Vaitan embankment, to ride a boat on the Huangpu River.

The walk took no more than an hour, on the one hand the famous illuminated embankment shone, and on the other hand, like a New Year tree, the TV tower sparkled and shimmered, surrounded by the same colorful skyscrapers. And when it got dark, it became even more beautiful, all this beauty was reflected on the surface of the water, along which pleasure boats decorated with multi-colored light bulbs were slowly moving.

We went to the Japanese restaurant Teppanyaki for dinner. We paid a fixed amount (like a buffet) and began to poke at the right dishes, ordered warm sake (in short, Japanese rice vodka). We sat down at half of the 8-seater table near the window. The center of the table was occupied by a large galvanized frying surface with a hood and a waste hole. First, the girl brought food, then the chef boy came up and the performance began. Armed with two spatula-like tools, the cook began to prepare food for us. First I fried meat, then shrimp with scallops, squid rings, fish. He salted, peppered, poured sauces and carefully put each on a plate with a spatula. Interestingly, in the process of cooking, he did not just stand, but, like a conductor, skillfully moved spatulas around the surface around the food, removing waste, excess fat, and just for entertainment.

The customers in the restaurant were all Europeans. In a separate room, a Russian company was noisily drinking with cackling girls. An hour later, the second half of our table was occupied by Europeans, presumably two married couples. It was difficult to understand whether they were Russian or not (when we were already leaving, one of them asked us: “What fate? ” - “Tourism. Eclipse, ” we answered). Now the performance was for them.

While we were eating, a Chinese old man in a typical white T-shirt perched on the trunk of a bicycle outside the window, took out a piece of paper from a folder and began to draw something with charcoal, occasionally peering intensely into our faces for some reason. Half an hour later, without getting up, he proudly showed us his creation - it was a portrait of Dima. There was a resemblance, but a distant one; Glasses and hair turned out well. There was nothing to do, Dima had to buy the portrait. Encouraged by earnings, the local Repin continued. Now he was looking directly at me. I shook my index finger at him, putting a meaning into this gesture: “Don't draw me! Do not waste your time! I won't give you any money! " But for some reason it didn’t work on him, and after half an hour he showed me my portrait. It turned out to be similar, he even displayed a small emblem on a bottle of sake. Damn, extortion! I went out, I give him 10 yuan, I say: “I won’t give it anymore! ” He sniffed at first, but then gave it away, wrapping it in another sheet for safekeeping.

Then we ate and drank something else, and the artist was already drawing one of our neighbors on the table.