Sun, 4/8.  After a slow 90 minute bus ride through heavy traffic we visited Fengjing village, an small version of Venice with a canal and boats.  It’s main claim to fame is the oldest existing bridge in China.  Lots of little traditional shops selling a variety of food and souvenirs, plus one new street with more modern shops (yes, a Starbucks).  It’s clearly a popular place; massive number of school outings.  Fun lunch.  Excellent kung pao chicken.  Since I came here with few expectations I can’t say I’m surprised by much, but I have noticed that the Chinese food here unexpectedly similar to Chinese food in the USA.  I don’t expect that to continue.  Bought a small bottle of what Jacky insists is rice wine, but it’s alcohol % is 42.  I have to do some research.

Returning to Shanghai, we spent several hours in the city’s Museum, one of the four best in China.  Overwhelming detail in very specific fields.  Coins, furniture, pottery, calligraphy, block signatures, etc.  Two hours were not enough or exhaustingly too much.  Lots of English translations.

I had told Jacky days ago that I wanted to visited the Jin Mao Tower’s 87th floor bar, called Cloud 9.  My seven companions latched onto this idea, so in the evening we piled into two cabs and made our way under the river and through the skyscrapers to the third tallest building in Shanghai and reputedly highest bar in the world.  Great views as expected.  Poor service as reported.  We did this outing without Jacky.  Our return was hampered by taxis insisting on going off the meter and charging triple prices.  We refused.  A valet offered to call an Uber(!) and I reimbursed him.  Only paid double.