I did a bit of running around today but most of my day was spent packing up my crap. I didn't think I bought much, but it somehow multiplied without my realizing it. Still, I think it will all fit...barely.
I only did two things today, went to the observation deck a the Shanghai Tower and picked up my custom tailored linen harem pants at the South Bund Spinning Market. Otherwise, I've been packing.
Got the packing started last night and this morning. When I was at a place I felt comfortable with, I started out to the Shanghai tower. Going up to the observation deck was the last thing I really wanted to accomplish here. Got to the right area without incident, then took a bit to figure out how to get to the building. Apparently, in the financial district, there is an elevated system of walkways to keep pedestrians away from the streets...and kudos to that!
Finally figured it out and found no line to get tickets at all. For about 25 bucks you get your photo taken (which they later try to upsell you a photo-shopped background) and see a little walk through about the history of skyscrapers and this particular building itself. While it's the world's second tallest building, it's the tallest green building (part of it's energy is generated by wind turbines at the top...as well as other features).
You get to the elevator and then wait for enough people to show up.
Here you can admire their Guinness World Record certificate for the world's fastest elevator. The actual top speed (which normal humans don't get to experience) is about 45 mph. Today, I went around 40 mph, which really set my ears to popping! Otherwise, the ride is really smooth. You travel 118 floors in about 55 seconds. However, you do it in a relatively tiny elevator jammed in like sardines with a bunch of other tourists. So, not as fun as you'd think.
Before I go any further, I need to post a disclaimer that:
Next to that is the Jin Mao Tower. Also, briefly the tallest building in China and #27 overall (if you're wondering).
There are actually 2 floors to the observation deck and floor 119 has a coffee shop, so I got a cappuccino, some tiramisu, and grabbed a window table.
I then puttered around a bit, visited the shop and got a couple of small things, then decided to head back down. Revisit with the sardine can where my ears popped. And you get dumped into an even bigger shop with more stuff, but I had my stuff, so I exited. Into a mall, of course.
I managed my way out of that maze, but not to an exit that had an escalator. Did I mention the elevator started on a sub-level? I'm going to need new legs by the time this is done.
Although I wasn't supposed to pick up my order until about 5pm, I decided to head over early because I was still feeling fresh enough to walk a few blocks. I navigated to the right Metro stop and only confused myself once getting there (didn't get lost, just had to stop once, reorient myself, and confirm I was going the right way after all).
Apologies for no photos, although I said I would get some. The vendors are very pushy and piss me off, especially when they start grabbing your arm. I just wanted to get my pants and get out of there. I found the right shop in that maze without any trouble and my pants were there!
The purple ones and the stripey ones look great. I'm a but concerned about the blue/white ones because they look HUGE. The nice lady assured me it's because of the heavier linen, but I'm pretty sure they're just enormous. We'll see...I can always throw them in a dryer to try to shrink them down. Still, happy with the purchase. The sewing work on them is amazing and the copy is exact (except maybe the blue ones...).
I was thinking of going back to the Old Town Tourist Market, but decided against it and headed back. However, by this time it was rush hour. Fun times. But I made it back and am mostly packed up.
Got some cabbage to cook for dinner and I might go back and finish the museum post from a few days ago...maybe.
Gotta be downstairs for the taxi at 6:45am (I'll be there at 6:30) so no late night tonight!
I only did two things today, went to the observation deck a the Shanghai Tower and picked up my custom tailored linen harem pants at the South Bund Spinning Market. Otherwise, I've been packing.
Got the packing started last night and this morning. When I was at a place I felt comfortable with, I started out to the Shanghai tower. Going up to the observation deck was the last thing I really wanted to accomplish here. Got to the right area without incident, then took a bit to figure out how to get to the building. Apparently, in the financial district, there is an elevated system of walkways to keep pedestrians away from the streets...and kudos to that!
Finally figured it out and found no line to get tickets at all. For about 25 bucks you get your photo taken (which they later try to upsell you a photo-shopped background) and see a little walk through about the history of skyscrapers and this particular building itself. While it's the world's second tallest building, it's the tallest green building (part of it's energy is generated by wind turbines at the top...as well as other features).
You get to the elevator and then wait for enough people to show up.
Here you can admire their Guinness World Record certificate for the world's fastest elevator. The actual top speed (which normal humans don't get to experience) is about 45 mph. Today, I went around 40 mph, which really set my ears to popping! Otherwise, the ride is really smooth. You travel 118 floors in about 55 seconds. However, you do it in a relatively tiny elevator jammed in like sardines with a bunch of other tourists. So, not as fun as you'd think.
Before I go any further, I need to post a disclaimer that:
- The windows have a coating to block UV light, which I'm sure my skin appreciated, but was unforgiving to my camera lens on the side of the building facing the sun.
- This was the smoggiest day in the whole 2 weeks I've been here. My procrastination kicked my butt again.
So, I apologize for most of the following photos.
This is looking up river at the Huangpu, which cuts through Shanghai.
This is looking across the river at The Bund. I zoomed in a bit here so you can make out the clock tower and stuff...
This is looking out across a bit more downriver toward the Pearl Tower and Suzhou Creek
A wider view with a bit of The Bund on the left there.
When we move to the other side of the building, things get a bit better...
This is looking down at the Shanghai World Financial Center, commonly knows as "The Bottle Opener." It was briefly the tallest building in China and the observation deck there is also pretty popular. It's currently the 11th tallest building in the World.
Next to that is the Jin Mao Tower. Also, briefly the tallest building in China and #27 overall (if you're wondering).
There are actually 2 floors to the observation deck and floor 119 has a coffee shop, so I got a cappuccino, some tiramisu, and grabbed a window table.
I then puttered around a bit, visited the shop and got a couple of small things, then decided to head back down. Revisit with the sardine can where my ears popped. And you get dumped into an even bigger shop with more stuff, but I had my stuff, so I exited. Into a mall, of course.
I managed my way out of that maze, but not to an exit that had an escalator. Did I mention the elevator started on a sub-level? I'm going to need new legs by the time this is done.
Although I wasn't supposed to pick up my order until about 5pm, I decided to head over early because I was still feeling fresh enough to walk a few blocks. I navigated to the right Metro stop and only confused myself once getting there (didn't get lost, just had to stop once, reorient myself, and confirm I was going the right way after all).
Apologies for no photos, although I said I would get some. The vendors are very pushy and piss me off, especially when they start grabbing your arm. I just wanted to get my pants and get out of there. I found the right shop in that maze without any trouble and my pants were there!
The purple ones and the stripey ones look great. I'm a but concerned about the blue/white ones because they look HUGE. The nice lady assured me it's because of the heavier linen, but I'm pretty sure they're just enormous. We'll see...I can always throw them in a dryer to try to shrink them down. Still, happy with the purchase. The sewing work on them is amazing and the copy is exact (except maybe the blue ones...).
I was thinking of going back to the Old Town Tourist Market, but decided against it and headed back. However, by this time it was rush hour. Fun times. But I made it back and am mostly packed up.
Got some cabbage to cook for dinner and I might go back and finish the museum post from a few days ago...maybe.
Gotta be downstairs for the taxi at 6:45am (I'll be there at 6:30) so no late night tonight!
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