Zhujiajiao: 朱家角

Who needs Venice when you've got Zhujiajiao?! Zhujiajiao is one of the regions water towns. These villages are very similar to venice with a series of canals and bridges serving as the towns main thoroughfares. Zhujiajiao was about an hour and a half outside of Shanghai by bus and now relies mainly on tourism rather than trade or fishing as its main form of industry. However, during its peak this was a major location in China. When Shanghai was still a meager fishing village Zhujiajiao held a seat of prominence and is the location of one of the first Qing post offices in China. While in the village we took a canal boat ride, toured a Buddhist temple and explored the winding streets and shops. 

 Typical scene in Zhujiajiao.

 Buddhist temple in the back left. 

 Canal boat that we had ferry us from one part of the city to another. 

  Got to practice my skills as a servant in a wealthy officials house turned museum. (I'm glistening with sweat because for those that didn't know the Shanghai region enjoys sub-tropical weather. Yesterday was in the mid 90s with around 90% humidity.)

Arrived: 到了

I made it! The flight was a bit of a pain, I mean I like 15 hours of flying as much as the next guy but definitely happy to get off the plane. Jet lag has messed up my sense of time but I think I've been here for about three days and have already done a lot. Fudan (my university) is sick. I'm living in the international students dorm which is great because I have a suite style apartment with my own bedroom and bathroom. Also AC and a sitting toilette are both much appreciated luxuries. The campus itself is also great. Despite being in the center of the worlds largest city (by population) it still has a great campus feel. Surrounded by an enclosed wall its tree lined walks and large open spaces give it a park like feel. Its a little different than the harry-potter-esque Duke campus I'm accustomed to but certainly not a bad place to be for the semester. 

 Main street headed down the campus.

 The old gate to Fudan's campus built in 1905.

 One of the original structures of Fudan's old campus.

Newer building that has become iconic to Fudan's campus. It is the tallest educational building in China. It's like Fudan's version of the Duke Chapel and can be seen from blocks outside the campus.

On my second day in China we went on a group tour of some of the city's most known sites. It was great because we got to experience both the old and the new of the city by visiting the Yuyuan gardens (an example of Ming era gardens) as well as the World Financial Center in Pudong. 

 Juxtaposition of old and new with an old tea house near the Yuyuan gardens and the construction of the Shanghai Tower (soon to be the tallest building in China and the 2nd tallest in the world) in the background. 

 Quiet scene in the Yuyuan garden.

 Me and my twin in the garden. 

 View from the top of the World Financial Center Building (currently the tallest building in Shangai).

 On the East bank of the Huangpu river (which runs through the center of Shanghai) with the Bund lit up in the background.

 The Bund at night. 

View of Pudong from the East bank of the Hungpu river. With the Oriental Pearl Tower to the left and the newly built Shanghai tower hidden behind clouds to the left.