Shanghai: Xiao Long Bao Galore

I think the last time I posted to the blog was in Mangshi - even though this was Monday, it seems like ages ago. Since then, I:

Had dinner at a Bai restaurant outside Mangshi with two of Leo's friends.

Slept well in my fancy hotel.

Had excellent noodle soup for breakfast in Mangshi, and some pumpkin-like-flavored pancakes from the market.

Flew to Kunming (had excellent views of the Mekong River from the plane)

Met up with Miao Miao and Jakob (professor in London next year) and ventured to the outskirts of Kunming.

Ate cold noodles with Miao Miao and Jakob.

Ate at a mushroom hot pot restaurant in Kunming.

Spent a night in Kunming.

Had super spicy noodle soup for breakfast in Kunming - too spicy actually, I couldn't even finish it.

Flew to Shanghai.

Checked in at my hostel in Shanghai, where I chose to get my own room - worth the extra $ since I can have room to pack and I control the AC.

.,....so I have been in Shanghai for two days now, and I leave tomorrow for London, then back the USA.

I have eaten three times at an XLB (xiao long bao, aka soup dumplings) place that was recommended by Colleen. I went once by myself on Wednesday, and I had the plain pork XLB. Then yesterday I went with an Irish couple I met, and we had the egg and pork XLB and the chicken and pork XLB. And finally, today I went back and had the more expensive crab and pork XLB. In order of best to worst, I would rank it: crab, chicken, plain, egg..........but they were all pretty good. Other than XLB, there is only soup (I tried egg and seaweed soup which is good) and sodas to drink.

Other food highlights have included: pan fried dumplings, sauteed river shrimp, cold beef noodles, and fancy dim sum with the Irish couple.

Aside from food, I've done some walking around and a bit of sightseeing. Thanks to Nathan's recommendation, I went to the Jewish museum in Shanghai - it cost 50 RMB, which is a bit expensive, but was well worth it because it was a good museum and I had a private tour guide. The neighborhood had a large Jewish population between the 1900's and 1940's, up until after WWII, and the museum told the history of the Jews in Shanghai during this time period. The museum is housed in the old synagogue, and in a nearby park there is a plaque in Hebrew, Chinese and English commemorating the Jewish people who used to live in the neighborhood.

Walking around the neighborhood near the museum was nice too - not touristy at all, and lots of local street life. I peaked into a wet market, and saw all the veggies, meats and fish for sale. Most was quite similar to what I had seen in Yangshuo, though there were some different products as well.

I went with the Irish couple to Moganshan Rd, an area with art galleries. This was interesting, and reminded me of Brooklyn. Overall, Shanghai reminds me a lot of New York City - I think it's the first time anywhere has reminded me of New York. There is a lot of construction going on here, and Shanghai seems to be frantically preparing for the 2010 World Expo - there are reminders everywhere that this is happening in 2010. I'm not sure what anyone will talk about once it's over.

Shanghai is a very interesting city - like New York, it seems like there are endless numbers of things to see, do, eat and buy. It's very hot here though, so walking around tiring. But I'm glad I got to see Shanghai, and I think it's likely I'll be back again.

I have to log off the internet now, and this is likely to be my last post before I'm back in the UK/USA.......so farewell China, it's been fun! I