Biblioteca Zi-Kai Wei

Coolest secret in Shanghai: The Biblioteca Zi-Kai Wei. Yesterday Aunt Dong and I visited St. Ignatius Cathedral in Xujiahui. Thank you lonely planet!! The Jesuits and Catholics (I believe) built this cathedral perhaps a century or two ago. Built with red bricks this catherdal is a beautiful place. Sadly no photography once you cross the entracne gate. The arches and chapel were very impressive. Our guide explainedhow the Jesuits were here to teach the ways of God with tolerance and allowed Chinese culture to fuse with Jesuis teachings. You can see the Chiense influence in the stained windows.
I was initially looking for the Jesuist library and it happened to be down the street. This library contains a beautiful colelction of books pre-1949. Books open to the public were amazing to look at. I held my breath when I opened a book and felt my fingers turn the smooth vanilla pages. Some books dated back to the turn of the century.

We got a tour of the hidden library. Once inside you're greeted with a musk of old books and a breath of cold dry air. You're surrounded by mahagony bookshelves and rolling laaders, staircases that lead to the upstairs. Scare texts, theology, psychology, and literary works in so many languages (Greek, Latin, French, English) The oldests books date back to the 19th century and even earlier. The Jesuits brought a lot of literature during their missions. Our guide gently opened an Old Testament/New Testment for us and it dates back to the 1500's. The volume was enormous and the illustrations were drawn in such a delicate manner. i was amazed by this beautiufl collection. It was the little library that I've always wanted to escape to, sit in an arm chair and enjoy a book.

For you clausterphobes and those with lung problems then this might not be a good idea.


Dinner @ Paulaner Munchen: Bavarian food/alcohol. I guess the taste buds really missed the feta as I took a bite into Aunt Dong's Greek salad. I hope that from the 31st onward I will only let mself experience a more oriental perspective. No more bad junk food, sandwiches, and pasta on a daily basis.

Yeah right.

Jin Mao Tower

But first, CAT FIGHT! THERE'S A CAT FIGHT OUTSIDE! Whole house awoke to an explosion of screaming around 5 am. I thought it was only a dream. Though it was actual cats killing one another. I wonder whatever happened.

Initially a Thursday trip, but 37 degrees...I felt I was lit on fire the minute I stepped outside. Laundry day it is. About time. All my clothes reaked of Shanghai sweat and none of us want that.

Jin Mao Tower is right next door to the World Financial Tower. Previous the entire family flew up to the 93rd floor via high speed elevator.


Coolest part about Jin Mao tower: the Grand Hyatt on the 56th floor. Have a seat ine the comfy armchairs and just look straight up.
The metro stops at the Oriental tv tower. Still a huge tourist attraction and once the tallest building in Shanghai.

Construction around Shnaghai is not avoidable. Detours to the Jin Mao Gran Hyatt are everywhere though it hard to find.

If you are lucky enough to visit Jin Mao tower then the best time would probably be sunset. Or whenever the sun's rays reflect onto Jin Mao letting the entire structure shimmer like gold.
Panorama from the 88th floor was pretty spectacular, but a little cloudy today. If you really want a better view then the building next door is better. The 93rd floor I think has a sky bridge. Freaky if you are afraid of heights!!










(The Grand Hyatt, view from the 88th floor down to the 56th floor)

Failed to grab a drink. Whatever. It's not worth a 9$ cup of coffee.

My stomach was cringing with hunger pains. I took the metro again again in search of this place "Istanbul" on Huai Hai Road. Another big posh shopping district. My Sherpa's food guide has proved to be of use. They can be found in cafe's for free.

Another sketchy knock off guy came my way. "Rolex??! Rolexx??? Nihongo hanashimasu ka? " (Look buddy, I just want some food. My stomach is growling)

"The HELL you talking about? I'm Chinese!" I then psyched him out with a dose of Japanese.

FINALLY
Lunch. I'm finally going to try Turkish food....in Shanghai. Why can't I be in Istanbul?
Well it's the best for now. I thought my taste buds went flying. Iskender Kebab is one of the most delcious dishes your senses can indulge in. Love it.

Plan afterwards: Hengshan Rd (The old French quarter) which is sprawling with cafes. 30 min walk. Change of plans!

Head to Duolun Rd "The Cultural Celebrity Street". This is where the famous conemporary writers of the 20th cenutry lived and where their ideas began amidst the dynasty upheaval/birth of a republic.

Finding the metro: Slightly painful. I took the no. 4 line. Should've taken the 3rd line. (quicker route) No.4 comes out of the underground and you can see the heart of the city as you travel out of the city.

Walking to Duolun road is where you can get a glimpse of the Shanghai neighborhoods. I managed to see century old houses with their native flags on the laundry line. HUGE PANTIES> LET ME TELL YOU. I also saw an old orologist.

Conclusion of Duolun Celeb street: Huge dissapointment. Bronze statues of all the modern writers were hidden by barters, graffiti, and souvenir shops. Historical landmarks were shut down for remoeling and massage parlors with Chinglish on the windows My case in point.