Category: China

How to buy a Christmas tree in Shanghai

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Yes I know, it’s only November 15 but we couldn’t resist getting a Christmas tree this weekend.  To be honest we tried to get one last weekend but they weren’t out yet.  Our reasoning for getting a tree so early is the fact that we will be gone for 3 weeks between Christmas and New Years so we wanted to enjoy the tree for at least 4 weeks!

Now there are a variety of places to get a Christmas tree in Shanghai but we have always gone to the Hongqiao Flower Market located in the Minhang district on Shanghai.  The easiest way to get there is to take Line 10 to Longbai Xincun stop and then walk to the market, which is about 10 min.   Once there, it’s up to you to choose which shop you’ll select your tree.  I mostly try to buy from nice looking little old ladies!  English is limited at most shops but as always be ready to bargain!  The bigger the tree the bigger the price!  Most of the trees aren’t like your western pines but they get the job done!  Besides the trees there are a variety of shops with decorations, reindeer, poinsettia and fake trees.   It’s also need to see the shops during this time of year transform to wreath making machines!

Holiday Wreaths

There are other flower markets in the city; however, we always rely on this one!    Happy Holidays!

Visitors in Shanghai!

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At the end of June, Jason and I had the pleasure of hosting my brother Jon and sister in-law Rachel in Shanghai. After spending a week in Beijing, Jon and Rachel flew in to Shanghai the day after our school let out. Before heading to Chengdu we fit as much in as we could as the weather was pleasant and the air quality was good.

On the day that they arrived, we took Jon and Rachel to our go-to tailor Tony and Helen at the local fake market that we frequent as they were interested in making some cheap tailored clothes.  On our way home, we stopped for lunch at a delicious Muslim pulled noodles restaurant near our metro stop (S. Shaanxi) on line 10. For less than 40RMB we ate some tasty hand pulled noodles.

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Sweet and Spicy Chengdu

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Chendgu and Sichuan province are highly recommend in all of the China travel books, and with my family visiting we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit!   After a rare on time departure from Pudong we arrived in Chengdu late afternoon on Sunday.  Whenever arriving to a new place, I always try to arrange an airport pick up from the hotel.  Is this more expensive?  Yes!  Is it worth it?  Yes!  As a nervous traveler it’s less stressful to know that you’ll have a ride when you arrive!
We stayed at Mrs. Panda Hostel which was located right near the Li River and semi central Chengdu.  The price was decent and the rooms were more like hotel rooms than hostel!  The common area was very spacious and served beer and food!
Since we had all afternoon we decided to take the bus to the Wuhou Temple and Jinli Pedestrain Street. After exploring the temple and gardens we stopped for some snacks and overpriced beers before heading back to the hostel.  We had the option to get our ears cleaned by the locals but decided to pass.
 Temple
Mystery Foods
Since our hotel was near a university, the staff recommended a near by street with a variety of resturants.  We decided on one that had a picture menu so that we didn’t end up with something strange!  We ended up with standard Sichuan foods such as Mapo Tofu, green beans, egg plant, ribs, and some random cold meat dish.  All in all it was delicious!

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