Canal city and the World Expo

On the way to Shanghai we stopped in Wuzhen, a canal town called the Venice of the East. I would have to disagree, but there are gondolas and a canal with houses built right along the water’s edge. We spent time there just looking at wood carvings and a few museums of mundane artifacts (ancient Chinese beds? Really?) and left just as rain hit.

Just like Venice! Only in China and not nearly so elegant.

One of many impressive wood carvings.

Hanging out by the canals.

A pleasant enough footbridge.

We arrived in Shanghai and decided to spend the evening checking out the World Expo. I really had no idea what to expect, but it was big. Every major country had an “exhibit” which could be anything from movies to static displays in a crazy building. I peeked in to the American one, a series of 3 movies in different rooms. We only had a few hours before the Expo closed so we skipped out after the first one and looked at Italy and the outside of South Korea’s pavilions.

Arrival at the World Expo!

American volunteers worked here. Weird hearing others speak English without an accent.

Russia was next to Italy. We opted for Italy (sorry Viktor).

Of course, the Italian exhibit had an extensive section devoted to racing.

I liked this display, an orchestra mounted to a wall.

South Korea's pavilion was huge but we didn't have time to go in.

The water and light show along the river's edge.

All the country's flags, hanging out together.

Our group met at a water show along the Huangpu river that happened every 30 minutes or so. We stopped for ice cream on the way out and pushed through the crowded subway to get home.