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I took the train to Shanghai around lunchtime. The train took about two hours and was comfortable. I alighted at Hongqiao station and took the subway a couple of stops to my hostel. I had picked this hostel as it was one of the cheapest I could find and was close to the subway. It was about a five minute walk from the subway. I got checked in and headed up to my room to drop off my bag. The hostel was a little weird as the ground floor was the hostel entrance and reception area, and then the next floor was some random business and then up to the next floor was the hostel. I was in an 8 bed or 10 bed dorm, there were already quite a few people chilling in there.
I headed out to the subway station, stopping at the convenience store for a snack. I took the train to Jing'an Temple Station. The station had a shopping mall built on top of it, so it took me a while to find the exit. I came out next to the temple. There were some stalls set up, but most didn't have anyone or anything there.
I walked around the perimeter of the temple looking for the entrance. I saw some cute 'fat man' sculptures. If I had walked in the other direction when coming out of the station, I would have come straight to the entrance, but I took the long way round. I paid the entrance fee, which was 50 RMB, entrance fees in China are steep. It definitely makes me pick and choose where I want to visit as I can't afford to visit everywhere. The temple was first built in 247 AD in a different location, but moved to its current location in 1216. During the Cultural Revolution, the temple was converted into a plastic factory. I enjoyed walking around the temple complex. I love the fire/incense burners near the entrance. I like that the temples are built over several floors and that you can walk around them all. There were lots of beautiful Buddha statues inside the various rooms. The actual temple buildings aren't old as it had recently been renovated and building work was still going on, but I loved the contrast between the temple and the skyscrapers surrounding it.
I was feeling hungry after looking around the temple
and since I had spied a Burger King across the road, I decided to head there. I hadn't had a burger in forever. To be honest, the burger was a little lack lustre, but made a change from the usual stuff I eat and I enjoyed the coffee. I headed over to the subway and decided to head to the Bund as I had really enjoyed going there on my previous visit to Shanghai. I took the subway to the big pedestrian street and had a look around a few of the shops. It seems much most westernised than when I last visited, the big chain stores have taken over. After the shops I headed down to the Bund. It was bloody freezing! My clothing just wasn't cutting it. It was dark by this point but the Bund wasn't lit up yet. I think I had to wait about twenty minutes for it to light up. I walked back and forth to keep warm. Finally the lights came on. I really enjoyed watching the buildings change colour. It really is a gorgeous thing to see. I think I manage to last about twenty minutes before I was just too cold,
so headed back to the subway. Back at the hostel, I munched on a sandwich and tried to get warm in the dorm. Someone had the window open so that didn't help. I spent the rest of the evening reading before turning in.
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