For the second year in a row we decided to stay in Shanghai for the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. This year we decided to get closer to the action and booked a two bedroom penthouse suite near the old town! Over Chinese New Year you can get some excellent deals in hotels as it is their quietest time as everyone goes to their home town or spends new year at home.
We got to the hotel during the afternoon and settled in. We were on the 30th floor and had a great view.
Sam and I gave the boys their supper, put them to bed, moved the sofa to in front of the window and cracked open a bottle of Moet! Early on there were a few fireworks and, not wanting Oliver and William to miss out we called them out of bed three times to have a look. Each time they were more and more cross with us for disturbing them! Role reversal!
As it got closer to midnight the amount of fireworks began to increase and the noise was constant. Down in a courtyard below our window we watched in amusement as some security guards set off firecrackers. I did become a bit concerned as they then kept returning to ones they had lit already!
Midnight struck and it was amazing. Everywhere we looked there were fireworks going off. From outside restaurants to tiny lanes between rows of houses. The noise was incredible. Sam and I were glued to the window for about an hour after midnight.
On new year's day there were still fireworks going on and we narrowly avoided going up in smoke among some firecrackers! There were still fireworks for sale although there were also lots used up!
There was a lovely holiday atmosphere with families out enjoying the sights. We managed to find the last remaining bit of old city wall (slightly rebuilt!).
We went to watch a Dragon dance in Xintiandi. It was not put on by an official group but by a group of men who work for the electricity board. They rehearse all year for their performance.
It was very good although we felt much in need of refreshment aftewards and realised that we hadn't been to Costa all week! It was so busy that, much to the amusement of the locals, we sat outside! A bit of cold weather wasn't going to come between us and our coffee!
On my birthday we decided to head in to Yu Yuan where we met friends for dumplings. I had been very proud of my efforts to book a table over the phone in Chinese and was determined not to be late. However, we were delayed by the crowds and the fact that William found some tat on a stall!!
After following a crowded street out of the bazzar we decided to wander back to our hotel through the lanes. The contrast was amazing.
We only saw a couple of people and it was very quiet. It was interesting to see the salted pork hanging out to cure and also to see the electrician's nighmare that some of these older buildings must be!
After returning home towards the end of the week we went to see another dragon dance at a local shopping centre. This was put on by a dance troup who attempted some more daring stunts. Many shopping centres like to have these dances on this day in the new year as they believe that it brings them prosperity. Once the dance is completed a few dancers and a lion tour the shops recieving a hong bao (a red envelope with money in it) from each shop. The tradition is to put it in to the mouth of the lion.
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Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival marks the start of spring here. The weather although chilly has been lovely for this time of year and we ventured out to a local park to enjoy it. There were signs of spring already with lots of buds on the trees indicating that the plum blossom will be good. It was a lovely end to a fantastic holiday.
