Guilin Park (11/20/2011)

Sunday, November 20, 2011
Of course, TODAY the sun comes out!
We headed to Guilin Park, another of Shanghai's "secret gardens."
Along Guilin Road, we saw some local color; maximized load on a handcart:

Bathing and Catering, Ltd?

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Overloaded truck: 

Durian vendor:

Guilin Park:

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A "civilized" park. Guilin Park was once the residence of 1930s gangster Huang Jingrong, before it was opened to the public in 1958.

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Tamiko photographing the Taihu rock:

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It looks like athe mythological beast, Xiezhi:

Kent posing in the moon gate:

Anime characters?

Let us know if you know this one:

Posing, photographing, watching, taking a break:

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Consecutive moon gates:  

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Trimmed shrubbery: 

More Anime posing:

Stone boat:

More anime characters:

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Covered corridor walk-through: 

Stonescape:

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Fitness Pavilion:

Fitness Pavilion interior:

Not sure what kind of fitness goes on in here.

Animal sculptures: 

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The mythological Xiezhi and a horse.

Elderly couple: 

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She looks comfy! 

Pond reflection:

Rockery pavilion:

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Zigzag bridge reflection:

The zigzag bridge leads to the rockery grottos:

Park bench:

Cherry blossoms in November!

A window frame makes a picture frame:

Lots of Aucuba japonica/Spotted Laurel:

Tai qi on the forbidden grass:

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Supported tree 1:

Snail:

Stele:

Supported tree 2:

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Supported tree 3:

Stone tableau:

Woven bamboo tabletop:

Hidden pavilion:

This may have been the gangster's house and is now a tea house.
Gnarly branches:

Cat:

Lakeside pavilion:

Crowded with card players.
Romantic spot?

Posing bride:

Stonescape:

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Doorway:

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Back out on Guilin Road, the wedding decoration on a car:

Selling oranges and pomelos from the back of a truck:

We discovered another park.
Kangjian Park moat:

A Low Carbon Park!

Fitness equipment:

Card players and spectators:

Fatsia japonica flower:

Fangjian Park Marsh:

Monday, November 21, 2011
Another sunny day. Went to Jaiotong University to see another "secret garden."
The Entrance Gate (1935):

The garden was really just the university quad:

Are they allowed on the grass? 

Fall colors of the gingko tree: 

University building:

The old library (now vacant):

Comfy bench?

Friday, December 16, 2011

Just this week, the Qian Xuesen Library & Museum opened:

Located on the Jiaotong University campus in Xuhui because this is where Qian Xuesen (1911-2009) attended university and graduated in 1935. Qian is considered the Father of Chinese Missiles/Rocketry and, even more broadly, that of the space program.