Chinese New Year in YuYuan Gardens

This was a week of celebrating bringing in the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake. There were  non-stop fireworks and all businesses, stores and restaurants were closed so the world's largest migration of people could take place. Most of the Chinese people left Shanghai to go visit their families and celebrate the new year which made it quiet for those of us left behind. Well, except for the fireworks.

We enjoyed geting around the city with no traffic and got a better feel for just how big Shanghai is. Phil taught me how to use the Metro/subway and we crossed the river using the ferries and we even jumped on his electric Vespa and buzzed around.

YuYuan Garden is a 5 acre section of the Old City in Shanghai and had a lantern lighting each night so we headed down to see it. Apparently so did all of the other locals that chose not to migrate. It was mobbed!

Here are some shots of the lanterns before and after they were lit . . .

This was the PepsiCo wall of lanterns . . .

2013 -Year of the Snake

Today, most people are returning to their homes and jobs and the stores and eateries are in full swing. The quiet was fun while it lasted!

Xin nian kuai le! - Happy Chinese New Year