National Day Holiday at Shimao InterContinental: A Culinary and Cultural Adventure

Duration: 3 days Activities: Gastronomy, Photography, Self-driving, Culture, Free Independent Travel, Petite Bourgeoisie Published on 2022-10-21 22:23 Where to go […]

Duration: 3 days
Activities: Gastronomy, Photography, Self-driving, Culture, Free Independent Travel, Petite Bourgeoisie
Published on 2022-10-21 22:23

Where to go during the National Day holiday? Among many ideas, the decision was made for the 3-5th of October to spend our time at Songjiang Shimao InterContinental. We dined in the pit, played in the pit, and stayed in the pit. This family outing was initiated by Wang, and the group consisted of Ying, Ping, Ting, Lan, and myself.

On October 3rd, a Monday, our first destination was the Guangfulin Cultural Relics Park. Ping and I, being the furthest from the site, became the earliest explorers. By 9:15, we had parked at the bottom of the lake parking lot in Guangfulin and by 9:25, we were seated in the Duoyun Academy, savoring the aroma of coffee and books, leaving Wang and the others to find their way based on time and the academy’s location.

The Guangfulin Wall, Ping and I only noticed an introduction to the overview of Guangfulin, and then we turned to the Ming Dynasty’s high-walled Duoyun Academy. A side view of the iconic semi-submerged water house architecture, we just took a photo. The high-walled house of the Ming Dynasty, a typical Huizhou residential old house, with high houses, deep wells, bright halls, and living rooms, not only has white walls and black tiles but also upturned eaves, and the gate tower is exquisite. Many wooden components, such as eaves, rafters, wall tiles, and pendant lotus columns, are all changed to brick and stone carvings, making the pink walls lively and three-dimensional with hollow relief carvings.

The current plaque resides in the Duoyun Academy, which truly fits the scholarly family, Hanlin Mansion, Doctor’s Mansion, bamboo and pine prosperity, and the purple air comes from the east. We were moved by our own academy, Duoyun Academy, where books have golden houses and books have beautiful faces like jade. We entered with a strong sense of ceremony, coded and swiped cards, accurate to individuals. The first hall distinguished entry and exit, and we started the Duoyun reading mode from the right. On the right, it was completely transparent, no longer separated by traditional compartments, and the movable carved beams and painted rafters stood in the middle. Most of the exhibits here were books, a few ink treasures, among which the popular ones were open shelves, and the niche cabinets displayed the niche ones.

Ping and I unconsciously came to the turning point of the academy, seeing tea and coffee for sale, guessing that this should be the third hall of the ancient courtyard, and the second one? That still needs to be seen after placing an order. We couldn’t avoid the hurdle, so we ordered lattes and Americanos before crossing the high hurdle into a courtyard, and then taking another step forward into a tea room and coffee bar. In the central C position, there were already men and women taking a break with food and drink. We chose a position slightly to the right, away from the doorway, to enjoy the mellowness of the coffee. When idle, we looked at our location, which should be the second hall of the high house, between the two courtyards. The front courtyard is named Song Shi Jing, and the back one is Shui Yun Xiang. Besides the comparison, it is not difficult to guess that the implication is the ancient Songjiang Yunjian.

Thinking of Wang, Ying, Ting, and Lan who haven’t arrived yet, I casually sent a message. Lan replied: Stuck on the road entering. And Ting casually said: Overslept and just set off. Haha, overslept, dreamed, came, and time passed. Later it’s reading time. What I read are, first, ‘Hockney’s Pictures’; second, ‘This Is China’. Casually, I feel a fresh and highly decorative style of Hockney. A cup of bitter coffee, after bitterness comes sweetness. My eyes are full of the bright, clean colors of Hockney. Sometimes I think of Gauguin, and sometimes I think of Van Gogh. At this moment, the beeping of Wang’s WeChat message came: We (Wang, Ying, Lan) have arrived. I subconsciously looked at the time. It was 10:40. We had been sitting in Duoyun Bookstore for an hour. Drink tea. In an instant, the seats were crowded. Phoenix Dancong tea, plus snacks. Tea cups, teapots, tea trays, and also tea holders, tea strainers, and tea spoons immediately covered the entire tea table. My book should moveAt 11:45, we left Duoyun Bookstore. The gate tower of the high-rise building in the Ming Dynasty once again became our focus. The same scene touched us twice. Duoyun Bookstore, I really admire you!

For the next scenic spot, the guide didn’t clearly indicate. Everyone unanimously decided to go with the flow. What we encounter is what we get. Today is a very hot day. We have to take it easy. Go to the toilet first and travel light. Head north.

After the Clouds Rising and Rosy Clouds archway, there is a long bridge. The scenery is not on the bridge. We took photos on the east side of the bridge. As for the scenery on the west side of the bridge, we still have to walk for a while. After crossing two small bridges in succession, the brick-red Guangfulin Archaeological Site Exhibition Hall appears in front of us. This building that looks like a gathering of numerous jars and pots actually has a volume of 7,788 square meters. It actually attracted us to pay for a visit. It feels like being bewitched.

While walking, Wang started popularizing archaeological knowledge. As for the root of Shanghai, Qingpu and Songjiang each hold their own views. Songze culture and Guangfulin culture. In terms of age, in the Shanghai area, Songze culture is earlier. It is connected to Majiabang culture on the upper side and Liangzhu culture on the lower side. While Guangfulin culture is only a node between Liangzhu culture and Maqiao culture. Now Songjiang makes full use of it and carries it forward. It can be considered that it has grasped the root.

An increase in knowledge. They are all treasures. There are jade cong, jade bracelets, stone plows, and stone molds. Footnote by Wang: Jade cong is round inside and square outside, connecting heaven and earth. And stone molds are stone molds. Negative molds and positive molds. Perhaps this is the earliest origin of the word’model’. That Site No. 12 intuitively should be a ground-level building structure and not a semi-subterranean building structure. When seeing something interesting, Wang privately tutors Lan one-on-one on the so-called geological eras and the so-called Chinese chronology.

In the entire exhibition hall, we entered at 12:15 and left at 12:45. In half an hour of archaeological enlightenment, we benefited a great deal. This ‘poison’ is worth it! It’s already lunchtime, but we are single-minded and still on the road in search of scenery.

For the third scenic spot later, although not much effort is put in and not much time is spent, it is our deliberate choice. We pretend to be in Kyoto. The Fulin Tower is mistakenly seen as the three-story pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera. The corridor of the Sanyuan Palace looks just like that of the Sanjusangendo no matter how you look at it. We are ‘Japanophilic’. In fact, we also want to pretend to be in Chang’an and pretend to be in Yiluo. However, too many buildings in the Tang Dynasty were made of wood, different from bricks and stones, and it is difficult for them to survive until now. Ten years on the Yiluo Road is long and arduous. Not seeing Chang’an makes people sad!

Knowledge tip: Towers can be classified into types such as pavilion-style, multi-eaved, Lamaist, diamond throne-style, and tomb tower-style. According to building materials, they can be classified as wooden, brick and stone, metal, glazed, etc. The number of floors of a tower is generally also very particular. Mostly odd numbers are used. Each number of floors has its different meaning. For example, seven floors represent the seven treasures: gold, silver, glazed, tridacna, agate, pearl, and rose. Thirteen floors represent the thirteen sects in China. And 13 is an auspicious number in Buddhism. Thirteen floors represent the consummation of merit. As the saying goes, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. A seven-story pagoda refers to a seven-story tower. The plane design of a tower mainly includes square and octagonal shapes, as well as hexagonal, dodecagonal, and circular shapes. Generally, it is composed of an underground palace, a base, a tower body, and a pagoda finial. The Fulin Tower, a triple pagoda, with the pagoda finial pointing straight to the sky, is the most outstanding scenic spot in Guangfulin. The entire pagoda is stable and elegant, implicit and restrained, and quite down-to-earth. The tower has three levels, implying the three realms. All living beings, in the boundless sea of suffering, we who are cultivating and realizing the Dao are only waitingAfter enduring hardships, our passion for a life of luxury and fine dining remains undiminished. Among the six of us, Ying is missing, perhaps still within the walls of the Sanyuan Palace, as Lan leaves her own affairs to go in search of her. Honestly, Ying enjoys photography, but we rarely see her photos—isn’t that peculiar?

At 13:00, we finally gathered everyone and could leave, taking a photo to leave a memory, farewell to Guangfulin! We thought about booking a table, but never anticipated the need to reserve parking spots, leading to a long detour and our three cars being parked in various locations around Songjiang Impression City. This time, it was Ting and Lan who arrived first, followed by Wang and Ying, while Ping and I arrived at the table after 13:50.

The family feast began with Lan confidently ordering, opting for the restaurant’s premium four-person set meal, which offered great value for money and was definitely worth ordering. So, we happily decided to order from the four-person set, with an additional two stir-fried dishes. My drink was cola, while the others poured themselves oolong tea. I also noticed the tableware, which was精致 and well-balanced, typical of Japanese style. The sushi chopsticks, dipping dishes, plates, and bowl-shaped dishes were all made of ceramic, except for the wooden chopsticks. I had previously seen another way to write ‘bowl’, which is ‘wan’, entirely made of wood, giving it a unique grandeur and sensuality, even spirituality.

The waiter served the dishes one by one, and I forgot the order, but I remember two highlights. One was the climax of satisfying our taste buds, with live sea bream + sashimi platter of seven types + red wine foie gras. The softest part in terms of texture was the red wine foie gras, which melted in the mouth, leaving a faint taste of wine and an intense creamy flavor reminiscent of cheese. Wang, a seasoned food connoisseur, commented: “Delicious, but the red wine foie gras is not in whole pieces; they are all scraps, gathered bit by bit to create a delicious dish.” The hardest part in terms of texture was the herring roe sashimi, with a crisp sensation like snowflakes, and the rest was tough. The amberjack was delicious, the salmon was rich, and there was also tuna, sea bream, prawns, and scallops. Lan, a junior foodie, commented: “As for salmon, if you love it, love the belly.” Later, for lunch, in addition to ice cream, we really added the belly, which was a bit challenging, but Lan and I managed to finish it.

The other highlight was the overflow of childlike innocence with the wagyu sukiyaki hot pot. The pot was ready early, and we asked the waiter to reignite the fire, but the wagyu arrived late. After a flurry of activity, the wagyu, along with mushrooms, tofu, konjac, and baby cabbage, all became boiled ingredients. It was already 15:40, and most of the waiters had probably taken a break. At this point, eating and drinking were no longer important. The remaining dish was a whole live sea bream, used for sashimi, only a tenth or twelfth of it. Everyone couldn’t bear to waste it, so they put the raw sea bream into the pot as a boiled dish. Wang took the lead, with Ying, Ping, and Ting cheering, while Lan observed coldly, and I, having obtained the waiter’s permission, confirmed that this fish could indeed be boiled! Others may laugh at my madness, but I laugh at their inability to see through it. Our childlike innocence is not old, and our curiosity has arrived just in time.

The waiter smiled as he charged our meal through Alipay. We were so full from the feast that we decided to engage in some mischief by heading to the hotel’s gym and swimming pool. The Shimao InterContinental Hotel, also known as the Pit Hotel, is a massive internet sensation that warmly welcomes non-guests to enjoy its facilities and services, such as the Cantonese cuisine at Cafe Riche and the afternoon tea at Yunjian Jiufeng. Regardless, we were determined to indulge in this ‘pit’. Our convoy of three cars had Wang’s car entering early, while the remaining two were caught in traffic, forming a long queue on the inner lane. My car was right next to Ting’s, with Lan, beside us, growing increasingly impatient. She uploaded the hotel reservation to remind us to take any opportunity to bypass the queue. This tactic proved effective, simplifying our entry into the hotel like swimmers gliding into water, at 16:50.

While Wang and Lan were at the lobby checking in, the rest of us waited in the adjacent corridor, admiring the lobby’s water curtain show while also feeling the disdainful glances from the tea break crowd, as if we were an inconvenience! Once the show ended, our check-in was complete. We officially entered the ‘pit’ of the Shimao InterContinental. The hotel’s strict check-in policy, which only allows entry after 15:00 in a very European manner, with no possibility for early check-ins, is indeed a ‘pit’. The hotel’s entrance was congested with non-guest vehicles, forcing us to enter against the rules.After the struggle to get inside and complete the check-in, we were held up at the elevator. The vast hotel only had a maximum of four elevators in operation, even during peak dining times. We politely entered our respective Garnet-themed rooms: Ting and Lan in room 621, Ping and I in room 627, while Wang and Ying had to wait as their room 628 was still being cleaned.

Our room 627 was tidy, with standard amenities. Although it was a premium room, it lacked the expected luxury feel. The room was equipped with an intelligent Xiaodu system that could control the curtains, air conditioning, and music with voice commands. On the terrace, we could sit and chat while enjoying the sunset over the sheer cliff, which presented a moving landscape painting of a waterfall. From this vantage point, we could discern a spectrum of colors and interpret the weather’s mood.

Today was the hottest day in October according to meteorology. After the heat, we returned to our rooms to enjoy the comfort of air conditioning. Good news came from Lan’s WeChat: the drinks in the fridge were complimentary! What a relief—a true fido dido, shining bright and cooling to the core—we spread the word among ourselves!

As for the bathroom, to be honest, I personally do not prefer the rectangular washbasin as the water is too shallow. Even in the heat, one cannot fully enjoy washing their face.

After taking a bath, Ping and I took a short break. Around 18:00, Wang inquired about swimming outside the door, to which I had to apologize for my missed appointment. Shimao Intercontinental offers a wide variety of sports activities including rock climbing, paddleboarding, go-karting, fitness, and swimming. Wang chose swimming.

Later, Ping and I descended to the fourteenth floor’s geothermal observation platform, which also serves as the stage for the light and water show featuring drone performances. Initially, there were only a few people, but the crowd livened up with the arrival of Ting, Lan, and Ying. Taking photos was a must, and at that moment, Wang was splashing about in the pool as shown in the picture above, creating a strong sense of immersion. Afterwards, Wang mentioned swimming ten laps in one go, which is quite impressive. Let’s continue tomorrow!

At 19:30, the water and light show began on time, amidst the bizarre sounds and lights. I almost mistook a deer for a horse, but upon closer inspection, I realized it was indeed a deer, just a momentary illusion. The deer is a favorite among children, who run around in excitement, while us adults, with our sentimentality giving way to rationality, miss out on this immersive experience of whimsy. We maintain a certain distance, perhaps as our last act of defiance.

The subsequent drone performance showcased geometric patterns in the sky, said to be a synchronized performance by forty-two drones. Can they take us along for the ride? I could offer a DJI drone to share, but of course, that was just a joke.

It’s now nearing 20:00, and our priority should be to arrange our dinner. I sent a WeChat message about the six-person group meal at Caifeng Tower, but everyone felt overwhelmed by the abundance of dishes, fearing our stomachs might not be able to handle it. In the end, we decided to dine at the Caifeng Tower on the UG level, with a light drink to match.

Access to Caifeng Tower isn’t immediate; we had to wait until the chrysanthemum dishes had cooled, and only at 20:20 were we led to our table by a hostess. We ordered one dish each, either a main course or rice. Soon, the table was filled with Truffle Sauce Grilled Seasonal Greens, Five Grains and Tender Bean Sprouts, Roasted Gluten, Bamboo Shoot Chicken Soup with Maqiao Tofu, Caifeng Tower’s New Year Cake Braised Pork, Taro Salted Pork Rice, and Beef Fried Rice. It’s unclear who ordered an extra dish.

Wang, Ying, and I each had a beer, while Ping, Ting, and Lan stuck to tea. This meal allowed us to taste the bitter yet rich aroma of truffle, the thick fragrance of bean sprouts like jade liquid, the earthy flavor of Maqiao tofu, and the rich yet not greasy flavor of the braised pork with New Year cake. Finally, we finished our drinks, wrapped up the braised pork, and even reserved our dinner for the next day. Most importantly, Wang paid for the meal with his room card.

We agreed to meet for a buffet breakfast at 8:30 the next morning, and then everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Ping and I truly rested, but some might not have been able to stop, perhaps exercising, writing articles, catching up on TV series, or making money.

On October 4th, Tuesday, Wang got up very early. Ping and I were late. Wang had two small bowls of preserved egg congee and some Aozao noodles. By 8:00, he had finished the buffet breakfast. Someone in shorts was walking on the geocentric viewing platform in the deep pit. Wang thought it was me. In fact, our dawn was very quiet. At this moment, Ping and I were still sleeping in a dream. Being thought of like this by Wang, we woke up.Ting was puzzled and couldn’t figure it out: It’s very abnormal! This is not the original style! Has the wind direction changed? Is there a northwest wind? Has the temperature dropped? At 8:30, Ping and I were queuing up at the Source Coffee restaurant on the G floor, waiting for the seating arrangement for the buffet breakfast. All around were extremely beautiful and high-class faces. After a while, the seats were determined. Not far away, we saw Ting and Lan who were already eating. After greeting each other, we each went about our own business. Ying showed up at the buffet restaurant at 9:00. The young lady in the picture is extremely beautiful and calm. We are envious and jealous! Let’s calm down and do what we should do. Let’s have a meal. What we see is really not as good as what we taste. We start with Chinese food, preserved egg congee + pickles + spring rolls + deep-fried dough sticks. After tasting it, it feels good! Then Western food, croissant + oatmeal milk + coffee, which is an extra meal. The sense of happiness is overwhelming! Is there Japanese food? Natto + sunny-side-up eggs. It’s so-so and better than nothing! Finally, with the fruits all eaten, we also completed our respective buffet breakfast. At 9:45, we made an appointment for afternoon tea at Yunjian Jiufeng on the G floor. This is the item that best reflects the sense of ritual of the Deep Pit Hotel. It’s not an option but a must-choice bonus item! And we agreed to start climbing Sheshan Mountain at 11:00. There is still time. We look for the deep pit secret realm of the hotel on the G floor, a glass plank road, a suspended cableway, and a Ferris wheel. We saw the beginning of the glass plank road but not the end. Today is the Double Ninth Festival on Xisheshan Mountain. The weather is not very good. There is light rain from time to time in the coolness. Our focus is to climb high on the Double Ninth Festival and climb Xisheshan Mountain. At 11:00, we set off on time. It took us an hour to reach the Sheshan parking lot which is not far away. During the National Day and Double Ninth Festival, tourists are as numerous as weaving. This is a scene we have already predicted. Sheshan is divided into East Sheshan and West Sheshan. Our destination this time is West Sheshan. It is majestic at 98.8 meters. The main building is the Catholic church on the top of the mountain, which can be easily seen from afar with the naked eye. We follow the flow of people and circle around the east gate. The entrance is the north gate on Waiqingsong Highway. Health code, travel code, and place code are all added layer by layer. After taking the temperature measurement, there is also a visual inspection. We are on leisure. We have plenty of time and energy. None of these are problems and can all be regarded as consumables to be consumed.
Climbing up the stairs. Although there is a walking stick to help, the rest depends entirely on foot strength. Wang walks in front and I follow behind. In between are Ying, Ping, Ting and Lan. During the walk, the prompt sound of Xiaodu drifts into the ear. Is it an auditory hallucination? I asked Ping. This sound heard is truly real and definite. Following the sound, the mother holding the little girl’s hand beside smiled and said, ‘Ohayo. The Voice of China. The original voice dubbing of Xiaodu.’ Wang stops at Xiudaozhe Pagoda. This is a scenic spot on the middle path. Xiudaozhe Pagoda and the Xiuhuasi it leans on. The pagoda is a thousand-year-old ancient pagoda with seven levels. Its creation is far superior to the Fulin Pagoda we saw in Guangfulin. The temple has long been emptied. Only the bell tower remains. The couplet in front of the door reads: ‘Entering virtue and cultivating the Tao, having the thoughts of wood and stone; saving the world and governing the country, having the pleasures of clouds and water.’ It is catchy and has a flowing sentiment. At a resting place, famous people in ancient Songjiang area are displayed. The most famous among them are Lu Ji and Lu Yun from ‘Jade comes from Kun’gang’. The earliest famous people in Songjiang and even Shanghai in my mind are people from Songze, Liangzhu, Guangfulin and Maqiao. It is these ancient humans who created the shining Songze culture, Liangzhu culture, Guangfulin culture and Maqiao culture. Specifically speaking, starting from Lu Ji and Lu Yun in the Three Kingdoms and Western Jin Dynasties and going back to the Spring and Autumn and WarringThe Sheshan Observatory is the eastward spread of western wind in the natural science system and is the first in China. Now its function is dedicated to popular science education. During the tour, we had discussions. Among the many ancient celebrities in Shanghai, the one Wang admires the most is Xu Guangqi in Xujiahui. Wang talks eloquently. At first, we are all stunned. Then we have an enlightening realization like a sudden inspiration for entering virtue and cultivating the Tao. Xu Guangqi is a scholar-bureaucrat, a Christian, and a pioneer who transcends his era. The reason why Xu Guangqi is so meritorious is that he transcended the inevitable logic of the feudal empire and pointed out another possible way for China’s development. From being conservative, introverted and stubborn to turning to open and flexible development. This is an innovation at the spiritual level. The most terrifying enemy of civilization is closure. Although it was abandoned halfway, fortunately, it was continued in the late Qing Dynasty. Since then, an era of continuous awakening has begun. Xujiahui is the hometown of Xu Guangqi’s Xu family. At that time, it was a remote and desolate place. Xu is an epoch-making pioneer. The Tianyaoqiao Road that connects Zhaojiabang is the overpass and smooth road leading to heaven and brightness dug by the Xu family. The key to openness is in your and my hands.
A question among us arises: Why are early churches often located in remote areas? Generally speaking, the level of secularization in central urban areas is higher, and the early missionary efforts were mostly focused on marginalized regions beyond the mainstream reach. If you are fond of traveling, Western China is home to numerous churches, mostly established by missionaries. They were not only preachers but also adventurers and archaeologists, often wearing the hats of naturalists and geographers. We have reached the highest level, Sheshan Catholic Church, a miracle on a tiny plot of land, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan, the most important pilgrimage site for Chinese Catholics. Today, there is no formal pilgrimage, but we can visit with our hearts. We have visited Sheshan Catholic Church multiple times, but today’s visit has brought us more insights, perhaps due to the explanation of Xu Guangqi by Wang. As the saying goes, ‘When walking with three, one can be my teacher; when walking with six, the stars and the sea are mine.’ At this moment, Ping’s foot pain has stopped us. We all remember a name, Xu Guangqi. Back at the parking lot, it’s already 1:00 PM. Looking back at Sheshan, the mountain remains beautiful; the people, tired! Ting searches for the next destination on her phone, the Shanghai Poly Yunjian Theater in Songjiang Old Town, a 10km distance that takes half an hour by car. There’s also a notice on her phone about a parking violation from yesterday at the Impression City. Those who enter Japanese restaurants earliest always pay a price. Should we still go to Yunjian Theater? Lan decisively says: Go, of course! The Shanghai Poly Yunjian Theater, officially named the Yunjian Hall Cultural Art Center, includes the Songjiang District Cultural Center, Library, District Cultural Resource Distribution Center, Yunjian Theater, Yunjian Hall Art Exhibition Hall, and a small theater. At 2:10 PM, we park in the underground garage of the Cultural Art Center, and following a security guard, we exit through an unused library, which feels like breaking through a door. On one side is the entrance to the Drunken Bai Chi Station of the Metro Line 9, while Yunjian Theater is located to the east. The architecture here is like a slowly unrolling pre-Qin bamboo slip, thick, cultural, and with a sense of history. Crossing the central artificial pool, we arrive at Yunjian Theater. Ting, Lan, and I only focused on the exterior; while Wang, Ying, and Ping went inside to explore the subtleties of the interior. Even when the ticket checker shouted that the children’s play was about to start, they were unmoved. Some children are not interested in the plot of children’s plays but prefer the fun of pebbles sinking in water. The good play is still on the road, but the security guard stopped it. Our good play is the upcoming performances at Yunjian Theater, including ‘The Count of Wulong Mountain’, ‘Thieves Want You’, ‘Guess How Much I Love You’, and ‘A Dream in Life’. Having one good play is already great, but we have four at once. Our luck is爆棚! Someone asked why we didn’t have lunch. We are like iron men! Actually, there’s no need to worry. This is a pre-set joke. The lunch issue will be resolved at the Shimao Deep Pit in the afternoon tea.
Setting aside the half-hour journey, by 1At 15:30, we officially began our feast. Our messy dining table was replenished with fresh fruits and beverages, and the three-tiered pastries were not dressed up, occasionally requiring support to prevent the macarons from toppling over. Wang, Ting, and Lan were the formidable hunters of the afternoon tea spread. Wang started with the Ferrero Rocher-style crispy pastries from the bottom layer, while Ting and Lan provided a tea guide, explaining that one should typically start with savory items before moving on to sweet ones. So complex, the remaining three novices had never seen such an array, looking at each other in bewilderment. Wasn’t this the British way? To eat heartily and enjoy! Lan praised the crab meat tart with caviar for its delicacy, Wang pointed out the hazelnut crisp cone for its crunch, and Ting believed the mascarpone mousse was the smoothest, a bite of happiness. Ping found the pastries too sweet and rich, Ying stealthily pushed the last macaron onto my plate, and I ended up eating the most, though my experience was rather lukewarm. Today at Yunjian Jiufeng, our family’s afternoon tea was distinct and brief.

At 16:10, we bid farewell to our neighbor, Old Wang, and each returned to our rooms to rest. After a full meal, it’s always good to take a walk. Ping and I digested on the terrace, reading and chatting with Ying next door. The leisurely book by my side was ‘Beautiful Tuscany’, and as I read, I shared a thought with everyone: ‘When idle, read a passage from ‘Beautiful Tuscany’: The world is getting smaller, we are becoming more alike, can we maintain the pace of a thousand years ago? We came to Tuscany. In Tuscany, our warmth is always within reach. Actually, we don’t need to travel so far, right here at Sheshan Shimao, we can feel the warmth awaiting us.

Knock, knock, the door opens, Ting and Lan arrive: Venus or Sifani? Just had afternoon tea, even five-star pastries can’t hold up! So we’ll just leave them for later when we remember. Thank you! After a short while, Ting and Lan bring warmth to room 628 next door, where Wang and Ying are.

At 17:30, Wang invites us to swim. Down to the 14th floor pool, after registration, it’s time for a warm-up. Wang takes a hot shower and starts with a dry sauna; I wet my body with cold water and jump into the pool first, casually asking other swimmers about the water temperature, which is 28 degrees. After thanking them, I bow and enter the pool. The swimming pool is too small and shallow. After swimming four laps, at this time, Wang also entered the pool. After swimming one more lap, I said goodbye and went to take a shower. Wang was still continuing.

At 18:00, passing by the gym, I saw Ying and Ting brisk walking on the treadmill, and Lan playing with the exercise bike. I greeted them. The little girl beside them courteously gave up the treadmill and said that her exercise for today was over. I’m really sorry. Look at me making a fool of myself brisk walking on the treadmill. Ying and Ting walked for more than half an hour. I persisted for 15 minutes. When we all finished exercising, Lan was still continuing. Just now, the little girl was full of envy and muttered, ‘Little sister, you are amazing!’ Exercise is addictive. Exercise produces dopamine. Exercise makes people more beautiful!

Is dinner still the group meal for six people reserved at Cai Feng Lou on the UG floor last night? It was a big disappointment. Everyone was thinking about the braised pork packed yesterday and backed out. Ting said to order takeout later. After exercising, I went back to my place to take care of things. Ping informed me that Cai Feng Lou had called about the group meal just now and she had replied.

It was already 19:30, and the light and shadow show of the hotel started again. This time it felt much less elaborate than last night. After not showing for long, only the sound could be heard but no shadow could be seen. Ting and Lan downstairs, someone set off handheld fireworks. We have pictures and the truth. The takeout has been ordered! Ting sent a message. The takeout has arrived, dear friends. You can come to Room 621 to have the group meal! Ting sent a second message. This is very much like the gatherings of classmates in school days. The secretion of our digestive glands was delayed for a full hour from the cephalic phase to the gastric phase. Having noodles and rice, Ting chose two restaurants for takeout. HalingWhile enjoying noodles and rice, we reveled in a light and shadow show, laughter, and jokes filling the air. The atmosphere was notably more relaxed and comfortable than the previous night. As we ate, we discussed our various concerns. Wang was worried about overeating, Ying feared the food wasn’t spicy enough, Ping was concerned about the greasiness, Lan was anxious about gaining weight, and I was afraid I wouldn’t eat enough. Ting concluded that pleasing everyone is a challenge, as we are all difficult to satisfy. She jested that in the future, we should do it ourselves.

Eating takeout in a five-star hotel was a first for me. Initially skeptical about takeout being allowed in such a prestigious place, we eventually found ourselves full and satisfied, having completed a delivery order. We, who are both troublemakers and trouble-averse, experienced the joy of takeout: with a low barrier to entry and multiple choices, we could order à la carte or opt for fusion cuisine. Although it slightly diminishes the taste and lacks the presentation of plated dishes, it spares us the chore of washing up and saves precious time for our pleasures. Why not embrace it? This could become a topic of interest, with a potential viral title: ‘After the Backstabbing, the Way for Five-Star Hotels and Takeout Food to Get Along’. If it’s not satisfactory, one could always retreat to the bar.

Indeed, Ying and I decided to venture to the Chi Bar, located 14 floors underground—a move so abrupt that even TV dramas would hesitate. To the surprise of Wang, Ping, Ting, and Lan, who were engrossed in ordering takeout, we set off. Arriving at the Chi Bar at 21:40, we found only a handful of patrons besides the waitstaff. Ying, a first-timer at a bar, and I, an occasional visitor, ordered beer. We started with Heineken, which the waiter promptly served. We chose a casual window-side seat indoors. Amidst the many conversations, only a few were clear and memorable; the rest, including family gossip, faded into the background, respecting privacy and not making it into our narrative. We ordered another Heineken to share, and by 23:00, we had checked out, with Ying charging it to the room card.

On October 5th, Wednesday, Ping and I woke up naturally. After freshening up, I sent a heartfelt thank-you message in the Family Bucket WeChat group at 7:30, expressing gratitude for the trip and acknowledging the soft extensions and unrestrained indulgences of our journey. I thanked all the relatives who traveled with us and especially Wang, the initiator of the trip. At 8:00, we began our buffet breakfast, not scattered but seated together around a large dining table, a ceremonial family gathering that fostered a sense of closeness and care, akin to the bond of Cancer. This was affinity, this was cohesion, as we shared in each other’s joys and sorrows and managed our home together, the root of our emotions.

Post-breakfast, we had free time until our 12:00 checkout. Our focus for the day was to visit the head of the Huangpu River. On time, we checked out and set our route. A convoy of three cars embarked towards the head of the Huangpu River, a newly popular spot in Songjiang, known as the root of ancient civilization in Shanghai and a geographical depression with a network of rivers and lakes.

Navigating through Chenhua Road, Kungang Highway, Songzheng Highway, Sanxin Highway, Minta Highway, and Film and Television Road, we drove for 45 minutes with some difficulty before parking in a rural alley. Ting left a phone number, noting it would take about 20 more minutes to walk to the head of the Huangpu River.

Knowledge tip: In Shihudang Town, about ten kilometers from Xiaokunshan Town, lies the scenic spot marking the source of the Huangpu River, a national 3A-level scenic area. The Xietang River, Yuanxiejing River, and Hengliaojing River are the three major tributaries of the upper reaches of the Huangpu River. The Hengliaojing River, a Class B inland waterway, runs through the entire town, capable of accommodating 500-ton ships, and leads to downtown Shanghai in the east, Zhejiang in the south, and Suzhou and Wuxi in the north.Once upon a time, there were two prevailing theories regarding the origin of the Huangpu River. One theory pointed to Longwang Mountain in Anji County, Zhejiang Province, at an elevation of 1,350 meters. The other suggested the river’s birthplace was Dianshan Lake within the Taihu Basin. However, the truth is, the main stream of the Huangpu River actually takes shape in Songjiang District, Shanghai. Here, two of its three major tributaries, the Yuanxiejing River and the Xietang River, which meander from Jiangsu and Zhejiang, converge in Dongxia Village, Shihudang Town. This confluence forms a delta, colloquially known as Sanjiaodu, resembling a giant ship jutting into the river. Post the merging of Yuanxiejing and Xietang Rivers, the waterway expands into the Hengliaojing River, over 300 meters wide, which is recognized as the Huangpu River itself. This marks the starting point of the Huangpu River’s main stream, effectively the zero kilometer mark, now universally acknowledged as the source of the Huangpu River.

The journey along this path is bustling with activity and far from monotonous. Amidst the natural oxygen forest, a leisurely walking trail leads directly to the scenic area. The windmill array is crafted from paper, and the rock climbing wall is on a miniature scale. Despite their childlike nature, they are inviting. Children, young mothers, and small families find joy here. Horses can be seen trotting down the middle of the road, with mounted policemen being an even more striking sight. On one side, a big-bottomed Corgi named Watermelon is decidedly unhappy, barking at the horses. Its clear and full rump, along with its large, erect ears, make for an endearing sight. On the other side, the Yuanxiejing River allows for year-round navigation, with ships traveling from the south to the north. Using a camera, one can close the distance to the source of the Huangpu River, feeling a sense of familiarity rather than strangeness. The buildings captured in the lens are the Shuli Liyun Tower, also known as the Fenshui Dragon King Temple, and the Chunshen Hall. The Xuanxingjing Bridge arches over the Yuanxiejing River. Passing through the archway at the river’s source marks the official entry into the scenic area. Stone carvings of ancient water control experts line the path, including Qian Liu, Ren Renfa, Hai Rui, and Lin Zexu.

A fork in the road connects the flower path and the plank road, causing a moment of hesitation, but the ultimate destination remains the Shuli Liyun Tower and the Chunshen Hall. Along the way, a motorcade takes a shortcut, parking at the Chunshen Hall, indicating that leaders are on an inspection tour, currently visiting the Huangpu River’s source. The Chunshen Hall commemorates Lord Chunshen Huang Xie, with the plaque ‘Chunshen Hall’ at its center, and the lintels inscribed with ‘Always Remember the Initial Ripples’ and ‘Benefiting from the Vast Waves’. As the most magnificent building at the source of the Huangpu River, it is styled after the prosperous Tang Dynasty, featuring a single-eaved hip roof with five ridges and four slopes. The main ridge is notably short, with chi kisses adorning both sides.

The Wudian style, representing the pinnacle of Chinese architectural design, was traditionally reserved for royal and Confucian family structures. Chunshen Jun, a loyal minister to the King of Chu until his death, held the title of viscount within the Zhou royal family. The privilege of enjoying the Wudian style in the main hall was a clear transgression, one that could only have occurred in a period of chaos where rituals and norms were collapsing. In contemporary times, perhaps the absence of hierarchical constraints has led to unconventional operations. However, when it comes to high-quality replicas, especially those honoring historical figures, the extravagance at the head of the Pu River seems excessive. Inside the Chunshen Hall lies a water culture exhibition hall, narrating the story of Shanghai’s ancestors who lived, worked, and settled near water, with a focus on Chunshen Jun’s achievements in dredging the Huangpu River. A large wood carving of Huang Xie’s water management efforts stands at the center, flanked by couplets: ‘Peach fruits entwined, regardless of years, morning mist connects with the clouds of Zhen Lake.’ The exhibits also include restored Han Dynasty wells, Tang Dynasty polders, Song Dynasty ancient ships, Yuan Dynasty water gates, and Qing Dynasty cityscapes. The Shuliyun Tower, positioned at the forefront of the triangular ferry crossing at the head of the Pu River, serves as a place of worship for the Dragon King and as a guiding light for ships navigating the waters.Wang suggested a group photo. Surprisingly, Lan, who is very cautious about his reputation, led the way. Who says that Qiuxia is always filled with sorrow? The misty waves and forests convey a leisurely sentiment. Today, as the world becomes our home, we feel the desolation of the old fortresses and the autumn reeds. The youth are strong, and we are strong! The family bucket is complete, the sound of eggplants cuts off, and a tourist nearby helps to take a photo.

Shanghai has two mother rivers, one is the Su River, and the other is the Pu River. Once standing at the head of the Waibaidu Bridge, looking at the convergence of the Su and Pu Rivers at this moment and place, one cannot help but feel a surge of emotions. On one hand, we lament the passing of time, and on the other, we look forward to the grandeur and depth of the great rivers and oceans. Geographically, the Su River has a longer stretch, and the name after the confluence should logically follow the Su River. This logic should only exist before the Ming Dynasty. After the Ming Dynasty, the Pu River, as a tributary, suddenly grew and became the main stream. A single word difference, a leap to divinity, became the top flow, with the greatest impact being the flow, which seems to be an arrangement from the heavens. The Su River connects only to Shanghai’s past, while the Pu River, as a traffic star, anchors Shanghai’s future. History has had a great collision here, the world’s trend is mighty and vast, those who follow it will prosper, and those who go against it will perish. The ancient empire’s great ship, unable to bear the burden, was broken and sank into the sand, and from the ashes, our great nation was reborn, henceforth riding the wind and waves, ushering in a new era for China. Many idle thoughts occur in a moment, many inspirations appear in front of the head of the Pu River. Let us witness, witness again, the ongoing growth of the Pu River, the progress of Shanghai, and the development of China.

Walking back along the side of the Xietang, I joked with Lan: ‘You live at the head of the Pu River, and you live at the tail of the Pu River.’ Poetry led to a confrontation with Lan, who stands against counterfeits and insists on originality. Now, it’s time for relaxation and respite. This place has not yet reached Shen Yuan Lake. The willows and reeds by the water make the scene serene. The Anlong Stone Bridge and the winding Jiuqu Stone Bridge have transformed the area into a North-South Lake. Ting’s phone rang. Intending to silence it, but the ringtone grew more persistent. It was a call to move the car, forcing Ting to deal with it first. Wang had to wait for Ying and Lan, who were lagging behind. Our journey concluded at the source of the Pu River, with a slight imperfection, but still considered complete! The scenery along the way included the tram transportation in Songjiang New City, captured by the dashcam: First shot on the way to West She Mountain, Second shot on the way to Yunjian Theater, Third shot at Yunjian Theater, Fourth shot on 2022-10-20.