EKS,
rkkwan's posting on water towns is very informative.
For day tours from Shanghai check out these web sites:
http://www.asiatravel.com/china/tour...ur_suzhou.html
http://www.asiatravel.com/china/tour..._hangzhou.html
http://www.beijingservice.com/shangh...onedaytour.htm
http://www.beijingservice.com/shangh...onedaytour.htm
http://hotelguidechina.com/Shanghai-Tours.html
Closest to Shanghai is a town called Zhujiajiao - that one is easy to reach.
That should give you something to do.
Paul

Tower that would be lovely...we can get in touch closer to the time of the trip.

Paul, thanks for posting those links. Here is what Frommer (oops) guide says about Zhou Zhuang:

"The most famous and perhaps most complete water village....has unfortunately become a nightmarish tourist trap and has been replaced in our recommendations by the villages of Nanxun and Tongli, which are not only less commercial but which boast unique features not found elsewhere."

I totally agree with Frommer, avoid Zhouzhuang, do Tongli on a weekday if possible, for shoppers the prices are lower than others. Have lunch at the women-run restuarant (they are not my relatives!) to the left side of the entrance of the town, so yummy and cheap.

Shanghainese, I am glad to see that you agree with the Frommer opinion. What is your take on a visit to Suzhou?

Thanks again. (I posted another question for you on the other Shanghai hotel thread....about French Concession..)

Dear "crunchy" & Shanghainese-
thanks for the info about Zhouzhuang - I will act accordingly.
Shanghainese = what do you think about Shanghai Uncle restaurant in Shanghai? I live in the S.F. Bay area and we are spoiled when it comes to chinese food.

I have to second the comments about Zhouzhuang, where we made the mistake of overnighting en route from Suzhou to Shanghai. All in all it wasn't a happy experience. The Zhouzhaung Hotel was unwelcoming and next morning refused to accept our prepaid Octopus Travel voucher; we were shamelessly bilked by the restaurant where we had dinner (forget the name, it backed onto a canal); and although the town was pretty in a tarted-up sort of way, it was Tourism Central. Admittedly we were unavoidably travelling during the National Day holiday week.

We liked Suzhou and could have stayed there an extra night.

Whew, the threads are so scattered on similar subjects.

E: Suzhou is not typical of a water town but have unique and lovely gardens utilizing very small spaces. They are very different from japanese gardens. It really depends on what your interests are and time allotment.

Paulchili: I'm female and probably live/work close to you, it's still raining now. What are your fav eateries in your neighborhood?

Neil: Glad to hear from you, always enjoy your comments from the other side of the world.

Shanghainese - I live in Pleasant Hill so there is not a lot around me in the immediate area, but we go to Oakland ( Tin's tea house)or the city alot. Love dim sum at Yank Sing when I feel like splurging, otherwise New Asia. Most any chinese restaurant in the city is fine. If I am not up to driving to the city we go to El Cerrito ( Daimo's, Golden Dynasty, etc). And yes it is still raining here.

Thanks, Paulchili, I live next to El Cerrito, shop/eat at Pacific East Mall and the neighboring cities, and work next to the smaller Yank Sing.

Shanghainese,
just got back from a little trip. Small world - we are practically neighbours. Please see if you can find out anything about the Shanghai Uncle restaurant in the Bund center. Thanks.

I was able to find $211, plus tax, for a standard room at Le Meridien without breakfast. I will keep investigating, though, as it is cancellable.

Paul and Shangainese:

El Cerito is where one of our daughters and grandaughter live. We're frequently up that way from L.A...always trying new eateries in the general area...met some friends at Thai resto on University last week,,"Perns"(sp)...found it to be excellent. Ate twice at the China Dynasty...also quite good. (and ethnically off topic...love MangiaMangia, a small Italian place on San Pablo ,near Solano).

Since Paul and I have been to China ('84 and '85) and seems like Shangainese has been there several times...we probably all agree that the there is a definite difference foodwise between here and there. At least that was so back in the 80's.

Happy travels and Happy New Year, everyone.

Stu T.

Thank you Stu - Happy New Year to you as well ( and good travels)

Tower: Happy New Year to you. Let us know next time you visit El Cerrito, perhaps Paul and I can GTG with you there, Abany or Berkeley. DH and I like Little Hong Kong in El Cerrito, and the shanghai restaurant in the Pacific East Mall. China Village on Solano is good but spicy. The new hot spot on the Berkeley side of Solano is Vanessa's, a fabulous Thai bistro, we've been there twice this month.

Give plenty of notice, post on the California board something like "East Bay GTG for China travelers ...".

Paul: No info on Uncle Wong, will post another one on a separate thread for you.

Hope to meet you all in 2007!

Tower: Your daughter might like to know the salon next to MangiaMangia has new owners and a special going on for hair cut/color/manicure/pedicure/makeup, I went for it 2 weeks ago before a big party and DH said they did a nice job.

Shanghainese - that would be great; we could get together for a dinner.
The restaurant I am interested in is called Shànghai Uncle (Haishàng Ashu) - not Uncle Wong.

Shanghainese - this is the address I have for Shanghai Uncle:
Yán'an Dong Lù 222
Wàitan Zhongxin (Bund Center), Basement (between Hénán Zhong Lù and Jiangxi Zhong l&ugrave, Huangpu District (Downtown Shanghai)

Sorry, no info on Shanghai Uncle, look at my Xiao Nan Guo thread.

Thank you Shanghainese; I looked up the thread and will investigate the restaurant. Thanks.

Great idea for a GTG in Berkeley-El Cerrito-Albany area..I'll sure let you know when next we'll be coming up..probably after China-Japan trip.

Vanessa sounds very good for Thai.

Stu T.