We were up a little earlier this morning and downstairs to breakfast by about 9:30 am. With no set agenda for the day, we relaxed over breakfast and considered our options for the day.

Breakfast.
Breakfast.

It wasn’t until about 1:00 pm that we finally left the hotel. We headed down Nanjing Road to the Xintiandi district.

Andrea, at the Molly's Dessert House pop-up on Nanjing Road.
Andrea, at the Molly's Dessert House pop-up on Nanjing Road.

We took a couple of detours along the way to Xintiandi, and we didn’t get there until mid-afternoon.

One of the many amazing overpasses in Shanghai.
One of the many amazing overpasses in Shanghai.

Xintiandi was very lively. We did a little shopping and enjoyed walking around the area, which was teeming with people.

Andrea, in the Xintiandi district.
Andrea, in the Xintiandi district.

Our next stop was the Sinan Mansions, a block of 51 garden houses built in the 1920s and 1930s, which showcases the original Shanghai style of modern residential buildings.

Andrea, at the Sinan Mansions.
Andrea, at the Sinan Mansions.

We didn’t have a lot of time to explore here, since we had a reservation at the Louis Vuitton “Visionary Journeys” exhibition, which was a 45-minute walk away. To restore our flagging energy, we stopped at a Starbucks, where we ordered a toffee-nut iced coffee, which was very sweet, but also quite delicious!

Keith and Andrea, with a Starbucks sugar hit!
Keith and Andrea, with a Starbucks sugar hit!

As we walked along the busy roads, we were always ready to jump out of the way of the many motor scooters that race along the footpaths, weaving in and out of the pedestrians in their way. Still, no one here seems bothered by it, so we just went with the flow.

Motor scooters on the street in Shanghai.
Motor scooters on the street in Shanghai.

We got to the Louis Vuitton store around 5:30 pm. To call this a store is to somewhat understate it! Modelled as a ship on the outside, it houses the exhibition, the shopping area, and a restaurant. We have seen other Louis Vuitton exhibitions around the world, but this one was on a whole new level.

The flagship Louis Vuitton store in Shanghai.
The flagship Louis Vuitton store in Shanghai.
Keith and Andrea, at the Louis Vuitton exhibition at the flagship Shanghai store.
Keith and Andrea, at the Louis Vuitton exhibition at the flagship Shanghai store.
Inside the Louis Vuitton exhibition.
Inside the Louis Vuitton exhibition.
Inside the Louis Vuitton exhibition.
Inside the Louis Vuitton exhibition.
A steamer trunk being customised by an artist at the Louis Vuitton exhibition.
A steamer trunk being customised by an artist at the Louis Vuitton exhibition.

From the exhibition, we headed back down Nanjing Road to the hotel.

Nanjing Road in Shanghai.
Nanjing Road in Shanghai.

We decided to make a stop again at White Rabbit, to stock up on some more of their iconic sweets. Despite the number of White Rabbit stores in Shanghai, the shop was packed!

Inside the White Rabbit store on Nanjing Road in Shanghai.
Inside the White Rabbit store on Nanjing Road in Shanghai.

By the time we returned to The Peninsula, we were rather tired (having walked 23,000 steps around Shanghai)and rather hungry. We headed inside and up to our room, where we promptly ordered room service for dinner.

The Peninsula (side entrance) in Shanghai.
The Peninsula (side entrance) in Shanghai.

We enjoyed a very nice meal while taking in the amazing Shanghai skyline view from our room.

Dinner.
Dinner.
Shanghai at night (from our hotel room).
Shanghai at night (from our hotel room).

Tomorrow we are catching the train to Beijing, where we’ll be spending the next five nights.