Hot sunny weather for the last day in Nanjing. I decided it was time for some culture, so I set off just after 9am to find Nanjing Museum which according to the Rough Guide was well worth seeing with clear guides in English, open daily 9-5pm. I pitched up at the correct metro stop, and checked with a passer by that I was in the right place. No museum reared its head, only hoardings shielding a huge building project in the “British” style.  I tried a rather posh hotel along the road which had English speaking staff only to learn that the museum was closed until the building works were finished.

Random lion, small

Random lion – large

Thwarted, I executed Plan B and set off for the Presidential Palace, which is next to the 1912 area where we ate recently. Once again my plans were foiled – it is supposed to be open 8-5 daily according to the Rough Guide, but again building work was going on around it so no entry to the rather nice looking gardens inside for a sit down.

Nanjing street food

Busking Chinese style

Recycling collection Chinese style

Time for a rethink. I revisited Aqua City mall in Fuzi Miao for retail therapy. My real downfall occurred later  on the second floor of the Xinhua bookstore in Xinjeiku which has a most interesting art section. I will not live this down at home, but I succumbed to a couple of books on drawing and painting in the Chinese style. Thoughts of being careful with  the potential effect on the weight of my suitcase vanished somewhere to a parallel universe where luggage limits do not exist.

Modern Chinese style

Back to the hotel around 445 for a rest before going out for the last meal out in Nanjing. We returned to Studio 21 where we ate on the first night, and Eileen joined us for the occasion. Addresses and hugs were exchanged. Veronique, the French TCM student, came to see us in the hotel lobby to wish us bon voyage.

A good way to round off a very full two and a half weeks in Nanjing.

My travelling companion!