Sounds like some good extra activities are being planned!

Unless something unexpected happens, you can count on my participation.

I'm new here, but this sure sounds like fun. I'll keep my eye on the dates.

Sorry to miss the China DO. -- We returned from a cruise in Europe on 10/2. While catching up with the mail and chores, family issues have cropped up that need hands on attention. --Fortunately, I had not gone ahead with a visa request. ==Will be content with reading about other FTers' adventures.

I went to Zhujiajiao last year, it's a cute place, a little touristy but cute. The tourist buses don't include any kind of tour just transportation. You can walk around the place on your own if you like and you'll be fine, there's enough English signage and you can walk the whole thing in less than an hour not counting stopping at any sites. If you decide you do want a guide, you can always go back to the entrance to get one.

If you do want to go to Suzhou or other places by train, your hotel will usually get the tickets for you for a nominal fee. If they won't, there are lots of little agencies that will do it for you, your hotel can write down what you want. Though you might want to do it a day or two in advance.

China-wide ground pork is a spice, therefore a vegetable.

Count me in for dinner on Saturday. Note that the decor is pretty basic unless they've remodeled since my last visit.

As for dinner on Friday, how about South Beauty at XinTianDi?

As for the China Eastern tour, any chance of: driving a jetbridge simulator? time in a flight simulator? going down the emergency slide? Looked at the website though not really sure what the options might be.

As we get closers to the 11th of November things are starting to fall into place ^. Keep your eyes on Post #1 in this thread for new information.

Another ancient water town 1/2 hour by Metro. For a taste of Shanghai 200 years ago, visit this traditional Chinese street that has escaped redevelopment. So much to see, so little time.

From CNNGo: "The Qibao old town is approximately 30 minutes away from Shanghai downtown by metro. Take Metro Line 9 to Qibao Station (七宝站), and Qibao Lao Jie Nan Da Jie is 10 minutes away on foot.

Be warned -- it's often crowded because the restaurants are as renowned as the old architecture. But you must try the tofu and fried rice cakes with red bean paste filling."

Read more: Shanghai Qibao old street #2 | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/eat/ho...#ixzz1b4CNVSzy

Pat - Hope you are not referring to stinky tofu. To me, the tofu is worst than durians which I love but I would not touch stinky tofu.

I am arriving in shanghai on the 16th, will miss it by a few days :-(

Just curious if any of you that live in shanghai speak shanghainese dialect?

Can't believe I said that! Well, I didn't - it was a quote from the CNNGo web site. Have added quote marks so it makes slightly more sense.

My inability to use chopsticks keeps me from too much adventure eating

spaceman, thanks for putting me down as interested but unfortunately timing won't work out for me. I'll be in Shanghai the weekend prior (Nov 4-6) so anyone there then let me know, otherwise will have to miss out on yet another China DO.

Looks like you all have a great schedule put together (and as much as I dislike MU, it sounds like a cool event) so enjoy!

I'm pleased to report I received my China visa today (FedEx). I mailed package off 10/12/2011 - so 9 days without my passport! SF Consulate - L visa, multiple entry, 12 months. :-: I used www.mychinavisa.com (after I saw a recommendation on FT) and was very happy with their service. However I feel the Chinese visa application process is burdensome and expensive. Including photos, this has cost $241. This is for standard service - expedited service would have been more.

Of course, having the Chinese Consulate in Toronto refuse to issue me a visa when I went there in person did not put me in a good mood.

Just need to book my hotel and get my Visa.

I will be touring around China from 26 October on and will have sporadic internet access. If you want to put your name on any of the events please post on the thread and contact TravellerOnline regarding dinner Friday and the tour on Saturday, and bschaff1 regarding Saturday night dinner and the Sunday tour

As far as updates and more details on each event they should be posting them in the thread.

Looking forward to seeing all in Shanghai

Mort

The following have responded (so far) as intending to attend the Dinner at:Seating Time is 6:30-7:00 PM

I intend to attend the Friday night dinner.