This morning saw the first total eclipse of the Sun over Shanghai since (apparently) 1575. Sadly, after days of bright sunshine, the weather was overcast. One moment it was the light of morning, the next night. Drivers sounded their horns and people stopped to look up. Then the life of the city resumed.

Apparently some travelled to China just to see it. The clouds must have disappointed them. For me, it was one of those interesting bonuses my travelling life sometimes confers.

I took the pictures from my hotel window, with an iPhone held flat to the glass to steady it at 0936 and 0938.