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Hello and welcome to the continuation of 'China Uncovered' (really?) maybe not - but i suppose there is no harm in trying to spice up what is otherwise a rather bland dish of tales. Beijing takes a backstep this episode as I attempt to relive my recent experiences of both Shanghai and neighbouring Zhouzhaung.
I feel it necessary to make a prologue confession in that some of the below read may not be from my own personal memory storage tank but in fact recycled internet material. I thought it best to own up now rather than be ridiculed with a "As if he knew that!" or a "He didn't come up with this!". In any case; there really is no point in attempting to re-write Wikipedia is there. In fact could I write anything about Shanghai that has not already been written....most likely - no, so I may as well stick to personal opinions, surely they withold originality?
Shanghai as you may already know is the largest city in China, and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with over 20 million people; although surprisingly well disguised as I feel that Beijing is a 'busier' city with 6 or so million fewer people. One spot that does match the hustle and bustle of Beijing is 'Pudong' which in the 1980's was nothing more than desolate marsh land but has since transformed itself in to one of the business world's elite club beholding the ever expanding - iconic Shanghai skyline.
If you choose to stray from the tourist trail there is an air of days gone by to explore, tucked away beneath the shadows of the architecual wonderland - and so - explore I did. Bemused 'No tourists ever come here' stares greeted my presence as I meandered through the intertwining cobbled streets, some no wider than my wing span. I broke their confusion slightly with a friendly "Ni Hao" which they were pleasantly surprised by and excitingly returned my greetings. I politely asked for permission to photograph people and their livelihoods, most were oblidging although we did have to overcome the giggles of embarrassment first. There certainly is a stark contrast in fortunes between the historic hutongs (chinese communities) and their surrounding areas. A picture tells a thousand words and so I hope this blogs accompanying photos will highlight those differences. It once again brought to the forefront of my mind just how much excess I live in and have at my disposal; a little perspective gained once more.
Back on the tourist trail and I pretty much covered everything the Shanghai city guide advises you to do. Without going into exhaustive detail these sites included; The picturesque Bund area and Yuyuan Gardens , although both a little disappointing due to them recieving a facelift in time for the frenzy of tourists expected there for the 'World Expo'; taking place in a few months time, the olympic stadium (another sign of advance planning), the iconic figure of the Oriental Pearl Tower and Pudongs skyline, an intriguing look at the past / future of Shanghai at its' Urban Planning Exhibition Centre; which is centred around the 2010 world expo, a holistic visit to the Jade Buddha Temple; which through luck more than judgement provided an intense experience as the visit fell on a lunar calendar month day, one of the most important days for Buddhists to pay homeage to their sacred counterparts, an insight into Chinese culture and history at the Shanghai museum and an endless amount of strolling here, there and everywhere. Also, I should give a brief mention to the surreal and unecessary trip on the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel, the chilly but scenic huangpu river cruise and finally the stunts of the infamous Shanghai Acrobat Show - highly entertaining stuff.
I do have one little story to share - Wishing to get an overview of the city, I took to the elevated restaurant of the Financial Trade Centre; which up until recently had the highest viewing platform in the world, now second to that freak construction in Dubai - which I will standing upon in August. A picture once again tells a 1000 words (photos) but in short - the toilet at this restaurant washed and dried your a*se for you at the push of a button (front and back).
Ok, so I believe that is Shanghai covered and in a mere 750 words, mmm....I was going to share my Zhouzhuang experience in this blog too but maybe I will intergrate that into the next when your focus is not so blurry...
In the present, China is just a stones throw away from its' 2 week Spring Festival (Chinese New Year), I will be celebrating a few days of this in Harbin and its' harsh -20 degree chill....more to follow on that adventure in the near future, so much to write in so little time.....
I will end by wishing you all a very happy Chinese New Year......
Websites for
Yuyuan Gardens:http://boscoho.com09Joomla/shanghai/sightseeing-shanghai/yuyuan-garden-shanghai
Jade Buddha Temple: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/china/shanghai-jade-buddha-temple
Bund Sightseeing Tunnel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwiEPrluoXU
Oriental Pearl Tower: http://boscoho.com/09Joomla/shanghai/sightseeing-shanghai/yuyuan-garden-shanghai
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