A rich collection of buildings in every direction you look and loads of architectural styles. I took some photos' of this model of the city....while the pics don't do the concept justice- enlarge them on your screen to get the feel of thousands of high rises...as far as the eye can see.So much more Hong Kong than Beijing-no dusty imperial palaces here...sleek modern high-rises ...the new Imperial Palace. Obsessed with the latest fad, fashions and technologies.
Right outside our hotel door-running east to the Bund and the foremost Shanghai shopping street. Most of this shoppers paradise is "pedestrianized"....making it very easy for any Jane or Joe Blow to follow along side you convincing you buy the Rolex and Gucci from them. Thousands and thousands of Chinese fill the area shopping, strolling, eating, laughing and more. Quite a collection of fashion....most popular tights, shorts and very high heels-ouch. Boca is down to a dirty coat and gym shoes-oh so chic. The Shanghai Number 1 Department Store (yes that's the name) attracts 100,000 shoppers per day!
Bubba's eyes light up! Subway!
The Bund for a Stroll
The Bund-the heart of colonial Shanghai, located by the bank of the Huangpu River contains a collection of early 20th century architecture ranging in style from neoclassical to art deco. A number of areas in this former foreign "concessions" are quite well preserved with a heavy French influence due to the construction boom of the 20's and 30's. We took a visit to the Peace Hotel (used to be called the Cathay in the old good old days now a Fairmont)- no camera's allowed but Boca couldn't resist sneaking a few. It actually felt like being in a museum. A city of stunning contrasts.
The Pudong district-right there behind us- displays a wide range of skyscrapers-many of which rank among the tallest in the world. Take a look at the Jin Mao Tower and the taller Shanghai World Financial Centre-the tallest skyscraper in mainland China (3rd in the World). Looking forward to visiting the distinctive Oriental Pearl Tower tomorrow-it's lower sphere now available for living quarters. Since 2008, Shanghai has boasted more fee-standing buildings above 400m than any other city- must come back in 2014 to see the completion of the Shanghai Tower with a height of 2074- started in 2008 with a total of 127 floors. Yikes! Eye popping architecture and technology...it's everywhere! A place whee you can go to sip a cocktail in a designer bar overlooking the bun to eating duping at a street stall, or going to a 10th century Buddhist monastery in the space of a few hours.this place never stops! .
Oh yes a stop off for a to go...Bubba could not do the MSG one more time.
And a quick sandwich from Subway....it looks like Bubbs is ready for more US of A chow...oy.
SHANGHAI NEW CIRCUS ACROBAT SHOW
We attended this incredible performance. Absolutely one of the most entertaining evenings ever. Fearless performers with boundless energy brought us more than 2000 years of Chinese Circus culture and traditions- combining artistry and athleticism. These young people practice 3-4 hrs a day. No they are not double jointed but learned flexibility form a young age. Contortion is one of the oldest recorded forms of acrobats in China- bending and twisting to form living sculptures.
Show stopping rarities of daunting difficulties. One performance after another executing death defying feats. I understand there are several traveling troupes in the US and one has a home base show in Branson, Missouri. Who knew! Wonder if these kids did any Olympic work? How do you decide to go the path of Olympics or Circus? Or do the Pinc's make that decision for you?
Pleep thoroughly enjoyed himself and felt they needed a monkey mascot. So at the show's end-like a flash backstage he flew. Where could he sign up to joining the circus! Surely there was a spot for a lovable monkey- ever so charming....he was quite a hit with the performers and mugged for pictures with them....
I so loved the Chinese Characters...and David, our guide, had a hell of a time trying to get me to understand the Chinese characters. You mean the"alphabet"? Round and round we went trying to get Boca to get there was no Alphabet. It is a Chinese writing system known as sinography. Chinese characters are the oldest continuously used of writing in the world. The number of Chinese character's contained in the Kangxi dictionary is approximately 47,035 (we heard close to 60,000) but one can keep up knowing between 4000-6000 of them. The characters are monosyllabic and have been "reformed" over the years and particularly since 1949 with the Pinc take over. By the way almost EVERYTHING (streets, signs etc) is not only written in Chinese but also in English.
Quite the view from our room at Le Royal Meridien. Bubba checks out the room and most importantly- yes yes the suitcases sent arrived- underwear present and accounted for. Over 19 million people call Shanghai home. Located on the east coast of China (middle section), sitting on the mouth of the Yangtze River. China's most cosmopolitan and vibrant city- this city grew in importance in the 19th century due to its port location. The city flourished until the Communists took over in 1949 and it's international influence and fame declined. And in light of the Commie victory most foreign companies moved their offices to Hong Kong as part of the exodus. However in the 1990's good old Deng Xiaoping slid some economic reforms in here resulting in the start of a massive and intense re-development of the city. Hello finance and foreign investment and the birth of Lujiazulin Pudong! We are talking a major league global finance hub- patterning after London and NYC.
Pleep thoroughly enjoyed himself and felt they needed a monkey mascot. So at the show's end-like a flash backstage he flew. Where could he sign up to joining the circus! Surely there was a spot for a lovable monkey- ever so charming....he was quite a hit with the performers and mugged for pictures with them....
