Glimpses of China - Shanghai

Glimpses of China - Shanghai
31/05/08 to 14/6/08 Rashmi Rastogi

Day 12: 11th June 2008

We reached Shanghai from Shenzen , after a flight of two and half hours , at 11 am. We did not get much to eat on the plane. No vegan was available. Even non veg options were between pork and beef. However, as we had taken our breakfast, we were not too hungry.

Shanghai, China’s largest modern city, also called ‘Hu’ or ‘Shen’ , is one of the four municipalities under the jurisdiction of the Government. It is situated in the middle of China’s east coastal line and borders Jiansu to the north and Zhejiang to the south. Area of Shanghai over 6,340 sq. km. and has a population of over 15 million. It is the largest economic and trade center in the country. Shanghai’s history of revolution and culture attract tourists home and abroad. Being regarded as ‘Paris of China’ and as the paradise for shopping , Shanghai has become an ideal city for tourism.

We went by bus to the Pudong area, which has very tall buildings and is impressive. Huangpu River (14 km long) flows nearby, which we crossed from under the water. There is also a trolley that takes you across the underwater way and you can have a good view of the under waterway.

Shanghai Ocean Aquarium

We went to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Located at 158, Yincheng Road (North), Pudong, Shanghai Ocean Aquarium is a high-tech tourist project newly constructed in Shanghai. The Aquarium, which has a total floor space of 22.4 thousand square meters, boasts a 120-meter-long submarine sightseeing tunnel, the longest in Asia, making tourists feel as if they were in the depth of the ocean since they can see the mysterious world at the bottom of the sea and the rare and strange marine life from different angles and directions. The Aquarium is made up of 8 major areas with 28 large-scale theme marine life exhibition areas, displaying the 300 species and ten thousand more rare fishes from all over the world. Some of them are most unique freshwater and marine life; others are rare aquatic life unique of China. All these give tourists a pleasant impression of “experiencing the wonders of the five continents at the bottom of the sea”.
We spent one hour in the Oceanic Fish Aquarium, which is amazing and houses an extremely large variety of Fish, big and small. Went under water too, and viewed the fish above and on the sides.
Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Jin Mao Tower is located in the center of Lujiazui Finance and Trade Districts in Pudong. The 88-stories Jin Mao Tower was completed in 1999. It is 420.5 meters (almost 1380 feet) tall and covers an area of 2.3 hectares (5.68 acres). The architect, Adrian D. Smith, of this skyscraper ingeniously combined the elements of traditional Chinese culture with the newest architectural styles of the time, which makes Jin Mao Tower one of the best-constructed buildings in China. This building includes modern offices, a deluxe 5-star hotel - the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, exhibition halls, banquet halls, an observation deck, and entertainment facilities. The 88th floor-the highest floor, houses a skywalk, a 1,520 m2 indoor observation deck with a capacity of 1000 people. In addition to the panoramic views of Shanghai, it offers a top side view of the hotel atrium below. The tower has the best elevators available. Two direct elevators operate at the speed of 9.1 meters (nearly 30 feet) per second that can send visitors from the ground floor to the 88th floor for only 45 seconds. There are also five to six elevators every 10 floors, which reduce waiting-time to 35 seconds even during rush hours.

We went up the Jin Mao Tower, thro’ the express elevator and spend a few minutes enjoying the wonderful view. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower can be seen from the Jin Mao. There is a telescope , thro’ which one can get a closer view of the surroundings. Levels 89-93, which occupy the building’s spire, are mechanical floors not accessible to the public. They are illuminated in bright white at night.

The Jin Mao tower is the fourth tallest building in the world. (Jin means gold and mao means persons.) The tallest is in Taiwan, second is in Malayasia , third in Chicago. The tallest building of the future is coming up next to the Jin Mao.
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui, Shanghai. The tower, surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, creates a picture of ‘twin dragons playing with pearls’. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors year-round. This 468 meters high (1,536 feet) tower is the world’s third tallest TV and radio tower surpassed in height only by towers in Toronto, Canada and Moscow, Russia.
There is also a trolley that takes you across the underwater way and you can have a good view of the under waterway.

After dinner, we took the underwater trolley and emerged on the otherside ie. the Bund side. We had a good view and also did some roadside shopping. One has to be careful so as not to be cheated. Long long kites were flying. We returned to the Hotel after roaming the Bund area.

The Bund at night

Jade Buddha Temple

The Sitting Buddha

13th Day: 12th June 08.

After breakfast in the hotel, we left for site seeing at 9 am. We visited the Jade Buddha Temple. Jade Buddha Monastery is located at Anyuan Road in the west of the centre of Shanghai city. Built in 1882, the 8th year of Guang Xu in the Qing Dynasty, it is a Buddhist Monastery. It covers a total area of 8400 sq. mtrs. The monastery has three halls namely the Heavenly King Hall, The Grand Hall and the Abbot’s Chamber. This famous Buddhist Monastery houses two jade statues of Sakyamuni. One is in a sitting position, and the other is a reclining position. Both statues are of great artistic value and are regarded as treasures of Buddhism in China.

After visiting the temple, we were offerred different varieties of tea and were told that the tea was beneficial for several ailments, such as skin, arthritis etc. We had the tea, but did not purchase as the rates were extremely high – not worth it.

From the temple , we went to the Shanghai City Planning Museum. It dipicts the growth and progress of Shanghai , which is very impressive indeed.

After lunch , went to the Yuyuan Garden followed by shopping (lots of shops near the garden) upto 4 pm.

The picturesqe scenary in theYuyuan garden

Visitors are feeding the red carp in the pool

Yuyuan Garden: Yuyuan Garden, perhaps the most celebrated Chinese garden in Shanghai, is located in the northeast of the old town with an area of five acres. The garden each year attracts countless visitors from home and abroad. Yuyuan garden was first built in 1559 and the construction lasted for 19 years. It appears much larger on account of skillful landscape gardening – with paths winding thro’ charming pavillions, delightful grottoes, beautiful lotus ponds, quaint bridged and trickling streams. The art of decoration also finds expression in the brick engravings and wood carvings everywhere in the garden, which reflect the style of southern China in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The beautiful scenery can be compared with the four famous gardens in Suzhou. Built in a style that Suzhou gardens often take, Yuyuan garden is characterised by exqusite layout, beautiful scenary and atristic architecture. Each pavillion, hall, stone and stream in the garden can express the quintessence of south China landscape design from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The bounding wall in the garden, decorated with dragon’s heads and paved by scale-like tiles on top, looks like a huge wandering dragon. People call it Five-Dragon Wall. Totally 30 scenic spots scattered in this garden. Five-dragon Wall subdivides the garden into six spots including the grand Rockery, Ten-Thousand-Flower Pavillion, Hall of Heralding Spring, Hall of Jade Magnificence, Inner Garden and Lotus Pool. The garden is acknowledged as ‘an archtectural miracle in the region south of Yangtze River’.

Later, we went to the Acrobatic show followed by dinner .
Acrobatic Show

Over 40 of the most amazing acrobats in the world perform jaw dropping, breathtaking, and astounding acrobatic acts that you will ever witness. Each year the amazing Acrobats of China return home and auditions are held. Only the best of the best return to Branson each season. Their ages range from 13 to 45. They spend 6 to 7 months out of the year in Branson and then return to their homeland to be with their families.

Hoop diving, trapeze acts, aerial ballet, magic, exotic Chinese traditional dance routines, and hypnotizing music keeps you mystified as they amaze you with their unbelievable talents. Flexibility, dexterity, versatility, and sheer concentration skills are just a few of the descriptions that you will use when describing this one of a kind show to others. Many of the acrobats begin training at the age of three and will make the acrobatic circus their life long profession whether it be performing or on the business end of it all.

The amazing Chinese Acrobats train for 3-4 hours a day regardless if they are performing in the show that particular day. The workout regime is grueling but of the utmost importance when considering the strength, hand/eye coordination, and concentration needed to perform their show safely.

You really have to witness the Shanghai Circus Acrobats of China in person to truly appreciate their efforts and talents. Families of all ages are thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. Their talented shows keep families coming back year after year. I have seen the show three times, and am eagerly anticipating many more exciting shows in the upcoming year. I strongly recommend The Shanghai Circus Acrobats of China show for entire families regardless of age.

Next morning we left Shanghai (China).

Glimpses of China - Shenzen

Glimpses of China - Shenzen
31/05/08 to 14/6/08 Rashmi Rastogi

Day 11: 10th June 2008 (Shenzen)

Shenzhen is one of the most flourishing cities in China during the past 20 years. There is a widespread saying: “You think you are brave until you go to Manchuria, you think you are well read until you reach Beijing and you think you are rich until you set foot in Shenzhen”. There is another saying which goes like this: “When a leaf falls from a tree, it passes 3 politicians in Beijing while it passes three doctors and three managers here.”
Located in the middle-south coast of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen neighbours Daya Bay in the east, the mouth of the Zhujiang (Pearl) River in the west, and Hongkong in the south. It is one of the earliest SEZ’s (Special Economic Zone) in China. It is also a newly rising tourist city with the most up-to-date tourist facilities and simple arrival procedures for visitors from abroad.

On the way to site seeing, our guide told that Shenzen has developed from a small town of 50,000 people to 14 million today. Hongkong is just about an hour’s drive from here. One can see Hongkong clearly in the distance. Local people are less. Outsiders are in a majority. Moreover, girls are much much more than boys. The ratio of girls to boys is 7:1. Our guide was a girl and she said that very difficult to find a boy.

Our first stop was the Silk Museum. Very good silk outfits were being sold. One should remember that Silk was discovered in China. There was free size T Shirt, which anyone can wear.

At 4 pm, after having hot tea / coffee in the room, we left for the “ Window of the World”.
Shenzhen "Window of The World" is located at Overseas Chinese Town along the beautiful Shenzhen Bay, covering an area of 480,000 sqm. 118 exquisite, magnificent, world-famous scenic spots and folk song or dance shows make World Square , the Area of Asia, the Area of Oceanic, the Area of Europe, the Area of Africa, the Area of America, the World Sculpture Park, Jurassic Park the nine fabulous parts of the whole park. It is a fantastic replica park . Here you can see vivid replicas of the world's wonders, historical heritages and famous scenic sites. The entire masterpiece is built at ratios of 1:1, 1:5 or 1:15. Within one day, you can visit many reproductions of famous sites from different countries. For example you can find the Mahamuni Pagoda of Rangoon and the Angkor Wat of Cambodia here. European architectural splendors, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Ancient Athens, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Tower of London will carry you back to the cradle of classical European culture. When you tour the miniature Roman Colosseum, you might notice a cruel and bloody scene. Enjoy the picturesque scenery as you take a gondola along the canals of Venice. Mysterious Africa is always full of life and vigor. Here, the Pyramids and the Sphinx are quietly waiting for your visit. After traveling through typical African hamlets, you come to the Oceania. Sydney Opera House, which boasts a unique style, is a landmark not only of Australia but also the whole Oceania. Looking from a distance, it looks like a luminous pearl on the vast expanse of blue sea water. The rumbles of Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon lead you to the America, a young continent. These two natural wonders are awe-inspiring. Moving on to modern civilization, in the replica of Manhattan you will see rows of towering skyscrapers. No wonder they say the rhythm of life speeds up here.

It offers tourists to see the world in miniature. This spectacular theme park features many of the world’s most famous sites and architectural landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Canyon and even the replica’s of the Easter Island, the Niagra Falls.

We took a tour of the Window of the world to get a good glimpse of the famous sites housed there. We went close to the Niagra Falls. It was a divine feeling. Our Taj Mahal, Agra is also majestically standing there. Later, we went up the Eiffel Tower miniature. It is one-third the size of the original (108 mtrs high). We had to take two escalators, one sloping and the other straight up. Wonderful view from the top. From the Eiffel Tower top we could see the Window of he world too. The Niagra Falls look majestic , with dew drops (tushar) being scattered all over. Gives a very cool and calm feel. We can see Hongkong in the distance, which is one hour by the creek bridge. We roamed the Window of the World checking out the various replicas.

Window of the World is full of foreign flavours

Shenzen Window of the World (miniature Eiffel Tower)

The Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

Miniature Taj Mahal - Window of the World

At 6 pm there was a Russian dance show, a ride on the monorail (have to purchase ticket) and a 3-D show in the Mt. Fuji theatre. We opted for the 3-D show. It was an underwater movie. The fish would come on to us and even spit. (there is a shower fixed on the front seat, which co-ordinated with the timing). Also the seat shakes, goes up and down. Some of our colleagues were scared to sit through the show.

The high point of a day spent at Window of the World is the evening parade featuring citizens of all the different countries that have just been toured, with a wonderful display of traditional dances and other performances. When night curtain falls, a cast of hundreds of artists from home and abroad on the same stage present the spectacular night show and fantastic float parade. On the shell-shape central stage, on the flower road and on the elliptical fountain stage, the magnificent, unique and novel performances display the world civilization, complemented by surrounding stereo sound effect and fancy lightings. The whole night show has created a dazing , colorful, grandiose performing atmosphere and is extremely entertaining. The creative night show in World Square is highly appraised by experts as"the milestone of Square Art in China". And this show, together with 118 scenic spots, form the most beautiful and attractive scenery in "Window of the World".

At 7.30 , we saw the Grand evening show in the huge dome theatre. The show was depicting the Love Stories of the world. It started with Helen of Troy, Ramayan, Stories from the Arabian Nights. There were atleast a few hundred artists in the Show and were very well co-ordinated. However, it was difficult to keep pace as things were moving too fast and the stage was huge covering 180 deg. And more. In Ramayan, we could locate Ram and Sita and later Ravana too, but was unable to understand as to what was going on !

After the show, we left for dinner and back to the hotel.