Bright multi-coloured lights, computerised voices coming from every direction, millions of people coming and going like blurred photography, skyscrapers towering over from every corner; this is how Ridley Scott envisioned the future. The uncanny resemblance can be found in the city of Shanghai.
I fell in love with Shanghai within the first 24 hours. Firstly, I was taken away by the beautiful contrasting architecture. On one side of the Hangpu River, is the modern skyline of the Pudong (Financial District of Shangai), and on the other is the art deco European inspired architecture. It's a feast for any architecture lover's eyes!
Modern futuristic characteristics of Shanghai aside, the city boasts of old Chinese tradition as well. One such example of this is the Yuyuan Gardens. The gardens were built back in 1559 during the Ming dynasty; they have survived several centuries of natural and war disasters as well as enemy occupations. To this day Yuyuan Gardens is a national landmark and a prime example of Chinese gardening and landscaping that is immitated in private gardens throughout the world. This sight was my absolute favourite throughout my entire journey in China! My collection of photos hardly capture the breathtaking beauty of the Yuyuan Gardens, it must be witnessed in person.
I fell in love with Shanghai within the first 24 hours. Firstly, I was taken away by the beautiful contrasting architecture. On one side of the Hangpu River, is the modern skyline of the Pudong (Financial District of Shangai), and on the other is the art deco European inspired architecture. It's a feast for any architecture lover's eyes!
The skyline of the Financial District overlooking the Hangpu River
a close up of the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV tower
The art deco European style building on the other side of the Hangpu River along "The Bund" promenade
This is the futuristic looking river boat we took to see all the skyscrapers lit up at night. Each building a different animated light display.
Here is part of the lightshow in action. The photo doesn't capture an iota of how magnificent and large scale this is in real life.
...And another photo of the amazing lit up skyline from the river front.
The art deco buildings on the other side of the river were also lit up showing off their old style grandeur.
I was not only taken away by the architecture, but the multitude of colourful lights everywhere was so magical and yet so predictable of China. The main shopping promenade, Nanjing Road, is a prime example of that. It was overloaded with colourful neon signs, millions of people, and electronic voices coming from every shop you passed by. I felt like I had been transported to the future, a future where China is the leading super power and everything is electronic, just as it's depicted in the film, Blade Runner.
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road and the crowds of people
lit up neon signs on Nanjing Road
trying not to get lost on Nanjing Road!
Transformer themed clothing in a shop window
"Kung Fu", a local fast food chain, serving noodle dishes, rice dishes, dumplings, etc.
Sticking to the futuristic theme that Shanghai seems to don so well, I was impressed with a very kitschy tourist trap called the "Sight Seeing Tunnel". It's a tunnel undernearth the Hangpu River where you sit in a small slow moving pod, witness an impressive colourful light show whilst futuristic electronic music is played in the background, and you ride into the future! So it's not really a sight seeing tunnel per se, it's more of a trippy lightshow tunnel for tourists.
Modern futuristic characteristics of Shanghai aside, the city boasts of old Chinese tradition as well. One such example of this is the Yuyuan Gardens. The gardens were built back in 1559 during the Ming dynasty; they have survived several centuries of natural and war disasters as well as enemy occupations. To this day Yuyuan Gardens is a national landmark and a prime example of Chinese gardening and landscaping that is immitated in private gardens throughout the world. This sight was my absolute favourite throughout my entire journey in China! My collection of photos hardly capture the breathtaking beauty of the Yuyuan Gardens, it must be witnessed in person.
koi fish
a view of the Yuyuan Garden rooftops and a skyscraper in the background
The dragon details on the rooftops were exquisite. Chinese tradition states that the dragon symbolises power, strenght, and good luck. It has been typically used as a symbol for the Emperor.
Just outside Yuyuan Gardens is the famous Huxinting tea house and Yuyuan Market. The tea house was built in 1784, and it is the oldest in Shanghai. I had the most amazing cup of oolong ever here!
As for Yuyuan Market, it is also worth perusing. The market itself is all contained within the picturesque Chinese architecture from the Ming dynasty. You can find market stalls as well as retail shops selling a massive range of souvenirs all at very negotiable prices. When in China, you must bargain!
During my short stay in Shanghai, I felt like a trip to the zoo was a must. I had to see some pandas in China! If I had more time I would've stopped in Chengdu, where the Panda Conservation Centre is based. Since there was no time such a detour, Shanghai Zoo will just have to do. I'm an animal lover, and I'm usually quite skeptical about taking animals out of their natural habitat and being placed in small confined spaces. But I was actually pleasantly surprised how well Shanghai Zoo treated the animals, they all had a lot of space and were very well fed. It's only the zoo visitors that should have been carefully monitored!
So that was my little sampling of Shanghai; it certainly wasn't enough and it had me thirsting for more. What I saw of the city, I absolutely loved!.. The modern aesthetics, the right amount of global influence mixed with Eastern culture, the fast paced exciting city vibe, and the ease to move around the city so effortlessly. Shanghai sets the pace for the rest of China in terms of business, modern culture, entertainment, modern cuisine, and fashion. For any sci-fi fan, it is like Blade Runner come to life!
Next stop, Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors and the best dumplings in China!
Huxinting Tea House and the zig zag bridge
As for Yuyuan Market, it is also worth perusing. The market itself is all contained within the picturesque Chinese architecture from the Ming dynasty. You can find market stalls as well as retail shops selling a massive range of souvenirs all at very negotiable prices. When in China, you must bargain!
green bean, custard, and jelly sweets in a sweets shop
A fashionable young couple posing for the camera
During my short stay in Shanghai, I felt like a trip to the zoo was a must. I had to see some pandas in China! If I had more time I would've stopped in Chengdu, where the Panda Conservation Centre is based. Since there was no time such a detour, Shanghai Zoo will just have to do. I'm an animal lover, and I'm usually quite skeptical about taking animals out of their natural habitat and being placed in small confined spaces. But I was actually pleasantly surprised how well Shanghai Zoo treated the animals, they all had a lot of space and were very well fed. It's only the zoo visitors that should have been carefully monitored!
a googly-eyed gold fish
a kid goat
This sign was complete unacknowledged by the visitors! So, what did they do to the bears?..
...they fed the bears! This wild grizzly wasn't too happy as he was being fed sweets and chocolate by the idiotic visitors.
A Red Panda up in the trees
A Giant Panda behind thick plexiglass to protect him from the harmful visitors.There are only about 3,000 giant pandas left in the world. They are very much protected and well taken care of in China.
Bambi
Baboon
So that was my little sampling of Shanghai; it certainly wasn't enough and it had me thirsting for more. What I saw of the city, I absolutely loved!.. The modern aesthetics, the right amount of global influence mixed with Eastern culture, the fast paced exciting city vibe, and the ease to move around the city so effortlessly. Shanghai sets the pace for the rest of China in terms of business, modern culture, entertainment, modern cuisine, and fashion. For any sci-fi fan, it is like Blade Runner come to life!
Next stop, Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors and the best dumplings in China!
The new bullet trains @ Shanghai train station. The one on the left is what I took from Beijing to Shanghai. We got to our destination in 5 hours rather than 15, at an average speed of 320 km/hour
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