Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Must Do Activities in Shanghai
The Bund is an area located in Shanghai city of China. It is located particularly within the area of Huangpu District in Shanghai or the People’s Republic of China. The bund is known as the buildings as well as the quayside within this section of the road and to some of the neighbouring areas. This place of Shanghai is one of the most popular tourist destinations of China; the buildings here are restricted because of its amazing heights. On the other hand the bund word as they said means mound or an embanked dock which originates from the Urdu word which means band. In rhyme the bund is often pronounced as fund.
The Bund is considered as one of the most important places in Shanghai because it is here where the 52 buildings covering a variety of architectural styles such like Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Renaissance, Beaux-Arts, Neo-Classical and Art Deco are found that will really stunned every tourists who will come and visit here. Additionally, the Bund as well found the main shopping street which is the Nanjing Road situated in the west from the Bund’s centre point. The area is appointed as the financial hub of the Far East. In fact, the Bund is recognized as the city’s sign since 1920’s; and it is also known as the museum of buildings due to the reason that it has various different styles of European buildings nestling in here. Recently, the bund became more attractive because of the various contemporary buildings being established. The lists below are some of the most featured areas found in the bund.
HSBC Building—the renowned greatest building found within the bund which recently the home to the Pudong Development Bank.
- Customs House—famous for its striking clocktower which has a Big Ching nickname.
- Historical Museum—the best destination to look for the collections related to Shanghai city.
- Temple of the Town Gods—a very famous edifice located not that far from Yuyuan which is the largest example of traditional Chinese architecture within Shanghai.
- Yuyuan Garden—a well-known traditional Chinese Ming style private garden which is initially built in 1559; despite the fact that it is expensive when entering here, it is all worthy.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Top Sanghai Attractions
Shanghai Museum is a museum of the ancient Chinese art; it caters of about 120, 000 collections of valuable works of art. In fact it’s being wealthy as a collector of the prehistoric Chinese bronze, paintings, ceramics, as well as calligraphy is being commemorated within the whole world. The museum of Shanghai is first open to the public at the previous horseracing club dramatically in 325 W. On the other hand, Shanghai municipal government owed the museum a piece of land particularly within the centre of the city in 1992 which is the People Square’s as its new location. The constructions took about three years starting from August 1993 towards its launching on October 12th 1996. The distinctive design of this edifice which is a round top with a square base, symbolizes the ancient Chinese Philosophy which means that the square earth is beneath the round sky.
The museum has been the sanctuary of bronze artefacts which is appointed as the significant treasure since the period of Shang and Zhou dynasties. There are about 400 pieces of collections of bronze are being displayed in this 1, 200 square meters which presents an overall viewpoint of bronze art within ancient China. Another interesting feature to view inside the museum is its collection of old ceramics such like the collection of unique pottery and porcelain. It has indeed a collection of more than 500 well specimens displayed in the 1, 300 square meters space that includes the gray and painted pottery of the Neolithic time and other related collections.
Another interesting view to see in the museum are the Chinese paintings. Most of the paintings here are painted using the dots and line by the skill and brush, silk, inkstick and most importantly the Xuan paper which has the best role in painting. The museum is abounded with different fascinating collections of arts aside from the latter mentioned above and these are the Gallery of Chinese Calligraphy, the Gallery of Chinese Ancient Culture, and the Gallery of Chinese Ancient Jade, Gallery of Chinese Coins, the Chinese Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery, Gallery of Chinese Seals and the Chinese Minority Nationalities Art Gallery.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in About Shanghai
If you are planning to visit Shanghai China for vacation, you need to consider also the climate that they have and which is the best time to go there. This reason on the other hand, is for you to entirely enjoy your stay while you are in Shanghai. The city on the other hand is facing the East China Sea which is part of the Pacific Ocean; in which it intersects the Huangpo River. The city owned a humid subtropical climate or they often called the “Koppen climate classification”. Its average yearly temperature is about 16.58°C, which is known low for its being in a coastal location and only 8° of the north of the tropics and huge because of the city’s exposure to the cold northerly winds during winter.
The city experience of about four different seasons all year round; Shanghai can experience freezing temperature during its winter season and could experience of about 32 °C or 90 °F during the months of July and August which is considered the hottest months of the year. Shanghai’s early summer can experience of common heavy rains, while its springs will start during the month of March. The month of June is the city’s summer season, while September is autumn and the month of December is winter. The most beautiful season in Shanghai China is during its spring time; however there is still recurrent rain as well as irregular distribution of both warmth and cold.
On the other hand, the city’s most visiting time is during their summer season; however, during this period the weather is hot and oppressive which has a high humidity. The autumn season in Shanghai is dramatically sunny and dry, while the month of November is the shrubbery season of the city. Shanghai’s winter season is composed of grey and boring which has the visibility of little down fall of snow. And because of its different climate, it is important for you to know the best season to visit Shanghai China.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Must Do Activities in Shanghai
Shanghai is never known of having its own typical cuisine; in fact the city gathered its cuisine from the provinces particularly in the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang coastal provinces. Generally, typical Shanghai cuisine is recognized by using alcohol. The most famous dishes they served are fish, eel, chicken and crab; they mostly serve it in cooked/steamed and even raw. Shanghainese as well love in preserving salted meats and vegetables which they mostly used to make the dish a perfect one. Shanghainese as well loves to put sugar on their cuisine which they also combine soy sauce in it as well as effuses and sauces and an outcome for this is not that sweet but indeed flavoursome. Red cooking is famous as well as stewing meats and vegetables in Shanghai.
On the other hand, for tourists Shanghai have various restaurants dine with. However, there are only appointed and featured the best restaurant to dine in and the lists below are recommended for tourists who are looking for the best restaurant in Shanghai.
- Sends & Bund—this restaurant is located in Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu 18, Shanghai. This is the perfect location if you wanted to view the Huangpo River and the skyline. Dishes mostly served in here are skeins of black tagliolini which has shaved octupos, and crispy seared fish mixed with a creative spread of mustard sauce.
- Azul—nestling in the old French Concession area, this place is recognized as the tapas restaurant which serves the best Western breakfast in the city. Most of the dishes being served here are baby spinach salad, sun-dried tomatoes, omelette basil, blue berry pancakes, goat cheese and asparagus.
- A Future Perfect—located in Huashan Lu Lane 351, Shanghai. Diners will be amazed with the dining room of this restaurant since it is being ornamented with a fanciful paint job as well as mod furniture which make the restaurant looks more vibrant and captivating. Menus served here are Tuna-ba-lula and Thor’s Thunder and the famous Mary’s Lamb. Aside from that, this restaurant as well is truly cheap and affordable.
- Jean-Georges—the best place on the bund. The foods served here are a combination of Eastern and Western foods. Tourists dining in here will enjoy the Kuamoto oyster adorned in Champagne jelly which is trailed by raw tuna which is lightened by the Thai chilli paste. The cubed raw kingfish with the Taiwanese mangoes as well as chilli-lemon granita is also a perfect dish to eat in this restaurant.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Must Do Activities in Shanghai
The city of China is one of the appointed as most vibrant cities nestling in China. This city is abounding with captivating dance clubs, jazz clubs or karaoke clubs. The city is indeed the best place to please everybody especially those who are travellers. Indeed the city’s nightlife is famous since life here is not just a normal life but it is more than the life you are expected it to be. The nightlife here is genuinely elegant which is ideal for nightlife goers. Nightlife in Shanghai is extraordinary, its views during night time are really fascinating and the famous bund is a must. And the city’s striking huge skyscrapers give lively and colourful lights at night when all will be light up. On the other hand, there are places to visit with in China ideal for tourists who are looking for the best place to hide at night; the list below are just some featured areas to go in Shanghai China.
- Park 97—this area of Shanghai is located within the west gate of Fuxing Park, particularly in Luwan District within the French Concession. The best time to go here is during Monday and Wednesday nights a well as during Friday and Saturdays. You can find in this place the four different establishments which are the Baci restaurants that offer Italian cuisine, the Tokio Joe which is a restaurant that serves sushi; the California Club which is a famous disco-techno/hip-hop club; while the upstairs part of 97 features a bar/lounge which is truly relaxing that features live, Latin and jazz music.
- Guandi—a famous and well established clubs. This club has two different sprawls which both has trance as well as hip hop tunes. The best time for lady night goers is during Sundays because it would be a lady’s night. While during Tuesdays is reggae night and Wednesday night is segregated as Super Model Night which is a lucky day because it is free of admission.
- Cotton Club—ideal place for businessmen and to the upper class people. It provides and rejuvenates evening of jazz within, with quite and candlelit surroundings.
- Club DKD—famous as a purple place. It is a club located in the underground; it is a captivating place because of its progressive music and popular DJs.
- Face—this is one of the best clubs within the city of Shanghai where tourists can enjoy both the Thai and India cuisine within the Old World charm while you are sipping with your cocktails.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Must Do Activities in Shanghai
Despite the reality that the city of Shanghai is now one of the progressive cities in China, still most of the people in here or the residents especially remain living their traditional way of life. Shanghai has many traditional customs being preserved, in order to celebrate their customs; there are various festivals and many exhibitions are celebrated. There are various festivals known in China, and the lists below are some of the most featured festivals in Shanghai China.
- Chinese New Year—this event is held during the month of January. Hitting the bell is the traditional event for Shanghai people to greet the coming New Year. Traditionally the Chinese people hit the bell in 108 times believing that it could take away the trouble and some disasters. Through hitting the bell as well, the Chinese people believe that it would give them good luck and longevity. Annually, it is under the longhua ancient pagoda or at the longhua temple where the hitting of the longhua bell is held during the midnight of New Year.
- Longhua Temple Fair—this festival is held within the longhua old town. This place is known to have about more than 300 years of history. Myths entailed that the smiling Buddha was given birth under the longhua tree, advocates Buddhism and saved the people from their sufferings. Eventually, the place became the temple fair which recently becomes the largest folk gathering within Eastern China.
- Shanghai International tea Culture Festival—it is annually commemorated during the month of April which last of about a week. This festival on the other hand is one of the greatest festivals for the shanghai people in promoting the Chinese national culture as well as widen the friendship from the people all over the world.
- Shanghai peach blossom festival—it is held during the late month of March or at the early month of April; it is commemorated particularly within the tens of thousands acres of peach planting vicinity within nanhui district, village of Shanghai. It features the cultural significance of the Chinese people.
- Shanghai tourism—it is a large scale metropolitan tourist celebration which has the theme “walking into happiness and joy”. This festival is annually held during the third Saturday of September continuing to the month of October 16.
- Shanghai International arts festivals—the objective of the China Shanghai international festival is to promote the best cultures all over the world particularly their Chinese traditional arts and among others.
- Shanghai Television Festival—this festival features mostly about the platform of brilliant international TV programs, signing ceremonies of international cooperation and press conferences.
- The Shanghai citizen’s marathon—which is significantly held during the month of December.
Shanghai International Marathon—held also during the month of December.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Top Sanghai Attractions
The famous Oriental Tower is a TV tower which is located particularly at the Lujiazui within the Pudong district at the side of Huangpo River opposite The Bund of Shanghai, China. The construction began in 1991 designed by the prominent contemporary architecture who was Jian Huan Cheng of the prestigious Shanghai Modern Architectural Design Co. Ltd. Generally the construction was completed in the year of 1995. Oriental Pearl Tower is designated as the tallest tower in Asia and the third tallest tower worldwide. The tower features of about 1, 535 feet high which became the reason why it is appointed as one of the tallest towers; recently, Orient Pearl Tower is manipulated by the World Federation of Great Towers.
Today, the tower has been the attraction of the city of Shanghai; it features of about 15 spheres which has different sizes within its different levels which make it an artistic formation of huge and small pearls plummeting onto a jade plate. And because of its unique architectural design, the Oriental Pearl Tower is one of the favourite destinations of tourists visiting Shanghai. The tower as well attributes revolving teahouse and sightseeing podium which can cater of about 1600 people within the largest ball. This area will give the tourists a fascinating view of the Bund and then the Pudong New Area.
The tower is consists of about six elevators; the tower five is consists of three columns, the other one is in between the height of 250 metres and 341 metres. The five elevators are double-decked. The two medium-sized elevators can accommodate of about 30 persons that speeds of 7 metres per second. Due to the reason that the tower is one of the striking edifices in Shanghai China, Oriental Pearl is one of the most significant things in China where tourist can enjoy most.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Top Sanghai Attractions
Jade Buddha Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in Shanghai particularly in China. This recent temple portrayed from both the Chan as well as Pure Land traditions of Mayahana Buddhism. This temple was established since 1882 which has two jade Buddha sculptures which are known imported from Burma to Shanghai through the sea. These Buddhas are appointed as the sitting Buddha which has about 1.95 metres tall with 3 tonnes as well as a smaller lounges Buddha that represents the death of Buddha. Recently, the temple also enclosed larger reclining Jade Buddha which is contributed from Singapore.
The previous temple on the other hand was destroyed during the period of revolution which ousted the Qing Dynasty. However the Buddha statue was fortunate of being saved and because of that they made a new temple in the present site in 1928 which was then designated as the Jade Buddha Temple. The latter two jade Buddhist statues are not just typical cultural relics but as well as porcelain artworks which is worth to view and visit by the tourists. The glimmering feature of the white jade gave the Buddhas a fascinating beauty of holiness which makes them more glowing.
On the other hand, the 96 centimetres long Recumbent Budhha is nestling on the right side which has the hand opinionated the head as well as the left hand which placed on the left leg and this form is called the “lucky repose” while the demure face of Sakyamuni shows the peaceful mood when he left the world. Another thing that the temple can offer is the other Recumbent Buddha which caters of about four metres long. Additionally the temple is also ornamented with numerous ancient paintings as well as Buddhist scriptures which is displayed and hanged on the different halls of the temple, one of the ideal and significant places in Shanghai China that is worth to visit by the visitors.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in Top Sanghai Attractions
The Garden of Contentment or the Yu Yuan Garden is famous in Shanghai as one of the finest Chinese Gardens in China. The garden is nestled within the main ancient City particularly in Shanghai China. It has been said that the garden was first established in 1159 by Pan Yuan. He spent of about 20 years making the garden look fascinating from his father’s eyes—Pan En who was a prominent high-ranking official during the Ming Dynasty period.
The garden suffered and experienced severe damage by the people occupied on it. Starting from 1760 when it was bought by the traders which spoiled much in the 19th century. While in 1842 which was during the Opium Wars, the Town God temple was being occupied by the British armies for about five days. And during the period of Taiping Rebellion the garden as well was being inhabited by the imperial troops and was again damage by the Japanese in 1942. Eventually, the garden was then refurbished by the Shanghai government in 1956-1961 which was then dramatically opened to the public in 1961 while when the year 1982 approaches the latter was appointed as a national monument.
Recently, this famous Garden of Contentment or the Yu Yuan Garden caters of about 2 hectares or 5 acres which is divided into six broad areas nestling into the Suzhou style and these are the following:
The Heralding Spring Hall or Dianchun—this area of the garden served as the pedestal of the Society of Little Swords or the Xiaodao Hui; this is built in 1820 which was the first sovereignty of the Emperor Daoguang.
- Grand Rockery—this area is believed that it contains the Sansui Hall or the Three Corn Ears. It is made of huangshi stone with 12 m high. It features peaks, winding caves as well as gorges, and cliffs.
- Jade magnificence Hall or Yuhua—this one is furnished with rosewood pieces starting the Ming Dynasty.
- Inner Garden—this area was first established in 1709 which features rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers and was refurbished in 1956 by joining the east and the west gardens.
- Ten Thousand-Flower Tower or Wanhua
And lastly the Lotus Pool—its unique feature of zigzag bridge and mid-like pavilion are incredible views to see.
Posted by The Travel Blogger on March 18th, 2008 in About Shanghai
Shanghai city is appointed as the largest city of China and considered as the eight largest cities in the world. The city is situated particularly within the banks of the Yangtze River Delta within East China. The city as well is known to China as the fortress of contemporary economy, industrial, communications, and the financial centre of the country. Generally, the city of Shanghai is indeed the metropolis of the People’s Republic of China which has a province-level status. Indeed shanghai became also the world’s busiest ports and the hugest cargo port all over the world during 2005.
Shanghai is considered as one of the most important cities all over the world, because it is here where economic issues are being discussed. From the original status as a fishing town, recently Shanghai became one of the most significant cities within the 20th century. Starting on that time, the city became popular as the chief areas of famous culture, as well as political effort, and intellectual communication for the period of the Republic of China. Despite the reality that Shanghai undergoes a number of challenges, the city continues to grow and reign amongst the other cities. From its high and huge skyscrapers, we can see that Shanghai become progressive compared to its previous position.
Since Shanghai became famous as the cultural and economic main centre dramatically of East Asia within half of the twentieth century, the city appointed as the source of everything in China. In fact, it is in China where the first motor car was invented and was driven as well as the first train tracks and contemporary sewers are placed. Aside from the city’s literature, it is also the area of the Chinese cinema and theatre. In fact, China’s primary short film entitled “The Difficult Couple as well as the first fictional film entitled “The Orphan Rescues Grandfather” are both created within Shanghai, which is really very influential in making China as the major centre of Chinese film-making industry. Today, more and more tourists coming in here to personally witness this blooming city of Shanghai.