Shanghai 2009

May 2009 - Shanghai China

Toronto to Beijing
Beijing to Xian
Xian to Chongqing
Yangtze River Cruise

09. Mon 11-May-09 Yangtze to Yichang to Shanghai, Shanghai Airlines FM9366 Dep 4:35PM - Arr 6:05PM (Economy class)
 Airport to Hotel Transfer (Shanghai)B,L
The Bund Hotel Shanghai ****

In Shanghai we were met by Rainy (2) a 22 year old guide. She was as charming as she was knowledgeable. 
Driving to our hotel.

She took us to the Bund Hotel in downtown Shanghai and arranged to meet us in the morning. 

From our hotel window.

We could look down on the roofs of other buildings and found that many people made their homes there.

Wandering. it is a very safe and very clean city with stunning architecture.

We randomly chose this restaurant for dinner.

10. Tue 12-May-09
Shanghai The Bund Hotel Shanghai ****
The Shanghai World Financial Center, Lv Bo Lang Restaurant(Lunch), Yuyuan Market, The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Jiangnan Silk Museum B,L


Delicious breakfast buffet.

Some skyscrapers.

That stunning building towards the left is the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower. a TV tower. Its location at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district by the side of Huangpu River, opposite The Bund, makes it a distinct landmark in the area. We will see it later from the Bund.

Random street scenes as we went around the city today.

Rainy then took us to the World Financial Centre.

The Shanghai World Financial Center is a symbol of commerce and culture that speaks to the city’s emergence as a global capital. Located in Shanghai’s Pudong District, the mixed-used Shanghai World Financial Center is a vertical city, containing 62 office floors, conference facilities, urban retail and dining spaces, and a 174-room five-star Park Hyatt Hotel at the top—the world’s highest hotel from the 79th to 93rd floors. Above the hotel, at the 94th to 100th floors, is a visitors’ square and observatory.

On our way up.

In the original design, the opening was a circle. But people objected because it looked like a Japanese rising sun symbol over the city, so instead this trapezoid shape was built. This is how it got its nickname "The Bottle Opener."

It was a very hazy morning so John took a photo from one of their display screens.

On the way up to get out tickets.

 Rainy

Aboard the elevator.

 THE VIEW!

 Back on solid ground.

 The Bund, also called Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu (East Zhongshan 1st Road), is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai for hundreds of years. It is on the west bank of Huangpu River from the Waibaidu Bridge to Nanpu Bridge and winds 1500 meters (0.93 mile) in length.

This is the HSBC building.

Quite the juxtaposition.

Here is the Oriental Pearl Tower again. 

The tower features 11 spheres, big and small. The two largest spheres, along the length of the tower, have diameters of 50 m (164 ft) for the lower and 45 m (148 ft) for the upper. They are linked by three columns, each 9 m (30 ft) in diameter. The highest sphere is 14 m (46 ft) in diameter.

The entire tower is supported by three enormous columns that start underground.

The tower has fifteen observatory levels. The highest (known as the Space Module) is at 350 m (1148 ft). The lower levels are at 263 m (863 ft) (Sightseeing Floor) and at 90 m (295 ft) (Space City). There is a revolving restaurant at the 267 m (876 ft) level. The project also contains exhibition facilities and a small shopping center. There is also a 20-room hotel called the Space Hotel between the two large spheres. The upper observation platform has an outside area with a 1.5 inch glass floor.

Floating advertizing.  You can see the "Bottle Opener".

Yuyuan Market and Gardens

Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. It was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan's parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.

Lunch time! Lu Bo Lang Restaurant is a popular stop for visiting dignitaries, Lu Bo Lang makes for a great photo op. The traditional three-story Chinese pavilion with upturned eaves sits next to the Bridge of Nine Turnings in Yu Garden.

Dumplings!

We then wandered around the market and area.

We were supposed to go to the Silk Museum but we said we rather have time to ourselves soRainy took us back to the hotel and we then had the rest of the afternoon to ourselves to wander around Shanghai.
We were very close to Nanjing Dong Lu Road China's premier shopping street so that is where we headed and even though it did rain a little it didn't matter.

After the Opium War (1839-1842), Shanghai became a treaty port. Nanjing Road was first the British Concession, then the International Settlement. Importing large quantities of foreign goods, it became the earliest shopping street of the city.

Back at the hotel the guys discovered a cigar bar, I know, sounds like a smelly smoke filled room?  Not at all, we (the women) didn't mind it at all. They must have had the best ventilation system ever.

They also discovered round ice cubes, and went on a mission when we got home to find the molds.

And discovered that the Japanese make a great single malt Scotch. They must have been tired with all these discoveries.

We have an early flight in the morning to Guilin.

11. Wed 13-May-09
Shanghai to Guilin, China Eastern Airline MU5321 (Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Guilin Liangjiang Airport) Dep 10:15AM - Arr 12:25PM (Economy class)


Rainy picks us up and gets us to the airport and checked in and on our way to another adventure.