John Updike said “The true New Yorker secretly believes that people living anywhere else have to be, in some sense, kidding.” He's obviously never been to Shanghai.
After an exhausting morning flight from Zhengzhou, riding through the streets of Shanghai revitalized me. The modern architecture was abundant. Each skyscraper had it's own personality adding to the exciting skyline. With each turn, there was a new surprise, a previously undiscovered building. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is the city's most unique landmark and Asia's tallest tower . The Grand Hyatt is the highest hotel in the world. And finally, the under construction Shanghai World Financial Center will be the world's tallest building for a short amount of time.
If innovative architecture isn't your thing, Shanghai could still be your city. Buildings that seem more fitting in Europe lined the Huang Pu River. Some of the alleyways reminiscent of Datong had a more typical Chinese feel. The Yu-Yuan Gardens is a good place to enjoy the serenity of a beautifully landscaped garden, while watching the gold koi in the ponds.
Of course people in Shanghai don't live there because they want a tranquil life. Shanghai is an adrenaline filled city with extreme diversity. The maglev train (which I didn't get to ride) goes at amazing speeds. The elevator at the Oriental Pearl TV tower races to the top... and then back down again. Underground walkways on Nanjing Road guarantee shoppers don't have to stop for traffic, and traffic doesn't have to stop for them. People drive through tunnels and on bridges above the ground, always on the move.
The city explodes at night. Neon lights and skyscrapers illuminate the sky. From the Bund, views of the Pudong district include logos from all of the international corporations that call Shanghai home. Boats sailing the Huang Pu River display ads from local shops, hotels and restaurants. Commercialism at its best, a capitalist's dream.
I fell in love with Shanghai as soon as we arrived. It was the antithesis of everything I loved about my second favorite place in China (Shaolin Temple), but the epitome of everything I enjoy in life. Great design, variety, fast-paced but with a place to relax if needed. Shanghai is the most modern city in China, and provides a glimpse into its future expectations. A beautiful place that combines the most traditional Chinese ideals with the energy and guts to let the world know that they are not kidding.
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