Shanghai Sights: The Bund to Pudong 2
May 8th 2006 11:24
(Cont. from last post)
After a short meal at one of the over priced restaurants sprinkled along the Promenade, we headed down to the Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel to cross the Huangpu to Pudong, where the Oriental Pearl beckoned graciously, flaunting her curvaceous outline.
To be honest, the tunnel does well for a manmade attraction overtly publicized through gratuitously stylized photographs of flashing lights, which normally should be avoided at all times. For those who have a predilection for history and culture, the sightseeing tunnel may prove to be of limited interest. Personally, even though I found it to appeal more to stylized sensationalism than anything else, it was short and exciting enough to warrant another ride. We rode for just over a kilometer in a semi opaque silver white carriage in 5 minutes, traversing the entire tunnel covered with entheogenic lights and psychedelic patterns of flowers, marine life, geometric shapes and so on while being cosseted by relaxing electro-synth music.
It is probably better described as the Crack Tequila Experience than a sightseeing attraction, and we came out of it slightly disoriented with an urge to steal a rainbow colored van and start a drum circle.
The flowing patterns and chill-out tunes were however strangely soothing yet commanding – the kind that Pinky and the Brain would have loved to get their paws on for their mass hypnosis device.
Our stay in Pudong was, I thought, strangely incongruous – that was the first impression which came to mind when I stepped out of the cross river tunnel, but at that time I could not quite put my finger on it so naturally I went for the comfort of the familiar tourist attraction. The Oriental Pearl Tower is, of course, one of those tourist attractions that scream overblown hype but like any dubiously shaped skyscraper, no tour virgin can resist its magnetic draw.
My companions were no exception. To see Shanghai from a staggering 350 metres is not only a test on acrophobia but will also set you back 100 Yuan (about 15 AUD) if you want to go all the way to the top level (Tickets to the 263m sphere cost 50 Yuan); however to gaze out on the city with the telescopes installed there is worth it.
Watch out for the heinously overpriced shopping centre located there though, young underpaid shop assistants await at every corner with cellophane expressions and plastered smiles to sell you Oriental Pearl miniatures made of crystal glass (I never thought I’d witness a congregation of so many multicoloured balls in my entire life). I imagine that first time tourists might like to check out the Oriental Pearl Sci-Fi City situated beneath the tower as well – it boasts several attractions including the Forest World, Antarctic Tour and a Disney Theatre, but why would you want to go there for even more commercial overindulgence than you’ve already been head-butted with as soon as you got off the plane?
One would probably turn out to have more of a soft spot for the Shanghai History Museum inside the tower which has on exhibit some of the most precious historical photographs depicting the old Shanghai Japanese Concession areas, the people of Shanghai during WW2, and the building process of significant landmarks.
Just try to ignore the political propaganda inherent in every computerized commentary – it gets pretty easy if you imagine that the baritone narrator is not wearing pants.
(Cont next post)
After a short meal at one of the over priced restaurants sprinkled along the Promenade, we headed down to the Shanghai Sightseeing Tunnel to cross the Huangpu to Pudong, where the Oriental Pearl beckoned graciously, flaunting her curvaceous outline.
The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel in its fluorescent glory
The semi-opaque train carriage
We all live in the yellow submarine indeed.
Our stay in Pudong was, I thought, strangely incongruous – that was the first impression which came to mind when I stepped out of the cross river tunnel, but at that time I could not quite put my finger on it so naturally I went for the comfort of the familiar tourist attraction. The Oriental Pearl Tower is, of course, one of those tourist attractions that scream overblown hype but like any dubiously shaped skyscraper, no tour virgin can resist its magnetic draw.
The Oriental Pearl viewed from below
Gazing out toward the Jin Mao Tower from 350 meters
Toward the Huangpu from the Oriental Pearl
Old residence of William Jardine, the British surgeon and illegal arms dealer responsible for the import of Opium into China in the 1830's, leading to the Opium War.
(Cont next post)
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