Shanghai Sights: The Bund to Pudong 3
May 11th 2006 02:57
The next tourist hotspot we headed for also proved to be the most relaxing, a walk through Pu Dong’s Lu Jia Zui District where the Oriental pearl is located. It always leaves me agape in incredulity when I recall how this place was like 10 years ago – broken down residential districts, garbage dumps, contaminated creeks overshadowed by looming factories which made the area seem more similar to the setting of Half Life 2 than anything else – all that’s missing are the giant revolving blades and head crab zombies.
Now, the place has become the financial hub of China and it is as if the renovation had taken place overnight.
I waited while my companions took happy snaps of the glimmering Jin Mao Tower and the International Conference Centre,
then took a taxi to our last destination of the day, the famed Century Park, a huge eco-park divided into four seasonally themed areas complete with its own musical fountain, Bonsai Park, bamboo forest, an Isle of Birds and Montreal Garden, all for a mere 10 Yuan (2AUD).
I found the animal relief wall there to be a nice touch as well, with its depiction of more than 29 animals native to the Asia Pacific in various styles and creative expressions.
Like any other major metropolitan park, Century Park emanated a sensation of self assurance for the tourist with “whatever your tastes are, I’ll be sure to cater for it.”
From Pudong, we decided to catch the ferry across Huang Pu River back to the Bund, the day was still overcast (did I mention how cold it was?) and the Huangpu looked somewhat intimidating, but we decided to venture forth in the spirit of Vespucci, Magellan and survivor style RTV. The two other options for crossing the Huangpu are over the Nanpu Bridge or through the underwater tunnel we had used, but we felt that the ferry was the superior choice to the bridge because it was not only heinously cheap (about 10C AUD),
but it also allows a more satisfying look at both banks of the river as well as boat inhabitants who traveled on the river as cheap couriers or fishermen for a living.
It would be more advisable, of course to go on the ferry trip on a summer night for the lights and excitement, but to us then summer had seemed a distant memory.
We were quite exhausted by the end of the day, but as we were stepping off the ferry, the day began to clear up and rays of the setting sun pierced through the clouds. As the Promenade stretched before us like a ribbon of light, I realized what gave me the off kilter sensation about Pudong - Contrary to its twin across the Huangpu, Pudong’s poignant beauty lie in an entirely different sphere – its immaculate beauty and impersonal nature, which also emanates that eternal sense of loneliness and fuels the constant desire for exile which every traveller feels deep inside.
So we concluded our day with a hearty dinner of dumplings and roast chicken feet, and made plans to visit Yu Yuan on the morrow.
Pudong in the 80's. Now compare this scene with the HL2 screenshot below:
Uncanny!
Pudong Today
Ultimate overcompensation: The 88 storey Jin Mao Tower
Century Park front gate
Elephant and pandas on the animal relief
From Pudong, we decided to catch the ferry across Huang Pu River back to the Bund, the day was still overcast (did I mention how cold it was?) and the Huangpu looked somewhat intimidating, but we decided to venture forth in the spirit of Vespucci, Magellan and survivor style RTV. The two other options for crossing the Huangpu are over the Nanpu Bridge or through the underwater tunnel we had used, but we felt that the ferry was the superior choice to the bridge because it was not only heinously cheap (about 10C AUD),
One of the better ferries you can catch on the Huangpu for a higher price
A fisherman and his wife, at one of the quieter bends of the Huangpu
We were quite exhausted by the end of the day, but as we were stepping off the ferry, the day began to clear up and rays of the setting sun pierced through the clouds. As the Promenade stretched before us like a ribbon of light, I realized what gave me the off kilter sensation about Pudong - Contrary to its twin across the Huangpu, Pudong’s poignant beauty lie in an entirely different sphere – its immaculate beauty and impersonal nature, which also emanates that eternal sense of loneliness and fuels the constant desire for exile which every traveller feels deep inside.
Immaculate and beautiful: Pudong as the day began to clear
So we concluded our day with a hearty dinner of dumplings and roast chicken feet, and made plans to visit Yu Yuan on the morrow.
Chicken feet - the Shanghai delicacy. Bonappetite!
| 80 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
