SHANGHAI (Day 15 - part 2)

We eventually arrived at the Bund, the city's famous riverside promenade. The word 'bund' means 'an embankment' and comes from Urdu (one of the languages of Pakistan and India). The Huangpu River divides the city into two regions: Pudong (east) and Puxi (west).

The Huangpu (literally Yellow Bank River) is a 60 mile long river that flows through the city and empties into the Yangtze River delta. It averages about 30 feet deep and supplies Shanghai with most of its drinking water.


The wide river splits the city in half.


Several boats carried large tv screens, displaying various commercials.

Puxi (west side):

This is the old part of town and was the European center from the 1920's - 30's. A building boom at the end of 19th century led to the Bund becoming a major financial hub of East Asia.


The Hero's Monument


With Johanna (our local guide)


Kites fill the air in front of one of the many historical buildings that line the street. This one currently houses the North China Daily News.

Pudong (east side):

Pudong is Shanghai's newest district, full of gleaming skyscrapers rising out of what was mere farmland only 15 years ago.


Shanghai World Financial Centre (with the hole in the top, still under construction) and Jinmao Tower (left behind it)

The Shanghai World Financial Centre is the tallest building in the city and the second tallest building in the world at 1,614 feet and 101 stories. It consists of offices, the Park Hyatt Shanghai Hotel, conference rooms, observation decks, and shopping malls.

Jinmao Tower, at 1,214 feet, is China's third tallest skyscraper and houses the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.


Oriental Pearl TV Tower and International Convention Center (lower right)

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower , built in 1994, is the world's third tallest TV and radio tower in the world at 1,536 feet. Featuring 11 pink balls, it embodies a famous Chinese poem, Da Zhu Xiao Zhu Luo Yu Pan, which describes the beautiful sound of when pearls of different sizes fall onto a jade plate.

The Shanghai International Convention Center opened in 1999, and has a futuristic globe structure on each end. It consists of several modernized halls and the 5-star Oriental Riverside Hotel, a 260-room convention hotel.


The top ball is at 1,148 feet.


A pink reflection shimmers on the water.

There are still many sections of the city that show how everybody once used to live here.


A travelling banana vendor

After a festive dinner, we saw the New Shanghai Circus then checked into the Grand Mercure Hotel.


The welcoming party


Traditional tea serving


Dancers provided some entertainment.


Enjoying the meal


We each got a red string tied around our wrist.


Dinner on the street for some locals

At the New Shanghai Circus, we witnessed some amazing acrobatic acts, however, we were not allowed to take any pictures. These internet images give an idea of some of the performances we saw.


Bicycle act


Juggling plates


Motorcycles racing in a ball