Shanghai (off off Tokyo): August 4-6, 2010

Skyscrapers, skyscrapers, skyscrapers ----  I always saw skyscrapers when walking in Shanghai.

There are more than 4000 skyscrapers in Shanghai and the number has been the biggest in the world since 2004 (surpassing New York).


The scene of Pudong skyscrapers from Waitan through Huangpu river is a symbol of Shanghai today. The buildings include The Oriental Pearl TV Tower (characterized with spheres) and The Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), the tallest in the city

The SWFC opened in 2008 and is 492 meter high. It has observatories in the 94th, 97the and 100th floors. Many tourists including a group from Taiwan were enjoying the scene from 472 meter high when I visited the 100th floor.

Shanghai Aquarium has a 150 meter long tunnel which goes under water tanks. It is prpbably the longest such tunnel in Asia.

Nanjingxilu Street, which goes west from Waitan, is the busiest commercial street in the city. Most parts of the street are off vehicle.

Tourist trains ran and old local residents enjoyed dancing (not tai chi) when I visited there.

Roads are well arranged in Beijing. They run from north to south or east to west. Buildings stand keeping certain distances.

It is messy in Shanghai. The roads go round and old traditional houses remain at the foot of skyscrapers.

There were so many people. Thousands of people walk quickly in the subway stations. It was very hard to catch a taxi in the evening.

Constructions are under way here and there.

I did not visit Shanghai Expo (as it was expected to be too crowded). I saw the posters, billboards and the Expo characters everywhere in the city. The highays were decorated with plants and illuminated in blue.


Shanghai Map