SHANGHAI
During the June Holidays, my family & I went to Shanghai for a grand total of 9 days, expecting nothing more than a brief getaway from our busy and hectic schedules in modern Singapore - but what we got was way more than that.
The minute we touched down, we were immediately taken for a ride on the MagLev (which, by the way, is the short form of Magnetic Leviation). It was the very first MagLev ever in the world, with a record speed of up to 430km/h. It was obvious how China had been catching up with technology - The windows were specially designed to make the movement of the train slow, while travelling at such breathtaking speed. Following that, we visited the Cheng Huang
Temple not very far away, allowing us to experience the traditional streets in China. We were introduced to the famous Xiao Long Baos (and of course tasted some!) and Tang Yuans.
My family & I were awed by the rich culture and history. Shanghai was divided into two: Puxi and Pudong, separated by the Huangpu River. Puxi was the commercial district of Shanghai, with well known companies and banks located here. On the other hand. Pudong was the historical area of Shanghai, bursting with rich culture and history. One might find it hard to believe how such vastly different places could be located in the same city, but well, it was perfect in Shanghai.
Because my family and I were on a tour, we had the opportunity to visit many tourist attractions in Shanghai. The most memorable day i spent there was my first day, where we were given the chance to take a 40minute cruise along the Huangpu river. Forty minutes might seem short, but for one who had never been to this beautiful city in China, it certainly left us with wonderful memories. We had the opportunity to experience Shanghai at night - which was very beautiful. By 7pm, the sun had set, yet Shanghai was still buzzing with activity and nightlife.
For the young, it was a new and fresh exposure to a country that was vastly different from their hometown.
For the young at heart, it was still wonderful to just sit back and admire the breathtaking scenery before them. Though the cruise was short, it left us with a great impressionof the city, and also excited us about the journey that was to follow within the next few days.
What happened within the next few days were that of a typical tour to a foreign country - visiting of tourist attractions & tasting of the famous foods. Though it was enjoyable, I guess the first day was the day that gave me the best impression of Shanghai. It was a good mix of cultures - the people were friendly and helpful, yet at the same time, it was modern enough to compete with countries like Singapore.
Conclusion?
SHANGHAI ROCKS!(:
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