World Expo

Back in August, as a part of our tour package, my parents and I went to the World Expo in Shanghai. The tradition of the World Expo (also known in the past as the World's Fair or Universal Exhibition) dates back to the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, whose main feature was the famed Crystal Palace. Originally, the exhibitions were served as a platform to promote new technology and innovation; however, nowadays the World Expo serves more as a platform for "country-branding." That is to say, the main purpose of the different pavillions at the World Expo now serve as a platform for every country to promote it's national image internationally.

Personally, I wasn't that impressed by the World Expo. Although it's only fair to point out that my opinion was probably at least partially influenced by the fact that it was very hot and humid when we were there. Nonetheless, my parents & I wandered around looking at the architecture of the different pavilions which were each very unique in it's own way. I thought the European countries' pavilions were the most architecturally interesting. You can decide for yourself from the pictures below:

 China Pavilion

 Inside the Spanish restaurant in the Spain Pavilion

 Norway Pavilion

I think architecturally, Norway has the coolest structure.

Germany Pavilion

People-watching is always interesting

Ireland

 

The shade covers over the benches

  

Turkey Pavillion

For more information on the history of the World Expo/World's Faire/Universal Exhibiton: http://ilearn-culture.com/world-expo-introduction-and-history/

For more information about the World Expo 2010 at Shanghai: http://en.expo2010.cn/

Great Buddha at Lingshan

During our time in Wuxi, we also visited the Great Buddha at Lingshan. Built only several years ago, the Great Buddha stands at 88 meters (96.24 yards) tall, excluding the lotus stand on the bottom. If you include the lotus stand, then the Great Buddha measures to over a 100 meters high.
 
While the Great Buddha itself was very impressively large, personally I felt that it was built using Buddhism as an excuse to build a large tourist attraction to increase tourism revenue in the area. But at least now I can say I've been there.

Fountain during "Birth of Buddha" show

Wuxi

Located 128 km (79.5 miles) northeast of Shanghai, Wuxi was established 3,500 years ago as the capital of the Wu Kingdom. Originally, the area was named Youxi, meaning "having tin," in reference to the vast tin deposits that used to be found in the area. However, when the tin deposits dried up, the name was changed to Wuxi, which means "no tin."

Despite the lack of tin nowadays, Wuxi has remained a commercial center for thousands of years. During the Qing and Ming dynasties, it served as the main agricultural center for rice production. Nowadays, Wuxi is the commercial center for textile production.

 

More pictures on Angela Photo Musings

Nanjing

Recognized as one of China's four great ancient capitals, Nanjing's historical importance is undeniable. In the past, it served as the capital of several dynasties including the Song, Qi, (a portion of the) Ming, among others. More recently, it served as the capital of both the Taiping Rebellion in 1853 as well as the capital for the first republic of China that was founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1921. Unfortunately, in the United States and elsewhere abroad, it's probably most infamously known as the site of the Nanjing (then known as Nanking) Massacre in 1937.

Nowadays, Nanjing's location on the lower banks of the Yangtze River still makes it a very important commercial and industrial city. The majority of the city still lies within the old city walls that date back to Ming dynasty. Today, portions of the walls are open now for tourists to ponder.

 Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

 Old city wall brick with brick-maker's stamp

 Old city wall cannon

Nanjing Lu at night

Nanjing Lu at Night

More pictures at Angela Photo Musings.

Wuzhen

Located along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Wuzhen is located north of the city of Tongxiang in the Zhejiang province. In the past the canal served as the main artery between the south and Beijing and as a result, Wuzhen became a center of great commercial activity . Nowadays, it's mainly a tourist attraction, often invoking comparisons to Venice. Wuzhen is also known for its indigo and white printed fabrics.

At every doorway, there were small garlic-like bulbs hung. I don't know why. Maybe they're trying to keep the vampires away.

More photos on Angela Photo Musings

Hangzhou

Described by Marco Polo* in his The Travels of Marco Polo as  paradise and the finest city in the world, Hangzhou has long rich history. From 1138-1279 it served as the capital of the Southern Song dynasty. Even after the conqueroring Mongols moved the capital to Beijing, Hangzhou remained and still is a thriving commercial center. Today, Hangzhou is known as the home of West Lake (Xi Hu), which is largely considered to be one of the scenic wonders of China. It is also well-known for it's Dragon Well tea (Longjing tea).

*Note: The accuracy of Macro Polo's The Travels of Marco Polo is often contested. It's unclear whether Marco Polo ever really visited China, or if he was just embellishing stories he had heard from his father, uncle and other traveling merchants.

 Pavilion overlooking a portion of Xi Hu

 Xi Hu

Tea fields of Longjing Tea

 Longjing Tea

More photos at Angela Photo Musings: http://angelaphotomusings.blogspot.com

Shanghai

Since I think Shanghai doesn't need an introduction, I'll skip straight to the photos. Hope you like them!

Mom & Dad at The Bund

Fierce dragon at Jade Buddha Temple

 

Yu Gardens & Bazaar

Yu Garden & Bazaar with skyscraper in background

Manhole cover on Nanjing Road

View from our hotel room of Yangpu Bridge

More pictures at Angela Photo Musings

Hútòng Redux

Last weekend, I followed a walking tour in my travel guide of the area just north of Beihai Park. It began at the north entrance of Beihai Park, went along the west shore of Qianhuo Lake and ended at Nanluogo Xiang, a recently revitalized hútòng (胡同) area of Beijing.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term "hútòng," hútòng are the  narrow streets and alley ways that used to criss-cross most of Beijing. Unfortunately due to the development boom of the last 20 years or so, many have been demolished.

First built in the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), the hútòngs were created to make it easier to enter and leave different courtyards. They also served as a means of ventilation and sunlight. By 1950, an estimated 6,000 hútòngs covered Beijing. In addition to serving as living quarters, they also acted as storehouses for supplies such as grain, candles and porcelain, and as the base for various craftsmen that supplied the Forbidden City with items like carriages, bows and paper.

Nowadays, many of the hútòngs have disappeared as Beijing has modernized and many families have moved out to high-rise apartments with proper plumbing, heating and private bathrooms. However, some of the hútòngs still remain, mainly in the areas within the Second Ring Road. An estimated 20% of the population of inner Beijing still resides in the hútòngs.

Some hútòngs, like Nanluogu Xiang and the hútòngs around the Drum Tower, have now been adapted for commercial uses. Over the past ten years, Nanluogu Xiang has been revitalized as a nightlife hot spot for tourists and locals alike. Now, Nanluogu Xiang serves as a model of how to convert other hútòng areas to viable commercial areas all the while preserving its historical appearance. While this revitalization isn't really a preservation of the hútòngs in the truest sense, this revitalization is necessary to keep all the hútòngs from being demolished by land-hungry developers.


Now for some pictures from my walk & some photos of the hútòngs themselves:

They really enjoy playing Chinese checkers here.

The revitalized Nanluogu Xiang

A glimpse into the courtyard of a hútòng building that's still occupied.

For more information on hútòngs: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/hutong/