Shanghai again in May 2011

During our recent trip to Shanghai in May, while waiting for our business associates, we had a morning and decided to take the taxi to Pudong as it would give us an opportunity see the recent developments (after a year).

Before this, on arrival at the new Hongqiao airport, I am impressed that it is as good at the Pudong airport. What I admire most in China is that there taxi system is very organised. Their drivers are mostly polite and do not try to fleece you all the time. Of course it was not so (the organised taxi lines) not too long ago. They have also modernised the taxis (it used to be very old and shabby).

On arriving at Hongqiao airport, taxis are properly queuing.

Very organised taxi lines.

The progress of Shanghai seems unending. we stayed at this hotel last year and after 12 months, there were so many new building up and more are on the way.

New apartments after a year. View form our hotel room.

See the new apartments in the background. Huge numbers.

The wedding car arriving at the same time. Caused some traffic jam.

The development in Pudong is another story altogether. More buildings keep sprouting up and you can feel the vibrancy there. I had not been to Pudong for a few years, so imagine my amazement.

Many tall buildings

An iconic building

Beautiful roundabout and see the walkway above that goes around as well.

Good infrastructure. You won't think it's China

Beautiful landscapping too

However, the air quality is Shanghai is also very bad. In the city area, the smog literally blocks the sun and you have this grey drab feeling. The haze is also very bad. Compare that with Pudong above.

The haze

Grey drab feeling

Not very inviting as Pudong

In the subway in Pudong, you can find so many vendors selling all types of things. These people are from the rural areas and have to eke out a living by any means. Life if tough in Shanghai for the poor.

Pets and animals for sale.

All types of toys.

A nice 2D replica of the bund area.

The subway in Shanghai is very cheap and clean. What I like is the aircon is very strong unlike many places.
 So, you don't feel as claustrophobic.

This is the equivalent of the tuktuk in Thailand. As we had walked whole morning, we asked him to send us to the hotel. RMB 5 (US$ 0.80) to send us. He happily posed for us.

A happy driver?

In the evening, we went back to Pudong for dinner with our business associates at the same area. The night pictures will show you a contrast to the day pictures. It was beautiful and in May, the weather was perfect.

Overlooking the Bund area

Many people at the esplanade

We also stopped at the Nanjing pedestrian road to soak in the atmosphere.

Very well lit area

So many tourists

Transport to bring you end to end of the street

A beautiful old building

For those people coming to Shanghai for the first time, it never amazes them and even for me who has been so many times, there are so many new things to discover there. So, it's always an adventure to go there.

Until the next time, cheers.

Long Fang Restaurant in Shanghai

During our trip to Shanghai this year, we went to this restaurant twice. So, please don't think we had so much food at one go. I think the restaurant has a few branches in Shanghai but this one is located at the Brands Mall in Pudong.

The view from the restaurant is beautiful with the Shanghai bund right across

Another view of from the restaurant

View of the restaurant

We ordered a number of cold dishes as these mainly appertizers. The portions are not large and therefore, you can taste more dishes. With the dishes, I was most amazed with the noodles with scallion. It was actually just a simple noodle without meat but it was really delicious.

Cold appertizer set of 3. Very interesting.

Another cold appertizer of pork

My favorite cold dish, cucumber with sesame oil

Honey prok ribs

Shanghai noodles with scallions

A nice herbal soup.

The next time we were there (with a few guests) for dinner. We only managed to take some photos of the food. As most of our guests are first timers to Shanghai, we ordered a number of the traditional dishes famous in Shanghai. The restaurant was packed for dinner but we were lucky to get a table inside (not the main room with the nice view).

The Xiao Long Pau

Famous Shanghai shrimps

Vegetables with mushrooms

Abalones (small ones)

Shanghai pancakes

Until the next time, cheers.

Jumeirah Hotel in Shanghai

During my May trip to Shanghai, I came across this new hotel right across the Shanghai Exhibition Centre (SNIEC) in Pudong. Jumeirah being part of the luxury hotels in Dubai and with the beautiful exterior design meant that we had to go in and see the hotel for ourselves.

After a long walk around the exhibition centre, we went to the hotel for some drinks. Even the long walk to the hotel was quite interesting as the facade and landscapping was very unique.

Very unique and arty facade

Another view of the facade

Interesting landscape with a type of long grass that looks like wheat

Another view of the landscape

A view of the lobby lounge. The centre stage has a lady playing a tradional erhu

The ceiling of the lobby lounge is a large LED screen with flying butterflies and floating lanterns

The interior decoration is like a museum

The lobby is not large and the lobby lounge takes the centre stage. The giant LED screen on the ceiling is beautifully done. The dark lighting, traditional erhu music, the ambiance is just perfect to relax. 

The attention to details in the interior decoration is very commendable. The service levels is also very high.

However, from the prices of the drinks, the room rates will not be cheap. We all had tea but I had a special tea that was suppose to reduce blood pressure. However, I would not call it a tea and it was horribly bitter. really really bitter.

My very bitter "tea"

A view of the lobby and interior

I will visit again the hotel next year and maybe explore a bit more. It's a very interesting hotel, I must add. I am sure there will be more surprises.

Until the next time, cheeers.