Mad About Shanghai

It's 2012!

Wishing you good health and abundance in 2012!

I leave you with the signature dish of Shanghai:

Would it snow in Shanghai this year?

It doesnt always snow in Shanghai during winter but dont let the temperature fool you.

Many people from the North or North Eastern part of China that frequently weathered lower temperature here had complained that they could not take the cold in Shanghai.

This is due to two main reasons.

The cold in Shanghai is damp cold whereas the cold in North / North Eastern part of China are usually dry cold. The human body needs more energy to fend off damp cold due to the moisture and density of the air thus often it feels a lot colder. Some local call in the "bone piercing" cold cos you can literally feel the chill in your bones.

The other reason is that the North / North Eastern part of China uses heaters and it feels a lot warmer there whereas in Shanghai, most offices and indoors uses airconditioning.

I have weathered zero degrees in Dalian before and trust me, the zero degrees in Shanghai is alot more unbearable. 

My friend, Angeline who is in Beijing now, sent me this photo below:

It seems that winter came earlier for the Beijingers as it snowed! In Shanghai, it is still officially in autummn.

I was walking along the Bund and Cool Docks a couple of days ago and it was reported 7 degrees. But if felt a lot colder ! I had to cut short my walk with my friend and pop into Costa Coffee for some warmth. I tell you. Few things beats some hot chocolate on a cold day like this.

I wonder if it would snow this year in Shanghai.

Souvenirs from the Shanghai Expo

I had a very pleasant surprise the other day when I had lunch with Elyn. She gave me a set of souvenirs from the Shanghai Expo.

This is especially nice since I missed the event :)

Thanks Elyn ! By the way, the pork chop omu rice I had was very delicious!

Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel, Shanghai

A friend of mine recently stayed in the Regal Shanghai East Asia Hotel.

Lets just call her...Miss Donut. She loves donuts!

These are the pictures she took of her room. If you are looking for hotels in Shanghai, these pictures may provide good references.

The hotel is located in Xu Hui area and is very near shopping malls and the metro and right in a stadium so theres no worries about the taxi driver not being able to find the hotel!  

Overall, she felt the service is only average with the room being spacious and clean. The window curtains are electrically operated. The speed of broad band internet access is also reasonable. 

Hotel details:

800 Ling Ling Road, Xu Hui District, Shanghai 200030, China

中国上海市徐汇区零陵路800号

Website : http://www.regalhotel.com/Regal-Shanghai-East-Asia-Hotel/main/HOTEL-HOME.aspx

View from the room:

You may want to check out her blog at : http://technicaltango.blogspot.com/

 

Most Expensive Cities in Asia

Here is the latest release from ECA International:

1) Tokyo

2) Nagoya

3) Yokohama

4) Kobe

5) Seoul

6) Hong Kong

7) Shanghai

8) Singapore

9) Beijing

10) Busan

Top Jobs for Non-Mandarin Speaking Foreigners in China

I think this is one of the most common questions around.

If you would like to work in Shanghai or China, doesn't speak a word of Mandarin and willing to accept the pay compromise, here are a few jobs you can start with till you establish the relevant contacts:

-Embassy jobs

-Teacher

-Consultancy

-Child care

-Design work

-Music related jobs

Happy job hunting !

PS: Anyone have any more to add?

Grand Mercure Hongqiao Shanghai

Well located in the business and exhibition district of Hongqiao, Grand Mercure Hongqiao is a part of the international collection of Grand Mercure Hotels – each expressing the spirit of their location. Its close proximity to downtown Shanghai and the Hongqiao International and Domestic Airport makes the hotel a highly popular choice for both business and leisure travelers.

 

Enjoy contemporary design and spacious living, where the perfect Grand Mercure room is about a good night's sleep. Designed for genuine comfort this hotel is ideal for extended business stays and family trips. With 484 rooms, including a choice of 68 one bedroom suites and 43 two bedroom suites, each offers superior facilities and services from quality bedding, broad band internet access, LCD TV, 24 hour room service and kitchenette facilities to private balconies. An exemplary level of business support services, concierge assistance and a fully equipped gym are also available to guests.

 

The multifunctional area is more than 650 square meters including two banquet rooms, several multi functional meeting rooms with various configurations are available to meet different needs.

 

Engage in the hotel’s international food and beverage experience from the cosmopolitan martini bar, the all–day dining café offering delicious desserts and snacks, to the unique Asian style restaurant with mingling of eastern and western buffet dishes and a la carte.

 

Buying Real Estate in Shanghai

If you intend to buy a house or apartment in Shanghai, check out this very useful article which outlines all the various steps you need to take :

http://www.shrealestate.com/2009/12/a-buying-guide-to-shanghai-real-estate-for-foreigners/

5 things to do in Shanghai besides the World Expo

A few weeks ago, I contributed a short article to the National Geographic Traveler official blog, Intelligent Traveler on the things one can do in Shanghai besides visiting the World Expo.

Heres a few things you can consider doing if you are visiting Shanghai for the first time:

Shop

If you are looking for custom-made business wear, the prices at the Lu Jia Bang Road Fabric Market are unbeatable. Tailored shirts, suits and overcoats can be made for a fraction of the price you would otherwise pay in Western countries. US$80 can get you a well-tailored suit. A good cashmere overcoat or qipao should be around US$90. Don't be afraid to haggle for the best price!

Eat

Dine at Bao Luo (Paul's) for a taste of authentic Shanghai cuisine in an informal and bustling setting. There are many star dishes in this restaurant but my favorite is the gigantic pan-fried buns. This is also the spot for supper after a long day of work or after some late night partying. Address: 271 Fu Ming Road,
 Near Chang Le Road.

Nightlife

Hengshan Road is a street in the former Shanghai French Concession of Shanghai. Many of the mansions along the road have been converted into bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, which makes Hengshan Road one of Shanghai's more vibrant nightlife districts.

Explore

Seeking a quiet night out? Visit Tian Zi Fang at Tai Kang Road (Art Street). Tian Zhi Fang, which is at the heart of Tai Kang Road, consists of many art studios and galleries embedded in a mixture of old brick houses (shikumen) and old Shanghai alleys. These studios feature many works of design, painting and photography. A great way to experience a slice of Old Shanghai amid an artistic setting.

Relax

After a long day of walking, the best thing you can do to soothe those tired muscles is to go for a foot massage. Have your senses (and feet) tickled by a foot masseur as she contorts your back, slaps your calves and pummels the soles of your feet. Once, a masseur asked me if I overate at dinner after pressing a specific section of my foot. She was right. Amazing! Oddly therapeutic. Weirdly pleasant.

You can view the published version on National Geographic Traveler official blog here:

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2010/03/mad-about-shanghai.html

Thanks Marilyn!

Introduction to Shanghai

Fast Facts

Area: 6340 sq km (2473sq mi)
Population: 16.7 million
People: Han Chinese
Main language: Mandarin (putonghua)/Shanghaihua
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +8
Telephone Code: 021

Historic Transformation

Shanghai underwent a historic transformation on May 27, 1949, when it was liberated by the People's Liberation Army of the Communist Party of China from the Kuomingtang rule. In the past five decades, fundamental changes have taken place in this once semi-feudal and semi-colonial city. Particularly, since China adopted the reform and opening policy in 1978, Shanghai has witnessed marked progresses in its social and economic development. Today, Shanghai is the largest economic and transportation centre in China. Today, the city is striving to become one of the economic, financial, trade and international shipping centers in the world.

Founding of the City

Shanghai began as Huating County, an administrative district established in 751 AD. The county, located in an area known today as Songjiang District, reached to Hongkou District in the north, Xiasha in the east and the coast in the south. In 991 AD, Shanghai Town was established in the county. During the 1260-1274 period, the town evolved into an important trading port. In 1292, the then central government approved the establishment of Shanghai County in this area, which has been widely deemed as the official beginning of the city of Shanghai.

Administrative Districts

After several periods of administration readjustment since 1949, Shanghai is now divided into 16 districts and three counties. There are 171 towns, 3 townships, 93 subdistrict committees, 3,30 neighborhood committees and 2,771 villagers' committees in the city.

Topographic Features

Except for a few hills in the southwest corner, most of the Shanghai area is flat and belongs to the alluvial plain of the Yangtze River Delta. The average sea level elevation is about four meters.

Climate

With a northern sub-tropical maritime monsoon climate, Shanghai enjoys four distinct seasons every year. Its spring and autumn are relatively short compared with the summer and winter. In 2000, the average annual temperature was 17.6 degrees Celsius. The city had a frost-free period of 300 days a year, and received an average annual rainfall of 1,302 millimetres. However, nearly 50 per cent of the precipitation came during the May-September flood season, which is divided into three rainy periods, namely the Spring Rains, the Plum Rains and the Autumn Rains.

Location

Shanghai is situated at 31'14' north latitude and 121'29' east longitude. Bordering on Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces on the west, Shanghai is washed by the East China Sea on the east and Hangzhou Bay on the south. North of the city, the Yangtze River pours into the East China Sea. It also assumes the central location along China's coastal line. Thanks to its advantageous geographic location, Shanghai has today become an excellent sea and river port, boasting easy accesses to a vast hinterland.

Population

Before Shanghai was liberated in 1949, the city had a population of only 5.2 million. By the end of 2000, Shanghai's population had grown to 13.2163 million (according to the permanent residence registration), representing 1 per cent of China's total. The figure was 2.5 times of that registered before 1949. In 2000, the average population density in the city stood at 2,084 people per square kilometre, but the figure was 2,897 in the urban area. By the end of the year, the city had a total population of 16.74 million (including the floating population).

Growth Prediction

The United Nations estimates that Shanghai's population will stand at 23.4 million by the year 2015.

City Flower

In 1986, the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress passed a resolution adopting the white magnolia as the city flower. The white magnolia is among the few spring flowers in Shanghai. It is in full blossom in early spring. The flower has large, white petals and its eye always looks towards the sky. Therefore, the flower symbolizes the pioneering and enterprising spirit of the city.

Choosing a Name

Shanghai is called in Chinese "Hu" for short. During the Jin Dynasty (4th-5th centuries), fishermen living along the Songjiang River (today's Suzhou Creek) and the coast of the East China Sea created a fishing tool they called "Hu." By combining the name of the fishing tool and the then term for estuary of big rivers, they coined a Chinese character "Hu" to name the place as it sits at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the longest river in China.

A New Gold Rush

Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission is expecting 3 million overseas visitors and 95 million domestic tourists to visit Shanghai in 2003, putting an estimated RMB121.3 billion ($US14.5 billion) into the city coffers.

Popular Destination

When Shanghai's unique architectural legacy and its recent economic transformation are factored in, it is easy to see why seven of every 10 visitors to China come to Shanghai.

Numbers Add Up

Numbers tell an essential part of the story. While the city has just one per cent of China's population, Shanghai accounts for four per cent of China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 11 per cent of its financial services, and 12 per cent of China's total industrial output. Textiles, steel, manufacturing, and shipbuilding dominate the city's economy, which reports double-digit growth year after year. Nearly half its workforce is involved in manufacturing.

No Small Feat

Shanghai is not only home to China's first and largest stock exchange, it also contains more than two dozen McDonald's, 50 KFCs, 2,000 Internet cafes, and one million mobile phone users - not to mention the world's second largest department store and the tallest hotel on Earth. With prosperity, even sales of the venerable bicycle, formerly the chief means of transport in the city, have declined (from one million sales in Shanghai in 1990 to half that today). Meanwhile, the streets are crowded with some 600,000 vehicles (including 40,000 taxis) and 280,000 motorcycles.

City of Big Dreams

This is a city of big dreams. City planners promise that Shanghai will soon be not only China's financial and manufacturing capital, but its "green" capital as well. Shanghai has converted Nanjing Road to a pedestrian mall, remodeled the Bund and its promenade, revitalized many avenues and villas in the old French Concession, and created 1,800 hectares (4,500 acres) of greenway with trees and lawns (an area equivalent to 4,000 football fields). The city's 40,000 taxis are slated to be converted to natural gas as the primary fuel by 2003. The latest environmental project is an ambitious one indeed: the Huangpu River Renovation Project, covering 20km (12 miles) of downtown riverfront on both shores (between the Nanpu and brand-new Lupu bridges). The harbor will be transformed by green corridors, a flower bridge, an elliptical canal, a maritime museum, marinas, riverside parks, and new housing estates. The goal is to make Shanghai a "state-level garden city, like Dalian and Xiamen" by 2005, the same year that over 1,000 noisy powerboats using tractor engines will be banned from the main waterways. Already Shanghai earmarks three per cent of its GDP to anti-pollution efforts, the highest investment rate in China.

Foreign Faces

In the colonial 1930s, there was a saying that in Shanghai "everywhere within a radius of 10 miles, you'll see a foreign face". Today, many expatriates reside in Shanghai and millions of tourists from around the globe visit the city.

Earthquakes

Shanghai is not located in a particularly earthquake-prone zone. The last big one was in 1624, although a 6.2 quake in the Yellow Sea in 1984 caused some Shanghai residents to jump out of windows in fear. Twenty stations measure tilting, budging, and other seismic activity around Shanghai. New buildings can withstand quakes in the 7.0 range and above. Regional earthquakes during the past 20 years (centered in the East China Sea) have been in the 5.0-6.2 range.

Electricity

The electricity in Shanghai is 220 volts, alternating current (AC), 50 cycles. Outlets come in a variety of configurations. Be prepared to supply your own transformers and modem adapters. Hotels do supply a range of standard adapters. The most common adapters are the narrow round two-pin, the slanted two-prong, and the three-prong types.

Emergencies

The emergency phone numbers in Shanghai are 110 for police, 119 for fire, and 120 for ambulance.

Information

There are three official Tourist Information Centres (also called Consultant Service for Tourists) in Shanghai, with English-language speakers, located at the Hongqiao Airport, international arrival hall (ph. 021/6268-8899, ext. 56750; open 10am-9:30pm daily); at the People's Square Metro Station, main hall (ph. 021/6438-1693; open 8:30am-5pm daily); and at the Yu Yuan Commercial Building, Yayi Jewelry Store, Old Town Shanghai (ph. 021/6355-4909; 8:30am-9pm daily).

International Calls

To make an international direct dial (IDD) call from Shanghai (which you can do from most Shanghai hotel rooms), dial the international access code (00) + the country code for the country you are calling + the area code and the local phone number. The country code for Australia is 61, for New Zealand 64, for the U.S. and Canada 1, and for the United Kingdom 44. To call the Australia from Shanghai, for example, dial 00 + 61 + Australian area code + phone number. If you have questions, speak with the hotel operator or an international operator (ph. 116).

Smoking

China has more smokers than any other nation, an estimated 350 million, accounting for one of every three cigarettes consumed worldwide. About 70 per cent of the men smoke. Recent anti-smoking campaigns have led to laws banning smoking on all forms of public transport (including taxis) and in waiting rooms and terminals. The ban is spreading to some public buildings. Fines can be levied, but enforcement is sporadic. Hotels provide non-smoking rooms and floors and many restaurants have begun to set aside non-smoking tables and sections. At present, expect to encounter more smoking in public places in China than in most Western countries.

Time Zone

Shanghai (and all of China) is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 8). Shanghai does not use daylight savings time. For the current time in Shanghai, telephone 117.

Water

Water from the tap is not safe for drinking (or for brushing teeth). The water available in hotel rooms in flasks, thermoses, or plastic bottles is safe to drink. Clean bottled water (including imported brands) can be purchased almost everywhere, even from street vendors, very cheaply.

Weather

The Shanghai Daily and China Daily newspapers, Chinese TV news programs and some hotel bulletin boards furnish the next day's forecast. You can also dial Shanghai's weather number, telephone 121.

Currency

The RMB (Renminbi) is the official currency. The basic unit of RMB is the yuan also known as "kuai," divided into 10 jiao, which is again divided into 10 fen. Yuan notes come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, and 100.