Better City, Better Life of Shanghai

Around the world in 80… minutes? The Window of the World in Shenzhen made our wish come true. It owns 130 reproductions of well known tourist attractions in the 48-hectare area. A 6-day trip to Shanghai Expo, three surrounding cities included, was an alternative.

We had a brief look at each city. Massacre Museum in Nanjing. Memorized the victims of an unsettling history. West Lake in Hangzhou. Enjoyed the famous ten scenes of aesthetic significance. Wu Zhen in Suzhou. Wandered in one of the six ancient water towns.

As our trip was organized by the travel agency, commission based shopping was included. Hangzhou is famous for longjing tea. Many of us bought it. While in Suzhou, we were not impressed by the mythical creature Pixiu. How rude the jade seller asked us to leave.

Shanghai is regarded as a “Never-night City”. Walking alongside the Huangpu River, we could recognize the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. If shopping in Nanjinglu Street is too hustling and bustling, treasure hunting in Tianzifang offers you a different vibe in the old French quarter.

Here comes Expo Shanghai, a large cultural melting pot. More than 190 countries and 50 organizations constructed unique pavilions and exhibits. An exploration of potential urban life. Ice cream trick from Turkey. Little Mermaid from Denmark. Giant baby from Spain.

The Chinese pavilion symbolized the Oriental Crown. “Along the River during the Qingming Festival'' was adapted into a 3D animation. A 6-hour queue in the Japan pavilion frustrated us. With a free ferry ride, Puxi was an option displaying urban innovation based on cities.

World Expo takes place every five years, supervised by the BIE. I wonder what kind of city and life will be after half a decade.