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Year: 2016

Yangshan Port pano
Yangshan Deep-Water Port

Yangshan Deep-Water Port

If you enjoy exploring offbeat kind of places, Yangshan Deep-Water Port 洋山深水港 will not disappoint. Getting there is pretty exciting, too. The drive takes you across one of the world’s largest bridges, and huge wind turbines loom out in the sea along the way. Approaching the islands, you’ll see tall gantry cranes off in the distance loading and unloading mega container ships. It’s all pretty cool to see, especially for landlubbers like me who are unfamiliar with such things. Yangshan…

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Hong Kong Ocean Park pano
Amazingly Beautiful Hong Kong

Amazingly Beautiful Hong Kong

Although I have always heard how beautiful and “amazing” Hong Kong is, I didn’t really get it until my first visit. Hong Kong is a city that must be experienced first-hand. Upon arrival I immediately sensed the vibrancy and energy of the city. Then I was struck by the peaceful beauty of nature, the sea and the food. Wow, the food scene in Hong Kong is truly a big deal. It’s such an interesting juxtaposition of Western and Chinese culture, not to mention…

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Wide angle view from watchtower at Chang Cheng
Beijing and The Great Wall

Beijing and The Great Wall

We took the bullet train from Shanghai to Beijing. I much prefer riding the bullet trains because they are on-time, fast and comfortable. Not to mention you go through much less hassle at the station. After we arrived to Beijing South station we took a 45-minute taxi ride to The Opposite House hotel. We really like the hotel’s modernist styling and personal service. The decor and artwork all around gives the hotel an interesting charm and didn’t feel sterile as…

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Zig-Zag Bridge
Suzhou Day Trip to Pingjiang Road

Suzhou Day Trip to Pingjiang Road

Although a large city, Suzhou has a few enclaves where you can go to experience its ancient heritage and lifestyle. Beware of the fact, however, that this also attracts many other tourists like you. Suzhou has many beautiful gardens, parks and historical sights, and seeing all of them in one day would be daunting. Instead we did a quick day trip, spending about five hours strolling along Pingjiang Road and ending at The Humble Administrator’s Garden (Zhuo Zheng Yuan 拙政园). Getting…

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Shanghai Bund
The Shanghai Bund

The Shanghai Bund

The Bund (外滩) is a famous and historical waterfront area in central Shanghai, typically referring to the iconic buildings and boardwalk. The Bund stretches two kilometers along the riverbank, traditionally beginning at Yan’an Road in the south and ending at Waibaidu Bridge in the north. The Bund is on the western bank of the Huangpu River and faces the skyscrapers of Pudong New District. At night the skyscrapers are illuminated with dazzling lights and has become an icon of the…

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Zhenru Temple Canal
Shanghai Zhenru Temple (and Fish Market)

Shanghai Zhenru Temple (and Fish Market)

From the outside you can see Zhenru Temple easily because of the tall pagoda. The temple itself is a bit hidden away behind other buildings and does not seem like it’ll be much. However, once inside the compound is very well kept and nice. There is a long passage way along the canal which is great for sitting and taking in a peaceful afternoon. Getting to Zhenru Temple Getting to the temple is kind of an experience itself if coming…

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Bags for sale at Han City Plaza
Han City Fashion & Accessories Plaza

Han City Fashion & Accessories Plaza

Han City Fashion & Accessories Plaza is one of several “fake markets” in Shanghai, located near People’s Park in the downtown Puxi area. Hundreds of stalls come together with aggressive merchants hocking everything from headphones to hand bags. I am fairly certain everything name brand is fake. Ha, ha just kidding…everything is fake! Of course bargaining for fake designer bags is part of the allure anyway, so I’m told. Getting There Han City Fashion & Accessories Plaza Nan Zheng Building…

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Propaganda Poster Art Center
Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center

Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center

Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center is small museum in the basement of an apartment building showcasing posters from the Maoist and Cultural Revolution period of communist China. Around 1995, the museum owner, Mr. Yang Pei Ming, started collecting the posters because he wanted to save them from destruction and preserve their historical significance. A visit to Shanghai Propaganda Poster Art Center is a really cool experience. Here you’ll get a visual representation of China’s socialist history through a few hundred…

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Garden path inside tropicarium
Shanghai Botanical Garden

Shanghai Botanical Garden

Shanghai Botanical Garden 上海植物园 is a very large park and garden in the southwestern part of Shanghai. The 82 hectare gardens contain a diverse collection of plants and flowers. The Tropical and Four Seasons Conservatories are two large green houses filled with tropical and desert plants. Getting There Shanghai Botanical Garden No.1111 Longwu Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai 200231, China 上海植物园 200231徐汇区龙吴路1111号 Use Google Maps Use Smart Shanghai iPhone app for a taxi-friendly address. Take metro line 3 to Shilong Road…

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Statues of the 500 arhats at Longhua Temple
Longhua Temple

Longhua Temple

Longhua Temple 龙华寺 and Pagoda was first built around 242 A.D. and is the oldest temple complex in Shanghai. Legend has it that Sun Quan, King of the Kingdom of Wu, got hold of some of the cremated remains of the Buddha. He had 13 pagodas built to house the relics, and Longhua Pagoda is one of them. Although the original buildings were destroyed by war and time, the present-day construction preserves the architectural design of the Song Dynasty. Most…

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