Date: March 4, 2007
Location: Arrival in Shanghai, China (Day 1 of 4)
Next Port: Hong Kong, China, March 10-11
Quick Summary: It got cooler and cooler as we approached Shanghai. We picked up the harbor pilot at about 11:00 am and entered the wide Yangtze River. It took us about two hours to turn west into the Huangpu River estuary. At about 4:00 pm, we pulled into the dock just short of the Pearl Radio tower on the left bank in Pudong and the colonial buildings on the Bund across on the right. It was quite an experience – the river traffic, various industries, construction and housing are something to see.
Report: Sunday was quite a busy day. Larry got in his last workout for three days. Then we ate breakfast, attended the church service, and enjoyed two excellent lectures on China.
Then, it was time to watch the river traffic. It is hard to visualize the number and variety of boats, barges and ferries that move to and from the Shanghai area. Its official population is 17.8 million, but that estimate was made several years ago and does not recognize the approximately 3-4 million foreigners who are working in the area. After watching mile upon mile of industry and multiple-story apartment blocks and high rises pass by, we find that number easily believable.
We docked just short of the bend of the Huangpu River where the old colonial buildings of the Bund face the Pudong area – the new Shanghai that is rapidly rising on the far side of the river. About 15 years ago, the Pudong area was full of rice paddies, marshes and old housing. Now it is comprised of four separate business districts. Shanghai’s new financial area has sprung up around the spectacular Pearl Radio/TV Tower which was the first large structure built in the area. Larry counted 26 building cranes in one relatively small area here. And in the run up the river, we noticed great expanses of cleared areas just waiting for development.
We pulled into the dock in front of a huge new Cruise Terminal area about one mile short of the Bund. This is Shanghai’s old waterfront boulevard that means “muddy embankment,” In the early 1920’s, it became the city’s foreign street. Amercians, British, Japanese, French, Russians, Germans and other Europeans built banks, trading houses, clubs, consulates and hotels in styles from neo classical to art deco. With the Communist victory in 1949, the foreigners left, and the Communist government moved its own offices and banks there. Today, the municipal government has renovated the old buildings, and many of them once again house commercial activities. The wide walkway between the boulevard and the Huangpu is filled with many tourist activity and people.
Many stroll the wide pedestrian walkway, admiring the lighted colonial buildings, and gaze in awe at the neon display and wild architecture of the buildings across the way in Pudong (or as Larry calls it, “Jetson City”). Not to be forgotten are the brightly lit river cruise boats, barge traffic and (new since our visit two years ago), boats displaying large video screen advertisements.
There is ceaseless motion on the busy river…day and night.
Due to the 38-degree temperatures (and no down coats to be had on board!), we decided to stay in and enjoy the lights from the comfort of the Observation Lounge. Yes, we can hear our friends and family back home saying, “Pu-leeze, what cold?” An added treat was the display of fireworks going on ALL over the city, on both sides of the river. This was the Lantern Festival which is held the last night of the multi-day Chinese New Year’s celebration. We have really enjoyed being in this part of the world at this time.
Karen and Larry
Photos of our cruise are available at the web site:
picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise
Photos of our arrival in Shanghai have been added.
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