※ Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is a TV tower in Shanghai, China. The Oriental Pearl Tower is located at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district, by the side of Huangpu River, opposite of The Bund.
It was designed by the Shanghai Modern Architectural Design Co. Ltd. Principal designers are Jiang Huan Chen, Lin Benlin and Zhang Xiulin. Construction began in 1990 and the tower was completed in 1994. At 468 m (1,535 feet) high, it was the tallest structure in China (excluding Taiwan; see Taipei 101) from 1994–2007, when it was surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center.
The spheres in the tower
The tower features 11 spheres, big and small. The two largest spheres, along the length of the tower, have diameters of 50 m (164 ft) for the lower and 45 m (148 ft) for the upper. They are linked by three columns, each 9 m (30 ft) in diameter. The highest sphere is 14 m (46 ft) in diameter.
The entire building is supported by three enormous columns that start underground.
Observation levels
The tower has fifteen observatory levels. The highest (known as the Space Module) is at 350 m (1148 ft). The lower levels are at 263 m (863 ft) (Sightseeing Floor) and at 90 m (295 ft) (Space City). There is a revolving restaurant at the 267 m (876 ft) level. The project also contains exhibition facilities, restaurants and a shopping mall. There is also a 20-room hotel called the Space Hotel between the two large spheres.
Antenna spire
An antenna, broadcasting TV and radio programs, extends the construction by another 118 m (387 ft) to a total height of 468 m (1,535 ft).
Chinese symbolism in the design
The design of the building is said to be based on a verse of the Tang Dynasty poem Pipa Song by Bai Juyi about the wonderful sprinkling sound of a pipa instrument, like pearls, big and small falling on a jade plate. However, the designer Jiang Huancheng says that he did not have the poem in mind when designing the tower. It was the chief of the jury board who said it reminded him of that poem.
※ Shanghai World Financial Center
The Shanghai World Financial Center is a supertall skyscraper located in the Pudong district of Shanghai, China. It was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and developed by Mori Building. It is a mixed-use skyscraper, consisting of offices, hotels, conference rooms, observation decks, and ground-floor shopping malls. Park Hyatt Shanghai is the hotel component, containing 174 rooms and suites. Occupying the 79th to the 93rd floors, it is the second-highest hotel in the world, surpassing the Grand Hyatt Shanghai on the 53rd to 87th floors of the neighboring Jin Mao Tower.
On 14 September 2007, the skyscraper was topped out, at 492.0 meters (1,614.2 ft) making it the second-tallest building in the world at the time, and the tallest structure in the People's Republic of China prior to the construction of the nearby Shanghai Tower. It also had the highest occupied floor and the highest height to roof, two categories used to determine the title of "The World’s Tallest Building".
On 28 August 2008, the SWFC officially opened for business. Two days later, the world's tallest observation deck opened, offering views from 474 m (1,555 ft) above ground level. The SWFC continues to have the tallest observation deck in the world.
The SWFC has been lauded for its design, and in 2008 it was named by architects as the year's best completed skyscraper.
History
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the 101-story tower was originally planned for construction in 1997, but work was temporarily interrupted by the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s and later to accommodate design changes by Mori Building Co. The building of the tower is financed by several multinational firms, including Chinese, Japanese, and Hong Kong banks, as well as by the Japanese developer and as-yet unnamed American and European investors. American investment bank Morgan Stanley is coordinating the financing for Mori Building.
Construction
The foundation stone was laid on 27 August 1997. In the late 1990s the Pierre de Smet Building Corporation had a fund shortage caused by the Asian financial crisis in 1997 to 1998, which halted the project after the foundations were completed. On 13 February 2003, the Mori Group increased the building's height to 492 m and 101 stories from the initial plans for a 460 m (1,509 ft), 94-story building. The new building would use the foundation of the original design. The building construction resumed on 16 November 2003.
The building reached its total height of 492 m on 14 September 2007 after installation of the final steel girder. The final cladding panels were installed in mid June 2008, and elevator installation was finished in mid July 2008. On 17 July 2008 The Shanghai World Financial Center was completed and on 28 August 2008, the SWFC officially opened for business. On 30 August 2008, the observation floors were opened to the public.
Architecture
The most distinctive feature in the design of the building is an aperture at the peak. The original design specified a circular aperture, 46 m (151 ft) in diameter, to reduce the stresses of wind pressure, as well as serve as a subtext for the design, since "Chinese mythology represents the earth with a square and the sky with a circle".It also resembled a Chinese moon gate due to its circular form in Chinese architecture. However, this initial design began facing protests from some Chinese, including the mayor of Shanghai, who considered it too similar to the rising sun design of the Japanese flag. Pedersen then suggested that a bridge be placed at the bottom of the aperture to make it less circular. On 18 October 2005, KPF submitted an alternative design to Mori Building and a trapezoidal hole replaced the circle at the top of the tower, which in addition to changing the controversial design, would also be cheaper and easier to implement according to the architects. In the eyes of some, the building resembles a giant bottle opener. In fact, metal replicas of the building that function as actual bottle openers are sold in the observation deck gift shop.
There are 3 observation decks in Shanghai World Financial Center. The height of its lowest observation deck (观光大厅) is 423 m (1,388 ft), on the 94th floor, the second is 439 m (1,440 ft) high, on the 97th floor, named "Observatory Bridge" (观光天桥), and the highest (观光天阁) is 474 m (1,555 ft) high, on the 100th floor. Admission ranges from 100 RMB (15.4 USD) for the 94th floor only to 150 RMB (about 23.1 USD) for all three observation decks.
The skyscraper's roof height is set at 492 m, and has temporarily claimed the highest roof in the world. Before construction resumed on the roof, tower height was scheduled to be 509.2 m (1,671 ft) so the building would hold the title of the world's tallest building (structural top) over the Taipei 101, but a height limit was imposed, allowing the roof to reach a maximum height of 492 m. Architect William Pedersen and developer Minoru Mori have resisted suggestions to add a spire that would surpass that of Taipei 101 and perhaps One World Trade Center, calling the Shanghai WFC a "broad-shouldered building". The SWFC boasts a gross floor area of more than 377,300 m2 (4,061,200 sq ft) and 31 elevators and 33 escalators.
Awards
Shanghai World Financial Center was named by architects as the best skyscraper completed in 2008 receiving both the Best Tall Building Overall and Asia & Australasia awards from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). CTBUH's Carol Willis, head of New York's Skyscraper Museum, states: "The simplicity of its form as well as its size dramatizes the idea of the skyscraper." Architect Tim Johnson noted its innovative structural design: "Steel trusses gird against the forces of wind and earthquake and made the building lighter, made it use less steel, and contributed to its sustainability." Johnson described the SWFC's structure as "nothing short of genius."
※ Huangpu River cruise
If you cruise by the river you will see hundreds of cargo and passenger ships. You don't remain indifferent to beauty of four Shanghai bridges: Xupu, Lupu, Nanpu and Yangpu. The splendid array of structures resembles misty ice palaces in a riot of colors-golden yellow, pure white and aquamarine blue. Constantly changing colors mesmerize.
It is also a major water source for Shanghai. Huangpu Rver, known as the mother river of Shanghai, which rises in the Tai Lake, Jiangsu Province, flows through the urban area of the city and empties into the mouth of the Yangtze River, with a total length of 112 kilometers. First of all the river is thruway for Shanghai.
History and Culture
Huangpu River, 97 km long, rising in the lake district of Shanghai Municipality, East China, and flowing northeast past Shanghai into the Chang estuary at Wusong. The Huangpu River can also be called either the Chun Shen River or the Huang Xie River.
It is also a major water source for Shanghai, and as the city has grown it has suffered from water shortages and polluted drinking water; in 1996 a project to divert water from the Chang River (Yangtze) to the Huangpu was completed. The cruise boat meanders eastward along the golden waterway to the intriguing "three-layer waters" at the Wusong Mouth, confluence of the three and half hours over a distance of 60 kilometers, with beautiful view emerging one after another.
Its famous riverside avenue, with its park-like green areas and tall buildings, is Shanghai's landmark. Here, the visitor stands in front of magnificent buildings in the art nouveau style that once housed the clubs, banks, companies and hotels of the foreign rulers.
※ Madame Tussauds Gallery in Shanghai
The second Asian outlet is located in the Chinese city of Shanghai. Attracted by Shanghai's growing reputation and tourism volume in East Asia, the Tussauds Group approached Shanghai authorities to discuss the possibility of opening its second Asian location in early 2004. The Shanghai authorities agreed with the proposal and Madame Tussauds Shanghai was opened on 1 May 2006 on the 10th floor of the New World Department Store at West Nanjing Road.
The Shanghai outlet houses nearly 75 wax figures of local and internationally-known celebrities to date, and will add more in its second and third phases. The museum opens all year round from 10 am to 10 pm daily and it is divided up into seven themed sections: Glamour, Behind the Scenes, History and Heroes, Music, Film, Speed and Sport. Admission fee is RMB 135 (US$20) for adults and RMB 100 for students. Madame Tussauds Shanghai is the Tussauds Group's sixth waxwork museum after London, Amsterdam, Las Vegas, New York City and Hong Kong
※ City God Temple of Shanghai
The City God Temple or Chenghuang Miao is a temple located in Shanghai, China, within the old walled city. Today the "City God Temple" not only refers to the large temple complex, but also the traditional district of commerce in the city, surrounding the temple. There are over a hundred stores and shops in this area, and most of these store buildings are nearly a century old. The temple connects to the Yuyuan Garden, another landmark of the old city.
The temple's surrounding area and vicinity is a large commercial district that hosts an array of shops, restaurants, teahouses, as well as annual temple fair events.
Miao area
Regardless of size, many walled cities in ancient China contained a temple dedicated to one or more immortal or god as the spirit(s) or protector(s) of the city.
The City God Temple in Shanghai originated as the Jinshan God Temple, dedicated to the spirit of Jinshan, or "Gold Mountain", an island off the coast of Shanghai. It was converted into a City God Temple in 1403, during the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty.
During the Qing Dynasty, the temple grew popular. Residents of the old city as well as nearby areas visited the temple to pray for good fortune and peace. The temple reached its largest extent in the Daoguang era. The popularity of the temple also led to many businesses being set up in the area, turning the surrounding streets into a busy marketplace.
In 1951, the Board of Trustees of the City God Temple was dissolved, and the temple was handed over to the Shanghai Taoist Association and made into a Taoist center. The institution made changes to the temple, removing statues representing folk Underworld personalities such as Yama, the judge of the dead, and placing an emphasis on Taoist spirituality instead.
During the Cultural Revolution, the temple was closed down and used for other purposes. For many years, the main hall was used as a jewellery shop. In 1994, the temple was restored to its former use as a temple, with resident Taoist priests. The Temple, together with nearby Yuyuan Garden and the surrounding streets, are now part of a large pedestrian zone dedicated to restaurants and retail.
A complete restoration of the City God Temple took place between 2005 and 2006. In October 2006 the place of worship was reopened and reconstructed by Taoist clergymen.
※ Yu Yuan Garden
Yu Yuan Garden located in the center of the Old City next to the Chenghuangmiao area in Shanghai, China, is considered one of the most lavish and finest Chinese gardens in the region. The garden is accessible from the nearby Yuyuan Garden Station on the Shanghai Metro line 10.
History
The garden was first established in 1559 as a private garden created by Pan Yunduan, who spent almost 20 years building a garden to please his father Pan En, a high-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty, during his father's old age. Over the years, the gardens fell into disrepair until about 1760 when bought by merchants, before suffering extensive damage in the 19th century. In 1842, during the Opium Wars, the British army occupied the Town God Temple for five days. During the Taiping Rebellion the gardens were occupied by imperial troops, and damaged again by the Japanese in 1942. They were repaired by the Shanghai government from 1956–1961, opened to the public in 1961, and declared a national monument in 1982.
Design
Today, Yuyuan Garden occupies an area of 2 hectares (5 acres), and is divided into six general areas laid out in the Suzhou style:
Grand Rockery - rockery made of huangshi stone (12 m high), featuring peaks, cliffs, winding caves and gorges. This scenery was possibly created by Zhang Nanyang in the Ming Dynasty. This area also contains the Sansui (Three Corn Ears) Hall.
Heralding Spring Hall (Dianchun) - built in 1820, the first year of the Emperor Daoguang's reign. From September 1853 to February 1855, it served as the base of the Small Swords Society.
Inner Garden - rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers, first laid out in 1709 and more recently recreated in 1956 by combining its east and west gardens.
Jade Magnificence Hall (Yuhua) - furnished with rosewood pieces from the Ming Dynasty.
Lotus Pool - with a zigzag bridge and mid-lake pavilion.
Ten Thousand-Flower Tower (Wanhua)
Garden areas are separated by "dragon walls" with undulating gray tiled ridges, each terminating in a dragon's head.
Features
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Sansui Hall
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Yangshan Hall
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Huge Rockery
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Cuixui Hall
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Relaxation Stone Boat
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Yule Pavilion
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Double Lane Corridor
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Wanhua Chamber
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Gingko Tree
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Nine Lion Study
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Ancient Well Pavilion
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Relic Hall
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Dianchun Hall
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Acting and Singing Stage
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Kualiou Pavilion
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Hexu Hall
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Huijing Tower
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Toasting Pavilion
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Yuhua Hall
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Deyue Chamber
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Jade Water Corridor
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Depository of Books and Paintings
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Exquisite Jade Rock
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Huanlong Bridge
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Inner Garden
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Jingguan Tower
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Guantao Tower
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Dress Circle
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Keyl Hall
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Stone Boat
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Big Stage
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Mid-Lake Pavilion
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Nine Zigzag Bridge
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Master Lao Hal
※ Tian Zi Fang
Have you ever been to shanghai? If you are going to travel to shanghai, you must have a walk at TianZiFang, which locates at Kangtai Street in shanghai.
Comparing with the brand new modern buildings, you can find the special architecture of old shanghai city. Peoples, who lived in shanghai in their life, still live here. It’s such a peaceful and quiet place to live.
On the other hand, it’s also a good shopping area. There are a lot of beautiful, special and unique goods. The stores are little, but very characteristic with full of art beauty. The whole shopping area is not so large, but you will enjoy walking here and find out a lot of fun. When you’re tired, you can go to one of the little cafe or bar to have a drink or cake. What a beautiful day!
