Shanghai travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Hainan is China’s Hawaii. It’s on the same latitude, with a highly developed agricultural economy, roads and infrastructure. It’s China’s smallest province, divided by a 1.5 km strait from Guangdong, and nestled between the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea. Like Hawaii it has the beaches, hills, forests, wildlife, and recreational roster. 
Continue reading Hainan

Pearl of the Orient, Paris of the East. For a century and a half  Shanghai was the wildest, wealthiest, flashiest city in Asia—the rival of any world capital. Western visitors were captivated by the crowded, chaotic, yet thoroughly cosmopolitan city. Foreign powers carved out concession zones featuring their own cafes, clubs, police forces, and legions of prostitutes.
Continue reading Shanghai, China

Located in the center of the Old City of Shanghai, the Yuyuan Garden is considered as one of the four most exceptional gardens in China. Built in traditional Chinese style with numerous rock and tree garden areas, ponds, dragon-lined walls.
Continue reading Shanghai, China – Yuyuan Gardens

The REN building could be the Eiffel Tower of Shanghai, a landmark symbolizing the people-oriented pursuit of the Shanghai Expo 2010. The work of both architects is amazing. The first building, emerging from the water, is devoted to the activities of the body, and houses the sports and water culture center. The second building emerging from land, is devoted to the spirit and enlightenment, and houses the conference center and meeting facilities. The two buildings meet in a 1000 room hotel, a building for living, becoming a recognizable landmark for the World Expo in China.

Continue reading Ren Building, by Plot

Atkins has won an international competition to design a five-star resort hotel. Set in Songjiang, China, the 400 bed resort hotel is uniquely constructed within the natural elements of the quarry. The innovative design of the 400-bed resort hotel stands two levels higher than the rock face of the 100 meters deep quarry and includes underwater public areas and guest rooms. It will incorporate conference facilities for up to 1,000 people, a banqueting center, restaurants, cafes and sports facilities.

Continue reading Can you imagine staying in a hotel that looks like this…

Dongtan is a new city planned for the island of Chongming, near Shanghai. The city should be open, with accommodation for 50,000, by the time the Expo 2010 opens in Shanghai. By 2040, the city is slated to be one-third the size of Manhattan. Dongtan is the first of up to four slated “eco-cities” to be designed and built in China by Arup, a British company. The cities are planned to be ecologically friendly, with zero-greenhouse-emission transit and complete self-sufficiency in water and energy.Ecologically sensitive design will be a key element of the masterplan.
Continue reading Dongtan Eco City, China

Yangtze River, together with the Yellow River, is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. Over 6,000 km long, the mighty Yangtze is the longest river in China and the third longest in the world. Along the upper reaches of the river lies the spectacular Three Gorges. To sail through the famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze is to feel the power, majesty and timelessness of China’s greatest -and the world’s third longest river. Imagine the sight as sheer cliffs of rock close in around you, drawing you deeply into a scene of almost unspeakable beauty. Fisherman brave the rushing waters to net their livelihood. Birds dart between clouds, eyeing their prey far below. As the ship turns at a seemingly dead end, a new world of wonders suddenly unfolds before you …

Continue reading Cruise through three spectacular river gorges in the heart of China