Builders have just laid the final beam for the Shanghai World Financial Center, which makes it the country's tallest building--quite a feat in skyscraper-happy China. (That's it, before it was finished, in the photo.)
Though the building still isn't ready for occupancy, the 101-story structure is now taller than both the Jin Mao Tower--previously the tallest building in town--and Shanghai's trademark Oriental Pearl Tower. The project started way back in 1994, but should be wrapped by the time the Olympics arrive in Beijing.
Current plans call for an observation deck near the top of the World Financial Center, but nothing firm is set yet. Good thing those other skyscrapers will still be around: both the Jin Mao and the Pearl have 'em for picture perfect views of the city.
We kind of think ice bars should be reserved for those really, really cold nether regions of the earth, but the Absolut Ice Bar chain think otherwise. That's why they've just transported 45 tons of ice from Sweden to Shanghai to create Asia's first ever ice bar. Starting June 22, you'll be able to find it on Central Huaihai Road at Infiniti Plaza.
The only problem we have with the ice bar is that their attitude to customers is (necessarily) not the usual "stay as long as you like":
Customers will be given an Eskimo-style poncho to keep them warm, but they will be advised to stay for no more than 45 minutes at any one time.
But we figure if we drink plenty we'll feel warm enough to stay a bit longer.
Via the always excellent Shanghaiist, we learn that the X Games are coming to China. The Games will be held May 3-5 and feature classic X sports such as BMX, skateboarding, and the exciting "aggressive" in-line skate. Apparently few people have heard of the stadium it's being held at (Jiangwan), but the place isn't too small: It seats up to 40,000 aggressive fans. As for ticket details, nothing's set in stone yet, but the current word holds it at $15.50 per day. Last year's X Games Asia were held in Kuala Lumpur, which is getting the benefit of new Tune Hotels just a bit too late for the onslaught of non-rich sports fans. As for your athlete-stalking needs in Shanghai, look to the luxury hotels.
Beijing's doing a lot in preparation for its 2008 Olympics: fixing up some comical English and renovating public toilets. Now another big Chinese city, Shanghai, is doing its bit in preparation for the World Expo it will hold in 2010.
Spitting is another habit that Western visitors to China find not quite to their liking, and as a result the Shanghai Patriotic Sanitation Committee (we love committee names in China) has come up with a proposal to stop, at a minimum, cab drivers from spitting out the window onto the street.
The SPSC has made a vow that:
all the 45,000 taxies in the city will carry "spitting sacks" within a year. The sacks will be distributed among taxi drivers free of charge at regular intervals, and will be attached to the riot plate that separates a driver from the passengers so that both can, if need be, spit into it.
Great to know that they haven't forgotten us, the visiting tourist passengers, and our need to share a spit with our taxi driver.
Chinese officials gave a little smack down to supa-star Jay-Z, cancelling his planned concert in Shanghai at the end of the month.
Citing his lyrics as "too vulgar," they dropped his Oct. 23 gig at the Hongkou Stadium without further comment. Hope J can get a refund on his plane tickets. We're a bit mystified, because if we remember correctly, didn't they just let the Black Eyed Peas and Rolling Stones take the stage there? What, humps and lady lumps aren't vulgar? Interesting.
We've already reported about China's attempts to educate Chinese travelers on the kind of etiquette their hosts will expect. Now the Chinese are looking inwards, and the results of a recent Shanghai survey on civilised behaviour give us some interesting insights into this new world power.
In an opinion poll asking about what the respondents considered the most uncivilised things about life in Shanghai, loud and aggressive pets, disregard for the environment and unfriendly neighbors were all mentioned. But top of the list was the wearing of pyjamas. Despite the fact that 25% of people claimed they sometimes wore their nightclothes out in public, it was still reported to be one of the most irritating aspects of daily life in the Chinese metropolis.
For all you travelers out there, the lesson is simple. Don't wear your pyjamas in public in China. And we know you wanted to.
If Jack Bauer's lucky, by the time he arrives in Shanghai, his captors will put him up at the JIA. (Also, they may want to clean up his face a bit, but there should be plenty of time on that slow boat they're taking) JIA is opening a second hotel in Shanghai--their first was in Hong Kong--this October. Near People's Square, it is the first "boutique hotel" in the city.
Because the Chinese are more efficient than the rest of us, the rooms don't suffer from dreaded hip hotel shrinkage like they do in the U.S. and Europe. The standard size is 500 feet. Jack should appreciate the Philippe Starck design, bright colors and cheerful furniture after all that time in the cargo hold, and because it's close to the tony shops of the city, Jack might be able to pick up a nice bracelet for Kim. Have a nice trip, Jack!<
Commuters, take heart: things could be a lot worse. Instead of being stuck in your cushy SUV at a standstill on the freeway, you could be weaving your way through scooter and bike traffic, like the riders in this video of Shanghai at rush hour. At least, it looks at like rush hour to us.
Try doing your make-up while riding one of those--we'd be mighty impressed.
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by pbb
