Monthly Archives: February 2013

Zhujiajiao Ancient town is located in the suburban area of Shanghai City and it is a well known ancient water town throughout the country. It is having history of more than 17 centuries. It covers an area of about 47 Sq Kilometers and it is like a little fan shaped down and glimmers like the bright pearl due to the presence of mountains and lakes.

 

It is also known as the Pearl Stream as this little town is well preserved in comparison to other four ancient towns of Shanghai. It has some unique old bridges, Small River which is shaded by willow trees, houses having courtyards. It is far away from the hustle and bustle of the modern cities and full of leisure, antiquity and tranquility.

 

It is said that visiting to Zhujiajaio is incomplete if you have not see the bridges. The bridges here are very much old as well as distinctive. They were mostly built during the reign of the emperors of Qing and Ming Dynasties. This old town is well connected by the 36 delicate spans which are in different styles and shapes from wood to stone to marble.

 

Fangsheng Bridge or Setting fish free bridge is the largest, tallest and longest stone bridge. It has five openings in both Shanghai and Zhujiajiao region. The construction of this bridge was completed in the year 1571. There is a stone table which stands on this bridge and called as Dragon Gate Stone. It is engraved with the eight coiling Dragons. There are four lifelike stone lions on the top of this bridge.

Lang Bridge is also known as Huimin bridge is the only one wooden bridge and it is one of the most featured spans of the town. It’s wooden bar on the two sides are upturned eaves above and look like a narrow corridor.

This town has the ancient street which is filled with the ancient building of the Ming and Qing Dynasty which attracts many domestic as well as foreign tourists. The North Street is one kilometer long and it is filled with historical building and it is very simple and premitive. You can also see the Ke Zhi Yuan Garden which was also build by the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

 

Confucius Temple is located at 215, Wenmiao Road and it is the only ancient architecture which is dedicated to Confucius in the central Shanghai. It was built in the year 1368-1398 for worshipping Confucius who was belived to be a great educator, thinker and founder of Confucianism in China. It has been one of the top learning institutions for several years in shanghai.

the temple of Confucius is one among the four ancient stone carving groups of china and famous as the Treasure house of the Stone Carving Art. It consists of more than 28 ancient buildings which is built with the large number of the stone carvings which includes Dacheng Hall, Xunjing Pagoda and Minlun Hall. Most of the building have been pulled down or destroyed and others are well preserved.

This temple has mainly three courtyards. The first among them consists of Minglun Hall, Jiexiao Hall and Panchi Pond and they all are well preserved. There is one bridge over Panchi and its archways are built using the lion heads and stone dragon. If you will walk through Lingxiang Gate, the carved stone arch you will come across the second courtyard, where you will find kuiwen Tower which were used by the emperors for stroring books and Zunjing Tower was used for storing scriptures. Both of these buildings are built with multiple eave roofs. At the centre of the Confucius Temple, lies the third courtyard which consists of Dacheng Hall, Dacheng Gate and Tower of bell and drum.

Dacheng Hall is the main building of the Confucius temple and has the main hall for worshipping Confucius. It has a look of great serenity and solemnity. In the southeast of this hall there is one huge ball which weighs 1.5 tons and is called Dacheng Bell. It is made using exquisite techniques. The shoulders of this bell are carved with the dragon patterns of autumn and Spring Period. On the lower part of the rim of bell there are four couples of the dragon which encircles the shining pearl towards each other. You can also see the carved paintings which depict the journey of Confucius made in 24 orderly lined carriages. It is told by the people that the sound of the Dacheng bell is very mellow and loud and it can last up to 3 minutes. There is open air in front of the Dacheng Hall’s main door and there is a statue of Confucius in Bronze holding sword. When you will enter the hall, you will find the golden statue of Confucius in the middle and besides this statue there are two outstanding students Zeng Shen and Yan Hui.

Ancient Yi garden is located in the Nanxiang which is a down in the Jiading District of Shanghai. It is located at a distance of 21 kilometers from the centre of the city. It was built by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Jiajing. It was simply known as the Yi garden but when it was restored it is subsequently renamed.

This garden is the best garden among five other classical gardens of Shanghai. Other four gardens are Autumn Sightseeing Garden or Qiupu Garden, Drunk Pool Garden, Yuyan Garden and Zigzag Water Garden. It is divided mainly into four scenic areas i.e. Flower Fragrance park, Yi garden, Moonlit Bamboo Park and Crane in Stream pond. Ming Style architectures, Green Bamboos, path with Motifs, Tranquil and Poem Streams and Couplet Scrolls are its some of the features.

“Yi” name has been derived from the beautiful view of the bamboo. It is inspired by the poems in books of songs as well as the Odes to Qin which is a kind of musical instrument. Yi also reflects the artistic conception of the green bamboos. The traditional features of this garden are bamboos. In Yi garden Annals, it is recorded that the most beautiful scenery of the garden is the mountain which is covered with the bamboos. Green, graceful and elegant bamboos are present everywhere in the landscape.

Apart from the scenery of the bamboos, The Tranquil Pavillion, Angle Missing Pavilion, Moon Painting Corridor, White Crane pavilion are some of the scenic spots in Ancient Yi Garden. The buildings and Pavilions here are featured virtually in the typical Jianganan residences. All the buildings are constructed around the water which presents the artistic conception of the pavilions which are surrounded by water as well as mountains showing their elegance despite of their number.

The buildings are decorated with the pantiles and tiles and designed with the hollowed out patterns at the roof ridges. The gates, eaves and windows are painted with the elegant colors. All the patterns and designs of the building depict the typical style of Ming Dynasty. on the top of the Bamboo hill, Angle Missing Pavilion is located. It is the patriotic symbolization which was built for recording the anger of the Chinese people during the invasion of the three provinces of the north-east china. Therefore, the pavilion feature three angles the lost angle out of four angles represent the loss of three province of the northeastern china of that time.

Shanghai Old Street is known as Miaoqian Dajie historically and it is the old business street which is a combination of shops cultural exhibits, entertainments for tourist attractions. It is full of social attractions as well as having a commercial background where you can find the earliest banks, jeweler’s store, tea house, wine shop, gold shop and several other shops.

The layout and the architecture of the shops in this street, shows the development of the Ming Dynasty to the period when the European has influenced the Shanghai city making the impact on the culture. The west part of this Shanghai Old street stretches from South Henan Road to the Guanyi Street. The buildings in this place reflect the style of the Qing and Ming Dynasty. The architecture design is the elegant in its classic simpliciy. Pink walls, red poles and black roofs having upswept eaves are in the harmony with the buildings in the Yuyan Garden. The east side of the street has the length of 500 meters and ends at the Renmin road. The decoration has the remains of the residential characteristics of the Qing Dynasty.

It has the swing doors which reach to the ground and has lattice windows and graceful roofs with unswept eaves which are very much facinating. There are many european buildings, which have the same style of architecture as that of old shanghai. You can also find a good range of diversity in culture here. There are more than 200 stores eahc of them have been designed carefully according to their function. These shops are full of handicraft materials, calligraphies, paintings and jewelry. You can choose from wide range fo these materials. There are various shops on the eastern side like Tong Han Chun Pharmacy, Wu Liang Cai Glass shop, De Shun restaurant,etc which takes you back to shanghai about hundred years ago. You can also enjoy Yuan bao Tea at the Chun Feng De Yi Lou teahouse whaving two olives.

Shuzhou Ballads or Pingtan is performed here on weekends. Old Tea house owner display a collection of the fifty cheongsams, who are traditionally styled ladies dresses and dating from the year 1930. You can easily see the folk culture. Several embrodery houses, antique shops and fabric shops symbolizes the prosperity of the area commerially. You can also visit Yuyan garden which is next to Shanghai Old Street.

Shanghai Museum is located at People’s Square which is in the centre of Shanghai. It is very large museum having ancient Chinese art. Its presentation and style surround its visitors with the artifacts which demonstrate ancient philosophy and wisdom. Exterior design in this museum has round dome and a square base which symbolizes the ideas of the round heaven and the square land.

 

This museum has eleven galleries as well as three exhibition halls. The eleven galleries are made to cover almost all categories of the Chinese art which are Ancient Ceramic, Ancient Bronze, Ancient Sculpture, Calligraphy, Paintings, Ancient Jade, Ming, Coins, Qing and Ming Furniture, minority Nationalities and Seals.

 

The bronze wares of Zhou and Shang dynasty have contributed to the understandings of the ancient civilizations. This covers over four hundred pieces of the exquisite bronze ware which covers the entire history of the ancient bronze art of China.

 

The ceramics collection is the special treasure of the Shanghai Museum. It contains more than 500 pieces of art work from different dynasties which includes gray and painted pottery of Neolithic age, Primitive celadon of Shang, Warring and Zhou States, celadon of East Han Dynasty and the tri-colored glazed pottery of Tang Dynasty, white black and blue glazed and painted porcelain of Song Liao and Jin and the works of Jiangxi and Jingdezhen center of the industry during Ming, Yuan and Qing dynasties.

 

Chinese calligraphy and painting have unique and traditional styles. There are several masterpieces from various periods and genre which are featured in the Shanghai Museum. The gallery of the Ancient Chinese Sculpture mainly focuses on the sculptures of the Buddhists.

Jade in ancient China was used for the decoration and known for the symbol of power and wealth. It was also personified for symbolizing the perfect morality. The elegance of the jade can be seen through the vivid patterns and crystal colors.

The gallery of the Shanghai museum depicts the garden like residence of the ancient China. The furniture from Qing and Ming witnessed the etiquette and culture of China.

 

The Galleries of Chinese seals show the importance of seals in the history from the period of Western Zhou to the Qing dynasty. China was one of the countries which used the currency. You can find many coins in this museum which reflects the development of the Chinese currency.
You can also find the diversity in the Chinese culture and collaboration of many nationalities. You can see varieties of metal wares, textiles, sculptures, lacquer, pottery, bamboo wares which gives the picture of passion and creativity. This museum is well connected by all routes.

 

Located at the west of Nanjing Road, Jian Temple of Shanghai is one of the most famous temples of Shanghai. It is at the downtown flourishing area of Shanghai. In the year 1983, it was put on key national protection list.

 

This temple has more than 780 years of history. It was built in the period of Three Kingdoms and named as the Hudu Chongyan Temple. It was moved to its present location by the Southern Song Dynasty form the bank of the river Wusong. It has been crowded places untill the year 1908.d it was first built as the Jing’an Temple and later it was renamed to Jian’ng Temple in the year 1945. It was unfortunately burnt down in the year 1972 but soon reconstructed. In 1990, this temple was opened for the public.

 

There were total eight scenes in the former temple of Jing’an which was very much popular. Most of these have become extinct but the Young Quan or the Estavel in front of the temple was excavated in the year 2009. It is called boil well by the people as the spring water gushed all time. It is also considered as the sixth spring under the Heaven. This spring after its reconstruction has been relocated at the Huashan Road’s crossing and The West Nanjing Road has regained its charm.

There are about three main halls known as The Mahavira Hall, The Three Sage Hall and the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. The Hall of Mavavira has the biggest pure Jade portrait of Sakyamuni in the Mainland China. The height of the Jade Buddha is about 12 feets, width of about 9 feets and weighs more than eleven thousand kilograms. Due to its huge size the wall was torn and moves down to the hall. Having the tranquil facial expression the statue radiates auspiciousness and venerability.

You can escape from the bustle and hustle of the crowds in Jing’an Temple. You can also enjoy the marvelous calligraphy and painting by the yangzhou’s Eight Eccentric painter which is in the exhibition hall of the Buddhist Relics. You will also be fascinated by the bronze bell which is displayed in this temple made by the Ming Dynasty.

You can enjoy Temple Fair which is held once in a year. The festival of Birthday of Buddha is also helped here and you can find several handcraft goods, sideline and agricultural products. It is nearby the airport and bus facility is easily available to airport.

 

 

Xin Tian Di is located in the centre of the Shanghai City. It has the urban attraction as well as the cultural and historic legacies. This city has the fashionable pedestrian street which is full of shikumen and modern architectural style.

The uniqueness of Xin Tian di lies in its concept of construction. It has remains of the antique tiles, walls and exterior of the old Shanghai’s Shikumen housing. However its interior comprise of totally different world having bars, gallery, café, theme restaurants and boutiques. You can get the taste of both modern lifestyle of 21^st century as well as the 1920’s shanghai.

The main attraction is the Shikumen Building which is a mixture of architecture style of Chinese and western. In the early of 19^th century, it was local citizen’s residence. This building depicts the modern history and culture of Shanghai. But, with the development of Shanghai, this building has become a historical building and it was rebuilt in the year 1997.

Metropolises and big cities of the world have representative building reflecting local culture and history and thus become faces tourist attractions. The establishment of Xian Tian Di was made keeping this phenomenon in mind. Therefore, the Shikumen building was given the new commercial value and changed its function of the residence and changing its old bloc to a new world which is full of life. With the Shikumen typical architecture, the block of a new commercial area was also developed.

Xian Tian Di has been divided into North block and south block which consist the modern architecture of Shikumen. The north bloc has the architecture style of old Shikumen which formed tin contrast to the new and modern south block.

South block has the complex of entertainment, shopping and leisure. It has area over 6.2 acres and was opened in the year 2003. The glass wall building has been built with modern atmosphere. You can find several restaurants, fashionable ornament shops, boutiques, cinemas, food courts and fitness centers for the entertainment as well as leisure.

North block is comprised of antique buildings of Shikumen having inner modern decoration, design and equipment. It also features upscale restaurants and stores with various cuisines from different countries like Brazil, France, Japan, America, Italy and Germany.

Xin Tian Di attracts the tourist from all over the world. It has famous restaurants and shops apart from the historical architecture and buildings. It is full of history as well as modern life of Shanghai.

 

Yayuan is very popular as well as classic garden which is located in Aren Jie in Shanghai. This garden was completed in the year 1577 by Pan Yunduan which was a government officer in the Ming Dynasty. Yu means satisfying and pleasing in china and this garden was made for enjoying the happy and tranquil time.

In nearly four hundred year of the existence of Yujuan Garden, it has undergone many types of changes. During the war of opium in 19^th century, it was damaged and after that it was restored in the year 1956 and was opened for public in the year 1961.

This garden is extended in area about twenty thousand square meter or about five acres. It has many unique characteristics like rockeries, halls, pavilions, ponds and clusters. You can enjoy main six scenic areas wanhua Chamber, Huijing Hall, Sansui Hall, Dianchun hall , Inner garden and Yahua Hall. Each of these areas is fulled with various scenic spots within their borders.

When you will enter this garden you will see a rockery which is also known as the Great Rockery. It has height about 50 feet and it is one of the oldest as well as largest rookeries in the Yangtze River’s Southern region. From the top of this rockery, you can get the bird eye view of this garden. At the foot of this rockery lies the Cuixiu Hall. This place is surrounded with beautiful flower and old trees. You can also find curio shops in Cuixiu Hall.

Sansui hall was built in the year 1760 and used for the entertainment of guests. Later one it was used to hold the ceremonies. It has height about 30 feets and have five halls. It is most commodious and largest structure in the garden.in the areas of Wanhua Chambers and Yule Pavilion you can find corridors, pavilions, courtyards, streams and other natural features. Chamber of Wnahua is dedicately chased building which is surrounded by the derious cloister. You can find the spring bamboos beside the cloisters. 

On the east of Wanhua chamber, lies the Dianchun Hall area. It also includes Relic Hall, Hexu hall, Acting and sing stage and ancient well pavilion. It also has the headquarters of Xiaodau Hi which was a revolt group and fought against the Qing Dynasty government.

 

 

Shanghai has the one of the main attraction for the tourists in China and is full of history and culture. The Bund stretches for one mile from the bank of the river Huangpu and a well known waterfront esplanade. You can enjoy the fascinating view of Shanghai through the extensive walkway of the riverfront on the bank of this river especially at the night time. You can easily get boats which frequently depart from Shiliupu Pier to the south of the Bund and this journey takes approximate three hour’s time.

You can see the glistening waters of the river Huangpu and enjoy the incredible view of the historic architectures. You can also enjoy the modern sky scrapers and experience the local people’s life by doing Tai Chi or playing the game Chinese checker at the park. You can also look into the promenade which has an amazing architecture which has the styles ranging from Neo-Renaissance, Classic, French Baroque and Art Nouveau. The history of this place also backs to when the British established their trade and banks houses and also created a European style landscape in that area. During the War of Chinese Civil, financial investors had relocated and now days it has evolved as a Shanghai’s financial district and home for many companies related to finance in last two decades. Due to the major reconstruction of Bund by the Shanghai in the year 2008, it has become more tourists friendly and it has been made open for public in the year 2010.

You can visit the Colonial era buildings which has former Hong Kong Bank, Former Shanghai Club which is now called as Waldorf Astoria hotel, Peach Hotel. It also has a Bund History Museum which has free admission during 9 am to 4:15 pm. You can also visit Huangpu Gong Yan which was built in the year 1868 and was previously known as the British Public Garden. Bund Sightseeing tunnel is another attraction for the tourists. Oriental Pearl Tower offers spectacular view, recreation and restaurants. Statue of Chen Yi is another thing to view in Bund.

International tourists can get the elegant and best lodging facility at Bund Shanghai. Broadway Mansion and Peace Hotels are facilitated with the massive swimming pools, high flying banks and several other facilities for making your stay a pleasant.