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above the clouds

International Travel and Lifestyle Blog


Luvin’ Shanghai

June 1, 2011 by Dave17 Comments

The Shanghai Financial Center contains the world’s highest observatory. The building is nearly 500 meters tall with an elevator that rockets you up to about 440 meters in just over 60 seconds. There are two observatories – one at the 94th floor and one at the 100th floor. Both afford spectacular views of skyscrapers in all directions. Shanghai is a major International financial player and this building is one of the city’s proudest accomplishments.

Visitor’s walk through a patriotic presentation highlighting Shanghai versus NYC and Tokyo on the first floor. The amount of window glass used in this building is equal to a quarter of Japan’s entire output in a year. 91 elevators are in the building – the foundation goes into the earth about 250 feet…and lots of other fun facts!

The Bund is beautiful at night highlighting both Western architecture, Eastern as well as modern. This walkway along the river is insanely crowded at night! I spent 30 minutes trying to take a photo of the massive impressive looking copper bull because of crowds gathered around (same artist as created the Wall Street icon). Finally we got that perfect shot!

Stopped by a health club for massage. Turned into an hour of Chinese torture – all thumbs, with intense amounts of pressure radiated. Screamed out several times, massage therapist just laughed.

….off for more exploring today!

OH and hows this for perspective on Shanghai’s air quality – these photos were taken of the same two buildings approximately the same distance away on successive days (one zoomed in a bit more). One shows amazing (for Shanghai) air quality and the other shows “average” air quality. I hate to see what a “bad” air quality day looks and feels like. During the Shanghai Expo last year when factories were shut down the air quality was much improved for the duration of that event.

Related posts:

Tour Boarding, Shanghai Shanghai World Expo – China Showcases its Place in the Modern World World’s Tallest Buildings – March 2004 Hanging out in China Mendoza, Argentina – Hotels

Filed Under: Asia · Tagged: Architecture, Art, Japan, Massage, New York City, Shanghai, Walking tour

Comments

  1. Girl Talk says

    May 31, 2011 at 2:38 am

    Thanks for following. Now following back.

  2. Myriam says

    June 2, 2011 at 2:57 am

    the air quality shots are…breathtaking. So 4 buildings like that and no more glass left in a year production? that’s as amazing as the air quality (or lack of)

  3. David says

    June 2, 2011 at 3:12 am

    Myriam – yea, it was crazy this week how fast we went from decent air quality to terrible. It really gets in your throat and nose 🙁

    Right – course the Shanghai Financial building is nearly 500 meters tall – thats alot of glass!

  4. Steph says

    June 3, 2011 at 4:15 am

    I also have some great shots from pulling into the Shanghai harbor…The air quality was appalling!
    Have fun!

  5. Susan S says

    June 4, 2011 at 3:41 am

    Wow! Those side by side photos are really telling!

  6. Seraph says

    June 4, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Lol, I should send you blue sky pictures taken during the EXPO!

  7. Rafael Pess. says

    June 4, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I love to follow your experiences around the world, Dave.

    Greetings from Andalusia! Your web is really wonderful.

  8. Kristy says

    June 5, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Ack, evil massage therapist! Hope you’re not too sore tomorrow.

  9. David says

    June 5, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    Kristy – yea, exactly! Next time your out in Napa or Sonoma, I’ll put together a PINOT only day – and will introduce you to some California Pinot Noir pioneers – Richard Grant has an amazing Pinot Noir story, he knows the wine industry well after decades.

  10. Flara says

    June 5, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    OMG, absolutely fantastic photos:))

  11. Lisa Ricard Claro says

    June 6, 2011 at 2:10 am

    Those photos are incredible…scary but incredible. Thanks for a great post. And thanks for visiting my blog and following. I’ll look forward to getting to know you through your writing.

  12. cooking varieties says

    June 6, 2011 at 5:41 am

    wow. shanghai really has something to show off..
    its ao nice to live in the clouds.
    at the same i will be living in costant fear….mmm many things, cos i am actually afraid of heights.

  13. Beatriz says

    June 6, 2011 at 8:03 am

    Helloo there! Thanks for following! I am here too : I love to travel and I thing your site is amazing! Love your blog!! I bet above the clouds is amazing to be and to look down to earth from there too….See you around!

  14. Lindsay says

    June 7, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Wow…that air quality situation is insane! Thanks for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower!

  15. taio says

    June 7, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    excelente entrada

  16. Miriam Sales says

    July 9, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    Lovely this blog.I want come back here and join this place.
    Sds

  17. Antonio Batalha says

    July 9, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    Tentei seguir seu blog, mas não encontrei a manipulação de seguidores. Vi todos os seus links e não vi maneira de seguilo.
    Tudo de bom

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