Source: CCTV.com

12-15-2006 10:33

Welcome to Travelogue. This is the Street Special – the Bund. Today at this episode I am going to introduce to you the biggest city in China, Shanghai. Why do we choose the Bund? Let me tell you, because the Bund represent China both the past and present. First of all, let's get some direction.

Shanghai, the largest city in China, attracts people from all around the world like a magnet. People come here for its culture, history, and all the vigor and vitality. It shows in its rush to international metropolis status. Like a dragon wake up from his dream, Shanghai is the showcase of China's fast growth and a top prize of tourist attractions, business opportunities and cultural activities. Today's Shanghai is designed with the scope of international standard to welcome people from home and abroad.

To meet with the world international standard, it has to take the good elements and side effects. For instance, traffic jam is just an issue you have to deal with even in Shanghai.

Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu that parallels the promenade is Shanghai's signature cityscape, a long wall of colonial-era European buildings erected by foreign governments, trading houses, and business individuals mostly during the prosperous and disreputable 1920s and 1930s.

The Bund (which means the Embankment) refers to Shanghai's famous waterfront running along the west shore of the Huangpu River, forming the eastern boundary of old downtown Shanghai.

The architectural design is a good start point for visitors. Let’s take a close look at each of those buildings.

Cathay Hotel, now the north wing of the Peace Hotel. Built in 1930 by Victor Sassoon, who was a bachelor, lived in the penthouse. He was also the owner of the English Country style villa located on the grounds of today's Cypress Hotel.

As I passing by many other signature buildings such as the old customhouse, the AIA American Insurance Company, I wondered who was the first one had the idea to create such an establishment in Shanghai. It reminded me the Chinatown in NYC.

David Laris: ”I think... to be part of something that’s really being reborn. I think that is a very exciting proposition.”

To take a good look at the details of the building, they are all very European style with no trace of Chinese influence. The difference between the 20s and now is that people come to China today with passion and love.

David Laris: “ When I came and saw the Bund the first time and saw the building its nothing like this today. I fell in love with it. I thought: ‘I have to be part of this.’ I want to be the next stage of China’s life. I want to be part of Shanghai and I want to be part of the evolution, and in a small way maybe even contribute to it.“

The Bund lately has a lot of changes. I am talking about in the recent 10 years. For example, 3 on the Bund have brought in the trendy restaurant, fashion clubs and fashion boutique for example the Georgio Armani store. Then there is 18th on the Bund built beautiful clubs and restaurants. And there is upcoming 5th on the Bund. So, there are a lots of things happened on the Bund. But this is not new, back to 1920s the Bund used to be the center, the commercial center for business especially for westerners. Let’s go to take a look at everything.

So, what is your concept to setup the business in Shanghai such as 3 on the Bund?

Handle Lee-Co Chairman of 3 on the Bund: The concept was to do something on the Bund, which is the most historically important part of Shanghai. To do something that is dedicated to culture…lifestyle, the new contemporary culture that is China.

On the first page of press release kit from Mr. Lee’s business, it said: Three on the Bund is a celebration of contemporary living, where art, culture, food, fashion and music converge to inspire a richer life – an elegant, sophisticated gathering place for vibrant people and stimulating ideas.

Lee added that “Within the four walls of the Three on the Bund, you are in a different world, a place that exudes energy and passion that come from the heart,” “That’s the experience they want people to have.”

Angelo Negro – Commercial Director of House of Thee Limited: The material is the best material you can find whatever you are talking about. It’s really the best. Very expensive, super fine. The fabrics are really expensive and really important. So this is why.

How expensive?

“A lot expensive. Lets say the fabric they are using is like from 200 dollars up to 400, 500 dollars per meter. Its US dollars, 500 dollars per meter. This is really expensive, but they are really super fine. Usually in the fashion retail design wise, they are working like more technical like a super 100. It’s twisted, super 100. This company works for super 200, so that is double (the treads).

Mr. Angelo Negro, Commercial Director of Three on The Bund gave me his professional advice on fashion. He emphasized China market in terms of fashion trend, retail business and the costumer interest. What I learned from him was that an Italian designer made jacket could be my next wish from Santa Clause.

“ I like the word FASHION cause when we talk about Shanghai, we talk about fashion even back to 1920s fashion modern and up scale staff. This is a perfect example. Before we saw a lot of movies promoting around the world all about the old China. So, what do you see this kind of up scale fashion such as Armani to fit in the current China?”

Mr. Handle Lee – Co Chairman of 3 on the Bund: I think what you see here is again expressions of this current spirit, and the current spirit that is here in Shanghai and actually all over China. Its exuberance of vitality of incredible optimism and drive and so that is being expressed individually.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten is a “legend”, one of the “10 Hottest Chefs Alive” (Food & Wine), 4-time award winner of The James Beard Foundation and 4th Restaurant in the World (Restaurant Magazine – UK), Jean George Shanghai is setup right on the Bund, it offers customer relaxation and be able to lift your spirit with a magic touch.

Mr. Eric Johnson: Jean George actually has 15 or 16 restaurants and that is growing all the time but only 2 of them are called “Restaurant Jean George” - the original one in New York City and this one here. Well we are lucky enough to get the top food rating in Zagat’s Survey which is an international guide book brand that rates restaurants pretty much in most major cities in the world.

“ I am very lucky to have this chance sit down with the best and youngest chef in the world and taste the new Shanghainese style food. “

Jereme Leung – Head Chef of Whampoa Club: Well, I guess I am probably not one of the youngest anymore! But generally.

“Everybody will get old sooner or later”

“Right, people tend to say that I was one of the Chinese chef in Asia.”

“So, tell me about the food and the new concept you mentioned before.”

“Well basically in this restaurant I call the food in this restaurant the ‘Whampoa Club’s Cuisine’ The dishes that we create I call them the Whampoa Club’s Dishes. Its main element is actually based on Shanghainese cuisine. It is a cuisine which I have developed based on the inspiration of Shanghainese food. So all our dishes here have Shanghainese elements although they are always being presented differently and the taste is still very much Shanghainese. These are all actually traditional Shanghainese classics this is Drunken Hairy Crab.

If you visit Shanghai you have to come to the Bund. This is 3 on the Bund. Every day every week there are modern art exhibition, activities, and events. Right now this is called Three Worlds right on the Bund. There are 3 famous artists from China have this exhibition right here. Now is the Press Conference.

Modern art can be anything, sometimes it is hard to interpret it. For this one it’s very easy for me to understand. This is a copy of Chinese registration book, and even a copy of Chinese passport and this is a college certificate, and here is an art association membership card. But I found this piece is very interesting. It is a healthy certificate for international travelers. Hey, international travelers out there you need one of those. If you come to China, this is exactly a copy of the international healthy certificate, every one needs one like that.

Roberto Dominici – Managing Director of Classico Italia: Who is seeking revenge who is proud of being what he is. It is something that every time I see it I feel touched. The energy that I felt when I came here in 1971. It was absolutely fantastic! I was touched by it. Now there is something else beautiful about this... usually, the icons of China…

Today the Bund consists of a spectacular promenade, stretching from Suzhou Creek in the north to Jinling Lu in the south, the perfect platform for walking along the busy river

Personally I enjoy walking or driving through Zhong Shan Dong Yi Lu, the major street of Shanghai’s new developments. Every building on the road has its unique background story that recorded at Shanghai Museum.

When the lower section of the Huangpu River, which rises from the Taihu Lake, flows through the city of Shanghai for 39km, its water surface extends as wide as 400 metres. A cruise on the river involves a 60-km-long round trip, which runs past some of the major landmarks of shanghai as a port city.

The Shanghai Club, built in 1909 for an English club, which had been founded in 1865. It was said that the Club had the longest bar in the world, or at least Asia. Reputedly it was 34 metres (111 ft) long. A part of the bar still remains in the Seamen's Club upstairs.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. Opened in 1925. Mentioned in the Shanghai Guide of that year as the largest bank of the Far East. In front of the building was a pair of magnificent bronze lions.

In the early years of the century, Shanghai was the worst and the best of everything

The Bund used to be the center stage for underground business. "Big Ears" Du was one of the key characters in Shanghai's life from the early 1920s to 1950s.

He was from the main underworld societies of old Shanghai and rose to become its leader and the ultimate Chinese Godfather. One of his favorite phrases was "You have my word".

The name of the Bund, the premier street in the city, is originally an Anglo-Indian word.

In 1920s a streetcar was built by the British like this (In Shanghai). Most Chinese either unwilling or afraid to get on the car like this. Actually the only people take advantage of this is foreigners.”

The Yangzi River separate Shanghai in 2 parts. West of it is called Historical Bund; East of the Yangzi River is called the new development area PuDong. If you have a chance visit Shanghai, you can come here and take advantage of few things. The Grand Hyatt 5 star hotel offers the tallest bar in the world called Cloud 9. And the Presidential Suit or called Chairman’s Suit is also the tallest Chairman suit in the world. It is located right on the 82nd floor. Its about 300 meters above the ground level.

Grand Hyatt Shanghai has been included in the 2000 Millennium edition of the Guinness Book of Records as the highest hotel in the world. Crowning the prestigious 88-storey Jin Mao Tower the hotel commences on the 53rd floor and rises to the 87th floor, surpassing the height of all other hotels worldwide.

Entry into Grand Hyatt Shanghai is through an intimate yet impressive forecourt; its assertive style is a complimenting contrast to the ultra modern high-tech exterior skin of the architecture.

Astor House Hotel　or Richard's Hotel　as it was known before　was established in 1846　during Qing Dynasty by the Richard's family. It is the very first western hotel property all over China since Shanghai became a trading port.

Many world famous people checked in Astor House Hotel that includes Charlie Chaplin, Einstein, and American President Grant.

The hotel moved to where it is now on the north end of Baidu Bridge formerly "Weiersi Bridge"　and renamed to Astor House Hotel in 1857　during Qing Dynasty,

To make it the most deluxe western hotel in the city and one of the best in China and in the Far East alike　the hotel was restored in 1907　to a neo-classic extravagant structure.

Over the past 150 years　Astor House Hotel retains its glorious architectural spirit　and helps to epitomize the historical nature of the city of Shanghai.

Currently Astor House Hotel still has about 100 various types of rooms including deluxe rooms and business suites. Some rooms are decorated in Barloke style of Victoria times in 19th century. Others are designed in 20th century modern style with satellite TV air conditioner and other modern equipments. However, the glamour of its past adds considerable value to the present business.

Astor House Hotel is one of the famous and oldest hotels in Shanghai. There are so many world well-known people lived in this hotel before. In 1922, Albert Einstein stayed right in this room. In 1879, American President Grant also visited Astor House Hotel Shanghai. In 1920, British philosopher Rusell also spent time here. In 1931, the greatest comedian Charlie Charplin also visited the Astor House Hotel. In 1936 he came back again with his wife on honey moon, they stayed in room 404 and today if you are lucky you can check in room 404 and the hotel prepared some great works of Charlie Chaplin such as the City Lights. You can sit back enjoy the movie right in this room.”

Come to party if you are ready or you come to shanghai for travel.

Shanghai’s weather sometime is just a little tough especially for February and March. These are the raining day, raining every day, but wintertime is not that cold and there is no snow, but you know, summertime is also hot as well. Hey it’s just everywhere.

The city of Shanghai was once the most modern city in the world and could have competed against any major cities in the world for the title of 'Sleepless Town with Endless Party'.

From the bars, it is off to the discos. While many interesting places where I suggest you to check it out on Friday and Saturday nights, such as 18th on the Bund, Park 97, Dragon are all surprisingly crowded with party goers from all over the world.

Amid all this increased competition, Park 97 has remained the biggest name in Shanghai especially within the westerners community.

This is Shanghai, You are watching Travelogue. Until next time, I will see you!

 

Editor:Chen Minji