Shanghai, December 15th
Asia trip 2018-2019
There is so much to visit, but two days allow for so much.
I start the day at The Bund and its historical buildings. The waterfront is a good place for a walk and has impressive views of the financial district. Big ships constantly cross the river.
To get to the other side of the river, I take the subway. I want to visit the China Art Museum. The building is an impressive inverted red pyramid. The exhibits are interesting but I have seen similar ones in the past, I have a sense of Déjà vu.
But as I continue exploring the museum I find new and interesting artwork in all types of techniques, styles and sizes.
The animated version of the “Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival” it’s tasteful and beautifully done. In a big room runs a digital river. In the wall, a projection of the animated work plays in a loop. It takes several minutes to see the complete loop that changes as people crosses from one side of the room to the other.
Comics and animation have also its place in the museum. It has been even better that I though it was going to be after the first impression.
The financial district is impressive with its tall skyscrapers and its gardens. It’s an in-between Hong Kong’s compactness and the modern over-sized design of Shenzhen. It even has its own Disney store in the central square.
When the day is over, I take the MagLev to the airport.
I could have taken the subway, but to ride the MagLev was something I wanted to do. The trip lasts just a few minutes as the train just speeds up to 300 Km/h. I think about it as a metaphor for my trip around China. It has been really interesting, but I have had no time to stop and enjoy the place.
This is my first time in China and I wanted to see how much I liked the experience. I have enjoyed it without doubt. Next time I will stay longer, and try to escape to some side trips to see the Chinese Great Wall. For this time, I am satisfied with what I have done.
From the airport I get to my hotel that is 10 minutes away. Tomorrow I have another flight, that is why I wanted to be in an hotel so close to the airport. The room has a channel with the timetables of all departures. And there is an airport shuttle bus each 15 minutes. For today, I am done and ready for tomorrow.