The Shanghai

Old and news ,East and West meet in Shanghai
           Shanghai dazzles visitors with its variety of places new and old , East and West . New Shanghai begins at the airport with a step onto the Maglev , Shanghai's high-speed train . Reaching 431 km/h , it whisks travelers the 32 kilometers from the airport to Pudong in eight minutes . Visitors disembark from the Maglev at Pudong , where Shanghai's modern side awaits right outside the station .
           Twenty years of intense development has given Pudong - and Shanghai - a new skyline . People usually first notice the Oriental Pearl Tower , which has come to symbolize Shanghai .Besides serving as a TV and radio tower , the Oriental Pearl houses museums and a rotating restaurant . South of it stands the 421m tall Jim Mao Tower , which has hosted BASE-jumping events from just above its 88th floor . The Shanghai World Financial Center , the city's tallest building  , towers above both structures at 492 m . The 100th-floor observatory has glass floors , giving visitors a bird's eye view of the city .
          The best view of Pudong's skyline , however , is from across the Huangpu River on a walk along the Bund.
          The west's influence on Shanghai is very apparent on the Bund . European countries and America established concessions here between the early 1840s and 1943 . Visiting the Bund takes one back to that era. 52 buildings , All built in fashionable European styles , line this famous section of East Zongshan First Road .
         The HSBC building , which now houses the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank , dominates the Bund . Inside, visitor's gazes are drawn to colorful mosaics on the dome ceiling . Another remarkable building , the Customs House , stands next door . The clock on top , nicknamed "Big Ch'ing" and similar in design to London's Big Ben , arrives from England in 1843 .
        Just south of the Bund, the traditional buildings and tiny lanes of the old Chinese city take visitors back in time . Here , the Yuyuan Gardens are the main attraction . Built in 1577 by a government official for his parents , the Yuyuan Gardens occupy an area of two hectares . The carefully designed gardens , calm ponds and exquisite buildings provide a respite for visitors . Nearby , Shanghai's Old Street is a great place to bargain for souvenirs .
        While the Bund and old Chinese city interest history buffs , Nanjing Road excites shoppers . Shanghai's premier shopping destination , Nanjing Road boasts 5.5 km of shops , malls , restaurants and excitement . Colorful neon signs light up the street at night when thousands of people flood the area .
       The People's Square , which divides Nanjing East and West Roads , offers great cultural experiences , including the Shanghai Museum . The museum displays 120K pieces of ancient Chinese art including impressive collections of bronzes , ceramics and paintings .
       Shanghai's past and present meet in Xintiandi , one of Shanghai's hottest nightlife destinations . Just nine years ago , Xintiandi was a crowded , old community of shabby , shikumen-style houses . Today , restored shikumen exteriors open into restaurants , shops and art galleries . Photographer Guo Changyao comments, "In the 21st century , if you don't go to Xintiandi , then you haven't seen Shanghai . "
     To truly experience Shanghai , one must explore all its sides . The beauty of the city lies in its old and new , West and East .

Tips
1. Dazzle (v)  使讚嘆不已;使目眩
2. Whisk (v) 迅速帶走(移動)
3. Dominate (v) 俯瞰 ; 佔主要地位
4. Bargain (v) 討價還價
5. Boast (v) 以擁有---自豪
6.Shabby (adj) 破敗的
7. BASE-jump (v) 定點跳傘;低空跳傘
8. Concession (n) 租界
9. Mosaic (n) 鑲嵌工藝(圖案)
10. Buff (n) 迷 ,愛好者
11. Shikumen - stone gate

Reference
1. Studio Classroom September 2009