English Teacher in China
Shanghai explorations
April to August 2006
Background
In 2006, I taught ESL (English as a Second language) at a college in Shanghai for a 4 month period. This was my last little ‘project’ of a period that spanned a period of more than 3 years. I left South Africa in June of 2003 to go and teach ESL in Taiwan.
I stayed for 18 months in Taiwan and then decided to experience mainland China too. I stayed a period of 19 months in China, mainly working for one company called Delter-Telford International Business Institute.
I was fortunate to move around China with them, staying and teaching in 4 different provinces: Nanjing, Wuhu (Anhui), Liuzhou (Guangxi) and lastly Shanghai.
Shanghai is a huge city, both with regards to surface area and population. The public transport system is excellent and cheap, and I used every spare moment to explore the city. I also took my bicycle at times to explore and take photos. I had colleagues at the college who shared my passion for travel.
Shanghai is a city of contrast; Modern versus old and rich versus poor. It is a city that rarely sleeps.
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Huangpu river ferry at dusk with Pudong skyline in the background
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The Huangpu river & The Bund
The Bund or Waitan "outer bank" is a waterfront area in central Shanghai. The area centers on a section of Zhongshan Road (East-1 Zhongshan Road) within the former Shanghai International Settlement, which runs along the western bank of the Huangpu River, facing the high, modern skyscrapers of Pudong (Wikipedia).
The area along the river faces the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui in the Pudong District. The Bund usually refers to the buildings and wharves on this section of the road, as well as some adjacent areas.
It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. Building heights are restricted in the area.
The Bund
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| The Bund |
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| Huangpu river scenery with Pudong skyline |
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| Huangpu river scenery with Pudong skyline |
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| The Bund |
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| Shanghai bridge |
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| Huangpu river scenery with Pudong skyline |
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| Zhongshan Road - adjacent to the Bund |
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| Zhongshan Road - adjacent to the Bund |
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| The Bund |
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| The Bund |
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| Pudong Skyline |
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| At the Bund - Pudong skyline behind me - December 2005, on my first visit. |
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| The Bund |
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| Tourists enjoying the view alongside the Bund |
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| At the Bund - Pudong skyline behind me |
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| The Bund |
Ferry Ride on the Huangpu River
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| On a Huangpu river ferry |
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| Huangpu riverboat |
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| Huangpu riverboats |
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| Huangpu riverboat |
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| Huangpu riverboat |
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| Pudong buildings |
Huangpu riverboats
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| Huangpu riverboat |
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| Huangpu river boat |
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| Huangpu riverboat |
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| Huangpu riverboat |
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| Huangpu riverboat & ship |
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| Huangpu riverboat |
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| Huangpu river ferry at dusk with Pudong skyline in the background |
The Bund at night
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| Huangpu river ferry at dusk with Pudong skyline in the background |
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| Pudong skyline at dusk |
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| Huangpu river & Pudong at night |
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| An old building at night - The Bund |
The Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Radio & Television Tower (Dōngfāng Míngzhūtǎ) is a TV tower in Shanghai. Its location at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong New Area by the side of Huangpu River, opposite The Bund, makes it a distinct landmark in the area.
Its principal designers were Jiang Huan Chen, Lin Benlin, and Zhang Xiulin. Construction began in 1991, and the tower was completed in 1994.
At 468 m (1,535 feet) high, it was the tallest structure in China from 1994–2007, when it was surpassed by the Shanghai World Financial Center.
It is classified as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration. The tower is brightly lit in different LED sequences at night.
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| Pearl Tower - Pudong |
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| View below of Huangpu river - taken from Pearl Tower |
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| At the Bund - Pudong skyline behind me, including the Pearl Tower |
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Huangpu river & Pudong at night
The Pearl Tower is brightly lit at night |
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