Shanghai's changing skyline

At one point, nearly 1/2 of all the construction cranes in the entire world were in Shanghai. So as you can imagine, the skyline changes here pretty quickly. One day something is torn down, the next day something new goes up in it's place. Crazy- and sometimes frustrating when you get to a restaurant you were at the previous week and it's gone (this happens a lot)!

And in case you haven't heard, Shanghai is the host to the World Expo 2010. It's basically a world's fair and the city is really sprucing up for the event. It will last for a total of 7 months and they are expecting over 20 MILLION visitors. Unbelievable! And we will be lucky enough to still be here when it opens in May of 2010- though I am already dreading the crowds.

Just wanted to share a few photos of Shanghai's newest skyscraper- the World Financial Tower. It is the tallest building in the world by roof height, and the 2nd tallest by pinnacle height. Also, the world's highest hotel (a Hyatt) calls this building home. But the most interesting story about this building is about it's design. It's owned by a Japanese company and when the architects first presented the plans to Shanghai's government, there was quite an uproar because the design looked like a knife- stuck right in the heart of Shanghai. (And for those of you who know your history, Japaneses/Chinese relationships are not the greatest to begin with). The top of the tower was initially presented with a large circular cut out, which added fuel to the fire because the circle appears on the Japanese flag as the sun. After some lengthy redesigns, everyone agreed to the current designed which shows a square cut out in the building instead (personally, Sev and I call it the "bottle opener".)

A view from the Huang Pu river of the World Financial Center and the skyline on the west side of the river (Pudong).

World Financial Tower and in front of it, the Jin Mao tower (#5 tallest building on roof height and #7 on pinnacle height). Took this shot from the observation deck of the TV Pearl Tower.

A view of the east side of the river (Puxi). Junk boats cruising past the old European architecture of the Bund (in the background).

Nothing to do with new construction, but this is one of the few old historic cathedrals in China. This one is over 100 years old- you must show your passport to go in and have a look- Chinese are not permitted to enter.