Pudong, Lujiazui new icon - The Shanghai World Financial Center will be complete in 3 years, in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympic! The world will soon witness the birth of Shanghai World Financial Center, a tower pf Power, a dynamic and new, mixed-use 101 story development that soars 492m into the sky! In a city that believes - “the taller the better”, I believe the tower will be a major tourist destination and landmark. It is said to be the part of the city’s ambitions to become a key International center once again.

The upper portion of the building will feature a large rectangular opening to symbolize China’s new window to the world. The structure features a 3 floor underground parking, sophisticated retail space, elegant conference center, office units, five-star luxury hotel and finally observation and exhibition areas at the upper level of the building. the observatory atop the building will be the highest outdoor observation deck in the world. It would be cool if some nice restaurants fill the top portion.

The man behind the project, a Japanese real estate Developer - Minoru Mori from Mori Building Company, one of the largest privately held property developers in Japan knew he has to aim higher to make his new mark. When Minoru was young, he dreamed of becoming a novelist before he follow his father, a professor at Yokohama City University, into the property business. He then developed a facination with the ideas of Le Corbusier, one of my favourite Architect, and championed Le Corbusier’s notion of “Vertical Garden City” (Taller buildings and higher population density reduced commuting time and freed space for parks and civis amenities.)

Popularity: 3% [?]

No. 1 Water Town Of China - Zhou Zhuang , offer a glimpse of life in ancient China
It lies at the middle between Shanghai and Suzhou, is an ancient town of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, where abounds with rivers and lakes. So it is thought by many to be the best waterside town in China.This ancient town has a history of more than 900 years old with many houses built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Zhou Zhuang is clean, well-kept village filled with cobbled paths, arched bridges, tile roofs and tantalizing glimpses of old China. However, is a TRUE ancient canal town. Development stopped here about 500 years ago. The city has preserved the ancient village intact. No vehicles (including bicycles) are allowed. The "streets" are no wider than 2 meters and canals crisscross the entire village. It was a bright spring day, and the waterfront willows were just beginning to leaf, showing splashes of lime green in the cool May sunshine. Tourists floated by on boats, admiring the thousand-year-old stonework, especially the famous Shide and Yongan bridges, a pair of Ming-era beauties.

Travel on: May 2006
Admission Fees: RMB 100
Transportation Fees: RMB 40

Popularity: 7% [?]

Glass wall in the dark! Walk pass a street and saw this glass wall which create a soft, elegant atmosphere for this intimate evenings in balmy weather! I can’t say this is a great archi but instead, a good design.

Popularity: 5% [?]