Aug 8th was finally here and the long awaited opening ceremony would be telecast lived at 20:08. The date and time of the opening ceremony have been carefully chosen to associate with the lucky number 8. The reason for this is that 8, pronounced as ba in Chinese - which is somewhat similar to the pronunciation of fa, means “prosper” or “wealth”.

Many restaurants and pubs installed bigger screens in a bid to attract more customers on this special night. We too made reservations at Katheen 5 (a posh restarurant in central downtown area) to have dinner while watching the event. On our way to the restaurant, we passed by the openair auditorium at Nanjing road. A huge crowd was gathered there expecting to watch the grand Olympics opening ceremony on the 2 gigantic screens.

It’s 7:30pm at Nanjing east road outdoor auditorium. More and more people gather here hoping to watch the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony. We thought that such a important event would surely be telecasted and shown live on the giant screens, so we stopped and waited anxiously with the crowd.

Unexpectedly… at 8pm sharp, they switched off the screen! Holy Crap! A bunch of people went up to the stage and shout “Au Yun.. Au Yun…” hoping they on the screen again.

Stand higher to get more angles? Professional photographer LiuJin from AFP GettyImages.

Jam-packed with people at Nanjing Lu. People started to grumble and leave.

It’s a great opportunity for the Chinese to make money. There’s people selling all sorts of toys, China and Olympic flags.

Watching opening ceremony through a small screen at a cafe in Nanjing Lu.

Watching through a small tv.

At Fountain Xintiandi. Even the cook from another restaurant stopped by to catch a glimpse of the ceremony. Everybody cheer… and it’s more fun sitting at home!

German pub at Xintiandi. The screen was hanging from the ceiling of the 2nd floor and barely visible. There was a live band on the first floor and everyone on the 2nd floor were straining to hear the live coverage. Customers at tables near the stairs and screen started banging on their tables and shouted for the band to turn down the volume.

Popularity: 17% [?]

People’s Square | Kathleen’s 5 (2 Indoor plasma, 2 outdoor big screen)
Add: 5/F, Shanghai Art Museum, 325 Nanjing Xi Lu. Tel: 6327-2221

While not the first venue that comes to mind for a raucous Olympic viewing, with its unique locale atop the historic Shanghai Art Museum K5’s glass-encased dining area is the perfect grandstand from which to watch the Opening Ceremony on the big screen in People’s Square. Expect to be joined by an upscale crowd while you enjoy dinner and drink specials (10-15 percent off on all drinks) on top of K5’s normal two-for-one happy hour from 5:30-8pm. “We probably have the biggest screen within the whole of Shanghai!” says General Manager Franck Crouvezier. This larger than life experience is definitely gold medal worthy.

Creek Kitchen (60″ ultra-large type projection screen)
Add: 6/F, Creek Art, 423 Guangfu Lu, Suzhou Creek near Datong Lu.
Tel: 63809172 / 63804150*11 Email: cecilia.chen@creekart.org

Creek Kitchen offer the Special Olympic Set, go with your friends and enjoy their delicious food here, with 60 inch ultra-large type projection screen and lucky draw for olympic. Reservation only, one free glass of red wine.

Jing’an & Pudong | Malone’s (2 large screen projectors and 13 LCD flat screen TVs)
Jing’an - 255 Tongren Lu. Tel: 6247-2400
Lujiajui - 1/F Ascott, 3 Pudong Da Dao. Tel: 6886-1309
Pudong - 2/F Thumb Plaza, 17 Fangdian Lu, near Yanggao Zhong Lu. Tel: 5033-6717

Celebrate the Beijing 2008 OLYMPIC Opening Ceremony with MALONE’S. With two large screen projectors and 13 LCD flat screen TVs, you can CATCH ALL THE ACTION LIVE HERE starting with the Opening Ceremony of the grandest and greatest Olympic event of all time. This American café may be the favorite of a lot of Kobe and LeBron supporters, but we’re sure you’ll be able to find a little (or a lot of) Yao Ming love as the basketball tip-off begins.

LIVE Bar (6m wide TV)
Add: 721 Kunming Lu, Yangpu near Tongbei Lu.
Tel: 2833-6764 Email: livebar1@163.com

Get the best of all worlds as you watch the 2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony live on Live Bar’s (6m wide TV) and enjoy Huan’s tunes during breaks in the broadcast and the post-ceremony action. Those in Olympic gear receive a free drink. RMB25 for members, RMB30 for non-members.

New Heights (giant screens)
Add: 7/F, Three on the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Huangpu near Guangdong Lu, Metro Line 2 Nanjing Dong Lu Station.
Tel: 6321-0909 Email: newheights@on-the-bund.com

Feel the Olympic heat this Friday at New Heights’s Bar as the 2008 Opening Ceremony kicks off. Watch the action on giant screens as you enjoy free flow of Heineken, thirst quenching Vodka cocktails and a BBQ feast with friends. RMB 248, per person including BBQ and free flow Heineken and Vodka cocktails.

Elia restaurant (42′LCD TV)
Add: 479 Guyang Lu, Gubei/Hongqiao near Yaohong Lu.
Tel: 5175-3077 Email: eliarestaurant@gmail.com

Olympic fever happy hour all night long, late coverage of the opening ceremony on their 42′LCD TV. Buy one free one on all drinks. This Mediterranean restaurant draws from a number of sources for its menu but charms with its Greek-style hospitality. The great service and welcoming atmosphere, complemented some fine food, make for an unpretentious and enjoyable evening out. A real boon for the residents of Gubei.

Former French Concession | O’Malley’s Irish Pub
Add: 42 Taojiang Lu.
Tel: 6474-4533

If you didn’t score tickets to watch the games in Beijing, this Irish pub will immerse you in the action. Screens in the garden and throughout the pub create a “surround screen” experience. Grab a bucket of beer (Sun.-Wed., ¥120 for four different beers), take in “the atmosphere and camaraderie,” says Assistant Manager Jeya Ibrahim, “and get ready for a big crowd!” CW teams up with O’Malley’s on Aug. 8 (or the Opening Ceremony of course), 16 and 22 to host festivities and Olympic-worthy drinking games (read: more Olympics food and drink specials). See Nightlife events online details.

Multiple Locations | Blue Frog
Xujiahui- Lower Level, Unit 12, 131 Tian Yao Qiao Road Tel: 3368 6117
Maoming- 207-06 South Maoming Road Tel: 6445 6634
Jingann - 86 Tongren Road Tel: 6247 0320
Hongmei- #30 Hong Mei Leisure Pedestrian Street, Lane 3338 Hong Mei Road Tel: 5422 5119
Pudong - Ground Floor, 27 Super Brand Mall, 168 Lujiazui Xi Road Tel: 5047 3488

If you hate replays, this Shanghai favorite will be showing everything from the Opening Ceremony to the closing farewells live. Stop by with your family or the laptop for some burgers and beers and enjoy the Olympic event of the moment. The daily two-for-one happy hour from 4-8pm, Wi-Fi access and a menu of delicious favorites make this a great place to recharge during the Olympic frenzy.

Fiesta Latina ( big screen)
Add: 4/F, Kohler Building, 456 Nanjing Xi Lu, People’s Square near Huangpi Bei Lu
Tel: 6359-5367 Email: info@otto-restaurants.com

Celebrate the Opening Ceremonies Latin style with free-flow tapas (until 10pm) at one of Shanghai’s favorite wine bars. You don’t have to forgot the night’s big event, as Otto’s bringing in a big screen to make sure no one misses a minute of the action. RMB100 includes tapas and two glasses of wine.

De La Coast (120″ big screen)
Add: 6/F, 1 Yan’an Dong Lu, Huangpu near Zhongshan Dong Er Lu
Tel: 6330-2615 Email: dorce-gabbana@hotmail.co.jp

Beer garden with 120inchs big screen. Reservation only.

Popularity: 46% [?]

Character in upcoming Star Wars movie??

The infamous Jango Fett, from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

If there is a Chinese version of Star Wars, this is probably what the clone would look like. Looking at both pictures, there really seems to be a certain degree of resemblance. Perhaps they could name the new movie, Star Wars Episode VII, Revenge of the Chinese Clone.

Popularity: 9% [?]