Shanghai is now blanked with thick white snow. This is a series of snow storm that affected large portion of central and southern part of China since January 25th, and is also the worst winter storm in five decades! The storm affected these areas with heavy snow and cold temperatures causing extensive damage, power shortages and transport disruption for millions of Chinese travellers who return to their hometown to celebrate the Spring Festival (which begins on Feb 7). More than 400,000 people were stranded at Guangzhou Railway Station on Friday. Trains have been delayed or canceled as a result of power failure and railway damage. The snow has also blacked out many cities in central provinces.

The weather was unusual especially for the southern part of China. Weather forecast predicts more snow, sleek and strong cold wind will hit central and eastern province soon. The snow will continue to fall accompanied by cold winds and would probably continue for at least the next 3 days!

Here’s some photos taken outside my apartment.

Popularity: 41% [?]

The Shanghai World Financial Center was planned to be the tallest building in the world when it was frist designed in 1997. This 97 storey building has surpassed the spires of Petronas Tower in Kuala Lumpur. When construction started, the 508m tall Taipei 101 was already underway to becoming the world tallest building. Plans was change since then because the tower couldn’t be build any higher as the foundation was meant to support a 460m tall building.

To protect the building from natural disaster like earthquakes and windstorms, the building holds 2 tuned mass dampers below its observation floors to reduce the building’s sway. It were installed on the 90th floor. The mass dampers use sensors to detect any swaing of the building and connects with a computer controlled. It is the first mass damper installed in Mainland China. It also design to withstand disaster such as plane crash including 12 fireproof refugee areas and 2 external elevators.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Welcome 2008! There’s nothing quite like it in the world. Beautiful, unique, chaotic, exhilarating and violent are the words that best describe the New Year in Shanghai which come just after the hula gala of Christmas. Many have joined the New Year countdown at The Bund and XinTianDi Countdown Parties. The new Year was welcomed by fireworks and a sudden blast of cold weather as temperatures dropped below zero. It’s 1:48am now and I can still hear fireworks in the distance. Again and again! The city glows. It ignites… It howls and cackles…

Happy New Year!!

Popularity: 54% [?]