The surveys are conducted based on cost of living expenses in US dollars. For example according to all the surveys, the cost of living in cities outside the US dollar zone becomes more expensive if the dollar weakens against local currencies even when prices remain unchanged or indeed fall.

Moscow, Russia.

In June 2008, based on cost of living survey, Moscow ranked the world’s most expensive city 2 years in a row for expatriates, followed by Tokyo. This costliest Asian city, overtaking London due to appreciation of the Yen against the US dollar over the past few months. Many China’s second tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai (ranked 20 & 24 among 143 countries around the world) has moved up the Asian ranking because of a combination of stronger currency and relatively high price increase.

The report measures the cost of 200 items such as housing, clothing and food in 143 cities on six continents.

The most expensive place to rent a luxury 2 bedroom unfurnished apartment was Moscow, USD$4,018 per month, and the cheapest Karachi, at just $412.

And while a coffee in Moscow will set you back $6.13, but in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, it will cost less than $1.70.

Top 25 Most Expensive Cities In The World.

Source:
Most expensive cities in the world
Most expensive cities in Asia

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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.

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Has anyone watched the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing Nest stadium? It’s the most amazing opening ceremony that I’ve ever seen! One of my favourite was “footprints” fireworks “walking” towards the Bird Nest. The arrangement for China National Gymnast LiNing to bear the last torch to light up the Olympic Flame was greatly done by “fly-walking” on top of the Bird Nest with ancient paper rolling as background.

The whole ceremony reminds me about my participation of performance in several national and world events like this when I was young. Beijing Olympics opening ceremony gave me a goose bumps because I was once in their shoes.

Dozens of rehearsals and lots of efforts… I still remember the smell of lunchbox and dinners provided by the authorities, and how many classes have I applied for absence in school. I am glad that I had those experiences and it make me impulsive when I watch the ceremony. The joy of success in performance just can’t be described in words.

Here are some of the backstage photos during the Olympic opening ceremony from my sis:

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