Mad About Shanghai

Happy Lunar New Year 2012 !

Lunar New Year is the biggest festival in the Chinese calendar.

The good thing about being Chinese in ethnicity is that Chinese gets to celebrate new year twice ! Once on the first day of January and the other on Lunar New Year.

Every year, about a month before the actual day, the largest human migration exercise in the world takes place, as millions and millions of migrant workers, children studying overseas, sons and daughters that have relocated out of the town where their parents stay, makes it a point to come home for the reunion dinner the night before the Lunar New Year starts.

To be exact, the estimated number of people participating in the rush home is estimated to be around 140 million! Or about the population size of Russia !

Rain,snow, overcrowding, pushing and shoving are not going to deter most from going back home to have the reunion dinner. To many, home is a place where they seek consolation and rest from the weariness of work, fighting it out in the big city or the unfamilarity of a new country.

This is does not happen only in China but also in countries where there are Chinese . To name a few more: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.

Then of course, we also have another group of people who either stay with their family or very close that long trips back home are not necessary. Nonetheless, they are also just as happy to be close to their loved ones, feasting and laughing. These are just some of the little things in life that money cannot buy.

I find it so apt that the most distinct values of the Chinese culture, family and filial piety are expressed in the biggest festival on the Chinese calendar.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, most would spend the day visiting relatives and friends or hosting them. Children love this festival as the Lunar New Year to them, means lots of delicacies, celebration and red packets (红包 - red envelopes with money inside as pocket money for them)

So, how what are your Lunar New Year plans ?

I wish all my readers 新春愉快! 吉祥如意! 心想事成！

                             

Book Review: Moon Beijing & Shanghai

With a mixture of modern culture and ancient tradition, Beijing and Shanghai are two travel destinations not to be missed.

Beijing is the capital of China, and the second largest city in the country. Moon Beijing & Shanghai features entire sections on must-see sites such as Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and various 2008 Olympic venues such as the National Aquatics Center and the National Stadium. There is also a segment devoted to the sprawling Forbidden City, which was once home to emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Find advice on exploring Beijing’s major neighborhoods and districts, shopping the Panjiayuan market for gifts and souvenirs, or indulging in the regional cuisine.

The second half of the book is dedicated to Shanghai known for its culture, museums, architecture, and impressive skylines.  Visit the Bund—featured in the Highlights section—on the Huangpu River for impressive views; or the former French Concession, which is the prior residence of Sun Yat-sen, the man considered to be the father of modern China. Stop in at one of the many theaters to take in an opera or ballet, or simply to marvel at the magnificent architecture. Shanghai is also known as the birthplace of Chinese cinema, so don’t miss the Shanghai Film Art Center, which boasts an eclectic offering of films.

Moon Beijing & Shanghai includes an overview on the need-to-know basics such as transportation, customs, and money. Featured passages advise travelers on the specifics of where to get a cheap drink, find street food, or shop like a local. Also find information on day trips for those wishing to explore the outer limits of the cities and beyond, such as the Great Wall of China. Other highlights of the book include:
 
    -A handy Mandarin phrasebook
    -14 full-color maps of both cities
    -A ten day itinerary for exploring both cities
    -Advice on traveling China with children

Moon Beijing & Shanghai provides complete, accurate, and diverse information to help any traveler—from thrill-seekers to families—get the most out of his or her adventures.
 
About the Author:

Looking for adventure in a place as profoundly different as possible from her native green and peaceful England, Helena Iveson set out for China at the age of 22. Iveson spent a year in Shanghai before settling in Beijing, watching the city change before her eyes in the build-up to the Olympics. For two years she was a presenter on China’s international TV station, CCTV 9, before going back to Explore the Mysteries of China with Moon Beijing & Shanghai.

Get the book from Amazon here.

Mad About Shanghai Verdict:

Handy, detailed, easy to understand, small in size, big in coverage.

Mad About Shanghai rating : 4 out 0f 5 stars ****

Planet Shanghai

Photographer Justin Guariglia frequently trains his lens on the old town and waterfront which have retained their cultural character amid mega-booming development. 

In his latest book, Planet Shanghai, he photographs Shanghai culture in an attempt to preserve the city's unique culture, traditions and its people. Shanghai's open-air lifestyle, bustling markets, and curious fashion sense are all seen here !

Catch some of his photos from the book here.

Like it? You can purchase the book here.