Foreign Bund Life

Author: Lai Wenhong / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Bund is Shanghai's classic calling card in the hearts of many domestic and foreign individuals. In English, when referring to something as a masterpiece, one might say "The Choicest," while in the UK, there are two other expressions: "of the Savile Row Quality" or "of the Bond Street Quality." Classic is always trendy. The Bund's architecture is closely tied to the concept of classic—each building carries a breathtaking legend behind it, sharing the same yet uniquely charming allure. The Bund is not just a destination for domestic and international tourists but should also be a place where locals frequently visit. People can stroll leisurely or take a walk along the riverbank. Here, everything in sight exudes a relaxed and leisurely vibe. People eat, drink coffee, shop, and admire the unique architectural landscape of the Bund, always feeling refreshed. Cicero once said, "History is the witness of times, the torch of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life, and the messenger of antiquity." (Marcus Tullius Cicero said: "History is the witness of times, the torch of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life, and the messenger of antiquity.")
Over time, the name Shanghai people give to the Bund has also changed. Before 1949, the Bund was called the "Old Bund," while the subsequent era was simply referred to as the "Bund," and the present is called the "New Bund." Historically, there have been multiple "land-grabbing" scenarios, but each carried a completely different historical significance. After the reform and opening-up, the development and revitalization of Pudong brought Shanghai to the forefront of China's reform efforts. The spring breeze awakened the long-slumbering Bund in Shanghai, and numerous domestic and foreign financial institutions rushed to establish themselves there. The Shanghai people undertook a major property exchange on the Bund's financial street, attracting tens of thousands of new and old customers from around the world to settle in, once again showcasing the charm of the "Wall Street of the Far East."
To the left of the New Bund stands a magnificent architectural complex hailed as the "Exposition of International Architecture" and the spacious Zhongshan Road. To the right is the shimmering Huangpu River and the thriving Pudong Lujiazui financial and trading district, with the eye-catching sight of the New Bund's innovative tourist area in front. These architectural clusters, Zhongshan Road, the tourist area, the Huangpu River, and Lujiazui form the five lines of a musical score, while the wise Shanghai people are like a series of notes, harmonizing into a new and beautiful melody.
Strolling along the Shanghai Bund, starting from Waibaidu Bridge, standing on the wide flood-control embankment, and gazing across the Bund, the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and the exhibition center on the opposite shore shine brilliantly under the lights, creating a picturesque view of the New Bund. Truly, the scenery here is unparalleled!
Jin Mao Tower was designed by the American Sidmore Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) and exudes a postmodern urban architectural sense. SOM also designed The Skyscraper Museum in New York's 39 Battery Place. Skyscrapers are the fashion landmarks of cities. Our era needs skyscrapers. Early skyscraper architectural designs adopted the "Triparrite Formula" style, proposed by the Chicago School architect Louis Sullivan in 1896. Professor Shih Shih-ming of the Architecture Department at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology discussed the relationship between skyscrapers and identity symbols, pointing out that architecture reflects the dominant social forces of each era. If a church reflects religious power, then skyscrapers, which represent modern architectural technology, symbolize the commercial power of the economic force.
Mr. Han Po-tao, author of "Architecture and Culture in China," believes that architecture is a concrete reflection of culture, embodying the cultural characteristics of a nation. From a cultural perspective, are skyscrapers a reflection of the influence of global economic integration?
The Huangpu River is Shanghai's mother river. The phrase "When the moon rises, the Huangpu River turns yellow" vividly describes the color of the river's water. It originates from Taihu Lake in Wuxi and is the longest, widest, and deepest river within Shanghai's borders, stretching 114 kilometers in length; it averages 400 meters in width and is 7 to 9 meters deep. Its original name was Dongjiang, with other names like Chunshen River and Huangxi River. Legend has it that over 2,000 years ago, when Shanghai was part of the Chu Kingdom, a general named Huang Xi, known for his governance skills, was appointed as the prime minister by the Chu king and enfeoffed as the "Lord of Fengshen," overseeing the land of Shanghai. Due to the siltation in the upper reaches of Dongjiang, he led the Shanghai people in dredging and correcting the course, greatly advancing the region's water transport and agriculture. In honor of his contributions, the river was later renamed "Chunshen River" and "Huangxi River." It was only during the Southern Song Dynasty that the river was officially named the Huangpu River.
The Huangpu River has two "children"—Pudong and Puxi. The history of the Shanghai Bund is both glorious and heavy, but the new life it has created for people is full of avant-garde sunshine! It is the pride of urban dwellers, always the main theme of a vibrant urban symphony—The Bund, forever shining with the brilliance of life! P22-25