Perceiving Shanghai

We had a lecture with Lin Dai about “Feel China from the Closest” which helped us to know a little bit more about the Chinese culture and it prepares us to get a better appreciation before our touristic weekend.

After the weekend around Shanghai I have had the opportunity to increase my knowledge and my vision of Chinese style of life.

A few days ago I was really fascinated with the huge buildings and their bright and colorful lights, and I still do actually, but at the end I have seen places with an old and real Chinese history. It is amazing to see and feel the contrast between the “future city” and the “old city”.

I really enjoy visiting places such as Longhua Temple, Yu Yuan gardens, the Bund, the Pudong, and Hangzhou and their West Lake, Lingying Temple and the ancient street of Hefang Jie. When the guide told us about the history and curiosities of the religion (Buddhism and Taoism) and their temples we visited, and while we could go for a walk looking everything, a peace feeling overwhelmed me.

Buddhism and its rituals with incense, fire, colors, all the scenes of Buddha, the monks’ rituals and the music, lead to a training of “mind and heart”. It is amazing!

Myths and proverbs are an important part of the Chinese culture even when you see the constructions, temples, parks and so on. Dragon represents glory, excellence, perseverance, heroism, audacity, optimism, intelligence… and good luck. You can find sometimes corridors, which lead to houses, built with difficult and closed angles because if a dragon tries to walk along the corridor, it is not able to turn back and so it carries good vibrations to the house.

The sightseeing in cities like Zanghou is awesome and the temples and figures astonished me every time I saw them.

The financial part of Shanghai is the other side of the same coin. Pudong is impressive to see because of the large buildings and their nighttime lights, but it is a huge contrast when you see other kind of areas of China.
I must say: Everything is possible in China!

I really loved my touristic weekend! I know that China is enormous and I hope and I am really looking forward to going back soon to discover more and more of China and its fascinating customs and culture!

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