China - a country of contrasts

I&I had the fortune to visit Beijing and Shanghai last week on a business trip. Of course the Paralympics were on so the numerous volunteers reminded me of Sydney 2000. However, what struck me also was the combination of old and new in this extraordinary country.

Beijing

Of course any visitor to Beijing has the compulsory trip to the Great Wall. While I had seen photos and television programs on this modern wonder it still came across as an extraordinary structure as it snaked its way across rugged mountains. How it was built in the past challenges the imagination. Did not see any rabbits so maybe it was effective!!!

Photo: Just a very small part of the Great Wall
Some of the observations as we went out to the Great Wall by train were: 

• Old wooden railway sleepers were being replaced by concrete and a gang of about 8 men carried new railway rails using slings over their shoulders – not a fork lift in sight! There probably was not enough room anyway as houses abutted the railway on both sides and manpower is certainly one of China’s greatest assets
• Solar hot water systems were on the roofs of many houses on outskirts of Beijing; but also in contrast others had 44 gallon drums on their roofs for water to give water pressure
• At each level crossing there is a person who closes the gates and has a flag to stop traffic

At the new large Beijing airport there were:

• Gardens on top of the multi-story carpark (not more cars as in Australia)
• Modern airport facilities using light rail trains to take you from plane to luggage area – with such a large airport it was really needed.

In case you were wondering there was not a significant pollution problem while we were there.

Photo: Beijing can have blue skies – with Olympic banner in foreground

The odds and evens number plate system for cars on alternate days certainly helped with that as well as the traffic flow – but there were still plenty of vehicles.

Shanghai
Shanghai is also a city of contrasts with its old colonial style area on the west bank of the river and the modern structures on its east bank including the world’s tallest building (currently).

Photo: World’s tallest building framed by the traditional market buildings.

Photo: The World’s tallest building in the modern east side of Shanghai

Other notable observations in Shanghai were:

• There is a very fast train (the Maglev) which goes from Shanghai airport for the 60 kms into the city. It swished past us and reached town in less than 25 mins while we were struck in traffic for up to 2 hours . When I asked our hosts why we did not catch the train he said that the Maglev terminal in Shanghai did not link up to the city’s rail network and you needed to catch a taxi across crowded streets to get to it.
• The city has a very interesting way of building subways. It closes off two lanes of a main road, digs them up, builds the subway and then puts the road back in over the top. Presumably this will be completed when Shanghai holds its World Expo in 2010 and that the Maglev will then be connected.

Photo: Subway construction in Shanghai with advertising Boards hiding the excavation to the left.

• Pedestrian crossings do not give pedestrians preference - probably because to do so would mean no car would ever get through due to the numbers of people crossing the road
• Zero tolerance for alcohol for all drivers – one of our hosts forgot he was driving and drink one beer – he had to call his wife to pick him up. Getting caught would mean 7 days in jail.

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