Shanghai, China
Shanghai’s relatively small city center makes it easy to navigate. It consists of two basic districts, Pu Xi (western town) and Pu Dong (eastern town), which face each other across the Huang Pu River. As a general rule, Pu Xi embodies “Old Shanghai” and Pu Dong represents “New Shanghai.” This is characterized by the stark contrast of the modern and historical architecture that like on either side of the river, namely the early 20th century architecture of the Bund on the Pu Xi side and the most conspicuous modern architecture of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and the
Pu Dong District Fifteen years ago, Pu Dong consisted of nothing but farmland, but in an attempt to elevate Shanghai to the level of a major Asian commercial center, the Chinese government pumped in loads of money and devoted much effort encouraging foreign investors to build up Pu Dong to what it is today. Because of its rapid growth, many speculate that more than half of the office buildings in Pu Dong remain empty. However, anticipating an explosion of domestic and international commercial influx, Pu Dong’s growth seems unceasing and construction continues round-the-clock.