Oriental Pearl TV Tower
The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui,Shanghai.Stands a staggering 468 meters (1535ft) making it the tallest tower in Asia.The tower,surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest,creates a picture of "twin dragons playing with pearls".
The base of the tower is supported by three seven-meter wide slanting stanchions.Surrounding the eleven steel spheres that are "strung" vertically through the center of the tower are three nine-meter wide columns.There are three large spheres including the top sphere,known as the space module.Then there are five smaller spheres and three decorative spheres on the tower base.The entire structure rests on rich green grassland and gives the appearance of pearls shining on a jade plate.
It is amazing that this ultra-modern tower combines ancient concepts such as the spherical pearls,with 21st Century technology,commerce,recreation,educational and conference facilities.All of this and it really is a TV and radio tower that services the Shanghai area with more than nine television channels and upwards of ten FM radio channels.Truly,"oriental pearl" is the most suitable name for this tower.
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Yuyuan Garden
Yuyuan is the famous gardens in Shanghai,Located in the center of Shanghai's Old City,one of the few remaining old tourist sites in Shanghai.It was constructed in the period of Emperor Jiajing's rein of Ming dynasty from 1559 and completed in 1577.It has a history of more than 400 years.It is a famous classical garden in the south of China,the total area of which is over 20 thousand square meters.Surrounding the gardens is Shanghai's bazaar,a maze of small streets and alleyways where vendors sell their wares and food stuffs to the visiting tourist and locals.That is why he called this garden "Yuyuan" - because "yu" in Chinese means "peace and health"-- a place of peace and comfort in the heart of bustling Shanghai,dates back to the fabled Ming Dynasty.Now a popular tourist destination,Yuyuan began as a private garden created by Pan Yunduan,who spent almost 20 years - and all of his savings - to build a garden in order to please his parents in their old age.The main scenic spots in the Yuyuan Gardens are the Urban Mountain Forest,Hualin Charming Valley,Spring Famous Historical Site,the Most Enjoyable Water-Stone Site,Treasure in the Universe and Garden within Gardens.In the garden are ridges and peaks and zigzag paths,beautifully decorated.On the walls are brick-made dragons curling around,as vivid as life,an unique sight of the their kind.They have maintained the artistic style of the south of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties.The Urban Mountain Forest is located at the west of the garden district; there are Shansui (three ears of grains) hall,Rain Swirling Tower,Grand Artificial Hill,Hall of Elegance and other scenic sights.The Grand Artificial Hill is the cream of the Yuyuan Garden,a legacy of Ming dynasty.It was constructed in accordance with the design made personally by the well-known mason Zhang Nanyang.In the Hualin Charming Valley are waterside pavilion,winding corridors,Yihang,Floral Tower and other scenic sites.The Most Enchanting Water stone site is situated at the eastern part famous for its ponds and artificial hills.
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People's Square
Located at the very center of the city,People's Square is a garden-type open space surrounded by buildings and facilities for administration,cultural activities,transportation and commerce.On its north is the People's Mansion,to its northwest the Shanghai Grand Theater,to its northeast the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall,and to its south the Shanghai Museum.Flanked on both sides by 17-meter-wide green belts,People's Avenue goes across the center of the square.The total green areas in the square reach 80,000 square meters.Seemingly the only broad expanse in the city,spreading before the newly built Museum,People's Square is now perhaps the most popular place for city residents to unwind.Watch the men fly beautiful handmade kites,see the couples waltz,observe the only-children with their doting parents.Quite centrally located,the Square also offers an interesting panorama of Shanghai's skyline old and new.