If Beijing had shown us some of 'old' China, Shanghai does the opposite. By the time we're out of the airport, the sun has gone down and the city is a mass of high-rise buildings, lights and roads flying over and under each other. Our hotel is on The Bund, the road next to the Huangpu River that was the centre of commerce in colonial Shanghai.
A view of Shanghai from the aeroplane
The following day, we have a briefing by an Australian Senior Trade Commissioner. It's good background for those of us who want to teach about the world of economics and trade and helps us all to focus on contemporary China. Then we visit the Pudong New Economic Zone, over the river from The Bund. It's an area of high-rise buildings, department stores and joint ventures with foreign companies. It's hard to believe that development of the area only began nine years ago.
We visit the East China Model High School and are, as always, warmly welcomed. We haven't taught since Lancang but find we haven't lost the knack! As well as English classes, there are even Art classes to join in, and Phil is able to chat with two of the senior students.
Orient Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai
But too soon, much too soon, we're on the flight back to Singapore. In the blur of experiencing China, we've given and received presents, some of them tangible (like Australian school books given and fine Yunnan green tea received). Some presents, though, are abstract, and we've given and received those as well. They're things like companionship, generosity and a willingness to interact with another culture.
In the end, it's these presents that are memorable for us. Too soon, much too soon, we're heading home.
Background Information about Shanghai
Shanghai Basic Facts
http://www.shanghai.gov.cn/shanghai/node8059/BasicFacts/index.html
Government information published by the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality.
Shanghai Panorama
http://shanghai.muzi.net/
Information about Shanghai, including photos, maps, people and the latest news.
Shanghai
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761569265
Article about Shanghai from Encarta.
SH.com
http://www.sh.com/
Portal for information about Shanghai.
Lesson plans (open in new windows):
Years 9-10 Studies of society and environment 'Sunrises in Shanghai'
Years 7-8 Studies of society and environment 'Australia's trade links with Asia'
Years 5-6 'Chinese paper cuts and the zodiac'
Yunnan | Beijing | Shanghai | Lesson Plan Catalogue
Curriculum Corporation and the Asialink Centre, The University of Melbourne.