The Olympics and Expo Reflections

 The Olympics and Expo Reflections by Jesse Tam

Traveling to China the past few years for business and leisure, I've observed many rapid changes in the people and economy.  The pacific northwest is an easy gateway for flight departing from either Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Vancouver, BC with nonstop daily flights. Majority of the businesses and tourists likes to go to Beijing or Shanghai. 

The 2008 Beijing Olympics opened the doors to promote China as a central player in the 21st century.  The Olympic sites such as the Bird's Nests are still popular for tourists.  The Forbidden City is a must see in Beijing which is located in the city if you have a limited schedule.  

Shanghai Skylines 

China's first world's fair was Expo 2010 in Shanghai.  It was the recorded as the largest in history by size, attendance and international participants. Expo 2010 was also the largest world's fair attendance in a single day, over one million on October 16.  The infrastructures from Expo allowed the city and central government to plan and expanded the city under urban development.

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Early morning skies of the city

Traveling throughout Shanghai on the Magley Train or Shanghai Trans rapid is fairly simple and inexpensive.  It is the first commercially operated high-speed magnetic levitation line in the world. If you are departing from Shanghai, note there are two airports; Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao Airport Terminal (local/regional). One of our friends went to the local terminal and missed the flight until the next day.  You may arrive and depart from different terminals if you have international connections. 

Did I tell you there is a portion of the city with "French Connection"?  It is truly a city with a long interesting history but changing daily in a blink of an eye,  there is another tall tower.

The rapid growth and urbanization brings higher costs of living and traffic headaches.  Jobs and education are highly competitive in the cities.  Housing and the costs of living is very expensive in the city. Shanghai is a great city for tourism and filled with rich history in China.