Food•Sports•Travel
On my first visit to Shanghai several years ago, the Bund was looking a bit worse for wear. On my second trip to Shanghai a couple of years later, there were hopeful signs. I interviewed a developer, and he informed me that a complete restoration of the Bund – returning it to its pre-Liberation glory …
Continue reading "Analysis: Shanghai’s Bund Gets Mixed Reviews (Part I)"
Once into Thailand, investment banker turned philanthropist and adventure seeker Morgan Parker was joined by Wheel2Wheel team member Alan Ng for the next phase of the journey through Thailand and Malaysia. Riding as a pair added a new social dimension to Morgan's epic journey following the solitary nature of his expedition up until then. Strength in …
Investment banker turned philanthropist and adventure seeker Morgan Parker roared out of Hong Kong on his trusty, “unstoppable” BMW F800GS motorcycle on 1 March 2011. His first stop was in Guangdong Province, where he met members of GECKO, who are developing China’s youth into ambassadors for the environment. Following that, he rode into Vietnam to …
Continue reading "Morgan Parker Enters Final Leg of His Epic Wheel2Wheel Journey"
You remember Morgan Parker, the investment banker turned philanthropist and adv enture seeker! Has it really been three months since he roared across the Lok Ma Chow border from Hong Kong to China on his epic Wheel2Wheel journey for charity? Morgan has now been on the road for 90 days, having visited eight countries so …
Continue reading "Wheel2Wheel Update: Eight Countries in 90 Days"
Several years ago a decision was taken by the municipal authorities in Shanghai to restore the Bund to its pre-liberation glory. The original inhabitants of the imposing stone edifices that line the waterfront boulevard were offered them back. But there was one condition. They could not alter the exteriors of the buildings. They could do …
Continue reading "Heritage Sites Get Government Backing in Shanghai"
Altogether I spent three nights in Shanghai, followed by another two at a suburban resort about one hour's drive out of the city. Before I continue with my adventures, however, I would like to share with you some of the comments I have been receiving from readers. They come from Shanghai itself, Hong Kong, and the …
At the height of Empire, the Shanghai Club took pride of place along the Bund, not far from the old headquarters of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the most imposing stone edifice along the prestigious waterfront strip. Constructed by the British, it was an "old boys' club" (as the British would say), and the most …
Continue reading "The Long Bar at the Shanghai Club Reopens"
Following a three year restoration project, the Peace Hotel in Shanghai reopened on 28 July 2011 as the Fairmont Peace Hotel. Built in the late 1920s, the grande dame of Shanghai originally opened in 1929. It was known as the Cathay Hotel until 1950, when it was renamed the Peace Hotel. Following the Communist conquest of …
Continue reading "Hotel Review: the Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai"
Shanghai's iconic waterfront boulevard with those imposing stone edifices housing banks, corporate headquarters, and a handful of municipal offices, is called the Bund. I was never quite sure how to pronounce the word bund. Was that “u” a long “u” as in “rude” or a short “u” as in “bus”? As it turns out, it …
Michael Taylor toured the Peace Hotel during his first visit to Shanghai several years ago - but he didn't actually stay there. He visted its public areas, and the place was dripping with what he thinks of as "shabby chic". Michael had dinner at the Peace Hotel's Chinese restaurant with friends he met on the trip. Then …