The first CGS Social Science Shanghai Summer Program has come to an end. I think all of us who experienced it can say it was a great success, and we’ll all have fond memories of our experiences here. It was a summer of discovery, learning, and excitement; at times, it was also one of confusion, […]
Posts by: cgschina
The Amazing Growth of Pudong
August 16, 2013 at 11:48 am
The section of Shanghai known as Pudong, or the east side of the Huangpu River (“dong” means east in Mandarin), has grown spectacularly in the past 26 years. It currently is home to the 88-story Jinmao Tower, the 101-story World Financial Center, and soon the 121-story Shanghai Tower, which will be the second-tallest building on […]
Shanghai Art Deco
August 15, 2013 at 2:28 pm
The 1920s and 30s were, in many ways, brutal years in China. Warlordism, intermittent civil war between nationalists and communists, and eventually Japanese invasion all took a heavy toll. Interestingly, through much of this period, Shanghai produced a flourishing culture of Jazz and decadent nightlife. The most vivid reminders of this era are Shanghai’s Art […]
A Shanghai Breakfast
August 15, 2013 at 10:23 am
As one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan cities, Shanghai has a highly sophisticated and impressive restaurant scene and food culture. But some of the real treats of Shanghai’s culinary scene are the simple, local foods that are available in hole-in-the-wall shops across the city. Many mornings, I enjoyed two such foods – the […]
Shikumen Architecture
August 11, 2013 at 12:45 am
While Shanghai is home to several of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, and is well-known for its ultramodern Pudong skyline, perhaps the most distinctive architectural features of the city are its shikumen residences. Shikumen are typically two or three-story brick courtyards with stone gateways that lead to a maze of narrow lanes. They became a significant […]
A BU-Brooklyn-Shanghai Connection
August 11, 2013 at 12:06 am
One of Shanghai’s newest craft beer bars, the Tap House on expat-friendly Yonkang Lu, held an event on Saturday night featuring Garrett Oliver, the brew master of popular Brooklyn Brewery. As I chatted with him, I quickly discovered that Garrett is not only a highly successful brewer, but a BU alumnus, too – he’s a […]
A visit to Suzhou
August 5, 2013 at 8:54 am
On Friday I made a day trip to the city of Suzhou, about a half hour from Shanghai via high-speed train. The city has a long history as a desirable destination for both Chinese and foreign visitors alike, and is known for its silk production, temples, canals, and gardens. I visited the twin pagodas of […]
The Power Station of Art
July 29, 2013 at 6:07 am
One of the more striking new additions to the cultural landscape of Shanghai is the museum known as The Power Station of Art. It’s the first government-funded museum of contemporary art in China, and, as the name suggests, it is housed in a renovated former electrical power plant. It opened on National Day (October 1) […]
