188 CultureShock! China
banks of the Huangpu River, the expo site was crowded with
architecturally stunning pavilions and the key attraction—the
Expo Axis (the main building at the Expo), has one of the
world’s largest membrane roofs spanning the entrance and
boulevard building. Besides the China-Pavilion, the Expo
Axis is the largest and most impressive building on the site.
A record of more than 73 million visitors attended the Expo
over six months. As of end of 2010, after a month long
renovation, the Expo Park featuring the China-Pavilion is still
open to visitors daily from 8 am to 8 pm. Plans are also in
the pipeline to open a Expo Museum in Puxi.
The best combination for a week-long trip to Shanghai is to
spend a few days experiencing Shanghai, and the rest visiting
the nearby ancient cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou.Sichuan: Grand Buddha and Monkeys
One of the best adventure trips begins with a flight to
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan and the home of the spiciest
street hotpot in the world, for those brave of heart and strong
of stomach.
From Chengdu, head to Leshan, near Emei Shan, and visit
the Grand Buddha, a 71-metre-high Buddha carved into a cliff
at the confluence of two rivers. After receiving the Buddha’s
blessing, continue on to Emei Shan to climb one of China’s
oldest sacred mountains. It is a two to three-day trek, which
involves visiting monasteries that date back to the beginning
of Buddhism in China, as well as an onslaught of greedy
monkeys that live near the top of the mountain.Xinjiang: Conquerors and Traders
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to turn back time.
Going to Xinjiang is like turning back the clock to a time when
goods crossed the world in camel caravans over the Silk Road.
Fly into Urumqi, which despite its exotic name is a modern
Chinese city. From there book a car to Turpan, home to the
amazing UNESCO-protected ancient city of Jiaohe, where
Genghis Khan and his hordes last inhabited.
At the local museum, you can visit near-perfectly preserved
Caucasian mummies discovered nearby that changed the