31-33_ttg_lux_Shanghai city 11/6/09 15:11 Page 31
REACH FOR
THE SKY
Once known as the Paris of the East, Shanghai is enjoying a
development boom, as luxury hotels rush to take their place
on the skyline in time for Expo 2010. Annabelle Hood reports
The slogan Shanghai is rising to the challenge. sales and marketing, Pudong Shangri-La.
“2010 World Expo: Better City, Better Cranes dominate the city’s Manhattan-like “It’s something for the city to look forward
Life” is plastered all over Shanghai, from skyline as the subway is extended, and old to during a period of economic downturn.”
advertising billboards to restaurant buildings and carriageways are being ripped Luxury travellers can soon expect a
windows, taxis and newspaper adverts. up to divert traffic into a subterranean polished version of the Shanghai they
A huge digital clock in People’s Square tunnel parallel to the Huangpu river. might know from yesteryear, but patience
counts down the days left until May 1 The architecturally impressive terminal is a virtue, as now is not the optimum time
2010, when China anticipates welcoming 2 at Pudong International airport (whose to see it at its manicured best. The famous
70 million visitors to Shanghai for the Expo launch coincided with Heathrow’s T5), neoclassical facade of the Bund on the
– an event third only to the World Cup and now handles more international passengers Puxi side of the Huangpu river is c0vered
Olympics in terms of global renown. than Beijing Capital International. Also by scaffolding. Until “show time” in the
A designated World Expo site is under impressive is the Shanghai Maglev bullet spring, more appealing views of the Bund
construction to the south-east of Pudong train that speeds passengers between can be enjoyed from across the river,
New Area, which will comprise a futuristic downtown Pudong and the airport in from Pudong’s cluster of skyscrapers
exhibition centre and pavilions designed eight minutes. including the new Shanghai World
by the 200 participating nations. Many luxury hotel brands are arriving, Financial Center – with the Park Hyatt
“Being the first World Exposition to in anticipation of the millions of visitors. within its upper levels.
adopt ‘city’ as its theme, the Expo is likely to These include The Peninsula, W, Langham, Looking at the modern metropolis that
attract interested parties from around the Shangri-La, Jumeirah and Conrad, as well is Shanghai today, it’s unbelievable to
world, from government level down,” says as The PuLi, a stylish newcomer. think that only a decade or so ago, the east
Linda Fang, UK manager of Kuoni Travel The economic downturn has not caused bank of the city was virtually barren – now
(China). “The major events planned over the spending to be reined in as much as other it’s Shanghai’s financial epicentre. Once
course of six months will showcase future Asian cities, and hoteliers are committed the many other projects come to fruition,
innovation, including the importance of to the market. “2010 is a note of optimism Shanghai will fully reveal her
sustainable development for cities.” for Shanghai,” says Lulu Uy, director of new clothes.
31
city shanghai
summer 09
ttgluxury.com
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