Barbie Dolls And A World Expo Entertain Robert La Bua In Shanghai
Have you ever been to a world expo? Like the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, this year’s World Expo 2010 Shanghai is bringing the world to China. World expos are designed to showcase inspiration and thought; on this count, Shanghai has succeeded spectacularly. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Better City, Better Life’ in recognition that the world’s population continues to become more urbanised and innovative policies are required for city living to be sustainable in the future.
Since the first world’s fair was held in London in 1851, World Expos have gained increasing importance as major venues for economic, scientific, technological, and cultural exchanges, serving as an important platform for displaying historical experience and exchanging inventive ideas as human beings look to their future.
Besides all that, it’s fun! The national pavilions are, for the most part, beautiful examples of inventive architecture and the exhibits within are as entertaining as they are enlightening.
Like an Olympiad, there is a palpable feeling of international camaraderie that goes beyond national identity as we realise people are people no matter where they live; it’s easy to forget this fact when we are bombarded with news at home segmenting the world into ‘us’ and ‘them’.
At the World Expo, we are all part of ‘us’ and it’s a far more uplifting experience than one can imagine.
With Shanghai flourishing as one of the world’s largest cities, there is no shortage of attractions and activities beyond Expo. One of the most interesting is the unique Propaganda Poster Art Center, where artful posters portraying Communist-era values in a colourful manner are displayed in a small museum and sold in its adjacent shop.
Despite the kitschy appeal, this is serious art; some of the rarer specimens sell for thousands of dollars. Shanghai’s museums have caught up with its shopping as a major attraction, and the beautiful Art Déco buildings along the city’s famous and newly rejuvenated riverfront boulevard, the Bund, bask in their soft evening illumination as regally as ever.
The best vantage point to see the Bund in all its glory is high above the river in Shanghai’s Pudong district, preferably from one of Park Hyatt Shanghai’s elegant rooms where the hustle and bustle of the streets (far, far) below are replaced with a serene Zen atmosphere where quiet and calm reign supreme. Park Hyatt Shanghai is located on the uppermost floors of the city’s Shanghai World Financial Center, the tallest building in China with 101 storeys reaching nearly half a kilometre into the sky (492 metres, to be exact).
The SWFC and its next door neighbour, Jin Mao Tower, home of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai, redefine the word ‘skyscraper’ and dwarf the other buildings in the city. Since the main World Expo site is located on the Pudong side of Shanghai, both Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt make convenient bases for exploring Shanghai’s global extravaganza just a short taxi ride away. Even if not staying in these hotels, it’s worth it to enjoy a drink or a meal in one of their bars or restaurants.
The hottest place in town to stay in Shanghai right now is not in a tall tower, but in a small building in the up and coming South Bund neighbourhood near the lovely Yu Garden, one of China’s most impressive. Just opened, The Waterhouse On South Bund has a continual parade of achingly chic and beautiful young men and women sashaying through its abandoned-building-with-luxury-style lobby, if not standing still altogether as during the fashion shoot taking place when I checked in.
Expensive and loving it, the hotel’s rooms are simply gorgeous, and its rooftop bar packs in Shanghai’s creative movers and shakers both local and expatriate. No one need leave alone, as the sexuality of the patrons seems as fluid as the champagne.
Some people may be surprised to know that homosexuality is not illegal in China and Shanghai has a robust gay scene. While there is certainly no equivalent to Northbridge or Mt Lawley with a concentrated gay presence, venues are scattered around the French Concession, Shanghai’s most stylish area—naturally.
Some venues come and go, but Eddy’s opened in 1995 and is still a favourite 15 years later. In addition to enthusiastic locals dancing the night away at home, there is a substantial gay expatriate community in Shanghai. One of the most interesting aspects of meeting them is hearing what brought them to the city; whether artistic or commercial, everyone seems to be doing something interesting, pursuing professional opportunities less available at home.
Not be missed, at 550 Central Huaihai Road is Barbie Shanghai, the world’s only shop—or rather, department store—dedicated to the Barbie doll. Every drag queen’s fashion dream comes true in a place where designer Barbie clothes are made in adult size—and sold at very adult designer prices. Even the most manly of homosexuals male or female would be impressed by the sweeping circular staircase lined with hundreds of Barbie dolls.
A bite to eat in the Barbie Café makes a fine respite from the doll frenzy or from shopping along busy Huaihai Road below; the Ken Burger is especially pleasing. For deeper relaxation, try a treatment in the Barbie Spa.
World Expo 2010 Shanghai continues until 31 October. Helen Wong’s Tours is the official vendor of Expo tickets in Australia and arranges all the details from airport pick-up to hotels and sightseeing. Why not make it easy on yourself and arrive all ready to enjoy one of the globe’s most extravagant exhibitions?
The company has a selection of short- and long-stay Expo packages to suit every need from a simple Expo visit to itineraries including other destinations in Mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macau. Just pick your tour and get on the plane—what can be easier than that?
MORE INFORMATION
http://en.expo2010.cn
www.helenwongstours.com
http://waterhouseshanghai.com
www.shanghai.park.hyatt.com
www.shanghai.grand.hyatt.com
www.utopia-asia.com/chinshan.htm
www.shanghaipropagandaart.com
www.barbieshanghai.com
Robert La Bua
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