Green Chinese mega buildings

The most energy efficient skyscraper in the world will be in Shanghai in 2010. China discovered durable building.
Chinese leaders are fond of prestigious building projects and nowadays prestigious means the same as durable and green.
Architects with ideas about buildings with geothermic heating systems of skyscrapers with windmills are more then welcome in China.

The slideshow gives a showcase of 9 examples of green projects and one failed project.

http://www.z24.nl/bedrijven/bouw_vastgoed/artikel_93949.z24?service=slideshow&imgID=0

Hong Kong Airport

Kai Tak was the international airport of Hong Kong. The airport was established in 1925. The airport was very small, it had only one runway. Kai Tak was situated in Kowloon city, the business district of Hong Kong.

In 1922 two businessmen formed the Kai Tak investment group to reclaim land in Kowloon for development. The business plan failed and the government acquired the land. In 1924 an aviation school put the land into service as an airport.
During the world war the Japanese army used prisoner of war laborers to expand Kai Tak. Two concrete runways were built.

In 1954 an official plan was made to modernize the Kai Tak airport. The original runways were replaced in 1957. Land reclamation made it possible to extend the runways.

During the 1980’s and 90’s the capacity of the Kai Tak International Airport was no longer enough. The airport was designed to handle 24 million passengers per year but in 1996, Kai Tak handled 29.5 million passengers, plus 1.56 million tonnes of freight. The height of the buildings in Kowloon had to be limited for the takeoffs and landings of the airplanes. Initially the airport was located far from any residential areas, but the expansion of the residential areas and the airport resulted in the airport being very close to residential areas. This resulted in noise pollution for nearby residences, and a night curfew was established. There are laws in the Netherlands which prevent this sort of pollution. The expansion of airports like Schiphol is regulated by laws (aviation law) and the government.

In the late 1980s, the Hong Kong Government began searching for alternative locations for a new airport in Hong Kong to replace the old airport. The government decided to build the airport on an island. The new airport opened in 1998.

Kai Tak is known for the spectacular landing procedure.





(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Tak_Airport)

Property

In western countries you can buy a piece of land with a house on it and it will be your property until you decide you want to sell it. It is not possible that someone takes possession of your home without paying for it. Even the government has to pay for your possession if they want the ownership of it.

In China it is not possible as a private person to buy a house or land for eternity. Ownership is limited. Most of the time you can only lease your home or land, this is called ground lease.
A national land register is not available in China. This makes it even more difficult to find out who has the ownership of a piece of land.
You don’t own your house and this makes it easier for the government to disown people. Compensations from the government are often very little, due to the lack of independent jurisdiction civilians have no way to go with their complaints.

Prices could be cut in half in the upcoming year

For ten years the real estate market was the driving force of China’s economical success. But according to the annual report Real Estate 2009, written by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Cass), the sales for 2008 broke down with 19.7 per cent.

Last year the vacancy of homes in China went up till 164 million m2, which is 21 per cent more then in 2007. The report predicts an increase of sales for later this year. This is due to the deduction that developers have to give to receive cash.
Researcher Cao Jianhai of Cass predicts a decline for the housing prices of 50 per cent for the upcoming year.
Local government purchased 40 per cent less land for housing in the first quarter of this year.

The government reduced the interest rate, banks are allowed to give more credit and the down payment is reduced for home buyers.

Real estate

The (growing) middle class and the top layer of the Chinese society buys nowadays, partially as an investment, a substantial amount of apartments and houses without the use of grants.
The private purchase of houses has risen enormously, mostly because of the attractive loans of the large national banks. Considering the strong increase of the urbanisation it is likely that the demand for residences will rise in the urban areas in China.
Between 2000 and 2007 the investments in real estate have risen with 20% per year. Since the end of 2007 the market segment is confronted with relapsing prices and transaction volumes. This trend is accumulated by the economic crisis.
It is expected that the situation will improve due to the action plan from the Chinese government.

Hong Kong in the 1930s

www.travelfilmarchive.com

Traffic in China

Skyscrapers in China

China is becoming a country full of skyscrapers. And the skyscrapers in China are nothing compared to the tall buildings in the Netherlands.

The Burj Dubai is the tallest completed building in the world now, with a height of 818 m.

Here is a list of the tallest buildings in China:

- 3th place in the world: Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, 492 m

- 6th place: Nanjing Greenland Financial Center. Nanjing, 450 m

- 8th place: Guangzhou International Finance Center, Guangzhou, 438 m

- 9th place: Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai, 421 m

- 10th place: Two International Finance Centre, Hong Kong, 415 m

- 12th place: CITIC Plaza, Guangzhou, 391 m

- 13th place: Shun Hing Square, Shenzhen, 384 m

- 15th place: Central Plaza, Hong Kong, 374 m

The tallest structure in the Netherlands is the Gerbrandy Tower. It has a concrete tower with a heigt of 100 meters on which a guyed aerial mast is mounted. It's heigt is in total 366.8 meters long.

Robbie Williams makes good driving music

Robbie Williams' solo efforts are aiding an entirely different industry in China.

The album 'Rudebox' wasn't selling very well in the Netherlands, but over one million unsold copies of his last album are bought by the Chinese government. And not because they are fan of his music.

The cd's will be used to pave the roads in China. The albums will be recycled and the end product will be used as road surfacing and street lighting.

My own Chinese name

On http://www.mandarintools.com/ you can get your own Chinese name.

It is inspired on your name, and you can choose what essence of the name you would like.

And this is the result:

Surname (first character)
Feng

Given Name (middle character)
Wen
stable, firm, solid, steady

Given Name (last character):
nu
exert, strive, make effort

Chinese Keyboard

I always wondered how a Chinese keyboard would look like, and how it works.

Now I know :)

On a Dutch blog I found an explanation:(http://www.blablablog.nl/B1038127581/C115502288/E601033558/index.html)

Han, he studies Chinese, explaines how it works. But it is still quite complicated.

I translated the explanation from Han.

In China you have two ways to write Chinese characters: graphic by ‘drawing’ the character or phonetically by writing the pronunciation in western lettering.

Phonetic
In the phonetic way (Chinese call it ‘pinyin’) they type the Chinese character in western lettering. For instance, when you want to write ‘heaven’, you type ‘tian’ en then you get a list of characters which are pronounced as ‘tian’.

Sometimes you see this: ‘tian3’. The 3 behind ‘tian’ gives an indication of the pitch. This way you can narrow down the number of characters that will be given.
On every key of the Chinese keyboard are 4 signs and the two on top are used for the phonetic entry.

Graphic
In the graphic method the different parts of the characters are defined one by one and that will create the character. The two symbols on the bottom of the key are used for this method.

The Peak

Today we visited the Peak. And off course we took the train to the top. What a mistake. The ride was very expensive and the wait was very long...
The first train became in service in 1888. Before the arrival of the train the people were transported by the sedan chair.

The view from the Peak is very beautiful. Luckily the weather was good so we could see Hong Kong in all its glory.

We strolled along the path through the forest. In the summer time a lot of people will go to the Peak because the forest provides a nice temperature.

We ordered some drinks at a bar and then we went back. We had returns tickets but we didn’t feel like waiting anymore, so we took a cab.

We had dinner with Paul and his family. He ordered Peking Duck for us. You are supposed to eat it with a sort of pancake. It was really nice!

Verzonden: zondag 15 maart 2009 3:01
Ontvanger:
Cc:
Zijn nu op de luchthaven. Ons vluchtnummer is kl 888. X

Chung Chau 'Long Island'

Cheung Chau is our destination for today. Paul joined us.
First we had to take the ferry to the other side of Hong Kong Island. From there we had to take another ferry to Cheung Chau.

Cheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island. Traditionally the island was a fishing village and there are still fishing fleets working from the harbour. However in recent years the island has become a major tourist attraction, as we could see from all the tourist shops on the island.

The roads on Cheung Chau are very narrow. Normal motor traffic is not possible. Therefore there are small specially designed mini-fire engines, ambulances and police cars.

We walked for a little while and then we wanted to drink something. But the tourist season had not begun so nothing was opened yet. Finally we ended up at a hotel, where we ate Dim Sum.
After our lunch we walked through the city centre, where the roads are even narrower than we’ve already seen.

It was a very warm day, so we didn’t stay to long on the island.
We took the ferry back and then the wind took up.

Back in Hong Kong Island we had dinner in a little French bistro. We had to wait very long on our dinner, but it tasted very good.

Few hours in Guangzhou and off to Hong Kong

This morning we woke up early because we had to catch the train to Hong Kong. Luo and Mr. Zhu picked us up at our hotel and brought us to the train station. I saw people doing Tai Chi during our ride. Too bad we couldn’t stop to watch it more closely.

After a little bit of a delay we finally got on board of the train. The train ride was comfortable. I read my travellers book about Hong Kong to prepare myself for the next three days.

Paul picked us up from the train station. He knows Toine and Manon also through the business. He did not have enough space to transfer all of us to the hotel, so the guys took a taxi.
In Hong Kong they drive on the left side. Niki already made the mistake to step in the car on the wrong side.
The drive was not that long so we arrived very quickly at the Prudential hotel.

After putting our bags in our room we went to the bar in the hotel. We had some lunch and then we went of to go shopping.

Guy and I separated us from the group and after a stroll we ended up at a nice terrace at the harbour.

We wanted to go to the Hard Rock café. Toine and Manon had such great stories each time they went to Hong Kong so we had to see it!
But what’s the case: Hard Rock café is closed! What a bummer. We were really looking forward to the bands and ambiance. We eventually ended up in an Italian restaurant and we had a great dinner.

Verzonden: donderdag 12 maart 2009 10:44
Ontvanger:
Cc:
Hey! Zijn in hong kong. Mooi hotel. Kun jij ff kijken hoe duur ipod nano en classic in nl zijn?
Groetjes! X

Busy day in Guangzhou

After our visit to the factory we had lunch with the factory owner and his family.

Then we went to the Chen Clan Academy. It was built from 1888 till 1894 and it’s one of the oldest preserved buildings in the region. It used to be a clan temple but it server as an academy of arts now.

The temple was being renovated when we visited it.

Watch the Bamboo scaffolding.

After visiting the Chen Clan temple we wanted to go to another temple which is situated in a shopping street. In this street you can only find shops that sell Jade gemstones. Jade was known in China as 'yu', the 'royal gem'. In the long history of the art and culture of the enormous Chinese empire, jade has always had a very special significance, roughly comparable with that of gold and diamonds in the West. It embodies the virtues of wisdom, justice, compassion, modesty and courage, yet it also symbolises the female-erotic.


Back to the temple, it was closed…

So we decided to go to the restaurant. It’s called ‘Made in Kitchen’ and it’s a sort of fusion restaurant. One of the most noticeable features of Made in Kitchen is the large open kitchen, allowing you to watch the chefs make and prepare your food. Every time when you go to the table, you need to pass the long runway making you feel like a model on a catwalk (for better or worse!)

Factory visit

The view from our hotel. There is a lot of smog in Guangzhou, as you can see.

Today we went to a factory near Guangzhou.

It was like we went back in time.

Our visit started with some tea. And then we went to took a look in the factory.

Even one of the largest banks in the Netherlands found this factory.

Shop 'till you drop!

It's shopping time!

Yao took us to Mouse market, a copy market. Guy bought a belt, so did I. And I bought a t-shirt. I wanted to buy some shoes, but offcourse this was impossible with my size.

Manon en Toine left earlier with Yao. The rest of us went to the shopping mall and the music store.

After that we went to the restaurant. It's a Brasilian steakhouse. We really had a great time!

Verzonden:woensdag 11 maart 2009 4:21
Ontvanger:
Cc:
Hier alles goed. Niet zon mooi weer hier,komt door de smog. Gaan zo naar een fabriek kijken.
Alles goed daar? Zal kijken of ik vanavond een mail kan sturen. X

Seafood @ Guangzhou

Last night we went to a seafood restaurant near our hotel.

We had a seperate room in the restaurant. Zhu and Luo took us downstairs to pick out some food.

Mr. Zhu ordered for us. And the fish goes, still alive, to the kitchen where it's prepared. You can't get it fresher than this!

Last call for Guangzhou!

We arrived at the airport. We had some time before we needed to board the airplane. So we sat down in a bar. Our boarding time was not yet available, but we figured we had enough time.

When we wanted to go, Manon heard the speaker saying that it was the last call for our flight, so we had to hurry!

We were in time. And we stepped into the bus that would bring us to the airplane. Niki told us in Amsterdam that she wanted to board the airplane with stairs that you see on television. And now we had stairs to board our plane. Only there was not enough time to take a picture from her.

We had a bit of a delay, no idea why. The flight was not that long, luckily. It was a small plane, and it was very warm inside. I slept a little and read in my book: Marley and me. (Great book by the way)

And after two hours we arrived at Guangzhou. Luo and Mr. Zhu came to pick us up.

They brought us to the Riverside hotel, where we will stay for three nights. In a few minutes Luo and Mr. Zhu are taking us to a seafood restaurant. Mr. Zhu's wife Yaou is already waiting for us. Tomorrow I will tell you how it was.

Last day in Hangzhou

Today is our last day in Hangzhou. It’s such a beautiful city.
I really love the Chinese culture and I read in my traveller’s book that visiting a tea house should be a nice experience. The book recommended an authentic tea house on the Westlake.
So we took a taxi and drove about ten minutes to the tea house.
The taxi driver (who is also an English translator) asked us why we went to this tea house. In the mountains is a much more beautiful one, he stated. But we only have a few hours in Hangzhou left, before we take the plane to Guangzhou.

So we decided to go inside. There were a lot of people inside. But we were taken to the roof terrace, away from al the Chinese people. That was not what we intended. But the view is very nice. The waiter brought us the menu card. This was the moment to go somewhere else! One tea costs 16 euro! That was a bit to much for us, and the boys would rather have some beer. So we left.

After a stroll alongside the lake we ended up here:




After a drink we went back to the hotel to pack our belongings and get ready to go to the airport.

Next stop: Guangzhou!

ps. Hangzhou, you are beautiful...

2nd day in Hangzhou

Today we visited an island in the Westlake Lesser Yingzhou Isle (Three Pools Mirroring the Moon). The island was built in the early 1600s, this is the largest island on the lake. When there is a full moon, candles inside the pagodas are lit, and in the candle light it appears as though you see the moonlight (if you are romantic enough to see it), hence the name.

We took a (tourist) boat to the island.
The island was very beautiful, but it was a pity that the island was being renovated. So we could not see the whole island and its buildings.

It was very crowded, but what do you expect on a Sunday?


After visiting the island we went to the city centre of Hangzhou. We walked by the lake and we visited a temple. And strange enough it was very quiet in the temple.

Once we got outside again the liveliness returned. We walked through the park. And when we got out of the park we wanted to take a taxi back to the hotel. But that was not an easy task.

After walking quite a while Toine decided to hail some sort of a
Riksja. Because Niki’s feet were hurting.
A woman stopped and took Niki and Manon. Then a man stopped and Guy and I got in. But then there was a lot of fuss. And the man told Guy and I to get out. And the women drove of with Manon and Niki.

The four of us were still trying to get a taxi. Finally a taxi stopped but he didn’t want to take us, because we were in a one way street and he had to make a detour.

So we walked back to the lake. Earlier on the day we tried to make a trip with a rowing boat, but it was expensive.
We were desperate so we tried again. Toine was negotiating with one man, but his price was too high. When we walked off another man came after us and his price was much better, so we got in.


He didn’t bring us to the hotel as we agreed on, but he dropped us at the bridge in the middle of the lake. So we had to walk the last bit to our hotel.

After a drink in the bar and showering we had dinner in the restaurant of the hotel. It was really nice. The noodles were really good! We wanted to order the ‘Beggars Chicken’ a speciality of the region, but you had to order it two hours in advance.

It was a lovely day.

"Above is heaven, below is Hangzhou"

"Above is heaven, below is Hangzhou" goes a famous Chinese saying that pretty well describes the glamorous city of Hangzhou!


After a travel of 180 km from Shanghai by car we arrived in Hangzhou. We entered the city during rush hour so it took some time to get to our hotel.
The hotel has two entrances and off course we were at the wrong one. Jeroen was a bit disappointed because this entrance was like a James Bond movie, according to Jeroen and Guy. So we got into the car again and drove to the other wing of the hotel.

Then we checked in to the Shangri-La hotel. This was situated at the Westlake. Got to our room, we had a bit of freshening up to do.

When I was finally ready, and internet was installed we took a cap to the city centre. Because of the late hour we had trouble to find a restaurant were we could eat. (Chinese people eat quite early.) Finally we found a restaurant that was willing to serve us. But the dinner was not that nice.

And Jeroen couldn’t resist playing with the fish that we had for dinner.


The Night and Day bar was our next stop. There was no room left on the ground floor where a band was playing. So we seated on the first floor, there was also a band playing but this was more jazzy. Some of us were still a bit hungry so we ordered some snacks.

And we found a way to eat with sticks that soothes us better.


Later that night we moved to the ground floor. The band was still playing. It is very typical that most musicians in China are from the Philippines.

And now it’s time for bed.

Last day in Shanghai, next stop: Hangzhou

I've never been as fast a sleep as last night, lovely!

Had a really nice breakfast, luckily an English breakfast, eventhough it still isn't a light meal a Chinese breakfast is much heavier!


We went to the Bund. Toine said, you haven't been in Shanghai if you haven't seen the Bund.
I've put my purse safely away, but now I looked like a strange version of the hunchback of the Notre Dame.

Wakie Wakie!

It was time to get up! We didn't want to sleep through the whole day, especially because we are staying 1,5 days in Shanghai.

Our room is excellent, have you seen the picture in my last message?

Guy and I went to the Azura bar and we waited for the rest of the group. After a few drinks we were picked up by a business-relation of Manon. We are going to eat at a Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant.

We met Grace, also a business-relation.

The food was really nice and it was a real nice evening.

China, here we are

We arrived in Shanghai, China.


We flew with KLM. It wasn't a comfortable flight. There were a lot of babies on the flight, and I almost thought they placed them around us on purpose!

The flight took 10,5 hours and we had to wait for one hour on Schiphol airport. Fluid was leaking from the plain and they could not find where it was coming from. Later on became clear that the came from the compartiment where horses were transported with the plain a flight earlier.


After a long flight, without any sleep and no fun movies, we finnaly arrived at the airport of Shanghai.


Two employees of the company ACP (contacts of Manon) came to pick us up and bring us to our hotel.

In the car we got our first impression of China, and it was quite overwhelming.

The traffic is very chaotic, everyone has blinded windshields.


Then we arrived at our hotel: The Regal International East Asia hotel. Manon and Toine where there to welcome us. Now our party was complete.


First a drink at the Azura bar in the hotel. Then Guy and I went to our room to get some sleep, while the rest went shopping.

At last the trip begins!

Today we are leaving to China. Exciting!

Luckily I had a lot of time to pack my bags, so I wasn't too stressed out.

My boyfriend, Guy, Guy's sister and her boyfriend Jeroen and I are flying together to Shanghai.
Guy's parents, Manon and Toine, left a few days earlier. They had to do some work in China and we will meet eachother in Shanghai at the hotel.

Niki and Jeroen arrived at our home in Eindhoven. I just have to pack a few things and then we will leave. First we have to take a bus to the train station in Eindhoven. And then we will take the train to Schiphol airport. It will take about 2 hours before we will arrive at the airport.




The next message will be from China!!!

Welcome

Tomorrow I am going to China with the family of my boyfriend.

We will visit Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. And we will do this in 10 days!