Chinese China?

Chinese China?
Sep 14, 2008 13:44
guest47141	After a holiday in Hong Kong I was impressed by the way in which Chinese and Western culture come together. Central was full of tall modern buildings and excellent shopping and then Kowloon/Mong Kok is very 'Chinese' with cluterred street signs, temples, markets and stalls everywhere. After that, I was dismayed to find in Shanghai a sanitized, grey city void of any authentic Chinese culture (outside of designated tourist zones). It seemed to be exactly like living in London or New York but with warmer weather and more Chinese people. I expected to find a city like Hong Kong in terms of culture or possibly a place even more traditionally chinese but instead have found a city struggling to become a carbon-copy of any other boring western city. Is there anywhere in the mainland of China that offers an experience like Hong Kong? Somewhere that really offers a good, authentic blend of East and West? I love Asia and it's a great disappointment that China doesn't offer the cultural vibrancy that Hong Kong and cities in, for example, Thailand and Singapore offer. I know that with econmoic growth and the politics in China, culture hasn't always been the number one priority but there must be a city somewhere in China like that. Any suggestions would be great!

Sep 14, 2008 13:44

guest47141

After a holiday in Hong Kong I was impressed by the way in which Chinese and Western culture come together. Central was full of tall modern buildings and excellent shopping and then Kowloon/Mong Kok is very 'Chinese' with cluterred street signs, temples, markets and stalls everywhere. After that, I was dismayed to find in Shanghai a sanitized, grey city void of any authentic Chinese culture (outside of designated tourist zones). It seemed to be exactly like living in London or New York but with warmer weather and more Chinese people. I expected to find a city like Hong Kong in terms of culture or possibly a place even more traditionally chinese but instead have found a city struggling to become a carbon-copy of any other boring western city.

Is there anywhere in the mainland of China that offers an experience like Hong Kong? Somewhere that really offers a good, authentic blend of East and West? I love Asia and it's a great disappointment that China doesn't offer the cultural vibrancy that Hong Kong and cities in, for example, Thailand and Singapore offer. I know that with econmoic growth and the politics in China, culture hasn't always been the number one priority but there must be a city somewhere in China like that. Any suggestions would be great!

Sep 14, 2008 21:23

BARONTWANGLE
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Join Date: Nov 7, 2007
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Shanghai has to be the most unchinese city in China, which is why it is my worst city in China. Others love it however, but for me, as you said, it is just typical of any modern city trying to be something other than itself. It is a shame, as Shanghai could be China's most historical city, showing off its European influences and past life, but instead it seems to have forgotten all of those in favour of a few corporate buildings and shopping centres.

I love Beijing, as when you are there, you are in no doubt that you are in China. The wide roads, impressive buildings, small hutongs, parks, etc, all blend together well. Although parts of Beijing are also modern, it hasn't forgotten its history and culture in the process.

If you want ancient Chinese towns then there are many preserved places (the most popular ones being Lijiang, Ping Yao, etc), but they are not cities in the sense of Hong Kong, and you won't find too many western influences there. From your description, I would say Beijing holds the answer.

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