There really is not much to expect when it comes to New Year's eve
celebrations in Shanghai. Come to think of it, they are Chinese in the first
place and have their very own new year to celebrate come February. Still, I had
to be somewhere during the night before 2013 starts, given how I chose to be
away from family at this time of the year when i really should be with them. I
did not think that Suzhou would have something grand prepared so I thought
maybe Shanghai would be the better bet.
Coming back from Suzhou, I arrived at Shanghai rather late and had
to look for my guesthouse first before exploring Pudong, something I was not
able to do when I was in the city last year. Alighting the train at Shanghai
Railway Station, what immediately came to sight once I surfaced were Pudong's
many buildings that star in their very own nightly lights show seen from the
Bund, except that I am on their side now and I could see them up close.
Arriving at the city very late two days before, I experienced my
first winter and immediately thought of it as unforgiving. Coming from Manila,
I really did not wear many layers of clothing first, in fear of bathing in my
own sweat on the plane. I guess that is what airport restrooms are for. Do not
go out in the open without preparing for it. I wish I could have given myself
the same advice. That is what really comes to mind when you are at the middle
of Pudong Avenue feeling like you are going to die of frostbite any minute
while desperately flagging a taxi.
The first night was really just a stopover. I just did not want to
sleep at the airport, which would have been a far better experience than
braving those chilly winds trying to locate the guesthouse. I went to Suzhou
the next day, which meant no free time in Shanghai until today, the day before
New Year.
Weird as it might sound, wandering around Pudong in the evening was
not as bad as I thought it would be. It was cold, but all the walking sort of
shook off the uncomfortable sensation
present during the night of my arrival. After checking in at the guesthouse, I
went out again and originally intended to head to the Bund, but knowing that I
would have to walk all the way back to Pudong or resort to getting into a
rather expensive cab prevented me from doing so. Maybe the fireworks would just
be as good from this side of the Huangpu. Or so I thought.
I had around an hour to take pictures and go near the river. I only
got as far as that weird looking tower. There are only two weird looking
skyscrapers in Pudong: the blue one that looks like Mazinger Z's sword; and the
other one with the colorful globes. I am talking about the latter, which is
near the HSBC office. Before 12 its lights went off, only to be turned on again
once the fireworks started.
I tried to phone home but it just would not connect. Perhaps it is
forbidden when you are on prepaid roaming despite having more than enough
credits. I just settled for an SMS which was replied to by my mother, who was
with my father and brother at Ayala witnessing the countdown.
The fireworks were still visible from Pudong, but of course its
skyscrapers blocked most of the view. The best way to watch it is obviously
from the Bund, where the complementary lights show of the tall buildings
contributed to the spectacle. So yes, I would claim laziness over idiocy for
this one. I knew what was going to happen. I just did not have the courage to
brave this winter walking back to the hostel.
In fairness to the locals, there were also a lot of them who went to
the exact same spot to witness the short celebration. All of use attacked the
nearest McDonalds branch after that, lining up those counters like we were
claiming relief goods. After a good cup of hot chocolate, I joined the exodus
pf people walking down Pudong Avenue headed to wherever it was they were going.
I then went to bed as I had to catch my morning flight to Dalian the next day.
Looking back, I think this New Year's Eve underwhelmed me, being used to the
often exaggerated attention we give to it back in Manila. I am glad to have walked
down the streets of Pudong, though. I did not feel that homesick because it
just felt as though I was still in Makati.
The next destination is Liaoning and the itinerary involves flying
out of Shanghai to Dalian, which meant going back to Pudong Airport. One
disadvantage of flying via Cebu Pacific is their midnight arrivals, which means
not being able to take advantage of the rail system which usually shuts down
before midnight. I have always wanted to try Shanghai's Maglev train, which
connects Pudong International to Longyang Avenue in just eight minutes.
Shanghai's green metro line 2 also serves the said route but with around half a
dozen stops in between and more or less 40 minutes of travel time.
Since I was already running late for my flight, I opted for the
Maglev for convenience and experience. The 50 yuan fee for a one way ticket was
steep. Add 5 yuan and you could book a ticket for a six hour train ride from
Dalian to Shenyang. Deduct five and you could get on a 30 minute bullet train
from Shanghai to Suzhou. The experience was fun, though. With the maximum speed
reaching 300 km per hour, it felt like being on a plane running full speed for
take off for eight minutes. Anyway, if you are in a rush and with some spare
cash, do take the Maglev. Otherwise, there is always Line 2.
Happy New Year! May we all have a prosperous 2013.
PUDONG: 03 - New Year's Eve on the Wrong Side of the Huangpu
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