China contrast: the Shanghai to Ningbo Bridge and the past

by fulltimestudent 7 Replies latest social current

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  fulltimestudent

  I'm leaving for China in only a few days, and I'm still engaged in 'negotiations' of where to go, with my Chinese friend who is kind enough to accompany me (to translate) on my journey's.

  Our general direction is south from Shanghai (and on down to Xiamen).

  I thought it would be interesting to take a bus trip across this new bridge (well 3-4 years old) from Shanghai to Ningbo and catch the Very fast train on from Ningbo.

  The Port of Shanghai (built out in the ocean on the island of Yangshan) is the largest port in the world, but the Port of Ningbo on the other side of the Bay of Hangzhou is nearly as large.

  This bridge allows easier connections between these two ports.

  

  

  Its 36 km long, across the ocean and often battered by typhoons. This map gives you an idea of where its located.

  

  Well, I did not get my way on this issue. But I thought it would be interesting to have taken a tourist bus across
• 

  fulltimestudent

  And here's one from China's recent past (about 100 years ago):

  

  this bridge crosses the Sanjiang river in Gaungxi province (near Vietnam) Its only about 65 metres long.

  Its unique and beautiful built by people from different ethnic groups including Miao, Zhuang, Dong and Yao. The Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge is also known as Yongji Bridge or Panlong Bridge. The bridge was built in 1916.

  This bridge is a pure wooden architecture consisting of pillars. purlin and baluster in various sizes and shapes. The body of the bridge is divided into 3 parts: the largest shape of a traditional Chinese drum tower in the middle. Eaves and pilasters of the bridge are decorated with flowers and sculptures.
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  fulltimestudent

  But still to be seen in China are even more primitive ways of crossing rivers:

  The Bajiazui Reservoir in Gansu Province N.W. China lies at the junction of Pu River and Hei River

  It's provided irrigation for farmers and is the source of life for Qingyang people, but also a barrier to some human contacts. You can cross in other places, but when the dam was first created in a much poorer China, some peasants made a living ferrying people across the lake. Now elderly they still do this work.

  Images from the People's Daily.

  

  

  
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  cofty

  Brilliant images, thanks.

  Enjoy your trip and post some pics if possible.
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  LoisLane looking for Superman

  What beautiful bridges.

  Fulltime , You must be so excited!

  I am excited for you, too!

  Relax, enjoy, have fun!

  Have a great trip!

  LoisLane
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  fulltimestudent

  Thnx Cofty and Lois.

  Be sure - I will have a good time.

  The Quanzhou Maritime Museum will give me a lot of info on early ship-building and trade from China all the way to Rome (at times).

  And, though its hard to get to, the last Manichean temple in the world !!!! has to be at least as exciting, as seeing the ersatz tomb of Jesus.

  They are my two objectives - anything and everything else, is a bonus.

  Oh! and yes, I have agreed this morning, to also go to Hangzhou and take a tour through the tea growing areas. Though I'm not sure why Fujian tea growing areas are the same, and also to take a tour to a Hakka earth-walled village at Yongding, near Xiamen.

  They look like this:

  

  Each unit could hold 100 families, though I guess that these days, many people have moved to a city.
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  zebagain

  What awesome photos!

  Please dont take a bible with you if you were inclined. Bible into China is a BIG no-no.

  I see a country that has made changes and advances that are just spectacular. Best wishes on your trip.
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  fulltimestudent

  Thnx for the warning, zebagain, but actually I am taking a bible with me (for my current uni study topic**). I doubt that I'm going to be arrested or even refused entry.

  You seem unaware that a Chinese publishing company called Amity Printing, is billed as the world's largest Bible publishing company. In 2012 they 'celebrated' their 100 millionth bible.

  You can read about it on this United Bible Societies web-site:

  http://www.unitedbiblesocieties.org/news/2902-celebrating-100-million-bibles-printed-in-china/

  ** I have a thousand word essay to write when I get back on early Christian meetings. (Oh! joy, joy, joy!!!!)

  Here's some piks from that bible society web-site.

  

  Packing bibles

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  And, of course there's the usual Christian drivel about distributing Bibles (Where's Mao Zedong when he's needed?)

  This pik is supposed to illustrate the 'joy' of rural Chinese Christians at receiving their new bibles (remind you of anything ?)

  

  And, a claimed 96 year old woman gets her first Bible

  

  ps: there's another thread somewhere in which I posted even more deatils about Amity publishing