2012 Shanghai International Marathon started at 7am today from the bund and over 30,000 people joined the running this year. Fun Marathon covered the first 5.5km in the city centre. The runners enjoy Shanghai's famous streets including the bund, Nanjing East Road and Nanjing West Road till the Shanghai Exhibition Centre. The rain in the early morning didn't stop Shanghai people from the passion for health.
Shanghai is no doubt the financial hub of China. The financial bull on the bund is now witnessing the city's growth. The statue was designed by Arturo Di Modica, the same artist of charging bull on the Wall Street. It has been a new photo attraction for tourists since 2010. Watch out for your naughty kids. The recent news has it that a little kid was trapped for 20 minutes by putting his arm into the mouth of the bull.
Lalique glasses, started by the French glass designer René Lalique, was very popular in the 20th century. The fashion spread from Europe to the world, and to Shanghai's Cathay Hotel (now the Fairmont Peace Hotel). The owner Victor Sassoon ordered lalique art pieces for his luxury hotel on the bund and opened a lalique shop inside the hotel. Today on the 9th floor of the Peace Hotel, you can still find the original lalique glasses from 1920s.
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The Peacock Hall in the Astor Hotel (Richard's Hotel) was once a popular location for ballroom dancing in Shanghai. The hall held a dancing party to celebrate Queen Cixi's 60th birthday in 1897. Similar as many historic buildings in Shanghai, the Peacock Hall experienced its golden time in the 1920s, served as Shanghai Stock Exchange from 1990, and was restored in 2006. The Peacock Hall now serves as the dining hall in Astor Hotel.
Taking ferry is an interesting experience on Shanghai's mother river, the Huangpu River. It has been the oldest yet effective transportation to cross the river. The operation of ferry in Shanghai started from 1910. With over 100 years development, there are now 18 ferry lines in Shanghai. Besides the view of the bund and Lujiazui financial centre, there is also a taste of local life by watching people on the ferries.
