One of the things I love about China is that you can visit a decent sized city, drive by an empty parcel of land, and then come back six months later and see a fairly far along massive skyscraper sitting in what used to be an empty lot. It often makes me thoroughly confused and disoriented, but to be honest I sometimes like that feeling.

It also makes me realize how different SLO can be from China when it can take me a year just to get a permit from the city of SLO to build a friggin’ deck in my backyard — what a contrast in views re: development between China and some of the “now that I am here I want to shut the gate on everybody else who wants to move to SLO” locals.

Okay, enough preaching and ranting ….

Check out these recent NY Times articles, In World Skyscraper Race, It Isn’t Lonely at the Top and Embracing Koolhaass’s Friendly Skyscraper about skyscrapers in Shanghai and Beijing.

This month’s feature in National Geographic by Peter Hessler of River Town and Oracle Bones fame is also simply a must read – China’s Instant Cities.  As usual, Hessler has created a piece that is incredibly well written and thoughtful.   The guy can flat out write.  Reading this article will also help you better see and understand part of what I will show you in some of the factories we will visit in Guangzhou.

If one of the cities featured in this Hessler National Geographic piece, Yiwu, was not so darn far away from Hangzhou, I would take you there, as from a business study standpoint it’s a pretty good place place for MBAs to visit. Yiwu is famous as a commodities center (see also my related post on Dollar Stores), but other than that, I can assure you there is not much else to see there and you would hate me for the 3 hour bus ride (minimum) to get you there.

I have also always wondered why China seems so transfixed with cutting edge architecture (the Shanghai skyline — need I say more)? Think about asking Mr. Yang this question when we visit Callison.

When we are in Shanghai, the buildings around The Bund and the Pudong District will amaze you, especially at night, particulary the Pearl of the Orient TV Tower and the Jin Mao Building.

When we visit The Bund, you can use the tunnel that runs under the Huangpu River to cross and check out one or both of these famous buildings and sites, and take in a quick visit to one of their observation decks. The view is well worth it, and if/when the night in Shanghai is foggy or has higher then normal humidity it gives a real Gotham feel to the city.

I plan to take you to The Bund during the early evening — in my view this is the best time to go because of how the light hits the buildings and the river along The Bund. It’s magical each time I go. I really love it.

Our visit to The Bund will also be a nice bookend to your visit to Callison in Shanghai and the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall.