{BibiLiew.Com}

Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine Shanghai

Bibi Liew — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:45:21 +0000

1019 KangDing Road, near YanPing Road. If you walk from west Yan-Ping,
you can't miss it!

Facade of the restaurant

Native Thai cuisine prevails at this restaurant. For those who love Thai food, there’s a new Thai restuarant along Kang Ding road, just few minutes walk from west Yen-Ping road.

The Interior.

Nicely printed menu in English with photos.

Chiang Mai Thai cuisine mainly offers native Thailand food. The selection of seafood dishes is fantastic. It has a quiet and warm environment and the lighting was comfortable.

We got there pretty early, at about 11 noon and we were the first customers. We ordered fried rice with shrimp paste and tom yam soup. For me, tom yam soup is a absolute must when trying thai food. To top it off, we ordered fried prawn cakes as appetiziers. It was a pity they did not have appetiziers combination, which is available at Thai House . But the prawn cakes were not available and we ordered fish cakes instead.

The service was actuallly quite good which is rare in Shanghai. They were very accomodating and polite. The food was good although we would have preferred it to be more spicy. While waiting for the final dish (fried fish cakes), we were served Satay instead. We though it was a mistake. The Thai Chef explained that the fish cakes were not up to his usual standards and could not be served. The Satay was on the house.

All in all, the experience was pleasant and we would be back for more thai cuisine.

Thai fried rice with shrimp paste, sweat pork, fried egg and prawn.

Thai Satay

Thai Seafood Tom Yam Soup

Contact informations:

1019 Kangding Lu, Jing An District near Yanping Lu.

Tel: 5228-1588

URL: http://www.chiang-mai.com.cn/

caijiquan918@yahoo.com.cn

Open 11am-11pm

Delivery available within 3km.

ShareThis

Beijing National Stadium “The Nest”

Bibi Liew — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:31:57 +0000

The clocks across China are counting down to the day in the evening of August 8th, the moment when Beijing will launch the games of the 29th Olympiad. In preparation for its moment in the centre of the world stage, the city has transformed itself from the downager of old to a dazzling young star decked out in a stunning display of architecture haute couture!

Beijing National Stadium aka The Bird Nest is a stadium finished for the Olympic Green will be an icon and new landmark for Beijing.

The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field as well as soccer events. It has a total capacity of 91,000 and 11,000 temporary seating will be removed after the Game, leaving a permanent capacity of 80,000.

Pritzker¹ Prize -winning architects - Herzog & de Meuron Architekten , a Swiss architecture firm founded and headquartered in Basel lead the design.

The structural form of the roof is decsribe as a "nest", an interwoven structural elements of the facade produce a single surface, upon which further elements are arranged in a chaotic manner to blurr the distinction between the primary and secondary structure. The roof is saddle in shaped, and the geomatry is developed from an ellips based. The steel roof, a single 330m long by 220m wide structure weighting 45,000 tonnes is clad with a series of ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) panels on the structure to make the Nest one of the most ingeniously designed "green" buildings in the world. This layer reflects and absorbs sound to maintain the atmosphere in the stadium.

An interwoven structure elements arranged in a chaotic manner.

ETFE
ETFE, a transparent plastic related to Teflon is taking the place of glass and other plastics in many of the most innovatibe buildings being constructed today. It is also known as the material of the future. Compare to glass, it’s 1% the weight, transmit more light, is a better insulator, and cost far less to install. It’s also recycleable, self-cleaning and far tougher, with an estimated 50 years life span.

The nest was build using a polymer called ETFE.

This amazing Nest didn’t come cheaply but still, Beijingers love this building!

Viewing from Google map when it was in construction.

___
¹ One of the world’s premier Architecture prizes awarded "irrespective of nationality, race, creed, or ideology. Some of the Laureates are: I.M Pei, Richard Meier, Kenzo tange, Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, Renzo Piano, Sir Norman Foster, Zaha Hadid…

ShareThis

Security check conducted at Beijing subways

Bibi Liew — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:59:48 +0000

If you travel using subway in Beijing today, you will face a security check. It started from today June 29th, 2008 and will be carried out until September 20th, 2008, to ensure a safe Olympic Games. Those passengers that refuse to be check, will be banned to enter or exit from the station and might be punished by law. Scanning will target passengers carrying huge bags or liduid bottles. You would have to drink your beverage in front of the police officers if the scanner or police dog cannot identified them.

And here in Shanghai…

Security check in Shanghai is not as strict as in Beijing, but they might want to have a look if you carry a bigger bag.

ShareThis

Shanghai Disneyland in year 2012

Bibi Liew — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:00:48 +0000

The Mainland Chinese will no longer need to make their way to Hong Kong Disneyland anymore, because a much more bigger Disney is coming to Shanghai! After years of negotiations between China goverment and Walt Disney, it’s finally a done deal. The official announcement is expected to be made after Beijing Olympic in August.

It was said the park will cover 10 square kilometers of land, about eight times the size of Hong Kong Disneyland, and will be built near Pudong’s Chuansha Town, about 20 minutes’ drive from Pudong International Airport.

The park will be open at the earliest possible time in 2012 and might impact the numbers of visitors to HK Disneyland. Time will tell… It would be the third Disneyland in Asia after Japan and Hong Kong .

Source…

ShareThis

The Dragon - Shanghai’s hope and icon

Bibi Liew — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:31:37 +0000

The sky is not the limit! Shanghai, already crowded with skyscrapers built on the back of robust economic growth and financial, will top up a tallest building in the world at 580m with 118 stories and contain an area of 433,954 sqm. The Shanghai Center, a supertall skyscraper was approved for construction in Pudong area with the concept of “The Dragon” will be scheduled to be complete in 2010, might be in time for the 2010 World Expo.

Glensler, the world’s largest U.S. based Architecture firm, was choosen to lead the design, beating a design by UK based Norman Foster’s firm.

The Shanghai Center stands a chance to be the tallest unless Burj Dubai (636m) is complete first. Dubai is also considering a proposal for a 1,200m Al Burj design by the son of I.M.Pei - Pei Partnership Architects.

With 5.4 billion yuan (US$786 mil) in capital, the proposed super highrise is stunning and beautiful with materials such as concrete, steels and glass exterior gives it a modern look. It is expected to house offices, hotels, shopping malls as well as recreational facilities, complementing the neighbouring buildings - Jin Mao Building and Shanghai World Financial Center. It is expected to further relieve the shortage of office space for foreign institution in Lujiazui area.

ShareThis

Bill Gate’s Last Day

Bibi Liew — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:13:09 +0000

Well, it’s finally here: Bill Gates official last day at Microsoft as a full-time employee. That’s right! After 33 years building one of the most important software companies in the world, he finally stepped down to fully concerntrate on Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is pretty cool considering all his money sure he can help a lot of people. However, he still remains as Microsoft Chairman as he is the largest single shareholder.

ShareThis

Shanghai Pudong International Airport - Latest Airport Shuttle Bus Schedule

Bibi Liew — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:47:49 +0000

At the center corridor connecting both of the terminals, there is an exit for the Airport Shutter bus to Shanghai city. The bus will starts from T1 and then T2. You can check the bus route information on the airport shuttle bus information board or below, so that you will know where to get off.

It’s about 5-10 mins walk between the shutter bus station and taxi station. It is not convenient if you want to take the shutter bus if you find out the taxi queue is too long.

There are also free shutter (yellow color 13 seat van) between T1 and T2. It travel between these terminals from 6am to 9pm, departing at 10 mins interval. There are 2 bus station in T1: Domestic gate 1, International Gate 8, and T2: International Gate 23, Domestic Gate 27 on departure levels. The shutter is a good option if you have large luggage.

Bus Route, Timetable & Fare

Route: Airport bus Line No.1
From: Pudong International Airport to Hongqiao International Airport, Operating Hours 7:20~23:00
From: Hongqiao International Airport to Pudong International Airport, Operating Hours 6:00~21:00
Interval: 10 Mins
Fare: RMB 30
Stops: none

Route: Airport bus Line No. 2
From: Pudong International Airport to City Air Terminal (Jingan temple) , Operating Hours 7:20~23:00
From: City Air Terminal (Jingan temple) to Pudong International Airport, Operating Hours 6:00~21:30
Interval: 10 Mins
Fare: RMB 19
Stops: none

Route: Airport bus Line No.3
From: Pudong International Airport to Galaxy hotel, Operating Hours 7:00~23:00
From: Galaxy hotel to Pudong International Airport, Operating Hours 5:30~20:00
Interval: 15~20 mins
Fare: RMB 20
Stops: Xu Jiahui, Da Puqiao, Longyang Rd. Metro station

Route: Airport bus Line No.4
From: Pudong International Airport to Hongkou football stadium, Operating Hours 7:20~23:00
From: Hongkou football stadium to Pudong International Airport, Operating Hours 5:40~21:00
Interval: 15 mins
Fare: RMB 18
Stops: Deping Rd, Wu Jiaochang, .Da Baishu, East Jiangwan Rd.

Route: Airport bus Line No.5
From: Pudong International Airport to Shanghai Railway Station, Operating Hours 7:20~23:00
From: Shanghai Railway Station to Pudong International Airport, Operating Hours 5:30~21:00
Interval: 15 mins
Fare: RMB 18
Stops:

from Pudong Int’l Airport to Shanghai Railway Station: Pudong Avenue, Oriental hospital, Middle Yan An Rd.
from Shanghai Railway Station to Pudong Int’l Airport: Oriental hospital, Pudong Avenue.

Route: Airport bus Line No.6
From: Pudong International Airport to Zhongshan Park , Operating Hours 7:35~23:00
From: Zhongshan Park to Pudong International Airport , Operating Hours 7:35~23:00
Interval: 20~30 mins
Fare: RMB 20
Stops:

from Pudong Int’l Airport to Zhongshan Park: Zhangjiang HighTech Park, Longyang Rd, Dongfang Rd, Laoximen, Shimen Rd., Huashan Rd.

from Zhongshan Park to Pudong Int’l Airport:Huashan Rd, Laoximen, Dongfang Rd., Longyang Rd., Zhangjiang HighTech Park

Route: Airport Bus Line No. 7
From: Pudong International Airport to Shanghai South Railway Station (Southern Square), Operating Hours 7:50~23:00
From: Shanghai South Railway Station (Southern Square) to Pudong International Airport , Operating Hours 6:50~21:30
Interval: 30 mins
Fare: RMB 20
Stops: none

Route: Airport Bus Line No. 8
From: Pudong International Airport to Lingang Community
Operating Hours: 8:00,10:00,12:00,14:00,16:00,18:00

From Lingang Community to Pudong International Airport

Operating Hours: 6:00,8:00,10:00,12:00,14:00,16:00
Interval: Not provided
Fare: RMB 16
Stops:

Airport Authority Building (Declaration Center), Traffic Command, Customs Warehouse, Air Fuel Station, China Eastern Building, Warehouse Zone No.2, Shiwan Zhen, Zhu Qiao, Yan Cang, Nan Hui (Huinan Zhen), Wangjia Tan, Zhong Gang, Lao Gang, Xin Gang, Mian Chang, Shu Yuan, Guo Yuan.

Route: The Last Airport Shuttle Bus
From: Pudong International Airport to Hongqiao International Airport
Operating: Hours: 23:00~flight over

Interva: Not provided
Fare: Not provided
Stops:

Longyang Rd.(Metro Station), Dongfang Rd.(Zhangyang Rd.), Oriental Hospital(Pudong Avenue), Middle Zhejiang Rd.(Yan An Rd.), Shimen No.1 Rd. (Yan An Rd), Huashan Rd.(Yan An Rd), Hongxu Rd.(Yan An Rd)

ShareThis

Baby and Oversized Luggage

Bibi Liew — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:03:29 +0000

Photo of the Day

The Chinese parents left their baby with an oversized luggage in the middle of nowhere at Pudong International Airport.

Zoom in.

ShareThis

Shanghai Pudong International Ariport New Terminal

Bibi Liew — Sat, 31 May 2008 02:13:41 +0000

The new Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal 2, which has advanced facilities and modern design, went into operation on March 26, 2008. It was conceived as a world-class airport, and one of the largest airport buildings in the world, with capacity of 60 million passengers annually.

Today, I’m very exciting as I have the opportunity to travel using this new Terminal.

The 2 terminals are actually connected by 3 indoor corridors (500 meters long) and free shuttle service every 10 mins, from 6am to 9pm. It will take about an hour for international transfer and probably 45 mins for domestic transfer. You should be able to get to your boarding gates by following the signs. It’s pretty easy, and you are advice to allocate additional time for departure.

Facilities

Bank & Currency Exchange

Books and Magazines in different languages are sold here!

Terminal 2 is much larger than the old one, has 4 floors. There are some dining and shopping services, hourly charged hotel rooms and gym facilities at the very top floor, while the other floors are quite standard. Third floor is for International departures, 2nd floor for domestic departures and baggage claim is on the ground floor.

At the middle point of the Central Path to Terminal 2, there is an exit for the Airport Shuttle Bus.

AIRLINES

The following airlines are moved to the new terminal building since April 29th:

Air China (CA)
Air India (AI)
Aeroflot Russian Airlines (SU)
Air Macau (NX)
Air New Zealand (NZ)
Alitalia (AZ)
All Nippon Airways (NH)
Asiana Airlines (OZ)
AeroSvit Airlines (VV)
British Airways (BA)
Cathay Pacific Airways (CX)
Cebu Pacific Air (5J)
China Southern Airlines (CZ)
Deutsche Lufthansa (LH)
DragonAir (KA)
Emirates (EK)
Finnair (AY)
Shanghai Airlines (FM)
Garuda Indonesia (GA)
Malaysia Airlines (MH)
Northwest Airlines (NW)
Philippine Airlines (PR)
Qantas Airways (QF)
Qatar Airways (QR)
Royal Brunei Airlines (BI)
Royal Nepal Airlines (RA)
Singapore Airlines (SQ)
Thai Airways (TG)
Turkish Airlines (TK)
TransAero Airlines (UN)
United Airlines (UA)
Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS)

THE DESIGN

The Interior was designed based on the concept “People Oriented”, which adopts scientific approach in its construction to meet the demand for airline companies, “People oriented, providing convenience for passangers to the utmost extend. The organic sculptural design for the new terminal creates a loose-fit and sustainable building offering transparency and good views, fully utilise natural lighting with flexible spaces. And of course, all factors like flow design, environment, facilities layout and even transfers on ground transport are taken into consideration.

Leafy Ceiling Design

ShareThis

Design Software Company Sends Fraud Legal Letter In China

Bibi Liew — Thu, 29 May 2008 08:56:01 +0000

Today, my company received yet another legal letter from a reputable design software company, lets call it company A. The legal letter seems to hint that we are using pirated copies of their software. We received a legal letter from this company back in FY2005 as well. My company is an internally recognized world leader in our field. Back in FY2005, our top management from China site were pretty upset over this incident. The IT department did a complete physical check on every computer (about 200pcs) at our company. Finally we found that one employee downloaded a copy of the software via the internet onto his PC. We settled the issue by paying a huge sum of money to them. To prevent this issue from happening again, our IT department bought a sophisticated software to monitor if there are any additional of illegal softwares. In additional, our IT department will conduct quaterly checks. This time, we are very sure that we are not using any pirated copies of their software.

After some market survey, we actually discovered that this is an industry norm in China!! Some software companies hope to generate commissions by sending out legal letters to potential customers. They would accuse them of illegally using their copyright software without paying. It is surprising to note that in some companies, their sales team is much smaller than their legal team. This strategy would probably work for small customers. However, for multinational companies, it is absurd to send such letters. Multinational companies like ours, may actually spend a lot of effort and resource to clarify this issue. At the end of the day, the whole matter would most probably leave a very bad impression on the customers. The worst case scenario is that the customer might counter-sue the software company.

To make matters worse, we discovered that some software companies like company A based their suspicion on very vague data. Distributors of their software would make cold calls to potential customers on the pretext of conducting market survey. In the survey process, they would like to pry data and make their own conclusions. Based on these conclusions, they would submit their case to the software company to issue the legal letters. Small design company who uses pirated design software need to take note on this. If you are so unlucky to receive these legal letters, they will force you to pay a huge sum of money. And surprisingly, this money are their commissions by sending out legal letters to companies who they think might be using their software.

ShareThis