Today (May 12th) was a travel day. We hopped a very early flight on Air China from Beijing to Shanghai. We were in the air for about two hours. We arrived in Shanghai and I could already feel the difference. There seems to be a little more chaos and less order in Shanghai – a southern city in China. We checked into our very nice hotel and then hopped a bus ride over to lunch with Sage Brannon, a Kenan-Flagler alum and ex-pat who leads all of the research operation for Pacific Epoch in Shanghai. PE serves the hedge fund industry in researching emerging firms within China. Hedge funds are huge in this city. Hundreds of millions of dollars are just waiting for the next best trick to invest in. I asked Sage how difficult it was to obtain information about business in China. He confirmed my suspicion that it was extremely difficult. Chinese business is closely held to the vest, almost secretive. 
It’s difficult to break through and receive information but Pacific Epoch has managed to do it with great success. They focus primarily on emerging high tech firms.
Our lunch was outstanding.
Sage did all the ordering and in true family style we dined on eel, squid, fish, a delicious pork dish and an incredible squash dumpling, among plates and plates of other food. The restaurant was the oldest in Shanghai. With over 17 million people and scores of restaurants, that is a huge feat to claim.
We then traveled to a section of the city known as Old Town. It was amazing to see so many Chinese in one location. Old Town is filled with trinket vendors – we call them “hello people” because they accost you by saying “Hello, hello, you want watch? You want nice silk scarf?” You get used to it over time. Our response: “Bou yow” which means “No, I don’t want!”
Hidden within Old Town is the oldest tea house in China. Several of us ponied up for a traditional tea ceremony and sipped on some high end but delicious hot tea. It was fascinating. I had two teas, one of lavender bloom and a woolung. The taste is indescribable and to watch the bloom come to life in the cup once hot water hits it is bizarre. 
Tonight, we’re headed down to the waterfront for dinner. We hope to take in the sites of the lit skyline. And let me say that Shanghai, like Beijing, is filled with some of the most incredible contemporary architecture I have ever seen. New York doesn’t even come close to these skylines over here. Imagine the very contemporary design of the new Twin Towers location in New York only thousands of those everywhere. In the last five years in Shanghai, over 1,200 skyscrapers have been built.
Stay tuned for more.
It’s difficult to break through and receive information but Pacific Epoch has managed to do it with great success. They focus primarily on emerging high tech firms.Our lunch was outstanding.
Sage did all the ordering and in true family style we dined on eel, squid, fish, a delicious pork dish and an incredible squash dumpling, among plates and plates of other food. The restaurant was the oldest in Shanghai. With over 17 million people and scores of restaurants, that is a huge feat to claim.
We then traveled to a section of the city known as Old Town. It was amazing to see so many Chinese in one location. Old Town is filled with trinket vendors – we call them “hello people” because they accost you by saying “Hello, hello, you want watch? You want nice silk scarf?” You get used to it over time. Our response: “Bou yow” which means “No, I don’t want!”
Hidden within Old Town is the oldest tea house in China. Several of us ponied up for a traditional tea ceremony and sipped on some high end but delicious hot tea. It was fascinating. I had two teas, one of lavender bloom and a woolung. The taste is indescribable and to watch the bloom come to life in the cup once hot water hits it is bizarre. 
Tonight, we’re headed down to the waterfront for dinner. We hope to take in the sites of the lit skyline. And let me say that Shanghai, like Beijing, is filled with some of the most incredible contemporary architecture I have ever seen. New York doesn’t even come close to these skylines over here. Imagine the very contemporary design of the new Twin Towers location in New York only thousands of those everywhere. In the last five years in Shanghai, over 1,200 skyscrapers have been built.
Stay tuned for more.
3 comments:
With so many people on foot and bikes,how do you know how much time to allow to allow for a cab ride and is cab transportation reliable?
Dad.
Fortunately for all scheduled events we have bilingual guides and a bus which takes us everywhere. Buses are all over the place. When we're on our own, we have to cab or walk. Congestion is unpredictable and getting heavier all the time as the car industry sells 30% more each year now.
be careful Winston...
GT
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