Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa Season 5 Episode 6 Shanghai
- TV-NR
- May 16, 2003
- 24 min
Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa is a travel documentary series that takes viewers on journeys around the world to explore iconic destinations and hidden gems. Season 5, episode 6 focuses on the vibrant metropolis of Shanghai, China.
Rudy Maxa starts his journey in one of Shanghai's most famous landmarks, the Bund. This historic waterfront area is lined with colonial-era buildings and offers stunning views of the city skyline. Rudy learns about the history of the Bund and its role in Shanghai's growth as a commercial and cultural hub.
From the Bund, Rudy heads to the Yu Garden, a classic Chinese garden that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. This oasis of peace and tranquility in the heart of the city features winding paths, arched bridges, and intricate rock formations. Rudy also visits the nearby City God Temple, a Taoist temple that serves as a center of worship and cultural activity.
Shanghai is known for its food culture, and Rudy dives into it headfirst by exploring local markets and sampling some of the city's most iconic dishes. At the wet market, Rudy sees a variety of live animals and seafood, and visits a shop that specializes in duck products. Rudy also stops by a street vendor to try xiaolongbao, a type of steamed dumpling filled with soup and meat.
One of the highlights of the episode is Rudy's visit to the Shanghai World Financial Center, one of the tallest buildings in the world. Rudy takes the super-fast elevator to the 100th floor observation deck, where he gets a birds-eye view of the city and its sprawling skyline. Rudy also meets with the building's chief engineer to learn about the technology that makes it possible to build such a tall structure.
In addition to its towering skyscrapers, Shanghai is also known for its museums and cultural institutions. Rudy visits the Shanghai Museum, which houses an impressive collection of ancient Chinese art and artifacts. He also stops by the Propaganda Poster Art Center, which showcases the propaganda art of the Mao era and provides a window into China's cultural and political history.
Rudy concludes his journey in the French Concession, a neighborhood that retains the charm and architecture of Shanghai's colonial past. Rudy strolls the tree-lined avenues and alleys and visits a vintage clothing shop that specializes in Chinese fashions from the 1930s and 40s.
Throughout the episode, Rudy is accompanied by local experts who provide insights into Shanghai's culture, history, and food. Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa offers a great blend of entertainment, education, and inspiration for anyone interested in traveling to Shanghai or learning about this vibrant global city.