Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 498

Shanghai Has Changed - For Better, or for Worse?
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy, Wong, Vanessa - 14
A
s an immortal, throughout the years I have seen empires rise and fall, kingdoms conquered and vanquished. Yet
none have struck me quite as much as Shanghai, and how much it’s changed…
A few days ago, I was situated on the couch, watching the Discovery channel on my television (After all this time, I still
couldn’t figure out how to work this blasted contraption, and thus was stuck on the Discovery channel for eternity), when a
documentary of Shanghai suddenly started playing. Intrigued, I pictured in my mind my visit to Shanghai a few centuries ago, a
little humble city just beginning to grow. You can imagine my shock and amazement when images of a shining, gleaming city
filled with skyscrapers appeared on the screen, as the narrator described Shanghai as the gateway to China, the Pearl of the Orient
and the largest economic and trade center in China. I had stared at the screen in disbelief, jaw hanging. I just couldn't associate
the Shanghai I knew to the Shanghai in the screen - there's no way those two were the same place. I made my mind up to visit
immediately, and began packing my bags for my trip to Shanghai.
Emerging from the airport at night, I was reminded once again of the enormity of my task; to document the
transformation of Shanghai was not going to be an easy job. I had found all my old photos I had taken aeons ago, and planned to
seek out the locations where they had been taken, and take another photo in the exact framing and composition to showcase how
the difference a few centuries can make, giving a sort of before and after effect. Now, gazing at the night skyline in awe, I felt a
feeling of reverence, of profound respect. Humanity has managed to create this wonder in such a short time, without any special
powers or abilities… What excuse did I have? Others had dedicated their lives to seeing this through, making their dreams into a
reality, and have ultimately succeeded, with the whole city to show for their hard work, toil and sacrifice. Shanghai was
illuminated by the brilliance of the lights throughout the city, littering the darkness. Looking at the scene with incredulity, I turn,
and trudge to the nearest hotel to get some rest before the events of the day.
The first thing on my list was the Pudong skyline, a scene which I had enjoyed immensely before. Google also said it
was one of the crucial places one should visit in Shanghai, so I had made that my top priority. Comparing it to the picture i held
in my hand, I felt slightly disorientated. Here was the exact same place, exact same scene, with the Huangpu river and everything.
Yet, it felt like someone had taken the outlook, and, what was the term nowadays, ah yes, photoshopped it, turning it into
something familiar but unrecognizable, giving me a sense of deja vu. Where squat buildings once stood, now were towering
high-rise buildings, demanding your attention. By far, the most eye-catching part was the Oriental Pearl Tower, and the
Shanghai Tower. The former was a spire, looming over the others, a true feat of engineering: although the center part is hollow,
and comprised of many open floors, the structure is still able to support another spherical shape on top of it without toppling over.
Similarly, the latter seemed just as hard to construct, reminding me of a twisting helix situated in the heart of the city, weaving
metal and glass to form it. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I quickly snapped a picture, then proceeded to Google the
Shanghai Tower. Apparently, it was the second highest building in the world, a fact which astounded me, and once again looked
upon it, though with more admiration this time around.
With the first task done, I reluctantly walked towards the main street, where I was once again surrounded by the throngs
of people, a multitude who soon proceeded to swarm around me, crushing others without heed. You know how people say they