It was quite late and we were pretty tired by the time we had reached the hotel so there was not much time to look around and judge the ambiance of the Hotel.That is one on the reasons I always have pre-breakfast morning photo session to catch the hotel lobbies and surroundings.Ramada encounter has impressive appearance . Lobby is good and overall has good ambiance all around.The courtyard though relatively small,has also been beautified with a fountain and a good garden.
Ramada Encore Hotel ,Shanghai. We stayed here.
Beautiful Fountain , Porch and entry Gate Ramada Encore Hotel ,Shanghai.That is our coach for the day.
Dining Hall Ramada Encore Hotel ,Shanghai
Over looking the lobby . Ramada Encore Hotel ,Shanghai
The lobby . Ramada Encore Hotel ,Shanghai
After breakfast , photo session and all it was time to move out for the days sight seeing . Today it was to be the famous Jade Buddha Temple.
Jade Buddha Temple. :
Located in the west of modern Shanghai, the Jade Buddha Temple is an active Chan (Zen) Buddhist monastery with peaceful and serene atmosphere conducive to uplifting sense of spirituality.
Originally built in 1882 during Qing Dynasty (1638-1911), it is a temple to enshrine two jade Buddha statues which were brought from Burma by the monk Hui Gen from Mount Putuo in Zhejiang Province.According to the story, Hui Gen had brought back 5 jade Buddhas and left a sitting and a reclining Sakyamuni (The sage of the Shakya clan") in Shanghai and raised money to build the temple, that is how Jade Buddha Temple name came about.The temple was destroyed by the revolution overthrowing the Qing government ,fortunately the two jade Buddha statues were saved. The present temple was rebuilt later and completed in 1918 Covering about 77 acres, the classical layout and architectural style of rebuilt temple of Song Dynasty makes it unique and inimitable with neat and strict composition, ingenious structure and splendid appearance. Along the central axis from south to north,main buildings of Devajara Hall, Mahavira Hall and the Jade Buddha are located.On the two sides in the east and west are the Kwan-yin Hall, the Amitabha Hall, the Zen Hall, Recumbent Buddha Hall, Cultural Relic Room and the Dining-Room, a total of over 200 rooms and halls.The Buddhist Institute of Shanghai is also located in the temple. The vegetarian food in the temple is also one of the most famous in China.
As mentioned earlier temple was built to house the two jade Buddha statues, both of which are preciously carved from the whole sparkling and crystal-clear white jade, making the statues a thing of beauty.The sitting Buddha is in Jade Buddha Tower is 1.92 meters high and weighs 1 ton( some web sites say 3 tons) with fine carving and beautiful shape. Decorated gold leaves and agates encrusted on the statue are donated by disciples, portraying the Buddha in his meditation and enlightenment.The reclining Buddha is 0.96 meters long; it is a statue of Parinirvana Sakyamuni by his age of 80. Lying on the right side, the figure has his left hand placing on the left leg, supporting the head by his right hand, making a shape called as "lucky repose". His sedate face just shows the peaceful mood of Sakyamuni when leaving this world.The Jade of reclining Buddha is of purest white quality and translucence The it makes it almost priceless . The facial expressions of peace and serenity and has an overwhelming effect on the onlookers,devotees ,disciples and tourists alike.In the temple there is also another Recumbent Buddha which is four meters long and was brought from Singapore by the tenth abbot of the temple in 1989.In addition to these marvels over 7000 Tripitaka sutras are also kept in the Jade Buddha Tower; furthermore,inestimable culture relics as well as many other ancient paintings and Buddhist scriptures, hundreds of statues are stored/ displayed in different halls of the temple.
All these rare collections of statues , the high sense pf spiritual ambiance make this place extremely popular with the devotees , disciples and the tourists alike and the reason for its popularity and thousands of footfalls every day.No wonder The Jade Buddha Temple is amongst the top ten attractions of Shanghai.
Gate Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Jade Buddha Temple's main courtyard and Grand Hall .Shanghai, China.
Jade Buddha Temple's main courtyard with giant Incense burner . Grand Hall, Shanghai, China.
Jade Buddha Temple's main courtyard with giant Incense burner . Grand Hall, Shanghai, China.
Three Golden Buddhas. The central sculpture is of the Buddha, the left Amitabha and the right Bhaisajyaguru.Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Gods of the Twenty Heavens. The Gods of the Twenty Heavens, covered in gold, line the eastern and western sides of the Grand Hall.Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Gods of the Twenty Heavens. The Gods of the Twenty Heavens, covered in gold, line the eastern and western sides of the Grand Hall. Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Gods of the Twenty Heavens. The Gods of the Twenty Heavens, covered in gold, line the eastern and western sides of the Grand Hall. Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Gods of the Twenty Heavens. The Gods of the Twenty Heavens, covered in gold, line the eastern and western sides of the Grand Hall. Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Guanyin, Sudhana and his 53 teachers. A large golden statue of Guanyin stands on at northern entrance to the Great Hall, with Sudhana at Guanyin's side and sculptures representing the 53 teachers of his life above.Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Statues of 53 teachers of . Guanyin, Sudhana This represents the 53 teachers of his life Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Statues of 53 teachers of . Guanyin, Sudhana This represents the 53 teachers of his life Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Statues of 53 teachers of . Guanyin, Sudhana This represents the 53 teachers of his life Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
18 Arhats. 18 unique golden arhats( An enlightened person.) stand in two groups of nine. Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
18 Arhats. 18 unique golden arhats( An enlightened person.) stand in two groups of nine. Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
18 Arhats. 18 unique golden arhats( An enlightened person.) stand in two groups of nine. Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
18 Arhats. 18 unique golden arhats( An enlightened person.) stand in two groups of nine. Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Intricately carved stone piller .Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Intricately carved stone piller .Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Intricately carved jade piller displayed in glass case .Poor picture quality due to reflections in the glass..Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai, China.
Hundreds of lanterns decorating,Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai,
Hundreds of lanterns decorating,Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai,
Hundreds of lanterns decorating,Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai,
Reclining Jade Buddha carved in whole white jade.Jade BuddhaTemple,Shanghai,
Saved the best for the last.
Reclining Jade Buddha.The sparkling and crystal-clear white jade gives the Buddha the beauty serene expression .
At Jade Buddha Temple I would have taken minimum of one day to see it properly,we,being in a group spent about 50 minutes and left to go for lunch. Well ! As some one would say some thing is better than notthing,so at least had the satisfaction of having paid a flying visit to this woderful place :-).
Had lunch at Kebabs on the Grill which is located at a place called Cool Docks . It was a place developed to house various foody places , restaurants , Bars and clubs with a specious courtyard with water tank having fountains , cherry trees etc around 2008. Today it has become the "in place" for the young crowd to gather to wine , dine and have a good time.
From there left for Longyang Road Maglev(Derived from Magnetic Lavitation) Train Station,for a ride on Maglav Train .
The station also houses Shanghai Maglev Museum so we started by visiting it first.
Museum exhibits interactive exhibits including Transrapid Assemble Game, and Cycling. The museum has lots of models of the Shanghai Maglev.It is composed of five sections :
1. Birth of the Maglev : The section named "Birth of the Maglev" describes how the maglev technologies were started. It includes models of the first maglevs.
2. Maglev Shanghai Line : The section named "Maglev Shanghai Line" describes the history of the Shanghai Maglev. Many models are located in this section.The Shanghai Maglev Train,is the first commercial maglev line in the world, which was developed by China and Germany, completed in 2002 after over one year’s construction and began its commercial operation from Jan. 4th, 2003. The train was designed with a speed of 430km per hour, and the average speed is 380km per hour,Maglev train is also known as the Transrapid, The line connects Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station on the outskirts of central Pudong, Shanghai. It covers a distance of 30.5 kilometres (19.0 mi) in 8 minutes. The Shanghai system was labeled a white elephant by rivals.
3. Maglev Technology : The section named "Maglev Technology" describes the modern technology of the maglev.I feel rather than leave it at that , this is the proper place to briefly explan in a nut shell what is it.
Maglev (derived from magnetic levitation) is a transport method that uses magnetic levitation to move vehicles without touching the ground. With maglev, a vehicle travels along a guideway using magnets to create both lift and propulsion, thereby reducing friction by a great extent and allowing very high speeds.
4. Maglev Superiorities : The section named "Maglev Superiorities" describes the advantages of the maglev.
5. Prospects For The Maglev : The section named " Prospects For The Maglev" describes the future of the maglev. The interactives Transrapid Assemble Game and Cycling are located on this exhibit.
After familiarising ourselves with the Maglev by going through the museum ,we went to the plateform to await arrival of the train.Within 10 to 20 minuts we saw the the train approaching from Pudong side.Train runs between Pudong and Longyang Road. The same train which had come would return and keep repeating the pattern during its hours of operation.After about 20 mts of halt it started return journey.The coaches were airconditioned , seats very specious and comfortable.Both ends of the coach had digital read out showing real time speed of the train. Acceleration was quite high and within seconds we reached 380 KMPH, there after acceleration was gradual then steadied at aroun 420 KMPH,for few minutes and then touched 431 KMPH for cpouple of minutes this was the fastest we had travelled by any sort of surface transport.God alone knows when we will ever travel at such speeds again. Speed there after dropped to 420 KMPH and remained steady till we decelerated to stopped at Pudong International Airport our dastination.After wait of 15 to 20 minutes started return journey to Longyang Road Station.What was most memorable and noticeable during the ride was absence of noise.Excepy very very faint swishing sound of wind caused by train passing through a tmosphere at such high speed.Another astounding fact was the smoothness of the ride,total absence of jolts, jerks and sideways movements felt on conventional railways.The ride was a real unique and unforgetable experience.
On the way to Longyang Road Station for maglev train ride.
Longyang Road Maglev Train Station - Shanghai. .
Shanghai Mag Lev Museum at Longyang Road Maglev Train Station - Shanghai. .
Photo and model Exhibition explaining theory of Maglev Train, at Shanghai MagLev Museum , Longyang Road Station - Shanghai.
Photo and model Exhibition explaining theory of Maglev Train, at Shanghai MagLev Museum , Longyang Road Station - Shanghai.
Photo and model Exhibition explaining theory of Maglev Train, at Shanghai MagLev Museum , Longyang Road Station - Shanghai.
Photo and model Exhibition explaining theory of Maglev Train, at Shanghai MagLev Museum , Longyang Road Station - Shanghai.
Waiting for the train.Priti,Madhuri and Dilip at Longyang Road Station - Shanghai.
Mag Lev Train arriving at Longyang Road Station .
Interior . The Mag Lev Train.
Interior . The Mag Lev Train.
Country side viewd from Mag Lav Train on the way to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Country side viewd from Mag Lav Train on the way to Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
On the both sides of Each coach digitial display indicates date and the train speed at that time.398 KMPH.
On the both sides of Each coach digitial display indicates time and the train speed at that time.425 KMPH
431 KMPH.This is the maximum speed on ground , at which we have travelled till date .
Journey completed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Journey completed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Out side view during return journey.
Information board at Longyang Rd Station.station. End of train ride.
After the Mag Lev Train ride next stop was Shanghai Science and technology Museum.Our guide had taken us at the entrance which was facing the Centuary Square .
As we entered we saw a large, a bit complicated but beautiful bronz sculpture of concentric circles/Rings supported by four dragons.Unfortunatly there was no information plaques or board at the site to tell us what was the name of the sculpture. I googled for the images and the data and came across concentric circle spheres very much like our bronz spheres . They were called Armillary Spheres. So I decided to call our sphere as "Armillary Sphere"
Fortunately OR unfortunately entrance to Under ground Mall / Market , also known as Local Fake Market was right next to Armillary Sphere. Majority dicided to go on a shopping spree rather than the Science Museum.Priti and I went around very big and extensive Mall selling every thing under the sun without buying any thing . After that went for dinner and went back to the Hotel.
To tell the truth we were sourly disappointed as we had missed out on Shanghai Science and technology Museum, considered in top ten Shanghai attractions and one of the best in China.
But than that is the story of Group Tours .
As per itenerary on the morrow, the 20 May 2015,day 14 of trip, we were starting our return trip home.
There were no sight seeing trips planned. Programme was to Leave hotel around 1100 hrs , Go to restaurant for lunch . Then leave for Pudong International Airportto catch our flight home.
We were catching Flight FM 9383 / MU 9882, of Dragon Air from Shanghai to Hongkong , Cathy Pacific fron Hongkong to Mumbai arriving Mumbai in the early hours of 22May 2015.Catch Indigo airline from Mumbai to Nagpur arriving by Nagpur noon of 22 May 2015,Day 15 th of the tour.
AND that would be the end of our memorable 15 days tour of Japan - China.
