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Asia's Largest Train Station


Guest ShaQuaNew

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Guest ShaQuaNew

I've been reading and hearing a lot that the largest train station in Asia will be built right here in Nanjing. Little did I realize they would build it right next door to my office. Thousands of workers converged on the site, and began a massive operation, unlike any I've seen before. The growth and building in China is happening so fast. One day you walk down any street, and the next day it's altogether changed. Can be a bit overwhelming actually. I went to the top floor of our building, and took a few photos.

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/dvczb.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/33c3ubc.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2cqnxvn.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/5l5pb9.jpg

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Guest ShaQuaNew

I've noticed that it's hard to find information about what this new complex will look like, at least over here it is. I found a little information that the roof will gather solar energy to power the lights on the interior.

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Oh, this is a classic Chinese infra-structure project, all right---(great pictures SQN) ---Nanjing was the first Chinese (not HK) city that I set foot in---1997...

 

And as SQN knows, NJ has a substantial military presence.

 

After we touched down, the end of the runway had several old military aircraft from the Soviet era, including some stripped MIG's and a pile of what we (hoped) were practice bombs.

 

We arrived at the old airport, and were met with open hostility by the Customs officers checking our passports, and subjected to inquiries by one officer in broken English---we answered, but in reality, I don't think he understood what we said. But since none of the other officers understood any English, he looked like he was doing his job.

 

...and he had plenty of opportunity to deal with us---since we were the only flight into Nanjing during the whole experience we had at the airport. Particularly of interest was the baggage carrousel--- while we are used to sections which go round and round, and each segment is stainless steel----at the old NJ airport---they were made of thick leather. I found that fascinating, since it was obviously easier on the luggage..

 

But driving into the city was such a transformation.... that first experience with REAL China.. Everywhere along the route, the old buildings on either side---brick two stories were being torn down by hand labor, and loaded onto those old hand carts---probably 500 lbs. of brick on each, pushed by one guy. And children were everywhere, playing in the ruins even as the workers tore them down, dust everywhere----and this very weird experience as we drove by block after block----kids partly hidden by the dust of demolition, having a sword fight (with sticks) on the roof top of one building---even as its wall were falling... And one kid---seemingly the leader of the winning combatants, wearing this tall, tapered Dunce cap, in bright colors...

 

I turned to my travel companions---our reaction was the same----Fellini----that Nanjing China in 1997 was undergoing a remarkably similar physical (and psychological) transformation as was Italy at the end of WW2.

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Guest ShaQuaNew

Oh, this is a classic Chinese infra-structure project, all right---(great pictures SQN) ---Nanjing was the first Chinese (not HK) city that I set foot in---1997...

 

And as SQN knows, NJ has a substantial military presence.

 

After we touched down, the end of the runway had several old military aircraft from the Soviet era, including some stripped MIG's and a pile of what we (hoped) were practice bombs.

 

We arrived at the old airport, and were met with open hostility by the Customs officers checking our passports, and subjected to inquiries by one officer in broken English---we answered, but in reality, I don't think he understood what we said. But since none of the other officers understood any English, he looked like he was doing his job.

 

...and he had plenty of opportunity to deal with us---since we were the only flight into Nanjing during the whole experience we had at the airport. Particularly of interest was the baggage carrousel--- while we are used to sections which go round and round, and each segment is stainless steel----at the old NJ airport---they were made of thick leather. I found that fascinating, since it was obviously easier on the luggage..

 

But driving into the city was such a transformation.... that first experience with REAL China.. Everywhere along the route, the old buildings on either side---brick two stories were being torn down by hand labor, and loaded onto those old hand carts---probably 500 lbs. of brick on each, pushed by one guy. And children were everywhere, playing in the ruins even as the workers tore them down, dust everywhere----and this very weird experience as we drove by block after block----kids partly hidden by the dust of demolition, having a sword fight (with sticks) on the roof top of one building---even as its wall were falling... And one kid---seemingly the leader of the winning combatants, wearing this tall, tapered Dunce cap, in bright colors...

 

I turned to my travel companions---our reaction was the same----Fellini----that Nanjing China in 1997 was undergoing a remarkably similar physical (and psychological) transformation as was Italy at the end of WW2.

 

 

Great story Knl. With Nanjing being one of the oldest cities in China, it's now literally changing every single day. Before you know it, there won't be much of the old to see anymore.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Guest ShaQuaNew

The work continues on the railway station. We had extremely heavy rain yesterday that slowed them down a little bit, but as with most building projects in China, blink and you miss it. Here are a few more pics showing the progress:

 

:whistling:

 

http://i31.tinypic.com/jjmr9w.jpg

http://i27.tinypic.com/x2lc7p.jpg

http://i31.tinypic.com/2r2838j.jpg

http://i31.tinypic.com/2ink7t.jpg

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