St. Petersburg: Astounding Beauty by Peter the Great

There are few cities in the world that are as magnificent as St. Petersburg, Russia. The city was established by Peter the Great in the 1700s and although it has gone through rapid changes of decline and rebuilding, the city today combines a wonderful European feel with the intriguing Russian history. It is here that you can find the best culture of the country including monuments created by some of the best artists ever on earth including Rastrelly, Montferrand, and Rossi. There’s no doubt that when in St. Petersburg, you will never be at a loss for things to do.

Start your history tour by visiting the cabin that Peter the Great called home. St. Petersburg’s oldest building, it has only three rooms and is built of timber. It may be a far cry from the where world leaders live today but back in 1703 when Peter the Great was building his magnificent city, it was actually quite an abode. Take a tour inside and see how he lived by viewing some of his own personal artifacts as well as furniture within the cabin that was there during his reign. If you want to be witness to some more great architecture you may want to visit Smolnyi Cathedral. This building was also built for Peter the Great’s family as it was initially designed for his daughter Elizabeth. Because she could not inherit the throne, she instead stayed at the monastery which is still attached to the beautiful building. On the other side of the grand cathedral is a convent which is just as beautiful as the monastery.

And if you’re interested in seeing more architecture that was built by Peter the Great, you may choose to visit Petropavlovskaia Krepost or more commonly known as Peter and Paul Fortress. This building epitomizes what St. Petersburg is all about as it encapsulates the history and culture of the city. Here you can also see sights such as the Trubetskii prison, Peter’s Boathouse, and the Mint. Inside the cathedral you can also view the burial places of Peter the Great as well as many other Russian Tsars.

Another grand building that must be seen when in St. Petersburg is Peterhof. This magnificent palace needs at least an entire day dedicated to touring it as you want to make sure you have adequate time to spend at the Grand Cascaden, the golden statues, over the 150 water fountains and many other one of a kind sights in this beautiful building. Another residence that you may want to spend some time at is the home of Catherine the Great, which has been transformed into Ermitazh, or The Hermitage. Catherine the Great had collected four thousand paintings, which are now the main exhibits within the home. Those paintings are just part of the items that you can view here however as there are three million different pieces in total. Don’t feel badly if you don’t know where to begin – simply follow what catches your eye first!

Shanghai: A City of Contrasts

One of the most intriguing aspects of Shanghai is the stark contrasts of the city. This was once the poorest area of China and it is now one of the most thriving. Before World War II, Shanghai was a place of complete poverty but after the war and with the rise of communism, this beautiful place showed that it too could be one of the richest places on earth. It is here that you will see vibrant colors, unique architecture and of course, find plenty of things to do! Visiting Shanghai, China is truly visiting one of the most interesting places on earth!

Perhaps the most visited place in Shanghai is The Bund. This is a section of the city that lies right alongside the Huangpu River and it is always packed with tourists! They come for the shopping and dining experiences but stay for the breathtaking views. The Bund represents some of what Shanghai is all about as you can see in this area particularly all kinds of buildings in different architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance to name just a few. Along with the shopping there are also many beggars and local vendors who try aggressively for a quick sale of their faux designer names so just be sure to look at the name closely before handing over your money.

Another place to spend some time shopping is Xintiandi. This mall is the perfect example of the contrast that is Shanghai. The shopping center incorporates both traditional style stone buildings with modern buildings made of glass and steel. The stores range from independent Shanghai sellers to major chain stores and the prices vary along with the type of store. This area is known to be one of the more expensive areas of Shanghai although it is still in keeping with what is considered the norm in the United States. Xintiandi is also a great place to go to experience the wonderful nightlife that Shanghai has to offer as well as a theater that plays English-speaking films.

If you’re looking to learn more about the actual Chinese cultural, you may want to visit the Shanghai Museum. In this four-floor building you can see a wide range of exhibits including Ancient Chinese sculpture, bronzes, ceramics, jade, ancient and modern Chinese paintings, seals, and coins. Floor plans are available so you can make sure that you can go directly to the displays you are most interested in. Audio tours are also available for rent in the main lobby if you’re the type who likes to have a guide along the way. The Shanghai Museum also has a tea room with a variety of different teas and sandwiches to nosh on.

The Garden of Contentment is a garden where you can go to experience the true peacefulness that China is so well-known for. This is a huge attraction in Shanghai so it’s best to get there in the morning before the crowds strip it of its serenity. However, you will see all kinds of different patterns and materials and the design of the garden is truly worth seeing. Walls are built right on top of rocks and in one particular are of the garden, a dragon’s tail adorns the top of rocks. This garden may epitomize the beauty and vibrant atmosphere that is Shanghai.