Here you can find images of landmarks, buildings, and other locations of China that were mentioned in the novel. Also available to you are maps that guide you where our main characters, Pearl and Joy, have walked past or visited. In addition, click on the links to be directed to more information about a China landmark and witness for yourself how it looked like to Pearl and Joy and how much that place has changed since then.
Shortcuts
Avenue Edouard VII, Bund, Canton, Cathay Hotel, Chang’an Boulevard, Chunghanhai, Custom House, Forbidden City, French Concession, Fukien, Garden Bridge, Garden Hotel, Great Hall of the People, Great Wall of China, Hangchow, Hollywood Road, Hong Kong, Hopei, Huaihai Road, Huangshan Mountain, International Settlement, Kowloon, Lo Wu Bridge, Lunghua Pagoda, Nanking Road, Nanning City, Pearl River, Peking, Shanghai, Shanghai Bank, Shanghai Club, Shanghai People’s Square, Soochow Creek, Star Ferry Terminal, Summer Palace, West Lake, Whangpoo River, Yangtze River, Yan’an
Avenue Edouard VII
 1938 |
 1913-1919 |
 |
 |
Avenue Edouard VII is now known as East Yan’an Road. Yan’an Road marks the beginning of Shanghai’s Bund, just as Avenue Edouard did back in the day. There is a continuation of the road now called the East Yan’an Road Tunnel that runs underground across the Huangpu River all the way to Pudong. Click here for an introduction to Yan’an Road’s past, as well as some information on how it is today.
Click to enlarge
Back to the Top
The Bund
 1930 |
 1941 |
 Daytime |
 Nighttime |
The Bund is one of the most famous landmark’s in Shanghai. Located next to Whangpoo(Huangpu) River, the Bund is a mile long stretch of Shanghai’s history. Back in the day, the Bund was the financial leader of China. Many bankers and traders from powerful countries, such as the United States, Britain, and Germany, made their home here, wanting to be a part of China’s biggest commercial hub.
Today, the Bund no longer is a financial leader, but that has not stopped it from becoming the biggest tourist spot in Shanghai. People from all over the world come to have a taste of this historic landmark. As of today, the Bund has 52 buildings, each one an architectural masterpiece, from a Gothic to an Art Deco style design. The Bund also provides a picturesque view of the city across the Whangpoo River called Pudong, a place many say is a “21st Century Bund.”
Click here for a general overview of the Bund. This website provides a brief history of the past and also current attractions of the Bund today.
Click here for an in depth view of Shanghai’s Bund. This website provides an overall history of the Bund, as well as detailed information on the many important building’s located there.
MORE>>
Back to the Top
Canton
 Guangzhou Bridge |
 Guangzhou |
 Daytime |
 Nighttime |
While called Canton by western speakers, Canton’s real name is actually Guangzhou. Guangzho, also called the “City of Flowers,” is the capital of Guangdong (Kwangtung) province, and to this day remains one of China’s most prominent cities. Tourist’s come to take in the many sights and attractions of this city, as well as discover it’s history that is well over 2000 years old.
Click here for a quick introduction to Guangzhou. If just a brief summary of Guangzhou is what you’re interested in, this link provides just that.
Click here for the most in depth look at the past, present, and future of Guangzhou. This website is dedicated to anything and everything Guangzhou, having subjects from the history to the current nightlife of the city.
Click here for a website that provides information on many diverse topics, varying from Guangzhou’s language and customs, to even their different modes of transportation.
Back to the Top
Cathay Hotel
 |
 |
 Daytime |
 Nighttime |
Opened in 1929,The Cathay Hotel was known as the “Number One mansion in the Far East,” due to it’s excellent location on the Bund and it’s tales of luxury. This international hotel housed important people from all over, but lost some of it’s s brilliance during WWII, when the Japanese used it as headquarters.
Nevertheless, the Cathay Hotel (now known as the Fairmont Peace Hotel), remains a historic landmark of Shanghai. The hotel was closed in 2007 for refurbishment, but re-opened in 2010. Visitors come from everywhere to see this grand hotel and taste a piece of Shanghai history.
Click here for a history from the Fairmont Peace Hotel itself.
Click here for more information on the newly refurbished Fairmont Peace Hotel. This website provides more information of the new design of the hotel.
Click here to learn more about the hotel.
Back to the Top
Chang’an Boulevard
This is the street that is in between the Imperial Palace the Tian’An Men Square. Click here for more information.
 Click on the above image for more information. |
 Click on the above image for more information. |
Back to the Top
Chunghanhai
Chunghanhai is now known as Zhongnahai, which means “central and southern seas,” which mentions the two lakes located within the compound. Zhongnanhai is located in central Beijing near the Forbidden City. Its purpose is to serve as a holding compound for the Communist Party of China and State Council.
Click here to read about the military background and history of Zhongnanhai.
Click here to briefly learn about Zhongnanhai.
Click here for more background information about Zhongnanhai.
Click here to read an article by Time about Zhongnanhai.
Zhongnanhai has been home to the highest ranking members of the communist party since its founding in 1949. It is home to the governing bodies known as:
The building resides next to the Imperial Palace:
 Click on the image for more information. |
 Click on the image for more information. |
 For more information on the history of the “Chinese Kremlin” click the picture. |
 For some information on the history of the building known as the Zhong Nan Hai itself, click the picture. |
Back to the Top
The Custom House
The Custom House was first set up in 1684 after the Kangxi Emperor lifted the sea trade after conquering Taiwan. In 1927 it became an eight story building that resides along the Bund in Shanghai, and still remains a custom house today.
Click Picture
Click Picture
Inside Dreams of Joy 