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# Marvels of China and its culture depict the good life
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/marvels-of-china-and-its-culture-depict-the-good-life/
- Published: 2003-01-20T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:21:28.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*By Charles Springer*

I have been in Shanghai for about 10 days now, and there has not come a day when I am not amazed by Chinese culture and architecture.

They seem to build to last forever, and there is mass development here, which combines the old and the new. They have a tendency to work with the natural surrounding instead of exploiting it as most of the Western civilizations do.

Here in Shanghai the buildings both old and new are marvels of architectural beauty. They rise like delicate towers of crystal to greet the sun and have vastly different shapes — not just the square or rectangle shapes we see in America. Their use of glass, color and shapes is extensive. And they tend to not bring these beautiful structures all the way to the street, nor are all the streets squared off. There are wonderfully huge plaza spaces and actual round blocks on which some of these building sit. They believe that spirits travel only in straight lines and the curving paths confuse them.

This is the modern part of Shanghai. Old Shanghai is different.

The streets are narrow and lined with outdoor shops, restaurants and market places. Color seems to be the theme of both, however. Their use of color is exquisite. Each one seems to be in its place and looks like it belongs there for a purpose. The people, as I mentioned before, are quite friendly and are more than willing to help or hold a conversation. Smiles and greetings are the order of the day here.

Their gardens are another story. They have birds in cages, who seem quite content to sing for passersby, within beautiful flowers, trees and bamboo. And there are old and young alike taking their morning exercise, which consists of Tia Chi Chuen or actual sword practice or martial arts. As I mentioned in another column, their children respect their elders and parents here, and the mother is doting throughout their lives. The family structure is tighter than in America, and that is the reason homelessness is virtually nonexistent. The homeless that I have met are, with a few exceptions, working for their meals, not begging.

I honestly feel we as Americans have much to learn about and from this ancient culture. These people, though they live under the shadow of Communism, seem to go through life stress free and happy. Their workplaces are virtually stress free, this is because it’s more like hanging out with friends than work. They laugh and play while they work, yet their work is done in a very timely and professional manner. (Charles Springer is homeless in Santa Monica, but not in Shanghai.)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 20, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/012003.pdf?ref=smdp.com)