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Hongqiao Haibao: the Daft Punk Mash Up

There’s a statue of a tree composed almost entirely of flowers at the intersection of Hongqiao Lu and Yan’an Lu in a park called Yanhong Green Land which I’ll call “The Flower Tree.” It’s an absolutely garish landmark for many reasons, but I think it’s best to pick on the blossoms. (Please don’t pardon that pun; it’s as bad as the landmark in question.)

First, the blossoms are a psychedelic blend of every color imaginable. It’s a rainbow assault on the eyes that makes our poor tree look like a genetic modification gone horrifically wrong, reminding me of that nightmarish future where I casually munch on a purple tomato. To be fair to the possible apologists for The Flower Tree, I am well aware that the “Hong” portion of Hongqiao means “rainbow” in Chinese. No excuse!

Second, the blossoms are so full that they completely obscure the base of the tree from everyone except the most attentive observer, creating what looks like a giant egg made of flowers. Hence, I and many people I know have called The Flower Tree the “Hongqiao Easter Egg,” much to the consternation of countless taxi drivers, who never had any idea what the F I was talking about.

But this post isn’t really about The Flower Tree. Just when you thought this particular spot of Shanghai couldn’t get more cartoonish or absurd, here comes the 2010 World Expo mascot Haibao doing his own version of “It’s A Small World” in all of its amorphous gumby-esque glory.

In order to celebrate the coming of the Expo, the Shanghai city government has erected seven new international incarnations of Haibao around the world: Polynesian Haibao in a lei and a grass skirt; Scottish Haibao with bagpipes and a kilt; Chinese Haibao with firecrackers and robe; Indian Haibao with turban and langot; Mexican Haibao with poncho, maracas and sombrero; American Haibao as a cowboy and Japanese Haibao with kimono and fan. While the weather is still nice, it’s a great place to go with your friends and grab some ridiculously tacky pictures in what is on its way to becoming Shanghai’s park for the absurd.

All of a sudden The Flower Tree doesn’t seem as terrifyingly ugly as it used to… Better city, better life? You be the judge.

- Tom Mangione

(Pictures by Jake Newby)

 

 

Indian Haibao looks even more like South Park’s Towelie than usual.

 

 

Bonnie Scottish Haibao wearing what looks like either a kilt purse or the red g-string recycled from Loveland.

 

 

Looks like Mexican Haibao just heard the news about free socialised medicine for illegal aliens in the US.

 

You heard wrong, says border control Haibao.

 

Haibao discovered Polynesia far earlier than even 1421 author Gavin Menzies previously thought.

 

Chinese Haibao, the under-aged pyrotechnician.

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