Odyssey to the East

Sun Wukong was a famous Chinese traveler, known for his ambitious pilgrimage to the west, and was loved by Shanghainese. Recognized for the signature golden band around his head and a staff for his travels, he was ever-ready to overcome trials and tribulations that crossed his ways. But like his companions, Zhu-Bajie - a womanizer with a hearty appetite of a pig, and Sha Wujing – the ugly water buffalo who lived by the river, their purpose of travel was not for leisure. It was to seek atonement following their banishment from Heaven. These powerful disciples were altogether hand-picked to accompany the Tang dynasty Buddhist monk Xuanzang in his quest to obtain the sacred Sutra in India.

Website link: http://www.shincyo.com/090523.htm

Journey to the West, was an adventure epic which continues to inspire the hearts of the young worldwide. If you ask your parents, they might recall ‘Monkey’ being aired on TV. Ask an Anime enthusiast, they might recognize the Japanese rendition of the series called ‘Saiyuki’, or ‘Dragonball’. Even the English musical band Gorillaz did their own take to promote the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as a special request from the BBC:

It seems that its influences are not only unique to Shanghai - It’s everywhere. So where did it all come from?

With the exception of Xuanzang, of whose travel accounts were directly inspired from, these figures were mostly imagined by a resigned imperial official, Wu Cheng’en. Nicknamed “Sheyang hermit” for his introversion, he was a Ming Dynasty poet grounded in the world of mythology, but would always promote moral values in his works. The accounts of his life were not many compared to the celebration of his literary achievements, but his former residence was being made into a memorial hall in Huai’an, which is next to Shanghai.  So if you feel adventurous, why not embark on a journey to explore the outer range of Shanghai city?

Website link: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/67545917