They live there. They eat there. Their children attend school there. But most of all, they work there. They are the 17000 employees of EUPA, a “Factory City” in the southeast corner of China. EUPA’s massive workforce pumps out 15 million irons per year, millions of sandwich grills, microwaves, coffee makers and blenders. Now they are about to take the manufacturing world by storm with their introduction of solar powered products. The show will focus not on how the goods are made, but how the Factory City operates. It is a novel concept for the rest of the world but it has become a way of life in China, where a new industrial revolution is unfolding on a scale the world has never seen before.
Countries: CA
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Tuesday
Shanghai Racetrack – Put the pedal to the metal Shanghai style! See how three racecar drivers take their Formula Renault-class cars out on the brand new Shanghai International Circuit. Shanghai Architecture – Shanghai is renowned for its stunning collection of old buildings. Controlling the Weather – There’s a severe drought in Northern China and it is expected to get worse. Also in this episode: driverless autocars; rescue robots that can snake through earthquake and crash site disasters; how tea is harvested and processed; meet Ma Qingyun, China’s most innovative architect.
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Wednesday
It’s time for a royal tour as Stillwell and Ingram check out China’s Summer Palace. Highlights also include a look at Beijing’s National Swimming Centre and Peking Man. The National Swimming Centre was inspired by “the geometry of water bubbles.” Summer Palace – Engineers are taking a decidedly antiquated approach to restoring the Summer Palace. Peking Man – The Origin of Man is admittedly the hottest topic of debate in modern paleoanthropology. Also in this episode: how bronze bells are made using ancient methods; Chinese herbal medicine; discovering and training young athletes.
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Thursday
You can’t control the weather or workday morning traffic snarls… Or can you? From Zhangxiao, Stillwell and Ingram look at the ways Chinese engineers are masterminding the seemingly impossible. Traffic Management – Dominated by cars trying to navigate crowded roadways not designed for such heavy volume. Monitoring Sandstorms – Four years ago, immense clouds of dust particles from the western deserts of China and Outer Mongolia were large enough to be easily tracked across the Pacific Ocean by orbiting satellites. The Bells of Marquis Yi – The extraordinary Bronze Chimes of Marquis Yi are one of the most astonishing archaeological discoveries in recent times. Also in this episode: from silkworm to factory floor to the fashion catwalk, see how silk is made; the science of Tai Chi; the sustainable eco-village of Huangbaiyu.
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Friday
Featuring the glittering lights of Shanghai at night, Daily Planet Goes to China wraps up with a final episode full of ships, a sinking city, the Shenzhou 6 space mission and panda rehab. Shipbuilding – Shipbuilding and shipping are booming in China and the country is poised to become the world’s top shipbuilding powerhouse within a decade. Sinking Shanghai – Forget Venice. Shanghai, a city of 20 million people, is sinking. Panda Release – Last year 163 giant pandas were raised in captivity and more than half of them lived at the China’s Wolong Nature Reserve. Yeren – North America has Bigfoot; in the Himalayas, it’s the Yeti. Follow the hunt for Yeren, China’s mysterious mountain Wildman. Shenzhou 6 – Return to space with a look at the Shenzhou 6 mission and the exhaustive training the astronauts underwent for that mission.
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Halifax, Nova Scotia
Join Paul for a waterfront stroll as he takes in some flicks at the outdoor film festival.
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Quebec City
Paul heads to the old Quebec City for a ferry ride across the St. Lawrence River. Also, he dances until dawn on the Grande Allee.
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Calgary, Alberta
It’s the cowboy life for Paul on this trip as gets fitted for his own ten gallon hat and hangs out at Ranchman’s for some authentic ‘cowboy’ nightlife.