O77, Shanghai is a mind-altering experience for sure. When I was last there I couldn't see across the street! But what I could see was incredible and amazing. I came away worried for China, though. I think they are going to start losing cheap factories to cheaper countries before they fully develop a middle class, and the population bubble will hit them hard as they have more old people and fewer young. 

I thought I was being pretty reasonable in my interpretation of ocean water rising, ascribing the abandoned towns to multiple forces. But waiting until the ocean has risen meters seems a bit foolhardy. Most frogs want to know well before the water starts boiling!