If Shanghaiist posted news of every tall building under construction in the city, this would be the world’s most boring website. Perhaps more boring than this one. Or this one. Or even this one. (Because of its exciting MIDI file, this one didn’t make our list).

But occasionally a new development catches our eye, like "The Peak" did when we walked past it yesterday. Although it’s currently just a hole in the ground next to the Hilton Hotel on Huashan Lu, The Peak already has its marketing department hard at work. Surrounding the construction site are huge billboards with slightly nauseating messages like “Unbelievable Shanghai”, “Life in Shanghai”, “Romantic Shanghai” and “The Magic of Shanghai”. The idea being that if you live at The Peak, this is what you'll experience.

We had to do a double take, however, when we saw one of the posters -- the one pictured above. “Beatings of Shanghai”? Sounds ominous. And we thought Shanghai was a safe place.

For the record, the Chinese characters 动感 (dong gan) mean something like “dynamic” or “vibe”. Which would have made perfect sense if it had appeared that way in English. But for a development that must be costing squillions of renminbi, we’re wondering why they didn’t fork out an extra 100 kuai for a better translation of their PR spiel.

Then again, why buck the trend?

Also for the record, The Peak -- according to its not-particularly-boring website -- will be a 40-story accommodation and retail complex aiming firmly at the high end:

Located at luxury commercial residence area, beside the state-guest passage, living with the distinguished personages, The Peak is leading the luxury life style in the city

An impressive building amid the avenues of its prestigious residency

The Peak offers concepts of luxury comfort and convenience where is in luscious and exclusive surroundings for a desirable lifestyle

Which makes us wonder if they meant “Bleatings” instead.

The Peak, though currently not much to look at, is at 322 Huashan Lu, near Changshu Lu.