Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Hong Kong - Amusement Parks
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I have always believed that age is just a number. No matter how wrinkled one's face could get, the inner child is still there, waiting to explore wonders and discover amusing worlds. Even if I am in my late 20's, I could still say that I am a "kid at heart". I enjoy amusement and nature parks a lot. It brings out the kid in me and I could be awestruck as much as a 5-year old kid could be. When I go to new places, I feel invigorated and enthusiastic to venture towards the unknown. Similarly, Hong Kong provides an avenue for young ones and those who were once young.
Going to Disneyland has always been a wish for many children. In Hong Kong, this wish is granted. Situated in Lantau Island, Disneyland provides a world where fairytales become reality and characters come to life. Aside from having fascinating hotels, one could travel through the 4 lands in Disney based on stories of adventure and fantasy, namely the Fantasy land, Main Street, Tomorrow land and Adventure land. As the name implies, Fantasy land is a place where one could meet princesses and castle-characters.
Main Street gives an experience of the 20th Century American town where delights and entertaining programs await the explorer. Tomorrow land, on the other hand, is designed in a futuristic setting where one could ride an indoor roller coaster and meet aliens on the way. The adventure land is full of excitement for the thrill-seeker. It is a voyage in a boat towards a jungle where Tarzan and Simba await the adventurer.
Ocean Park is a world-class aquatic theme park. Located on the south end of Hong Kong, this zone is one of the largest ocean parks in the world with 170-acre land area. A cable car directly connects the two entrances to the park. One would be delighted to know that the park, because of its enormous expanse, has a lot of entertainment, fun and adventures to offer. Basically, Ocean Park does not only hold the oceanarium but also houses the marine mammal park as well as the animal theme park. In addition, attractions include the headland rides where Hong Kong's largest roller coaster, called The Dragon is found. One might also opt to see and visit the rare breed of pandas and the Panda Village. Furthermore, the marine land and the lowland gardens provide not only adventure but also new knowledge to the fun-chasers. Fond of watching shows? Ocean Park is proud to present the Ocean theatre, the Whisker's theatre and the Emperors of the Sky. These shows are world-class productions which leave one becoming more appreciative of the significance of animal life.
These are but 2 out of the many amusement parks in Hong Kong. Indeed, a week-long vacation in Hong Kong may lead a traveller to consider that there are so many places to visit in so little time.
For more information, read this article on hong kong travel and this article on hong kong travel deals.
After the bomb alert was lowered in an emergency plane in China
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Beijing .. Capital of the restive province of southern China region Urumequi after a passenger plane fly over to bomb threat at the emergency
Was lowered into position. However after the warning turned out the plane examined.
Security officials, citing Xinhua news agency said Thursday that the Guaangajou from Urumequi, a passenger plane of China Southern Cyarlayans capital of North West Province Aganso Lanmen off yesterday was safe.
All 93 of the aircraft after landing passengers and 18 crew members were immediately removed from the aircraft. Air Traffic Controller police official said the plane reported the bomb threat related.
Thursday morning by security personnel searched the aircraft but no explosive was found in the plane. Lanmen Public Security Bureau, said security officials are traveling on a plane all the passengers and crew members questioned. He said none of the aircraft did not bomb.
Interestingly, the local Muslim Uyghur Urumequi native Han Chinese people and between people last year was fierce ethnic conflict. In this conflict, while 200 were killed several hundred people were injured
China Sinking Like Greece Signals 65% Rally to Morgan
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
June 30 (Bloomberg) -- China, the worst-performing stock market after Greece, looks like a buy by almost any measure, according to top-ranked analysts of the Asian nation’s shares.
The Shanghai Composite Index’s 26 percent plunge this year, including yesterday’s 4.3 percent slump, sent its price-earnings ratio to 18, the lowest level versus the MSCI Emerging Markets Index in a decade. The largest owners of yuan-denominated stocks have turned net buyers for the first time since equities bottomed in 2008, while international investors are paying the biggest premium in 21 months to bet on a rally in funds that hold China’s yuan-denominated or A shares, data compiled by Macquarie Group Ltd. and Bloomberg show.
Morgan Stanley, BNP Paribas SA and Nomura Holdings Inc. say stocks will rally as China’s June 19 decision to end the yuan’s two-year peg to the dollar helps curb inflation and asset bubbles. The Shanghai index rose 62 percent in 12 months after China last allowed a more flexible exchange rate in July 2005.
“We are very bullish,” said Jerry Lou, the Hong Kong- based strategist at Morgan Stanley, among the top-ranked analysts for China stocks by Institutional Investor, who predicts the Shanghai Composite may climb 65 percent to 4,000 by June 2011. “We like valuations and inflation will peak. All we need is a catalyst such as a change in yuan policy.”
Prospects for a stock rebound may be cut as China’s exports face “strong headwinds” in the second half and loan growth may slow by the end of 2010, Citigroup Inc. said this week, even as the average of 14 economist estimates in a Bloomberg survey calls for economic growth of 10.2 percent this year and 9.2 percent in 2011.
The Conference Board yesterday revised its leading economic index for China, contributing to the biggest sell-off in Chinese equities in six weeks. Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., which priced the Shanghai portion of its $20.1 billion initial share sale, also drove banking stocks lower.
The Shanghai Composite fell for a sixth day today, losing 0.8 percent to 2,408.46 at 10:14 a.m. Its slump this year is second only to the 35 percent plunge in Greece’s ASE Index among the world’s 60 biggest stock markets, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Companies on the Shanghai gauge will increase earnings by 40 percent in 12 months, more than double the pace of the ASE, analysts’ estimates by Bloomberg show.
Rising profits reduced the Shanghai Composite’s valuation premium over the MSCI emerging index to 26 percent, down from an average of 140 percent since 1997, based on weekly price- earnings ratios compiled by Bloomberg. The last time the gap was so small in February 2000, the Shanghai Composite gained 27 percent in 12 months, while the MSCI measure sank 26 percent.
Lower valuations spurred the biggest Chinese investors to buy last month. Shareholders who own at least 5 percent of a company’s stock boosted their holdings by 1.1 billion yuan ($162 million), according to Macquarie analysts Michael Kurtz and Shirley Zhao in Shanghai, basing their analysis on data from Wind Information. Similar purchases in October 2008 signaled the end of the Shanghai Composite’s year-long bear market, with the gauge rallying 82 percent from its low on Oct. 28, 2008, through October 2009.
Yuan-denominated shares, restricted almost exclusively to local investors, fell below Chinese stocks traded in Hong Kong this month for the first time in almost four years, according to the Hang Seng China AH Premium Index. When A shares last traded at a discount in November 2006, the Shanghai Composite tripled in 12 months, outpacing a 156 percent gain in the Hong Kong benchmark index and a 58 percent rise in the MSCI gauge.
“The premium between A and H shares is disappearing,” said Hao Hong, Beijing-based global equity strategist at China International Capital Corp., the top-ranked brokerage for China research in Asiamoney’s annual survey. That indicates “foreign investors are willing to pay for exposure to China’s stocks.”
International investors pushed the price of BlackRock Inc.’s iShares FTSE/Xinhua A50 China Index exchange-traded fund to 11 percent above the value of its underlying assets last week, the highest level in almost two years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The fund trades in Hong Kong and tracks the 50 biggest A-share companies.
The Shanghai Composite fell 22 percent this quarter, lagging behind gauges in the other so-called BRIC markets of the largest developing economies, after China raised banks’ reserve requirements to the highest level in at least three years and curbed real-estate speculation. Property prices rose 12.4 percent in May from a year earlier, the second-fastest pace after April’s 12.8 percent record gain.
Brazil’s Bovespa index dropped 8.7 percent during the period and Russia’s Micex slipped 8 percent, while India’s Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive Index advanced 0.2 percent. The MSCI emerging gauge lost 7.6 percent.
The New York-based Conference Board corrected its April gauge for the outlook of China’s economy this week, saying its leading index for the country rose the least since November, rather than registering the biggest gain in 14 months.
A flood of new stock may also weigh on the market, according to Credit Suisse Group AG’s Sakthi Siva. Chinese companies will sell about 320 billion yuan ($47 billion) of new shares in Shanghai and Shenzhen this year as they fund expansion and banks bolster capital after a record amount of government- led lending, PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts.
Agricultural Bank’s share sale in Shanghai and Hong Kong is the biggest initial public offering since Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.’s $21.9 billion sale almost four years ago.
‘Quite Cautious’
“I’m still quite cautious,” Siva, the Singapore-based top-ranked Asia strategist in Institutional Investor’s 2010 poll, said in an interview. “There’s quite a lot of supply.”
Ending the fixed 6.83 yuan peg to the dollar should help “contain inflation and asset bubbles,” China’s central bank said in a June 20 statement. Inflation will probably peak at 3.7 percent toward the end of the third quarter then “level off” the rest of the year, according to CICC’s Hong.
Chinese authorities had prevented the currency from strengthening against the dollar since July 2008 to help exporters cope with the global financial crisis.
The yuan appreciated 21 percent in the three years after a managed float against a basket of currencies was introduced in 2005. Twelve-month non-deliverable forwards yesterday indicate investors are betting the yuan will strengthen 1.6 percent. A yuan revaluation won’t happen quickly or fix all of the global economy’s imbalances, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said this week.
China Vanke Co., the Shenzhen-based property developer that sank 37 percent this year, trades for 13 times reported profits, down from 35 times a year ago, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Earnings growth of 29 percent this year will help lift the stock 42 percent, according to analyst estimates on Bloomberg.
China Merchants Bank Co.’s 2.7 price-to-book ratio is near a record low relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Financials Index after the Shenzhen-based company declined 24 percent this year. The stock is poised to surge 49 percent in 12 months, according to analysts, who have 35 “buy” ratings and one “sell,” according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Consumer-related shares will benefit from a shift in the economy to increase domestic spending, said Leo Gao, who helps oversee about $600 million at APS Asset Management Ltd. in Shanghai, whose APS China Alpha Fund has beaten 87 percent of peers in the past year, according to Bloomberg data.
--Michael Patterson in London, Chua Kong Ho in Shanghai. With assistance from Zhang Shidong, Saeromi Shin, Chen Shiyin and Richard Frost. Editors: Allen Wan, Linus Chua
China keeps currency base rate, stocks rise
Monday, June 21, 2010
China central bank maintained the same base rate for exchanging its currency against the US dollar on Monday, after pledging to allow gradual appreciation of the yuan.The People’s Bank of China kept the daily mid—point of the yuan’s narrow trading band at Friday’s rate of 6.8275 to the dollar, it said on its website.But rates from China’s main commercial banks rose as high as 6.8110 yuan to the dollar, about 0.2 per cent higher than Friday
Read More On: beta.thehindu.com
Coal Mine Explosives Blast Kills 46 In China
BEIJING (Reuters) - An explosion at an illegally operated mine in Henan, China's third-largest coal producing province, killed 46 miners on Monday, while another 26 narrowly escaped, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.Six of the survivors were seriously burnt, added the China News Service.The 72 miners were trapped after stored explosives blew up at the Xingdong No.2 Mine in Pingdingshan in the central province of Henan, Xinhua said. The cause of the blast is not yet known.
read more:http://af.reuters.com
China cracks down on shoddy statues of Chairman Mao
China, no stranger to product quality scandals, will extend its crackdown to statues of Mao Zedong, the founder of the modern communist state, sold to tourists.
Tourists who flock to Mao's birthplace in Shaoshan in central Hunan province have complained that some statues they buy as mementos are substandard, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Read Full Story on in.news.yahoo.com
Pratibha Patil seeks closer India-China business cooperation
Monday, May 31, 2010
President Pratibha Patil today finished his first state visit to China ask the operators in the two Asian giants to expand "models of collaboration" that would address the concerns of both sides to create a long-term partnership and realize their true profitable potential. Describes the six-day visit to China as "very creative", said Chairman of the relationship between the two countries have the potential to turn out to be "one of the largest economic and commercial family members century".
Addressing the India-China Business Forum here on the last day of her visit, Patil said that there was a need to make India''s export basket pretty envoy of his jurisdiction. The first Indian head of state to visit China in a decade, she said India is ready to do more business and welcomed asset by Chinese companies.
"For a long-term corporation, it is important that we develop models of cooperation that takes into account the concerns of both parties. I'm sure that will happen yet, as our financial relationship unfolds, she says.
Lauder growth in bilateral trade from a modest U.S. $ 3 billion in 2000 to an impressive U.S. $ 52,000,000,000 in 2008, said the president was still "good place" for further growth. "India's export basket to China is not representative of India 'expertise in some areas - such as pharmaceuticals and technical products stand for only a small part.
Similar India's famous IT industry has a limited presence in the Chinese domestic market, "she said.”There is good reason to believe that we will achieve the goals we have set ourselves for one U.S. dollar 60000000000 sales of two-way trade this year," she added.
During her talks with his Chinese complement Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in Beijing, Patil had sought access to the Indian pharmaceutical industry, IT and engineering firms."I am convinced that there is political will and strength of mind on both sides to quickly expand the vistas of cooperation," she said.
In 2009, tilted the trade imbalance between the two nations strongly against India. China had trade surplus of 16 billion U.S. dollars compared to a total of USD 44 billion bilateral trade and exports to India almost touched $ 30 billion.
Patil also said the financial potential to be truly realized, business, financial and other economic institutions in both countries will have to get to know each other well and develop "adequate comfort." "The impact of our cooperation can be felt all through the world," she said.
US may turn a blind eye to China-Pakistan n-deal
Monday, May 24, 2010
Even as two noted American expert asked the United States to block China-Pakistan nuclear deal, Washington indicate that it would not get in the way if it was reliable with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) system.
"I do not know if this will come up under secretary’s come across in China this week, 'State Department lecturer PJ Crowley told reporters Monday when asked if the desk of State Hillary Clinton would take it up with her interlocutors in Beijing.
"We are chatting with China to a greater extent on the implication of this accord. It has a long history to it," he said when asked about China-Pakistan accord will come up on the ongoing strategic and financial dialogue with China in Beijing, and one with India here next week.
But we will try to ensure that this accord should go forward, it is in harmony with the rules of the Nuclear supplier Group, "Crowley said.
Crowley's commentary came as Lisa Curtis and Nicholas Hamisevicz, South Asia expert at the Heritage base, a Washington think tank, called the Obama management to block China-Pakistan deal with India and Pakistan had a very different sharing lines.
There are signs Obama management is softening its position on China-Pakistan Nuclear collaboration, they said, noting U.S. officials have avoided urgent China to move forward with a contract to supply two new nuclear reactors to Pakistan.
"The Obama administration's policy stands in contrast to the previous Bush administration, which actively sought to prevent further Chinese help for Pakistan's nuclear program," Curtis and Hamisevicz said.
"Given the wide sharing that was the result of the Pakistan-based AQ Khan network and the sustained concern over the survival of terrorist networks in Pakistan, wants access to nuclear technology-a nod from Washington to further China-Pakistan nuclear collaboration is short sighted, they speak.
The quarrel that the China-Pakistan nuclear reactor deal should be seen as the United States-India civilian nuclear deal "discount on large increase records of Pakistan and India, the different regulatory requirements in general compulsory by the United States against China, and presence of the Pakistan-based terrorist groups seeking nuclear weapons knowledge, "they said.
An Obama administration's decision to allow China and Pakistan nuclear agreement to facilitate unhampered would be a high-stakes diplomatic game, the two experts said. 'Beijing is likely to lower the American acceptance while ongoing only the most reluctant cooperation of America's uppermost international priorities. “
"While Pakistan's greater than before access to civilian nuclear knowledge without adequate legal consistency and warrant represents a potential propagation threat and danger of nuclear refuge in the subcontinent," Curtis and Hamisevicz said.
Wang Presses U.S. on Lifting Export Controls to China
Sunday, May 23, 2010
China pressed the United States to give a timetable for relaxing restrictions on technology exports Commerce The Secretary Gary Locke pledged to curb the number of products subject to restrictions.
"China is pleased that U.S. initiative to relax U.S. export controls," Wang Qishan, Vice Premier of China, said at the beginning of the security and economic dialogue in Beijing today. "We hope to hear from the American side in detail a timetable and roadmap for the gradual removal of barriers on high-tech exports to China."
Chinese officials, entrepreneurs, students, and journalists have been questioned by U.S. restrictions require licenses for export of civilian technology that could have military purposes under Locke's weeklong trade mission to China.
Locke said a review of the controls that would curb the number of elements covered by the measures and impose tighter restrictions on these lines will be completed this summer.
"We look forward to continuing to work with the Chinese government on non-proliferation and with Chinese companies on export control compliance practices are in accordance with international standards," Kevin Griffis, a Commerce spokesman, said in an e-mail. Still "the impact of U.S. export restrictions on high-tech trade with China is very small."
Of the $ 63400000000 in U.S. exports to China in 2009, only 0.3 percent demanded a trade license under the Commerce Ministry data. Less than 2 percent of all such applications to China were rejected, it said.
Wang also pressed the U.S. to give China the so-called market economy status, a designation that could limit the size of anti-dumping duties on Chinese goods. This change requires China meet the legal barriers to employment and foreign exchange markets, "says Locke, 19 May
Clinton presses China on trade access ahead of talks
Saturday, May 22, 2010
American companies deserve "fair access" to the Chinese administration procurement and transparent rules from the large Asian economy, "said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday, pushing for increased profitable right of entry.
Speaking in China's profitable epicenter, Shanghai, one day before the start of high-level planned and financial dialogue (S & ED) in Beijing, Clinton stressed the importance of U.S. economic concerns in family members with China.
"In the coming days, officials at the highest level of our two government to discuss matters of financial balance and spirited," Clinton said in a speech in a huge hangar at the airport, Shanghai, referring to the Beijing assembly.
"Transparency in rule making and principles, non-discrimination, evenhanded access for sale to private and public purchaser in both the strong enforcement of thinker property rights are very important in the 21st century global economy," Clinton told the spectators in the U.S. and Chinese business cream of the crop.
"U.S. company wishing to compete in China, she says, position in front of a Boeing 737" They want to sell goods made by American workers to China consumers with rising income and mounting command. "
Clinton's remarks underline the major economic concerns will loom the two-day S & ED meeting pushed for concentration with a host of other issues, counting North Korea.
U.S. annual trade gap with China fell to $ 226 800 000 000 in 2009, down from a evidence high $ 268.0 billion in 2008. But Obama management is keen to lift exports and employ, and the deficit is still a point of friction with Beijing.
The inequity has resulted in accusations by the U.S. Congress and the industry that China manipulate its currency for inequitable trade advantage by keeping the price of its yuan artificially low alongside the dollar.
But U.S. and Chinese officials have harassed that the meeting in Beijing will not be under enemy control by the yuan.
Instead, Clinton followed the other American officials have tried to focus on policies that they claim could unfairly block U.S. companies looking for clientele in China.
American officials say they are chiefly concerned about China's "indigenous modernization" program to promote home-made knowledge, which they say creates obstacles for foreign company wishing to win public contracts for high-tech equipment, energy technology and other advanced foodstuffs.
China says its procurement rules do not unfairly distinguish against foreign companies, but also in the previous month partly changed the rules for increasing disapproval from U.S. and Europe.
Clinton did not bring up the yuan issue in his speech. Usually she leaves commentary on the case to the U.S. Treasury Timothy Geithner, who was in Beijing Sunday ahead of meeting.
21 dead in China coal mine gas blast
Thursday, May 13, 2010
BEIJING: 21 miners were killed in a gas explosion in a coal mine in southwestern China, state news agency Xinhua Friday, according to rescuers.
The mishap occurred late Thursday in a coal mine in the city of Anshun in Guizhou Province.All known workers to be in the pit was recorded after the blast, as 10 staff fled to safety, Xinhua said.
The bodies of 21 other miners were found by rescuers in the mine, which was hit by an outbreak of toxic carbon monoxide, news agency Xinhua.
"We indoors at the mine to conduct rescue operations at midnight, and contributed to three of the survivors out of the shaft," a nickname rescue Zhao.
He said five of the 10 survivors were hospitalized after being disillusioned by carbon monoxide from coal-gas eruption.
Wang Shuhe, deputy director of the State management for the miners used the security is on the way to the scene. Yuan, Yang Colliery is a private mine was upgraded at the time of the misfortune.
Mine accident have become very common in energy-hungry China as security wide was ignored in the rush to get together rising demand for coal, source of about 70 percent of its energy.
Flooding in Shanxi was seen as uncomfortable for the government which has touted a reform program aims both to improve safety and close hazardous mines.
Rescue workers recovered 28 bodies from a mine in Inner Mongolia region, flooded in early March, state media report former this month.
Right Under her Nose
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Courtesy of the dailytelegraph.co.uk:
A rarely seen Buddhist flower, which blossoms every 3,000 years, has been discovered under a nun's washing machine The Udumbara flower was found in the home of a Chinese nun in Lushan Mountain, Jiangxi province, China.
The rare Youtan Poluo or Udumbara flower, which, according to Buddhist legend, only blooms every 3,000 years, measures just 1mm in diametre.
Miao Wei, 50, was cleaning when she discovered the cluster of white flowers under the washing machine.
At first she thought the barely-there stems were worm eggs, however, the next day she discovered that the stems had grown 18 white tiny flowers on top and smelled "fragrant".
Local temples believe the mini blooms are specimens of the miraculous Youtan Poluo flower - called "Udumbara" or "Udambara" in Sanskrit, meaning "an auspicious flower from heaven."
We've All Had Our Moments
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
When something embarrassing happens, there's only one thing to do. Put your head down and wait for the storm to pass. When I turned 18, I was under the impression that I knew all there was to know about life and decided to broaden my horizons and move overseas for a working holiday. The plan was two years, the reality was a week. Yes, a whole seven days, mostly spent crying and missing home. So I hopped on the next flight out of there and came home to face the people I had bragged to. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life, I could share a few other whoppers with you but I really don't feel strong enough to even express them, my head is still very low, dodging bullets on those ones.
So when I read a story about a man that was caught doing the nasty with a married woman and decided to climb out onto the ledge, when her husband happened to come home, I couldn't help but feel so very sorry for him. To make matters worse, he was naked and filmed by a neighbour. This happened in China, so you can imagine how much sympathy they feel for him. He's been shunned by his communities and even mocked about the size of his penis. Ouch..... how did he handle it? He stated that he had shamed his family and that just for the record, it was a really cold day. There's no getting out of that one. My advice Sun Meng, just keep your mouth shut and ride the train to forgottenville. That's the beauty of the situation, yes he'll be remembered for his theatrics on a building ledge but someone else out there is going to make a mistake and draw attention away from this embarrassing moment.
Embarrassing moments offer us insights into who we are as people, our mistakes and our actions. For instance, I was taught,at the tender age of 18, that I wasn't as savvy and wise as I had first thought and that I needed to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and that's when I discovered my love for writing, it's been my passion since then and has allowed me to follow a career that's as challenging and exciting as I thought it would be. Every day is a new chance to express myself and my ideas while molding and shaping the words that inspire me. I can't speak for Sun Meng but I'm sure there's a valuable lesson in there somewhere, the first thing that pops into my mind, is not to dip your pen in someone else ink but who knows what he learns from this? It's really up to him to find out.
So instead of banging your head against a wall, try and find out what the universe is trying to tell you and after time, have a really good laugh about it, it's very therapeutic.
So when I read a story about a man that was caught doing the nasty with a married woman and decided to climb out onto the ledge, when her husband happened to come home, I couldn't help but feel so very sorry for him. To make matters worse, he was naked and filmed by a neighbour. This happened in China, so you can imagine how much sympathy they feel for him. He's been shunned by his communities and even mocked about the size of his penis. Ouch..... how did he handle it? He stated that he had shamed his family and that just for the record, it was a really cold day. There's no getting out of that one. My advice Sun Meng, just keep your mouth shut and ride the train to forgottenville. That's the beauty of the situation, yes he'll be remembered for his theatrics on a building ledge but someone else out there is going to make a mistake and draw attention away from this embarrassing moment.
Embarrassing moments offer us insights into who we are as people, our mistakes and our actions. For instance, I was taught,at the tender age of 18, that I wasn't as savvy and wise as I had first thought and that I needed to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and that's when I discovered my love for writing, it's been my passion since then and has allowed me to follow a career that's as challenging and exciting as I thought it would be. Every day is a new chance to express myself and my ideas while molding and shaping the words that inspire me. I can't speak for Sun Meng but I'm sure there's a valuable lesson in there somewhere, the first thing that pops into my mind, is not to dip your pen in someone else ink but who knows what he learns from this? It's really up to him to find out.
So instead of banging your head against a wall, try and find out what the universe is trying to tell you and after time, have a really good laugh about it, it's very therapeutic.
Shanghai Experience
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Recently I had a chance to spend four days in Shanghai. It was a wonderful experience and I was not at all surprised to see that Shanghai is really a city which is developing itself prosperously and positively.
I was staying in a three-star hotel in which you can see as many foreign visitors as you can in a HK hotel. When I had the chances to go shopping in one of the busiest shopping streets, I found that things sold in HK can also almost all be found there, except that if you were expecting things to be there cheaper, then you would be absolutely disappointed.
All the meals I had were served in Shanghainese style - 8 cold appetizers followed my 8 hot dishes. All were very delicious. One would notice that Shanghai people are not the meat-eaters in HK. They tend to serve quite a few vegetarian dishes, except that they are able to think of many different styles of frying them in different sauces like cabbage in black bean sauce, stir fry green beans, various mushrooms fried in oyster sauce, etc. Do ask for more chopsticks and spoons if you want to be more hygienic since it seems that they do not have the practice as in HK of using a pair of shared chopsticks for everyone.
They seem to like serving dessert in the middle of each meal and a soup would come at the end. Tea is not served in the same way as in HK. Tea would be served but if you want a refill, you will have to ask for it and so this only can make the waitress busy enough.
We were a bit surprised to see that we were not served any meat buns in baskets which is one of the most famous food in Shanghai. Interesting enough we were told that these meat buns are not classy enough to be served to guests. At the end, we decided to go to the most famous place which serves these buns on our own in Yu Garden - Nan Cheong Man Tou Dian. Remember one thing, do not just go to the second floor because it only serves the typical meat buns at a price of 15RMB for 16 buns. Go to the third floor then you can experience the real crab meat buns which serves 6 buns at a price of 40RMB. A huge difference!
At the end of our trip, we took a chance to take the Transrapid Syatem which took us to the airport from the city in just 8 minutes. It is the fastest rail system in commercial operation in the world. At its top speed of 430km/h, it really gave us a thrilling experience and made the 50RMB worth the cost!
However, one strong disappointment hit us when we got to the airport. Knowing that we still had more than an hour before the departure gate closed, we hoped to enjoy a cup of coffee. Inside the restricted area, we failed to find any proper cafes and the only place we found offered proper coffee at a price of 48RMB and instant coffee at a price of 28RMB. Considering that the area was not particularly well-kept, coffee at such a price was obviously not worthwhile.
All in all, the experience was a very good one. I am sure that Shanghai will continue to set as a good model for many other cities to follow in China and we are proud of home country.
I was staying in a three-star hotel in which you can see as many foreign visitors as you can in a HK hotel. When I had the chances to go shopping in one of the busiest shopping streets, I found that things sold in HK can also almost all be found there, except that if you were expecting things to be there cheaper, then you would be absolutely disappointed.
All the meals I had were served in Shanghainese style - 8 cold appetizers followed my 8 hot dishes. All were very delicious. One would notice that Shanghai people are not the meat-eaters in HK. They tend to serve quite a few vegetarian dishes, except that they are able to think of many different styles of frying them in different sauces like cabbage in black bean sauce, stir fry green beans, various mushrooms fried in oyster sauce, etc. Do ask for more chopsticks and spoons if you want to be more hygienic since it seems that they do not have the practice as in HK of using a pair of shared chopsticks for everyone.
They seem to like serving dessert in the middle of each meal and a soup would come at the end. Tea is not served in the same way as in HK. Tea would be served but if you want a refill, you will have to ask for it and so this only can make the waitress busy enough.
We were a bit surprised to see that we were not served any meat buns in baskets which is one of the most famous food in Shanghai. Interesting enough we were told that these meat buns are not classy enough to be served to guests. At the end, we decided to go to the most famous place which serves these buns on our own in Yu Garden - Nan Cheong Man Tou Dian. Remember one thing, do not just go to the second floor because it only serves the typical meat buns at a price of 15RMB for 16 buns. Go to the third floor then you can experience the real crab meat buns which serves 6 buns at a price of 40RMB. A huge difference!
At the end of our trip, we took a chance to take the Transrapid Syatem which took us to the airport from the city in just 8 minutes. It is the fastest rail system in commercial operation in the world. At its top speed of 430km/h, it really gave us a thrilling experience and made the 50RMB worth the cost!
However, one strong disappointment hit us when we got to the airport. Knowing that we still had more than an hour before the departure gate closed, we hoped to enjoy a cup of coffee. Inside the restricted area, we failed to find any proper cafes and the only place we found offered proper coffee at a price of 48RMB and instant coffee at a price of 28RMB. Considering that the area was not particularly well-kept, coffee at such a price was obviously not worthwhile.
All in all, the experience was a very good one. I am sure that Shanghai will continue to set as a good model for many other cities to follow in China and we are proud of home country.
Thanks To A Beluga Whale
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
I love these kind of stories. The kind of stories that put a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart, I'm feeling quite good today, can you tell? (wink) In china Yang Yun was competing in a free diving competition that required participants to sink to the bottom of a 20 foot arctic pool and stay there for as long as possible. That really doesn't sound exciting to me but different strokes I suppose.
She went under and stayed there for as long as she possibly could and just as she was about to resurface her legs started to cramp. That can only be described as someones worst nightmare. Stuck at the bottom of a freezing cold pool and feeling your lungs about to burst. As she struggled to make her way to the surface, survival instincts kicking in, she felt an incredible force underneath her pushing her up. I didn't mention this before but the tank had a couple of Beluga Whales in it. Mila, a very popular Beluga Whale, saw the diver struggling and pushed Yang Yun to the surface with her nose. This particular whale is known for her sensitivity and how well she works with humans and Yang Yun owes her life to this incredible creature.
Now this is a story for the grandchildren, the day granny was saved by a Beluga Whale. Animals amaze me every day and just for interests sake the Beluga Whale is among the first whales that interacted with humans and they have facial muscles that allow them to smile. How adorable is that?? I think a round of applause is in order for Mila, good on you big girl! Tourism Radio gives you a flipper high five!
I Hate Being Liminal - on the transition to home from a trip abroad
Friday, July 17, 2009
[Photo: View of the Li River from my conference hotel in Yangshuo, China]I think I just experienced one of the longest travel-related liminal experiences ever (at least for me).Liminal experiences are those that are characterized by transitions from one state of being to another. Tourists experience liminality when they transition from a home-based state of being to a travel-based state.
The ChinaTourism
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The usual way to reach Chengdu by air is to connect via Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. A typical round-trip airfare from Los Angeles or a major European hub is US$1400, but this can be considerably reduced if you book through a consolidator. A consolidator is a discount ticket shop; they exist in most international air hub cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, etc. You can find them by consulting the travel section of your local newspaper.
From the United States, there are three ways to go:
1. Cheap. Use a Chinese carrier such as China Eastern Airlines, fly from the West Coast to Guangzhou, then change planes to Chengdu. Mainland Chinese carriers offer service that’s inferior to some others (for example, United or Cathay), but if it saves you $500 it might be worth it. They are usually more flexible on date changes and last minute bookings, than U.S. carriers. Total RT airfare might be as low as $800 -$900.
2. Cushy. Fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, changing to Dragonair to continue on to Chengdu. Cathay has got the nicest service we know about on this route. Dragonair is great also, but they are really expensive $600-700 for the HKG-CTU roundtrip portion alone. Total bill $1400 -$1600. If you have to overnight in a Hong Kong hotel, you will spend lots more.
3. Compromise for the adventurous. Fly on a U.S. carrier to Hong Kong, take the train to Kowloon Station, taxi or walk 3-4 blocks to Hong Kong Ferry Terminal, then ride the ferry across the border to the Shenzhen Airport. A free shuttle bus takes you from the dock to the airport. From here you can fly to Chengdu for about $130 one way, or more like $160 when you add in the ferry ticket. Lots and lots of people do this. Chinese airlines are usually pretty good with last minute bookings - you can get a seat, and often the ticket is cheaper this way than when bought in advance. Also, the ferry is really nice.
Upon entering China, where ever you change planes from an international flight to a domestic one, you will have to go through customs and immigration, change some money, go to the domestic terminal and check in again. Look for a kiosk where you pay the airport tax of 50 yuan (about $6); you need this receipt to get thru security and on the plane.
It is even cheaper if you travel across China by rail, and not a bad way to see the countryside. Consult a guidebook such as Lonely Planet, or a travel agent.
Important notes about Hong Kong
(1) Handover not withstanding, citizens of most western countries still do not need to obtain a visa in advance to visit; and (2) This is the quickest place to get a visa for the mainland. If you don’t mind paying an extra fee, you can get your Chinese visa in as little as three hours.
Other air routes
NEW: there is now service from Seoul, Korea direct to Chengdu, on Asiana. They offer some of the cheapest prices available.
Other air routes to Chengdu include Kathmandu-Lhasa-Chengdu or Bangkok-Kunming-Chengdu or Singapore-Chengdu. These routes are not served every day. Transiting in Lhasa may require a special permit.
Travel during the busy Chinese New Year season is crowded and difficult, owing to huge crowds heading home to their families for this biggest Chinese holiday of the year. Book far in advance and avoid train and bus travel.
On arrival in Chengdu
There are airport buses which take you (after a number of stops) to the airline booking office in the center of town, next to a big hotel called the Minshan Hotel. From here you can walk ten minutes to the Traffic Hotel. (Jiaotong Fandian in Chinese) which is the backpacker hangout. Very friendly, about $20 a night for a standard double with bath, including breakfast. They have bathless single rooms for maybe $10, very decent also. Any Chengdu guide book will tell you about the Traffic Hotel. There are lots of other hotels in town, some of which offer better value for the money, but none that is so convenient for the non-Chinese speaking traveler on his or her way to Kham.
If you want more luxurious accommodation, the Tibet Hotel (Xizang Fandian) has Tibetan-themed decor. (Note: few, if any, of the employees at the Tibet Hotel are actually Tibetan). Other upscale choices are the Jinjiang Hotel and the Minshan Hotel. The fanciest hotel in Chengdu is probably the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza. There are many many others, in all price ranges; see a China travel guide for the latest.
If you don’ t want to take the airport bus, just hail a taxi at the airport, and they will take you directly to your hotel, which you should have written down in Chinese characters or be able to make a stab at pronouncing. If the taxi driver is experienced, he may well assume that you are going to the Traffic Hotel. Make sure the driver uses a meter. There is a ten yuan toll that you, the passenger, have to pay to use the airport expressway.
Inside the airport the taxis are all the expensive variety: large cars, air conditioned. Cheap taxis are not allowed to pick up inside the airport. But it’s not far to the gate, and there you can get one of the littler taxis.
Remember: if it doesn’t have a working meter, then it’s not an official taxi, but a free-lancer. Ride at your own risk.
From the United States, there are three ways to go:
1. Cheap. Use a Chinese carrier such as China Eastern Airlines, fly from the West Coast to Guangzhou, then change planes to Chengdu. Mainland Chinese carriers offer service that’s inferior to some others (for example, United or Cathay), but if it saves you $500 it might be worth it. They are usually more flexible on date changes and last minute bookings, than U.S. carriers. Total RT airfare might be as low as $800 -$900.
2. Cushy. Fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, changing to Dragonair to continue on to Chengdu. Cathay has got the nicest service we know about on this route. Dragonair is great also, but they are really expensive $600-700 for the HKG-CTU roundtrip portion alone. Total bill $1400 -$1600. If you have to overnight in a Hong Kong hotel, you will spend lots more.
3. Compromise for the adventurous. Fly on a U.S. carrier to Hong Kong, take the train to Kowloon Station, taxi or walk 3-4 blocks to Hong Kong Ferry Terminal, then ride the ferry across the border to the Shenzhen Airport. A free shuttle bus takes you from the dock to the airport. From here you can fly to Chengdu for about $130 one way, or more like $160 when you add in the ferry ticket. Lots and lots of people do this. Chinese airlines are usually pretty good with last minute bookings - you can get a seat, and often the ticket is cheaper this way than when bought in advance. Also, the ferry is really nice.
Upon entering China, where ever you change planes from an international flight to a domestic one, you will have to go through customs and immigration, change some money, go to the domestic terminal and check in again. Look for a kiosk where you pay the airport tax of 50 yuan (about $6); you need this receipt to get thru security and on the plane.
It is even cheaper if you travel across China by rail, and not a bad way to see the countryside. Consult a guidebook such as Lonely Planet, or a travel agent.
Important notes about Hong Kong
(1) Handover not withstanding, citizens of most western countries still do not need to obtain a visa in advance to visit; and (2) This is the quickest place to get a visa for the mainland. If you don’t mind paying an extra fee, you can get your Chinese visa in as little as three hours.
Other air routes
NEW: there is now service from Seoul, Korea direct to Chengdu, on Asiana. They offer some of the cheapest prices available.
Other air routes to Chengdu include Kathmandu-Lhasa-Chengdu or Bangkok-Kunming-Chengdu or Singapore-Chengdu. These routes are not served every day. Transiting in Lhasa may require a special permit.
Travel during the busy Chinese New Year season is crowded and difficult, owing to huge crowds heading home to their families for this biggest Chinese holiday of the year. Book far in advance and avoid train and bus travel.
On arrival in Chengdu
There are airport buses which take you (after a number of stops) to the airline booking office in the center of town, next to a big hotel called the Minshan Hotel. From here you can walk ten minutes to the Traffic Hotel. (Jiaotong Fandian in Chinese) which is the backpacker hangout. Very friendly, about $20 a night for a standard double with bath, including breakfast. They have bathless single rooms for maybe $10, very decent also. Any Chengdu guide book will tell you about the Traffic Hotel. There are lots of other hotels in town, some of which offer better value for the money, but none that is so convenient for the non-Chinese speaking traveler on his or her way to Kham.
If you want more luxurious accommodation, the Tibet Hotel (Xizang Fandian) has Tibetan-themed decor. (Note: few, if any, of the employees at the Tibet Hotel are actually Tibetan). Other upscale choices are the Jinjiang Hotel and the Minshan Hotel. The fanciest hotel in Chengdu is probably the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza. There are many many others, in all price ranges; see a China travel guide for the latest.
If you don’ t want to take the airport bus, just hail a taxi at the airport, and they will take you directly to your hotel, which you should have written down in Chinese characters or be able to make a stab at pronouncing. If the taxi driver is experienced, he may well assume that you are going to the Traffic Hotel. Make sure the driver uses a meter. There is a ten yuan toll that you, the passenger, have to pay to use the airport expressway.
Inside the airport the taxis are all the expensive variety: large cars, air conditioned. Cheap taxis are not allowed to pick up inside the airport. But it’s not far to the gate, and there you can get one of the littler taxis.
Remember: if it doesn’t have a working meter, then it’s not an official taxi, but a free-lancer. Ride at your own risk.
The ChinaTourism
The usual way to reach Chengdu by air is to connect via Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Shanghai. A typical round-trip airfare from Los Angeles or a major European hub is US$1400, but this can be considerably reduced if you book through a consolidator. A consolidator is a discount ticket shop; they exist in most international air hub cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, etc. You can find them by consulting the travel section of your local newspaper.
From the United States, there are three ways to go:
1. Cheap. Use a Chinese carrier such as China Eastern Airlines, fly from the West Coast to Guangzhou, then change planes to Chengdu. Mainland Chinese carriers offer service that’s inferior to some others (for example, United or Cathay), but if it saves you $500 it might be worth it. They are usually more flexible on date changes and last minute bookings, than U.S. carriers. Total RT airfare might be as low as $800 -$900.
2. Cushy. Fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, changing to Dragonair to continue on to Chengdu. Cathay has got the nicest service we know about on this route. Dragonair is great also, but they are really expensive $600-700 for the HKG-CTU roundtrip portion alone. Total bill $1400 -$1600. If you have to overnight in a Hong Kong hotel, you will spend lots more.
3. Compromise for the adventurous. Fly on a U.S. carrier to Hong Kong, take the train to Kowloon Station, taxi or walk 3-4 blocks to Hong Kong Ferry Terminal, then ride the ferry across the border to the Shenzhen Airport. A free shuttle bus takes you from the dock to the airport. From here you can fly to Chengdu for about $130 one way, or more like $160 when you add in the ferry ticket. Lots and lots of people do this. Chinese airlines are usually pretty good with last minute bookings - you can get a seat, and often the ticket is cheaper this way than when bought in advance. Also, the ferry is really nice.
Upon entering China, where ever you change planes from an international flight to a domestic one, you will have to go through customs and immigration, change some money, go to the domestic terminal and check in again. Look for a kiosk where you pay the airport tax of 50 yuan (about $6); you need this receipt to get thru security and on the plane.
It is even cheaper if you travel across China by rail, and not a bad way to see the countryside. Consult a guidebook such as Lonely Planet, or a travel agent.
Important notes about Hong Kong
(1) Handover not withstanding, citizens of most western countries still do not need to obtain a visa in advance to visit; and (2) This is the quickest place to get a visa for the mainland. If you don’t mind paying an extra fee, you can get your Chinese visa in as little as three hours.
Other air routes
NEW: there is now service from Seoul, Korea direct to Chengdu, on Asiana. They offer some of the cheapest prices available.
Other air routes to Chengdu include Kathmandu-Lhasa-Chengdu or Bangkok-Kunming-Chengdu or Singapore-Chengdu. These routes are not served every day. Transiting in Lhasa may require a special permit.
Travel during the busy Chinese New Year season is crowded and difficult, owing to huge crowds heading home to their families for this biggest Chinese holiday of the year. Book far in advance and avoid train and bus travel.
On arrival in Chengdu
There are airport buses which take you (after a number of stops) to the airline booking office in the center of town, next to a big hotel called the Minshan Hotel. From here you can walk ten minutes to the Traffic Hotel. (Jiaotong Fandian in Chinese) which is the backpacker hangout. Very friendly, about $20 a night for a standard double with bath, including breakfast. They have bathless single rooms for maybe $10, very decent also. Any Chengdu guide book will tell you about the Traffic Hotel. There are lots of other hotels in town, some of which offer better value for the money, but none that is so convenient for the non-Chinese speaking traveler on his or her way to Kham.
If you want more luxurious accommodation, the Tibet Hotel (Xizang Fandian) has Tibetan-themed decor. (Note: few, if any, of the employees at the Tibet Hotel are actually Tibetan). Other upscale choices are the Jinjiang Hotel and the Minshan Hotel. The fanciest hotel in Chengdu is probably the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza. There are many many others, in all price ranges; see a China travel guide for the latest.
If you don’ t want to take the airport bus, just hail a taxi at the airport, and they will take you directly to your hotel, which you should have written down in Chinese characters or be able to make a stab at pronouncing. If the taxi driver is experienced, he may well assume that you are going to the Traffic Hotel. Make sure the driver uses a meter. There is a ten yuan toll that you, the passenger, have to pay to use the airport expressway.
Inside the airport the taxis are all the expensive variety: large cars, air conditioned. Cheap taxis are not allowed to pick up inside the airport. But it’s not far to the gate, and there you can get one of the littler taxis.
Remember: if it doesn’t have a working meter, then it’s not an official taxi, but a free-lancer. Ride at your own risk.
From the United States, there are three ways to go:
1. Cheap. Use a Chinese carrier such as China Eastern Airlines, fly from the West Coast to Guangzhou, then change planes to Chengdu. Mainland Chinese carriers offer service that’s inferior to some others (for example, United or Cathay), but if it saves you $500 it might be worth it. They are usually more flexible on date changes and last minute bookings, than U.S. carriers. Total RT airfare might be as low as $800 -$900.
2. Cushy. Fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, changing to Dragonair to continue on to Chengdu. Cathay has got the nicest service we know about on this route. Dragonair is great also, but they are really expensive $600-700 for the HKG-CTU roundtrip portion alone. Total bill $1400 -$1600. If you have to overnight in a Hong Kong hotel, you will spend lots more.
3. Compromise for the adventurous. Fly on a U.S. carrier to Hong Kong, take the train to Kowloon Station, taxi or walk 3-4 blocks to Hong Kong Ferry Terminal, then ride the ferry across the border to the Shenzhen Airport. A free shuttle bus takes you from the dock to the airport. From here you can fly to Chengdu for about $130 one way, or more like $160 when you add in the ferry ticket. Lots and lots of people do this. Chinese airlines are usually pretty good with last minute bookings - you can get a seat, and often the ticket is cheaper this way than when bought in advance. Also, the ferry is really nice.
Upon entering China, where ever you change planes from an international flight to a domestic one, you will have to go through customs and immigration, change some money, go to the domestic terminal and check in again. Look for a kiosk where you pay the airport tax of 50 yuan (about $6); you need this receipt to get thru security and on the plane.
It is even cheaper if you travel across China by rail, and not a bad way to see the countryside. Consult a guidebook such as Lonely Planet, or a travel agent.
Important notes about Hong Kong
(1) Handover not withstanding, citizens of most western countries still do not need to obtain a visa in advance to visit; and (2) This is the quickest place to get a visa for the mainland. If you don’t mind paying an extra fee, you can get your Chinese visa in as little as three hours.
Other air routes
NEW: there is now service from Seoul, Korea direct to Chengdu, on Asiana. They offer some of the cheapest prices available.
Other air routes to Chengdu include Kathmandu-Lhasa-Chengdu or Bangkok-Kunming-Chengdu or Singapore-Chengdu. These routes are not served every day. Transiting in Lhasa may require a special permit.
Travel during the busy Chinese New Year season is crowded and difficult, owing to huge crowds heading home to their families for this biggest Chinese holiday of the year. Book far in advance and avoid train and bus travel.
On arrival in Chengdu
There are airport buses which take you (after a number of stops) to the airline booking office in the center of town, next to a big hotel called the Minshan Hotel. From here you can walk ten minutes to the Traffic Hotel. (Jiaotong Fandian in Chinese) which is the backpacker hangout. Very friendly, about $20 a night for a standard double with bath, including breakfast. They have bathless single rooms for maybe $10, very decent also. Any Chengdu guide book will tell you about the Traffic Hotel. There are lots of other hotels in town, some of which offer better value for the money, but none that is so convenient for the non-Chinese speaking traveler on his or her way to Kham.
If you want more luxurious accommodation, the Tibet Hotel (Xizang Fandian) has Tibetan-themed decor. (Note: few, if any, of the employees at the Tibet Hotel are actually Tibetan). Other upscale choices are the Jinjiang Hotel and the Minshan Hotel. The fanciest hotel in Chengdu is probably the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza. There are many many others, in all price ranges; see a China travel guide for the latest.
If you don’ t want to take the airport bus, just hail a taxi at the airport, and they will take you directly to your hotel, which you should have written down in Chinese characters or be able to make a stab at pronouncing. If the taxi driver is experienced, he may well assume that you are going to the Traffic Hotel. Make sure the driver uses a meter. There is a ten yuan toll that you, the passenger, have to pay to use the airport expressway.
Inside the airport the taxis are all the expensive variety: large cars, air conditioned. Cheap taxis are not allowed to pick up inside the airport. But it’s not far to the gate, and there you can get one of the littler taxis.
Remember: if it doesn’t have a working meter, then it’s not an official taxi, but a free-lancer. Ride at your own risk.
Gifts in Chinese Culture
Chinese people have their own culture when it comes to giving friends or relatives presents.
When it is a new-born baby, usually jade or silver bracelet or necklace would be good, particularly ones which can make the clinging sound so it will make some noise when the baby moves. Alternatively, some children's clothes, shoes or gloves would be good too. When it is an older child, some toys or stationary would be good.
When it comes to some old people, something practical should be considered. A walking-stick, some valuable food such as bird's nests or Chinese mushrooms would be highly welcome.
For those who go to visit their prospective parents-in-law, something more valuable would be an option, such as some good wine or something meaningful.
If it is a family, a vase, some dining sets or pictures would be ideal.
It is not easy to think of something special for every occasion. So very often if it is not of any special visits, some fruits such as apples or oranges would be good enough.
It is important to know that giving someone gifts should not be a one-way business. Courtesy requires reciprocity. The person who receives the gift should find a chance in the future to return the same favour by returning a gift of similar value the next time you meet. You can do so simply by either paying a visit with a similar value gift or by inviting the friend out for a meal with you paying the meal. Don't do it right on the next day because it may appear awkward.
There are also some taboos to avoid in Chinese culture. Though modern Chinese don't seem to mind them so much, it is still necessary to know what would be suitable in an occasion.
Books would not be welcome in places like Hong Kong or Macau because the pronunciation of 'book' in Cantonese resembles the sound of 'loss'. Especially for those people who are frequent players in race course or Mark six, they would definitely not welcome this idea.
Umbrellas would not be welcome in most places in China because the pronunciation of 'umbrella' resembles separation. Of course nobody would like the idea of separation, particularly concerning your loved ones.
Clocks would not be welcome, particularly on someone's birthday because the pronunciation of 'clock' resembles termination, which means death. No wonder people don't like receiving clocks as birthday gifts.
If you want to give your friends some fruits, remember to buy an even number of them because odd numbers would bring bad luck. So buy 10 apples instead of 9.
Foreigners may find it awkward when your friend says 'You don't need to buy anything when you come here.', or 'Keep it to yourself. I have a lot of these'. He may not mean it. What you need to do is to insist on him receiving the gift since Chinese people do not tend to receive the gift immediately.
Don't mind it if he doesn't open your present immediately too. Chinese people would think opening the present in front of you would be impolite and so they would tend to put it aside and only open it after you have left.
These ideas can only be served as guidelines. Knowing that you come from a foreign culture and being more broad-minded to foreign ideas, Chinese people are nowadays more tolerant to things which are not in line with their culture. So, don't worry too much when you visit a Chinese friend or family. Maybe your exotic idea would bring them a lot of surprises!!
When it is a new-born baby, usually jade or silver bracelet or necklace would be good, particularly ones which can make the clinging sound so it will make some noise when the baby moves. Alternatively, some children's clothes, shoes or gloves would be good too. When it is an older child, some toys or stationary would be good.
When it comes to some old people, something practical should be considered. A walking-stick, some valuable food such as bird's nests or Chinese mushrooms would be highly welcome.
For those who go to visit their prospective parents-in-law, something more valuable would be an option, such as some good wine or something meaningful.
If it is a family, a vase, some dining sets or pictures would be ideal.
It is not easy to think of something special for every occasion. So very often if it is not of any special visits, some fruits such as apples or oranges would be good enough.
It is important to know that giving someone gifts should not be a one-way business. Courtesy requires reciprocity. The person who receives the gift should find a chance in the future to return the same favour by returning a gift of similar value the next time you meet. You can do so simply by either paying a visit with a similar value gift or by inviting the friend out for a meal with you paying the meal. Don't do it right on the next day because it may appear awkward.
There are also some taboos to avoid in Chinese culture. Though modern Chinese don't seem to mind them so much, it is still necessary to know what would be suitable in an occasion.
Books would not be welcome in places like Hong Kong or Macau because the pronunciation of 'book' in Cantonese resembles the sound of 'loss'. Especially for those people who are frequent players in race course or Mark six, they would definitely not welcome this idea.
Umbrellas would not be welcome in most places in China because the pronunciation of 'umbrella' resembles separation. Of course nobody would like the idea of separation, particularly concerning your loved ones.
Clocks would not be welcome, particularly on someone's birthday because the pronunciation of 'clock' resembles termination, which means death. No wonder people don't like receiving clocks as birthday gifts.
If you want to give your friends some fruits, remember to buy an even number of them because odd numbers would bring bad luck. So buy 10 apples instead of 9.
Foreigners may find it awkward when your friend says 'You don't need to buy anything when you come here.', or 'Keep it to yourself. I have a lot of these'. He may not mean it. What you need to do is to insist on him receiving the gift since Chinese people do not tend to receive the gift immediately.
Don't mind it if he doesn't open your present immediately too. Chinese people would think opening the present in front of you would be impolite and so they would tend to put it aside and only open it after you have left.
These ideas can only be served as guidelines. Knowing that you come from a foreign culture and being more broad-minded to foreign ideas, Chinese people are nowadays more tolerant to things which are not in line with their culture. So, don't worry too much when you visit a Chinese friend or family. Maybe your exotic idea would bring them a lot of surprises!!
Gifts in Chinese Culture
Chinese people have their own culture when it comes to giving friends or relatives presents.
When it is a new-born baby, usually jade or silver bracelet or necklace would be good, particularly ones which can make the clinging sound so it will make some noise when the baby moves. Alternatively, some children's clothes, shoes or gloves would be good too. When it is an older child, some toys or stationary would be good.
When it comes to some old people, something practical should be considered. A walking-stick, some valuable food such as bird's nests or Chinese mushrooms would be highly welcome.
For those who go to visit their prospective parents-in-law, something more valuable would be an option, such as some good wine or something meaningful.
If it is a family, a vase, some dining sets or pictures would be ideal.
It is not easy to think of something special for every occasion. So very often if it is not of any special visits, some fruits such as apples or oranges would be good enough.
It is important to know that giving someone gifts should not be a one-way business. Courtesy requires reciprocity. The person who receives the gift should find a chance in the future to return the same favour by returning a gift of similar value the next time you meet. You can do so simply by either paying a visit with a similar value gift or by inviting the friend out for a meal with you paying the meal. Don't do it right on the next day because it may appear awkward.
There are also some taboos to avoid in Chinese culture. Though modern Chinese don't seem to mind them so much, it is still necessary to know what would be suitable in an occasion.
Books would not be welcome in places like Hong Kong or Macau because the pronunciation of 'book' in Cantonese resembles the sound of 'loss'. Especially for those people who are frequent players in race course or Mark six, they would definitely not welcome this idea.
Umbrellas would not be welcome in most places in China because the pronunciation of 'umbrella' resembles separation. Of course nobody would like the idea of separation, particularly concerning your loved ones.
Clocks would not be welcome, particularly on someone's birthday because the pronunciation of 'clock' resembles termination, which means death. No wonder people don't like receiving clocks as birthday gifts.
If you want to give your friends some fruits, remember to buy an even number of them because odd numbers would bring bad luck. So buy 10 apples instead of 9.
Foreigners may find it awkward when your friend says 'You don't need to buy anything when you come here.', or 'Keep it to yourself. I have a lot of these'. He may not mean it. What you need to do is to insist on him receiving the gift since Chinese people do not tend to receive the gift immediately.
Don't mind it if he doesn't open your present immediately too. Chinese people would think opening the present in front of you would be impolite and so they would tend to put it aside and only open it after you have left.
These ideas can only be served as guidelines. Knowing that you come from a foreign culture and being more broad-minded to foreign ideas, Chinese people are nowadays more tolerant to things which are not in line with their culture. So, don't worry too much when you visit a Chinese friend or family. Maybe your exotic idea would bring them a lot of surprises!!
When it is a new-born baby, usually jade or silver bracelet or necklace would be good, particularly ones which can make the clinging sound so it will make some noise when the baby moves. Alternatively, some children's clothes, shoes or gloves would be good too. When it is an older child, some toys or stationary would be good.
When it comes to some old people, something practical should be considered. A walking-stick, some valuable food such as bird's nests or Chinese mushrooms would be highly welcome.
For those who go to visit their prospective parents-in-law, something more valuable would be an option, such as some good wine or something meaningful.
If it is a family, a vase, some dining sets or pictures would be ideal.
It is not easy to think of something special for every occasion. So very often if it is not of any special visits, some fruits such as apples or oranges would be good enough.
It is important to know that giving someone gifts should not be a one-way business. Courtesy requires reciprocity. The person who receives the gift should find a chance in the future to return the same favour by returning a gift of similar value the next time you meet. You can do so simply by either paying a visit with a similar value gift or by inviting the friend out for a meal with you paying the meal. Don't do it right on the next day because it may appear awkward.
There are also some taboos to avoid in Chinese culture. Though modern Chinese don't seem to mind them so much, it is still necessary to know what would be suitable in an occasion.
Books would not be welcome in places like Hong Kong or Macau because the pronunciation of 'book' in Cantonese resembles the sound of 'loss'. Especially for those people who are frequent players in race course or Mark six, they would definitely not welcome this idea.
Umbrellas would not be welcome in most places in China because the pronunciation of 'umbrella' resembles separation. Of course nobody would like the idea of separation, particularly concerning your loved ones.
Clocks would not be welcome, particularly on someone's birthday because the pronunciation of 'clock' resembles termination, which means death. No wonder people don't like receiving clocks as birthday gifts.
If you want to give your friends some fruits, remember to buy an even number of them because odd numbers would bring bad luck. So buy 10 apples instead of 9.
Foreigners may find it awkward when your friend says 'You don't need to buy anything when you come here.', or 'Keep it to yourself. I have a lot of these'. He may not mean it. What you need to do is to insist on him receiving the gift since Chinese people do not tend to receive the gift immediately.
Don't mind it if he doesn't open your present immediately too. Chinese people would think opening the present in front of you would be impolite and so they would tend to put it aside and only open it after you have left.
These ideas can only be served as guidelines. Knowing that you come from a foreign culture and being more broad-minded to foreign ideas, Chinese people are nowadays more tolerant to things which are not in line with their culture. So, don't worry too much when you visit a Chinese friend or family. Maybe your exotic idea would bring them a lot of surprises!!
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