January 2010

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Tips for a Happy, Healthy and Safe Chinese New Year

January 13, 2010 in Holidays and Festivals, Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

The Year of the Tiger is less than a month away – it occurs on February 14th – and there will be numerous celebrations across China to ring in the new year.

At such a festive time for Chinese citizens, travel and safety naturally becomes a much greater concern. Large numbers of travelers, crowded attractions and fully booked modes of transportation can increase the risk of theft and physical harm.

Here are three ways to keep yourself happy and safe during Chinese New Year:

  1. Be careful of fireworks. Fireworks are traditionally set off during the Chinese New Year. While fireworks are festive and fun to watch, be cautious, especially in large crowds. Opt to watch from afar rather than close up, and make sure you have some space around you to move away if these displays go awry.
  2. Streamline and reduce travel. Travel will inevitably be more stressful during this time, so make sure that your plans don’t involve lots of short stopovers, inconvenient connections or tight turnaround. Try to streamline your trip so that you can enjoy a certain area for a longer amount of time.
  3. Choose appropriate transportation options for you and your family. Are you claustrophobic? Do you have small children? Are you traveling with grandparents? If so, trains and busses are not appropriate modes of transportation for you during CNY. Planes and private cars are better suited to your needs. Those taking trains and busses should expect cramped conditions; on the upside, they are cheap and reliable.

Want more tips on travel during Chinese New Year? Send us a tweet @WildChina.

Traveling through China in the Winter

January 12, 2010 in Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

In recent weeks, those living in China have learned that snow can completely shut even the largest cities down; government heating is now barely adequate in staving off the cold; and sweet potatoes sold on the street invariably double as hand warmers. What can travelers to China do to make their China trip in the cold winter months enjoyable, safe, and meaningful?

Snow looks stunning on the Great Wall, but does not bode well for those who wish to climb it. (Photo courtesy Xinhua/Bu Xiangdong)

  1. Familiarize yourself with alternate transportation modes and have resources handy. Beijing’s residents were completely unprepared a week ago when taxi cabs across the city disappeared to avoid the January snow. Lesson learned? Keep a subway map on you, ask your guide/concierge for bus suggestions, hire a car if you’d like, and don’t rule out rickshaws – they may be your ticket home if all else fails.
  2. Take advantage of the fact that many people are avoiding the cold. China is never entirely calm, empty, or spacious – but winter means quieter months for tourism. One can expect somewhat shorter lines, more room, and (maybe) a little more peace and quiet when visiting monuments, museums, and other attractions.
  3. Make reservations early and often. The cold weather means that casually searching for a hotel/hostel and strolling to find a good restaurant are no more; travelers want to make sure that they have confirmed places to stay warm when not out sightseeing. Be sure to plan accommodations, and make any other preferred reservations, farther in advance than you would otherwise, especially in areas that are very popular with tourists.

Have more questions about China in the winter? Send us a tweet @WildChina.

Interview with Melvyn Goh of Chinese National Geographic International (CNGi)

January 12, 2010 in WildChina Experts by Alex G | No comments

(Photo courtesy of Chinese National Geographic)

After WildChina founder Mei Zhang met Melvyn Goh of Chinese National Geographic at the C100 Gala Dinner in December, she wanted to know: what is Chinese National Geographic’s new English edition about, and what perspective on China can it bring to foreign readers?

WildChina recently spoke to Melvyn Goh about Chinese National Geographic International (CNGi), why it was launched during a period of economic uncertainty, and what the English-language magazine hopes to bring to foreign readers unfamiliar with China.

WildChina: Can you give us some background on Chinese National Geography, English Edition (CNGi)? When was it first published?

Melvyn Goh: Published by M Media Group and supported by Chinese National Geography (CNG), CNGi is the first Chinese geographic magazine to break borders to reach out to an international audience, showcasing China’s diverse culture, heritage and geography to the world. Successfully launched in May 09, the inaugural issue attracted wide international media interest and generated a PR value of more than US$900,000.

CNGi’s uniqueness lies in the richness of its extensively researched content and spectacular images which are sourced directly from an authoritative Chinese source, CNG. CNGi magazine is distributed worldwide at airports and major bookstores in Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

WC: CNGi and WildChina are very similar in that both aim to give people unfamiliar with China a sense of the country’s history, culture, et cetera beyond mainstream notions and stereotypes. How does CNGi accomplish this?

MG: We are the local storytellers who bring you the stories from China. Drawing from a wealth of well-researched and reliable information from an authoritative Chinese source CNG, we reach out to our readers through evocative narratives, stunning images, and other forms of communication from a local, more personalized perspective.

CNG is one of China’s most successful magazines with an unbeatable 60-year track record since 1949. Backed by the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR) under the directive of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Geographical Society of China, CNG is an authoritative magazine brand written by the Chinese for 60 years, containing gems on China that competitors outside the country may not have access to.

WC: Why launch an English version, CNGi, during an economic crisis? What is important about bringing CNG to the English-speaking public at this time?

MG: Some might question the sanity of launching a magazine now. Reader habits are shifting from print to online, with some print titles abandoning the medium to go print-digital only. But print has faced tough times before, and the right publication can still find a niche and succeed. Just look at Fortune magazine. It’s famous for having launched a mere four months after the 1929 crash.

Also, CNGi is more than just a magazine. It is a magazine brand, going beyond print to online, events, books and social networks. CNGi is the definitive authority on China. And China is the country to watch.

In this current economic crisis, it’s a rare country that can claim a 6 to 8 percent GDP for the next 5 to 10 years. China can. Every respectable global brand in the world has a presence, or plans to have one, in China. It is the “IT” country—a place and people that have demonstrated phenomenal innovation, growth and industry. Yet it’s one that still has that sheen of exoticism that many want to demystify.

That’s why I believe this to be the right time to launch a magazine brand about China’s culture, heritage and geography from a respected source: Chinese National Geography (CNG). While many publications claim their expertise on China, none have ever claimed this—a Chinese brand written by the Chinese for the Chinese for 60 years, and now brought to the world in English.

WC: What, in your opinion, is the key to increasing the English-speaking public’s knowledge of the ‘real’ China?

MG: Content comes first. To achieve this, CNG has an independent editorial office to maintain integrity of content, to stay free from the pressures of the market. However, this does not mean the editors are blind to the outside world—they must remain aware to the needs of their readers. We must not be afraid to cover controversial issues without fear or bias, in order to get people to think about such issues.

Next is relevancy. Our readers must be able to relate to our stories. We tackle real issues that affect China and the world. Moreover, China is indeed a fascinating place for the world to know about, with its varied natural environment and a civilization that spans five thousand years. As China rises as a global power, more and more people will be interested to learn more about China and its culture. So we want our magazine to be an invaluable— and impartial—source of knowledge on issues in China.

WC: What is your vision and what are your goals for CNGi?

MG: CNG English Edition was launched with the mission of “Bringing China to the World” and to foster a greater understanding of China’s rich history and culture amongst readers across the globe.

CNG English Edition is currently distributed to retailers across China and the Asia Pacific region and subscribers worldwide. Through working with licensing partners, we hope to expand retail sales to cover Europe and the US. In addition to the English Edition, we hope to launch local edition in the US, and French and German editions in Europe first before extending to Italian and other Western languages subsequently.

CNGi is more than just a magazine. It is a magazine brand, going beyond print to online, events, books and social networks. Our goal is to leverage the content of the Chinese language version and extend the magazine brand to multi-media platforms such as programming such as TV and films, customized book licensing, merchandising, mapping, merchandising and digital content distribution such as e-magazines and other mobile applications.

NYTimes’ “31 Places to Visit in 2010″ features Shanghai and Shenzhen

January 12, 2010 in In the News, Travel Tips by Alex G | No comments

First the Travel+Leisure feature, and now this article in the New York Times: it is increasingly apparent that China is set to experience a tourism renaissance in 2010.

Among the 31 chosen destinations in the article, Shanghai and Shenzhen ranked at number 12 and number 20, respectively. These are impressive numbers, given the caliber and reputations of the places with whom these Chinese cities share the list.

Shanghai's dynamic Pudong skyline. (Photo courtesy of shinanthology.files.wordpress.com)

Shanghai in particular is an intriguing destination: it has much to offer visitors, especially in light of the upcoming 2010 World Expo. Aric Chen writes,

To many, the idea of a World Expo might seem like a dated, superfluous throwback from some preglobalized age. (Remember the one in Aichi, Japan? Enough said.) But tell that to the 70 million who are expected to attend Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

This is China, after all. And following up on Beijing’s spectacular Olympics, Shanghai is pulling out all the stops. From May 1 to Oct. 31, more than 200 national and other pavilions will straddle the city’s Huangpu River, turning a two-square-mile site into an architectural playground: Switzerland will be represented by a building shaped like a map of that country, complete with a rooftop chairlift, while England is in the celebrated hands of the designer Thomas Heatherwick, who is fashioning what looks like a big, hairy marshmallow. Other attention grabbers include Macao, taking the form of a walk-through bunny, and the United Arab Emirates, which hired Foster + Partners to build a “sand dune.” (By contrast, the United States pavilion might be mistaken for a suburban office park.)

In the run-up to the Expo, Shanghai seems to have taken this year’s theme, “Better City, Better Life,” to heart, spending tens of billions of dollars to upgrade the city. The riverfront Bund promenade is getting a makeover with parks and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, while the subway is being dramatically expanded — including several new stations serving the World Expo site. — Aric Chen

Read about Shenzhen and find out what other destinations are featured on the list here.

Interested in learning more about travel to Shanghai? Please contact our Private Journeys director, Barbara Henderson, at barbara.henderson@wildchina.com. You can also send us a tweet @WildChina.

Guest Blogger Introduction: Andrew Stein of Project Releaf

January 11, 2010 in Culture, On the Road, WildChina Experts by Alex G | No comments

Beginning this March, I’m planning to take you on a journey through some of China’s most remote and ancient tea localities. With aid from a Fulbright Research Grant, I will travel across China, exploring a wide-range of tea growing regions in provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian, and Yunnan.

Rice paddies along Guangxi's Yulong River (Photo courtesy www.projectreleaf.com)

My interest in China began during my freshman year at Kenyon College, where I began studying classical Chinese. Since then, I’ve studied Mandarin quite intensely, attending several Middlebury College immersion programs both in the US and in China. Throughout the summer of 2008, I was also fortunate enough to conduct environmental research in China’s Yunnan, Shanxi, and Sichuan provinces.

Fresh Longjing Tea (Photo courtesy www.projectreleaf.com)

At the crux of my research is a longing to better make sense of the the balance between China’s massive economic growth and its rapid environmental deterioration; I will analyze these effects of China’s swift modernization through the lens of China’s ancient-rooted tea industry. Fortunately, I will be guided by the advice of Mr. Xiaoning Wang, Secretary General of the World Tea Union. He will help me investigate how China’s market economy reforms have improved the Chinese tea industry and in what ways they have been detrimental. Extremely concerned by the environmental impact of China’s astonishing growth, I will pay particularly close attention to how pesticides, chemical fertilizers, severe pollution, and an emphasis on high-yield production are currently affecting the cultivation of camellia sinensis (the tea plant) in China today.

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Mei Zhang to lead Smithsonian “Chinese Treasures in Washington” tour on February 26, 2010

January 8, 2010 in Culture, In the News, On the Road, WildChina Experts by Alex G | 1 comment

WildChina is pleased to announce that as part of the D.C.-based Smithsonian Resident Associate Program, Mei Zhang will lead the “Chinese Treasures in Washington” tour on Friday, February 26, 2010.

The tour covers a range of activities and topics, from observations of the famed Terracotta Warriors at the National Geographic Museum to modern reflections on China’s rapid development and change.

15 of the Terracotta Warriors grace DC until late March. (Photo courtesy of residentassociates.org)

The Smithsonian Resident Associate Program elaborates,

We begin with insights into modern China—from its towering skyscrapers and busy factories to smart-phonetoting youth—provided by our guide, Mei Zhang. Next are a guided tour of the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery permanent collection of Chinese art—which includes jade objects from 5,000 years ago, early Buddhist sculpture, and paintings from the 10th century— and a hands-on session designed to give us a taste of Chinese calligraphy. Then we discuss the many flavors of Chinese cuisine over a lunch served at Asia Nine. We proceed to the Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor exhibit at the National Geographic Museum and close the day with an insider visit to the Chinese Embassy, designed by the architectural firm headed by I.M. Pei’s sons.

Mei is extremely pleased to share her expertise on China with her DC neighbors in conjunction with such a prestigious institution.

While the tour is fully booked, visitors may observe the Terracotta Warriors at the National Graphic Museum until March 31, 2010. For more information, visit the exhibit homepage.

More information on the “Chinese Treasures in Washington” tour can be found on the tour homepage.

T+L’s Top Travel Trends for 2010, featuring Hangzhou, China

January 7, 2010 in In the News, Travel Tips by Alex G | 1 comment

Travel+Leisure recently came out with their Top Travel Trends for 2010 in their January 2010 issue. At number six is “Exploring Hot New Destinations,” which features Hangzhou (杭州), the capital of Zhejiang (浙江) Province.

Hangzhou West Lake

Visitors observe the sunset over picturesque West Lake. (Photo courtesy of igougo.com)

This city, a mere one-hour train ride from Shanghai, has continually been on the rise for a number of years. Indeed, it is home to the famed West Lake (西湖 Xihu), which simultaneously provides a gorgeous panorama of traditional Chinese landscape for those strolling along the lake, and high-end shopping just a few steps away from the water’s edge. Given its proximity to Shanghai and its beauty, it is no wonder that luxury accommodations continue to be developed in the area.

We’re happy to see that T+L mentions two of our favorite new hotels for clients – the Banyan Tree and Amanfayun – that have recently sprung up amidst the ever-growing tourism industry in Hangzhou. The incredible locations and views of these resorts make them a must-stay for those traveling to the city.

For more information on these accommodations or traveling to Hangzhou, send us a tweet or an email to our Private Journeys director, Barbara Henderson, at barbara.henderson@wildchina.com.

Mei Zhang’s Holiday Dumpling-Making Party

January 6, 2010 in Culture, Food, WildChina Experts by Alex G | No comments

When you are the founder of a China-based adventure travel company, the weather is cold and you want to entertain, what do you do? Host a holiday dumpling making party, of course!

Guests eagerly prepare their dumpling dinner at Mei Zhang's home

On December 4, 2009, WildChina founder Mei Zhang hosted a number of former WildChina clients, Washington DC-based travel agents and tour operators, university professors, friends and neighbors at her home for an evening of dumpling creation, photo and story sharing, and merriment.

Guests observe a demonstration by Mei

After Mei showed her 30 guests – including those from Portfolio Travel, Cruise Vacation International, and Georgetown University – how to craft didao (authentic) dumplings, everyone sat down to enjoy their creations. Afterwards, guests watched a photo presentation by Mr. and Mrs. Tischler, who went on the Chinese Treasures journey this past fall. Their pictures and stories were enjoyed by all.

Of course, guests didn’t leave without a surprise. Everyone received a dumpling recipe and a bottle of Chinese vinegar as party favors.

Happy holidays from WildChina!

Wuxi: “Little Shanghai’s” Big Place in the Solar Industry

January 5, 2010 in In the News by Abby | No comments

This post is the second in a series by guest blogger Abby Poats. Abby Poats is a Research Associate based in Beijing with the Washington DC-based American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) US-China Program (USCP). She also teaches English at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing through the Princeton in Asia (PiA) fellowship program. Her blog entries contain her personal reflections and do not reflect the views of ACORE USCP.

The city of Wuxi is located in south-central Jiangsu province about 130 kilometers west of Shanghai. A city with over 3000 years of history, Wuxi, known as the “Pearl of Lake Tai,” is home to a host of natural and cultural attractions, including beautiful Lake Tai and artifacts from the Wu era in mid-to-late second century.

Source: http://www.oice.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/wuxi/images/map-wuki1.gif

View of downtown Wuxi on the shores of Lake Tai

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Wuxi’s economy was largely based on agriculture, particularly rice. By the beginning of the 20th century, Wuxi’s economy had expanded and diversified to include textiles. While Wuxi’s economy is still based largely on textiles and manufacturing, the city’s booming development is increasingly attributed to high-tech industries.

With a total population of about 4.5 million people, Wuxi is a small city by Chinese standards, but with a booming economy driven by its eight industrial development zones, Wuxi today is known as “Little Shanghai.” In fact, in 2008 Forbes ranked Wuxi as the third best business city in China, and a recent national index ranks Wuxi’s economic development ninth out of 659 major cities.

In addition to Wuxi’s recent focus on information technology innovation, Wuxi is a national leader in renewable energy technology manufacturing. According to an official who spoke at the China International New Energy Expo (CINEE) held in Wuxi in September 2009, Wuxi is the leading solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturer in China and also hosts over 30 wind power production businesses.

Specifically, Wuxi-Singapore Industrial Park—a joint venture initiated in 1993 between the government of Wuxi and a Singapore-based industrial corporation—is home to the global research and development headquarters of Suntech Power, one of the world’s largest solar technology manufacturers. Established in February 2009, the headquarters in Wuxi themselves are home to an impressive 1 megawatt (MW) solar PV façade, the world’s largest building integrated solar photovoltaic (BIPV), grid-connected system.

Section of Suntech headquarters’ 1 MW Solar Façade, Wuxi

The first privately owned Chinese company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2005, today Suntech ranks third in the world for solar cell PV manufacturing and first for complete solar module manufacturing. With third quarter 2009 growth of almost 50% and three new large supply contracts in Europe, Suntech appears poised to further enlarge “Little Shanghai’s” economy and its role in the solar industry.

By Abby Poats

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