That's Guangzhou - June 2017 by That's - Pulse of The City

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JUNE 2017

城市漫步珠三角英文版 6 月份国内统一刊号: CN 11-5234/GO

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that’s PRD 《城市漫步》珠江三角洲英文月刊主管单位 : 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China 主办单位 : 五洲传播出版社地址 : 北京西城月坛北街 26 号恒华国际商务中心南楼 11 层文化交流中心 11th Floor South Building, Henghua lnternational Business Center, 26 Yuetan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing http://www.cicc.org.cn 总编辑 Editor in Chief of China Intercontinental Press: 慈爱民 Ci Aimin 期刊部负责人 Supervisor of Magazine Department: 邓锦辉 Deng Jinhui 编辑 : 梁健发行 / 市场 : 黄静李若琳广告 : 林煜宸 Editor in Chief Jocelyn Richards Shenzhen Editor Sky Thomas Gidge Senior Digital Editor Matthew Bossons Shenzhen Digital Editor Bailey Hu Senior Staff Writer Tristin Zhang National Arts Editor Erica Martin Contributors Lachlan Cairns, Dr. Jonathan Chatwin, Ariana Chrisafulli, Connor Frankhouser, Lena Gidwani, Jonathan Hanlon, Oscar Holland, Mia Li, Noelle Mateer, Dominic Ngai, Don Seno

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Editor's Note T

his time last year, sidewalks in southern China were reserved for walking. Dock-less bike share – and the rows of multicolored frames now inundating city streets – was still largely in conception, and no one could be sure how Mobike would fare in a country that had, for so many years, become fixated on automobiles. Now, here we are in June 2017, wondering how we lived without these ‘park anywhere’ cycles that make our morning commutes and weekend outings infinitely more convenient. The resurgence of bicycles is clear, but judging by the lack of proper bike lanes, parking regulations and general oversight, their future is less so. Will the bike share movement succeed in transforming China into a haven for green transport and shared roads? Or will Ofos, Mobikes, Bluegogos and Xiaomings ultimately fade from city streets as quickly as they appeared? Our Guangzhou-based journalist Tristin Zhang explores these questions and more on p42. If you’re an aspiring vlogger, you won’t want to miss Sky Thomas Gidge’s interviews with popular China-based expat YouTubers on p12. See how DonnieDoesIt, The Food Ranger, RogueLifeStudios, Laowhy86 and SerpentZA broke a million views filming everyday life in the ‘guo. Life & Style is packed this month, with insights from South China Morning Post Fashion Editor Jing Zhang (p21), a recap of Shenzhen’s first design week (p26) and trekking advice for anyone dreaming of visiting the snowy peaks of Nepal (p28).

WIN

JUNE 2017

Music fans: sync your playlist with ours this month and listen to tracks from all the great artists coming into town (p35). Finally, we at That’s would like to extend an invitation to all our readers to come out for the Discover Germany festival from June 30-July 1 at Kingold in Guangzhou (p52). Word on the street is there will be some great entertainment and, of course, plenty of German pints and snacks, so mark that weekend on your calendar. Before signing off, I’d like to wish all the best to Christy Cai, our Shenzhen-based account manager, who has truly been an instrumental member of our PRD team for the last eight years.

We're giving away tickets to some of the very best events in the Pearl River Delta, alongside a host of free meals and other goodies. Follow our official WeChat feeds and sign up for our weekly newsletter for your chance to win major prizes! To stay up to date, visit www.thatsmags.com or scan the QR codes below and follow our WeChat accounts.

We’re so grateful for the energy and optimism she brought to every project, and will sincerely miss her infectious smile. From all of us at That's, good luck in all your future adventures!

ThatsGuangzhou

Jocelyn Richards Editor-in-Chief

ThatsShenzhen

Correction: We would like to thank the team behind Chile for providing wine at our That’s PRD Smartphone Photography Contest Awards Ceremony this past April. Though Chile was mistakenly left off the list of event sponsors in the May issue, their generosity and continued support has certainly not been overlooked. 4 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

facebook.com/ThatsPRD twitter.com/ThatsPRD Hourly updates on news, current affairs and general weirdness from around the PRD and China.

youtube.com/thatsonline #THATSPRD

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42 COVER STORY

8 CITY

KINGDOM OF BICYCLES 2.0

9 GOING PLACES

The rise of bike share and cycling's great comeback in China.

'Professional' mover.

16 THE SILVER WAY What China's history says about its role in globalization.

21 JING ZHANG

50 COMMUNITY

THE WRAP

20 LIFE & STYLE

Fashion editor, South China Morning Post.

28 FROM ANNAPURNA TO QOMOLANGMA

A trekker's guide to Nepal.

32 ARTS

33 SONGS IN SEA BLUE Benjamin Francis Leftwich brings 'chill' to China.

JUNE 9-11

36 MR. C

Pride Festival

British house and techno pioneer tours his new album through China.

62 EAT & DRINK 69 MORGAN'S PUBLIC HOUSE Monks and meatballs.

71 GET LAB Newly minted.

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72 EVENTS

ALL MONTH Thriller Live

ALL MONTH Ancient Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quest for Eternal Life

CITY In the Minority

A snapshot of Guangdong's ancient Yao village, p10

Chinese Urban Dictionary P11 8 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Big on YouTube P12

MAN ON THE STREET

GOING PLACES ‘Professional’ Mover By Sky Thomas Gidge

ou've seen Li, or – at least – men like him. Street-side, splayed across the bed of a rusted trike, napping in the afternoon sun with hiked-up pant legs revealing tan skin as an unlit cigarette hangs from a bottom lip. Those guys. They move stuff ‘professionally’ according to the signs strapped to the fronts their livelihoods: three-wheeled vehicles used to weave through traffic while transporting beds and air conditioners between migrant neighborhoods. Li is part of an army of men that park in public places across Shenzhen and wait for people moving house – as long as they are moving nearby.   But Li doesn’t want to talk. "I don't have any interest in this. Sorry,” he says at the mention of this article. He is one of six men who arrive at the border of Shenzhen’s Shuiwei and Huanggang neighborhoods around 10am every day. Each has an e-trike, lean muscles and looks to be between 35 and 50. They also look like the type you don’t hassle.

We try one last question: ‘how’s business?’ That works. A chorus of opinions, answers and complaints come from the group. “Business is bad this year,” one says. “High property prices. No one is moving.” “Really, not many new people coming into Shenzhen.” Though they advertise services ranging from ‘Hong Kong product transport’ (a reference to tax dodging) and unclogging pipes, Li says most of his income comes from moving the belongings of cash-strapped white-collar workers between nearby neighborhoods. “Moving companies cost more than us,” he says. “They charge extra to keep a company running. We deal with customers directly, so we cost less.” A lot goes into how much they charge to move home, Li says. No elevator and on the eighth floor? Expect to pay a premium. Moving a bed and air conditioner – including installation –will cost about RMB800 Li says, before pausing, apparently waiting to bargain.

Pressed for work hours, Li insists he is on call 24 hours a day, but goes home ‘to sleep’ if it is raining. Despite the men all being movers, the group keeps any competition friendly because they share a hometown of Chongqing. ‘Professional movers’ interviewed in two other parts of Shenzhen all say they are from Chongqing – and we’re told this is true across the city. (“We’re quite hardy,” one offers.) Back in Shuiwei, we thank Li for his time. “If you have a lot of stuff, we know people with a van,” Li says. “They’re also from Chongqing.”

THE DIRTY DETAILS

Monthly salary: RMB3,000 to 5,000 Days per week: 7

Hours per day: 24 hours on call

Man on the Street is a monthly feature where we talk to someone doing an everyday job, in order to get an insight into the lives of normal Chinese people.

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THE BUZZ RANDOM NUMBER

CITY SNAPSHOT

6925

The Elder

... is roughly how many people were forced to relocate following destructive rainstorms that pounded Guangzhou in early May. A total of 172 houses collapsed from flooding and landslides after what some media outlets claimed was “record rainfall” in the city’s outlying districts. Huadu, Zengcheng, Huangpu and Baiyun experienced the brunt of the damage, which fortunately resulted in no casualties.

17 、

… is the number of tons a kung fu monk allegedly pulled with his genitals last month in Huizhou, when he secured a 13-meterlong bus to his man parts and proceeded to walk backwards. Surprisingly (or perhaps not), it wasn’t the first time a monk has used his junk to haul a full-sized vehicle: just this past April, a 39-year-old kung fu master in Shandong reportedly pulled seven Audis a distance of eight meters with his testicles. He’s now a soprano in the Shandong Provincial Choir.

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“This photo [part of a series] was taken in Nanggang Ancient Yao Village in Qingyuan, the largest and oldest settlement of indigenous Yao people in China,” photographer Don Seno (@adonis_sen) explains. “Filkam, a Filipino photography group based in Guangzhou, organized the trip, which was joined by 20 or more participants, both expats and locals.” Seno has been living in Guangzhou for 10 years with his family, working as a teacher while also “doing photography gigs here and there.” See more of his work at www.donseno.com.

BEHIND THE CONCRETE

Guangzhou’s ‘White House’ What’s the most luxurious spot in South China to enjoy Cantonese morning tea? Ask any old-timer in Guangzhou and Tangyuan Restaurant will almost certainly top their list. A grand edifice situated across from the north gate of Liuhua Lake Park, the restaurant practically glows against its subdued backdrop, and is made even more spectacular by the picturesque reflection at its base. Known by locals as ‘The White House’ for its stately presence, the building boasts an area of 5,500 square meters filled with dozens of private rooms, and appears to float on the

Have photos of Guangdong to share? Tag #thatsprd on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our feed and in the magazine.

water of Liuhua Lake. Open to the public in 1999, it once seduced diners with its scenic environment, luxurious decor and renowned shark fin dishes before it was forced to shut down in September 2015 for failing to meet certain drainage requirements. In June of last year, Guangzhou’s municipal government decided to turn it into a natural history museum. When the renovations are complete, it will be the first such museum of its kind in the city. If you’re more interested in a photo of its exterior, however, go now before throngs of tourists disrupt the peaceful scene. 106 Liuhua Lu (beside Liuhua Hu Park), Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 广州市越秀流花路流花湖公园旁边

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

Bishilian / bǐshìliàn / 鄙视链 n. lit. the chain of despises What are you reading?

Shakespeare. I’m a fan coz I went to school in the UK I’m reading Thomas Piketty coz I studied economics at Cambridge I recognize that you are one notch higher on the bishilian

Good

When struggling with overpopulation, you need to divide people into subgroups to keep order. India has the caste system, and China has its own social hierarchy – bishilian. Literally meaning ‘chain of despises,’ bishilian is like a totem pole where those at the top despise those one notch below. They, in turn, get to despise those one notch below them, and so on. There is such a chain for every aspect of life. The bishilian of birthplace dictates: those who were born in the metropolises of Beijing or Shanghai get to despise those born in provincial capitals, who get to despise those born in small cities. And then the countryside. Those who were born into wealthy families get to despise those from working class families and then poor families. Those who drive German whips despise those driving Japanese cars and then Korean and then Chinese cars. Those who live in houses despise those in apartments then those in rented apartments. The bishilian of college majors goes: finance, medicine, other sciences, economics, sociology and history. The bishilian of film appreciation goes: obscure foreign films, French cinema, Japanese cinema, Hong Kong films and Hollywood at the bottom. The bishilian of coffee appreciation goes: independent coffee shops, Costa coffee, Starbucks and Nescafe (and everything is beneath cold brew). The bishilian of cell phone ownership is: iPhone, Samsung, other international brands, Smartisan, Xiaomi and then Huawei. And the bishilian of electronic music appreciation goes: minimal, techno, trance, house and then hiphop. Let’s face it. We don’t have personalities. So-called personality is simply a basket of goods and services we consume to define us. When we wear Tory Burch, we rejoice in the fact that we are now better than those wearing Banana Republic. Self-improvement, ya know? Without bishilian, we would be completely lost. Where would we be in the social stratification? How would we relate to each other? How could we interact with and address one another? It’d be total chaos and the time-space continuum would cease to exist. We can’t have that. So please purchase things and consume culture commensurate with your place on the social totem pole so we can all live in peace and harmony. By Mia Li

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"Big on YouTube" By Sky Thomas Gidge Home My channel Trending Subscriptions

Trevor James YouTube Channel: TheFoodRanger More than 600,000 subscribers with 75,000,000 views since March 12, 2013

Most popular video: Indian Street Food Tour in Mumbai, India (8,200,000 views)

CHINA IS AN UNLIKELY PLACE FOR A YOUTUBER.

Zach Etkind YouTube Channel: DonnieDoesIt More than 20,000 subscribers with 2,500,000 views since Nov 19, 2012

Most popular video: I CONVINCED CHINA I'M RODGER FEDERER (460,000 views)

Winston Sterzel YouTube Channel: SerpentZA More than 160,000 subscribers with 24 million views since Aug 30, 2006

Most popular video: China vs. India (1,200,000 views)

For one, the website is – ahem – difficult to access, cutting video makers off from a billion potential viewers that would be able to identify with life in the Middle Kingdom, no matter the language. Case in point: an English YouTube search for ‘Korea vlogger' sees half a million matches. ‘China vlogger’? A paltry 140,000 results. But for the brave few who try (and sometimes succeed) at making YouTube a job, the weird and wonderful of China is the strength of their videos – whether they are posing as a celebrity, comparing countries or adventuring for street food. This month That’s PRD looks at China’s most notable YouTubers and asks: why do people watch?

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Matthew Tye (C-Milk) YouTube Channel: Laowhy86 More than 110,000 subscribers with 17,833,371 views since Apr 20, 2012

Most popular video: Chinese Girl Tries American Chinese Food (1,800,000 views)

Matt Galat YouTube Channel: RogueLifeStudios More than 22,000 subscribers with 5 million views since Feb 28, 2012

Most popular video: Chinese Seafood Steam Table (2,300,000 views)

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Home

While the other dudes on YouTube take on topics ranging from mental illness to blind sex toy identification, Chengdu-based James is about one thing: food. The focus has paid off, with the Canadian’s more than 120 videos finding a huge audience that watches him feast on everything from ‘beautiful’ Xinjiang buns to southern-style dim sum, while showing off food-centric Mandarin. Taking nine-hour train ride ‘just for good noodles,’ James’ foodie enthusiasm is infectious, even finding fans on popular mainland websites like iQiyi.

“I was like, if I just become this character that I already created and used China as the setting, I could pretty much make a show for zero budget. Since then, I’ve been steadily gaining new followers who have either lived in China at some point or live there now” Oft spotted besuited stumping the streets of Shenzhen, South African Winston Sterzel began uploading videos to YouTube to prove to friends that ‘China isn’t as horrible as the media paints it to be.’ Eleven years, and more than 700 videos later, he is the self-made face of his chosen city, with videos that dominate a YouTube search simply for ‘China.’ “Another informative, in-depth video!” reads a comment on a 15-minute video about convenience stores. Sterzel’s chosen topics might leave expats with an I-coulddo-that shrug, but his explanation of day-to-day life in China has found a curious audience in the West.

“I think people watch my videos because I answer a lot of questions people have always wondered about the more human and daily life aspects of China and Chinese people”

“He’s a world traveler, he’s a mountain climber, he’s a really awesome guy,” Galat says before a tongue-in-cheek interview. The guest? Himself. Galat’s channel saw irregular updates as he talked about fish tanks, recumbent trikes and his worldly travels – until he began documenting his daily prep for a Mount Everest climb. After returning to his Ningbo home, he has run a (mostly) daily vlog. With a constant smile, a shiny bald head and an industrial grade selfie stick, Galat’s vlog gives a look at a businessman balancing his love of travel and his growing family in China.

Trending

Subscriptions

“My main goal here is to share with you the amazing food of the world, and show you that it’s entirely possible for you to travel cheaply, eat well, and pursue a passion and earn a living at the same time through travel”

The story goes like this: Donnie passed out in a Legal Sea Foods in Logan Airport before waking up in Shanghai in 2012. Since then (with a foray back stateside) the Boston bro has been rejected by dating-show girls, held down jobs in amusement parks and released videos hip-hopping about a pet goose. Donnie, of course, is a character played by Etkind, who has had a role in some of the most slickly produced English-language comedy to ever come out of the Chinese mainland. “When I was averaging about 5,000 views a video on my YouTube page – Couldn’t really make a living doing that,” he says in his latest video, announcing his move to Barstool Sports where he is being ‘paid a salary’ to film Donnie’s newest booze-fueled hijinks.

“People can see China for what it really is, a real man's honest take on what it's like to live in the Middle Kingdom and learn how to navigate a culture incredibly different from what we're used to in the West”

Until recently, Huizhou-based Tye may have been better known as Sterzel’s motorcycle buddy. This year his channel came into its own, with subscriber numbers passing 100,000 as Tye honed his skill grafting Chinacentric topics onto YouTube friendly formats, think: “What NOT to do in China: Top 5 things” Dubbing his audience ‘lao winners,’ they come for updates on his growing daughter, his cross-culture marriage and answers to questions like ‘Are you fat in China?’

“People watch my videos as an opportunity to view the world through the perspective of my adventures and interactions… hopefully inspiring or igniting the fuel within to step out into the world or attempt their own adventure”

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Home My channel Trending Subscriptions

WHAT I LEARNED

Making YouTube a Job Matt Tye, better known by nom de guerre C-Milk, is one of the few Chinabased expatriates to make the leap from YouTube hobbyist to fulltime job. Reaching 100,000 subscribers, he reflects on how he did it.

This isn’t a success story, it is a learning process. I am 10 percent there – not even close.

It’s about 55 to 60 hours a week working on YouTube.

It’s a starving artist thing until you put together all the skills that go into it: marketing, shooting a video, knowing how to use a camera, planning out correct topics, following trends. My personal channel, it took about five years to get 10,000 subscribers. And then all of a sudden this year, we pushed to 100,000 subscribers. It’s blown my mind. What contributed massively to this year’s huge growth was stepping outside of my comfort zone and covering things that would teach people something.

Vlogging has its limitations. If you don’t cover topics that can reach an audience outside of your core following, then you’re going to be stuck retaining the original people that liked you from at the beginning.

If I make a video called ‘walking around the streets of Changsha, Hunan,’ no one is going to watch that. But if I do a video when walking around the streets of Changsha, I make the content about how China has changed in the past eight years that I’ve lived

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here. Everyone knows what China is.

Ditch anything that is user friendly. You have a limitation, you’re going to reach a peak and eventually you can’t do too much more with that. A little over a year ago I learned how to use Adobe Premiere. Did my videos immediately look better? Absolutely not, they looked way worse. I had absolutely no idea how to use the software. Learn how to edit your video. Learn how to make a slick product.

Search engine optimization is one of the most important things. I spend about 10 hours a week on SEO.

Break the barrier between the comment section and what gets produced.

I have to script every single video. At least I have to get bullet points to know what I’m going to talk about. If I had any doubt in my mind about bringing a pay check home to my family, I wouldn’t be doing this full time.

To do YouTube as a job is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. It’s also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

P HO T O E S S AY | CI T Y

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Four hundred years ago, a new trading route linking Latin America with Asia put China at the heart of a globalizing world. So why do we see China as a historical recluse, asks Dr. Jonathan Chatwin, and what does it mean for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diplomacy?

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This page and overleaf | A collection of 17th and 18th century maps created by explorers on the first trading routes between Asia and Latin America

Each winter, the elegant Swiss ski resort of Davos plays host to some of the world’s richest and most influential people. Besuited and entirely uninterested in the winter sports on offer, this coterie of billionaires, CEOs, politicians and celebrities convene to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, which modestly touts itself as ‘the foremost creative force for engaging the world’s top leaders in collaborative activities to shape the global, regional and industry agendas.’ The opening address of 2017’s meeting was delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping who, in front of an audience rocked by a resurgence of nationalist sentiment in the West, offered a full-throated defense of globalization. “We should recede from our respective national positions and embark on the right pathway towards economic globalization at the right pace,” President Xi observed. “We should not develop a habit of retreating to the harbor whenever we encounter a storm, for this will never get us to the other side of the ocean.” The notion of China as the world’s leading cheerleader for globalization raised a few eyebrows. The Chinese view of the wider world has been defined in recent times by a defiant nationalism, fuelled by the perception that the country had been, for the century before the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949, subject to cynical exploitation by the global community. Newsweek’s headline ‘Xi Jinping’s Davos Speech Showed the World Has Turned Upside Down’ effectively captured the sense of incredulity in the West at the apparent reversal of international roles which had taken place post-Trump and -Brexit.

Yet the view of globalization as an intrinsically Anglo-American idea – one to which China has been unwillingly subjected – testifies to the West’s myopic view of history. For, as Peter Gordon and Juan José Morales remind us in their new book The Silver Way: China, Spanish America and the Birth of Globalization, 1565–1815, global economic networks with an outward-facing China at their center existed long before the emergence of America and Great Britain as the world’s major trading nations. The Silver Way returns us to the 15th and 26th centuries, when the Spanish and Portuguese kingdoms led international trade and exploration. Having battled to establish global navigational routes, the two countries came to an agreement in 1494 which divided up Asia and the Americas between them. The Treaty of Tordesillas “gave Portugal all of Asia and the part of what is now Brazil that sticks out into the Atlantic,” Gordon and Morales write. “Meanwhile, everything west of the line went to Spain, granting them most of what came to be called, a few years later, the Americas.” Despite this agreement, however, Spain desired access to the riches of Asia. In 1564, Miguel López de Legazpi led an expedition from Spanish-ruled Mexico to the Philippines – indisputably on the Portuguese side of the line – to establish a base in the Pacific from which to trade. But in many ways, this was the easy part. Legazpi was joined by Andrés de Urdaneta, whose chief responsibility was to find a route back. Before Urdaneta, no Europeans had managed to sail east across the Pacific to South America, creating an obvious problem in returning goods purchased WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2017 | GZ | 17

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in Asia – in particular Chinese silk – to Europe. Urdaneta solved the problem, heading north to avoid the western-blowing trade winds, and finding a route which successfully returned him to Acapulco in October 1565. “The Silver Way” is a term coined by Gordon and Morales to describe the route Urdaneta established from the Philippines to Mexico, which allowed two-way maritime trade between Europe and Asia via South America predicated on the first global currency – silver. The history of this trade route is not widely known in the West, the two authors observe: “History has been generally told not just from a Eurocentric point of view, as many Asians complain, but also an Anglo-centric one,” Morales says. “The Englishspeaking and the Spanish-speaking worlds have been particularly at odds for reasons of an old rivalry where the former had triumphed in the end.” Gordon adds: “We remember history that is useful to us. As far as the English-speaking West is concerned, we had a historical narrative that explained Anglo-American world dominance pretty well.” However, both authors saw the relevance of the analogy between the Pacific trade route and the globalized networks which have emerged in recent decades. Once again, these networks have China at their center: “China has opened up to foreign investment and repositioned itself again – as it started to be from the 16th century onwards – as the factory of the world,” Morales says. 18 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The book also views the Silver Way as analogous to the earlier, and much better known, Silk Road. “In both cases,” the authors write, “a single commodity acted to bind disparate regions and peoples; the trade routes thus created were both engines of development and conduits for culture, philosophies and religions.” President Xi Jinping has, of course, recently invoked the paradigm of the Silk Road in the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiatives, which seek to encourage overland and maritime trade with Asia and Europe. The assertive approach China is currently taking in establishing its role as the major economic force in the Pacific region has been the cause of much disquiet in the US in particular. Yet, the authors of the The Silver Way suggest that potential conflicts between China and the West might be avoided by the cultivation of a fuller understanding of their earlier economic relationships. As Gordon tells us, historical networks such as the Silver Way offer a template for a cooperative and mutually beneficial globalized economy. “The Silver Way shows that there are alternatives where East and West have coexisted without one side dominating and where globalization continued and deepened, without either global institutions or national policies to that effect. The 21st century may not end up looking like the late 16th century – but it doesn't have to end up looking like the darkest days of the 20th century either.”

LIFE

P HO T O E S S AY | CI T Y

CI T Y | P HO T O E S S AY

STYLE Tickle Me Pink

The retro new art space taking on Tianhe, p24

Shenzhen Design Week P26

SPOTLIGHT

JING ZHANG

Fashion Editor, South China Morning Post Interview by Dominic Ngai

Born in Guizhou and raised in Hong Kong and the UK, Jing Zhang has served as the South China Morning Post’s Fashion Editor since 2010. Often seen attending fashion shows in New York, Milan, Paris, London and around China, Zhang has interviewed and profiled industry giants from Donatella Versace and Ralph Lauren to Stella McCartney. Here, she tells us about the joys of covering China’s emerging fashion scene as well as the most memorable interview that she has ever done. How did you become fashion editor? I always enjoyed writing, so I started off freelancing and doing general features for different magazines. Then I became Managing Editor of �estEast (a fashion, culture and arts magazine) when I was still in my mid-20s, which was a huge learning curve. After four years of that, I became the Fashion Editor at the South China Morning Post, and started learning more about the journalistic rigor that comes with being in newspapers. Although fashion is my main beat, I still write the occasional arts, culture or lifestyle story and profile people outside of the industry – two of my favorite interviews were Malcolm Gladwell and Zaha Hadid. Does your education background in anthropology and psychology help with your current line of work?

It’s all related. I think there are very few things that aren’t helped by having a Psychology degree. It allows me to understand why and how people consume fashion: why they buy, what they feel and what they want to express. With my Anthropology MA – which was in visual and material culture and covers art, design and fashion – it gave me a great theoretical armory with which to unfurl the deeper issues within fashion and other creative industries. Which designer did you enjoy interviewing the most?

In terms of aesthetics, he’s not my favorite designer, but my most enjoyable and memorable interview was actually with Ralph Lauren. He’s such a legend, I didn’t expect him to be so candid, warm and a total sweetheart – our interview actually ran 45 minutes over. And after five decades in fashion, he can see be-

“Ralph Lauren is such a legend, I didn’t expect him to be so candid and warm... our interview ran 45 minutes over” yond the smaller, meaningless industry oscillations. People sometimes forget that apart from creating a quintessential billion-dollar American brand from nothing, Ralph Lauren also created a whole new lifestyle. Is there anyone that you haven’t interviewed but would love to?

Miuccia Prada, because I’d really like to pick her brain. She’s managed to be a cerebral powerhouse, commercial success story, as well as at the forefront of young, relevant trends – that’s no small feat. And I like designers who aren’t so myopic and draw references only from within the industry, but Miuccia is always looking outside to life, to culture, to film and to art. How’s covering the fashion scene in China different from doing so in other places? The Chinese fashion scene is so big and influential in so many ways, but in other ways it’s still quite young and trying to find its feet. This brings together a huge, highly equitable marketplace with great opportunities for startups as well as the big brands. The shift from being the world’s manufacturing hub to a more creative-led scene is fascinating. There’s also the opportunity for China to make its own rules and shift the global

fashion model away from a Western centric formula.

How has China’s fashion scene changed over the past seven years, since you first started at SCMP? It’s matured a lot... and there’s been some truly great talents emerging and breaking out into the global scene. The likes of Masha Ma, Uma Wang, Xander Zhou, Helen Lee, Ffixxed, Jourden and the young Xu Zhi have made real waves abroad and in China. I’m looking forward to seeing other brands, like By Fang, reach greater heights. What has surprised me is the growing variety of brands as the market fragments and matures, ranging from wealthy couturiers like Grace Chen, to millennial start up streetwear labels. What’s your favorite fashion item at the moment?

I’m obsessed with my pink, furry lapelled, Dries Van Noten quilted coat – though I will have to wait until winter [to wear it again]. I’m always carrying my black Diorever bag as it’s a chic and timeless exercise in very clever bag design. A bonus: it fits my MacBook Air.

Read Jing Zhang’s articles at www.scmp.com/author/ jing-zhang

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STYLE RADAR TAP THAT APP

Makeup Plus After going public in December of last year, Chinese selfie-editing app Meitu shot to popularity in the US, filling Twitter feeds with images of doe-eyed Donald Trumps and effeminate Putins. While the exaggerated face alterations made for excellent memes, few would consider using Meitu to touch up a ‘serious’ selfie, unless they were born bearing an uncanny resemblance to Sailor Moon. For the rest of us (guys, you too), Makeup Plus is where it’s at. Created by the same tech company behind Meitu, Makeup Plus is an ideal tool for those seeking subtle adjustments in their complexion, face contour and even eye color. We’re not suggesting that you adhere to society’s expectations for beauty, but sometimes a photo doesn’t do justice to the real you. Maybe you snapped a selfie in the back of a cab with poor lighting, for example, or ran out of time to brush up your makeup before an important (and well documented) work event. Just upload the photo(s) onto Makeup Plus and use the ‘editor’ function to do some post-production tweaks. Realistic eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, blush and hair dye are only a click away. Arguably the coolest function on the app is ‘lab,’ which lets you try out different brands and shades of lipstick – from YSL, Clinique, Lancome, Sephora, Bobbi Brown, Dior and more – virtually on your phone’s live camera. It’ll save you a trip to the mall and lots of unnecessary tissue dabbing. Makeup Plus is available for both iOS and Android devices.

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MADE IN CHINA

OFF_CURRENT Good news for China-based hipsters. Launched in May, OFF_CURRENT is a new online shop and lifestyle platform that carries a curated list of cult and indie design labels from around the world. Since they have some of the items in stock already, the delivery lead-time is generally faster than ordering from the brands’ online platforms directly. Here, you’ll find interesting accessories such as purses and bags by Baggu (from RMB90), sunglasses by Local Supply and Illesteva (from RMB550), as well as magazines like Wired, Monocle and Paper. Shipment generally takes two to three business days for standard delivery (for in-stock products) in most cities in mainland China (free delivery for orders above RMB500), and they currently only accept Alipay and WeChat payment. www.offcurrent.com; WeChat ID: offcurrent

INSPECT-A-GADGET

Speaker Pillow No doubt there is a marketing team ready to promote this pillow as the future of sleep, but it’s actually just firm padding and speakers – a pairing that does something useful, if not world changing. The DreamLand pillow is a blessing for those who, to preserve domestic bliss, have sacrificed a nighttime music habit; the eight internal speakers are barely audible unless you lay your ear against the polyester-cotton pillowcase. Audio is sent from your phone via bluetooth and is clear enough to listen to a podcast, though it lacks bass and is slightly muffled – you are listening to a pillow, after all. The optional Bluetooth audio receiver connects with cables tucked into both sides of the pillow and a phone app lets you choose from the usual sleep-inducing rainforests or

looping frogs, with the main draw being a sleep timer, though most media players have that anyway. Admittedly, the DreamLand pillow has some unneeded frills – you don’t need to use the app, and the audio cables can connect to your phone’s jack, rather than the Bluetooth receiver – but it does what it says on the box. You can now nod off to Metallica or the nasal charm of Ira Glass, rather than the snoring of your bed buddy. RMB800 on JD.com starting June 16 (search 'Dreamland')

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

How to get there: Take a train from Guangzhou South Railway Station to either Shunde Station or Shunde Xueyuan Station (顺德学院站), then take a taxi to Shunfeng Mountain Park (顺峰山公园). It should cost less than RMB50 to travel one way. Cycling enthusiasts may opt to bike there from Panyu Square Metro Station, which takes about an hour and a half. Remember to pack enough water because there aren’t many convenience stores along the route!

DAYTRIPPER

Shunfeng Mountain Park

bout 24 kilometers south of Panyu Square, on the foot of a lush mountain, sits Shunfeng Mountain Park – one of the must-visit destinations in Shunde. Though the former city is now considered a district of Foshan, most people there still call themselves ‘Shunde ren,’ affirming their distinct culture. Boasting 24 scenic spots in total, Shunfeng Mountain Park greets visitors with its iconic paifang, a kind of Chinese archway, that is eulogized as ‘China’s No. 1 paifang’ for its sheer size and ornate marble carving of Chinese dragons. Occupying an area of about 5.5 square kilometers, the park is a popular weekend retreat for local families and senior citizens

who chit-chat and play Chinese chess in pavilions or picnic on its verdurous lawns. Everyone is in motion: kids drag their parents towards a ticket booth by the lake where goose-shaped boats are docked; a few boys run around the square, flying kites; men photograph women posing beside 500-year-old pagodas; groups of cyclists follow a 3-kilometer bike lane that encircles the park. If you only have time to visit one or two scenic spots, make it any of the four gardens, which resemble the classic gardens of Suzhou and are unrivalled in the PRD. These serene grounds, when combined with the lakes, stone bridges and pagodas, create an aura similar to that of the renowned West Lake in Hangzhou – just without the crowds.

The Baolin Temple, originally constructed during the Tang Dynasty, grandly towers over the park. Stop in around noon and try its lauded zhaicai, or Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. While southern China’s climate makes traveling relatively convenient any time of the year, avid day trippers might want to visit Shunfeng Mountain Park in June to see the sea of spectacular pink lotuses that burst into bloom come late spring. The annual Music Day – part of the French Croisements Festival – is also held this month, and will see a number of French musicians and Chinese bands rock out in Desheng Cultural Square from June 24 to 25. If you’ve ever thought about visiting Shunde, there’s never been a better time. TZ

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LIFE & ST YLE | F E AT URE

PRETTY IN PINK The Art Studio Recreating LA in Guangzhou By Jocelyn Richards

riving towards PinkSTAR Art Space on the outskirts of Tianhe in Guangzhou, the road resembles that of any rural Chinese town: repair shops mix with dapaidang, or street-side food stalls; traditional residences are patrolled by a stray dog or two. Nothing seems out of the ordinary – until everything turns pink. It happens suddenly: one moment you’re riding past steel-grey warehouses, the next you’re entering a 6,000-square-meter fantasyland dipped in shades of faded rose. But this is China, where nothing is (really) out of the ordinary. It’s also common to see edgy new art spaces inhabit what they deem to be historic, genuine environments (which usually means abandoned factories). PinkSTAR itself is housed in a former tire factory. Unlike 289 Art Park in downtown Guangzhou or 798 Art Zone in Beijing, however, PinkSTAR Art Space is technically not open to the public – unless you’re a model shooting for notable fashion lines*. The space, conceived and designed by advertising firm STARBOX, is intended to provide realistic backdrops for professional photo shoots that might otherwise be held in Paris or Los Angeles. Booking a spot isn’t cheap – access starts at RMB800 per hour, with a minimum requirement of four hours – but is significantly more affordable than flying an entire design team, models and photographers to the US or Europe. At the entrance, a security guard grills visitors for the details of their appointment. The tight oversight makes

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the space feel exclusive, almost concealing the fact that it’s an assortment of pink-painted buildings in a fairly dull section of Tianhe. While waiting to be let in, guests may wander into the nearby PinkSTAR Cafe. They’ll find it empty, though, and seemingly unused – like a scene out of the 2014 comedy The Interview, when James Franco’s character discovers all of the produce in a North Korean fruit shop is fake. The successive ‘10 rooms’ contained within PinkSTAR embody a similar vibe: visually attractive, physically useless. A bowling alley has no bowling balls. A laundry machine can’t take real coins. A diner’s ketchup dispenser has never been filled (though the alcohol behind the counter is real, we're told). Sure, it’s a studio intended for posing not bowling, but the lack of functioning props proves eerie nonetheless. From purely a design perspective, however, PinkSTAR's interior can’t help but impress. The rooms hold flavorful details that go beyond the standard cliches of typewriters and tattered novels. There’s an air of romance too, manifested in the white curtains designed to “blow in the wind like that scene in The Great Gatsby,” or in the forest-green bathtub accented by lace and fur. Models must have a blast. In the end, it’s the genuine imagination behind PinkSTAR that keeps it from being distastefully phony. Though from the photographs alone, you probably couldn’t tell either way, and that’s very much the point. *Intrigued? We have two PinkSTAR Art Space entry passes to give away to groups of 2-3 friends interested in visiting the site. Message one of our official WeChat accounts (ThatsGuangzhou or ThatsShenzhen) with your name, number and why you should win!

F E AT URE | LIFE & ST YLE

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LIFE & ST YLE | F E AT URE

FUTURE FORWARD Shenzhen’s First Design Week By Bailey Hu

ow can four parking spaces in the city be temporarily repurposed as a public area to relax, read or even exercise? Could better, low-cost playgrounds be created for children living in rural China? And how can design help spread the word about the millions of refugees stuck in 'temporary' camps around the world? Exhibits at the first-ever Shenzhen Design Week (April 21-28) addressed these questions and more. Playing off the theme ‘Design for the future,’ 2,000 works were featured at multiple venues across the city. An impressive lineup of designers both domestic and international also put on talks, workshops and panels over five days. Shenzheners who visited the main exhibition venue, a remodeled factory space in Shekou, were treated to a series of cool interactive displays. To start with, staff members inside one hall gave out digital bracelets that kept track of participants’ heart rates and time spent in each portion. After reaching the end of the exhibit, visitors saw their data converted into colorful, individualized patterns. Another part of the I-Factory showcased innovative design from both Hong Kong and the mainland, with products ranging from robotic vacuums to a black leather-bound VR headset. In the ‘Experience Center’ visitors were encouraged to participate and interact by crafting a collage, picking up a zine or browsing designers’ pop-up stores. 26 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Other areas showed the playful side of design. Inside a remodeled factory, SZDW staff set up a giant inflatable bubble that attendees could crawl inside to explore. The project, pieced together from discarded plastic bags, was originally conceived as an eco-friendly way to add new public spaces to Taipei. Transplanted in Shenzhen, the giant, colorful bubble seemed to be working, as it proved irresistible to children and adults alike. With creative, thought-provoking exhibits and events, Shenzhen Design Week is off to a good start. In fact, we’re already looking forward to the next one.

L IF E & S T Y L E | T R AV E L

FROM ANNAPURNA TO QOMOLANGMA AND BACK AGAIN A Trekker’s Guide to Nepal By Ariana Crisafulli

I am forever marked by the raw beauty of Nepal. It’s a beauty that captures the imagination and casts it off into the wild, mountainous terrain of this small gem of a country. Among these mountains, you can find the intersection between calm and exertion; between the beauty of wide open spaces and the technical details of a hard mountain trek. Trekking in Nepal is relatively easy to plan and execute. There are dozens of options depending on your fitness level, your budget, your schedule and the kind of experience you want to have. We’ve created a general guide to help you choose the trek that suits you best.

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When to Trek There are two trekking seasons in Nepal: March to May or October to November. While there are certain treks you can do in the off season, it is usually recom¬¬mended to go during these times, as you may risk getting snowed in or face heavy rains and mudslides otherwise. Where to Sleep One of the things that makes trekking in Nepal so appealing is the abundant accommodations throughout many of the trails. On most treks, you will encounter Himalayan villages with ‘teahouses’ where you can sleep and eat. This means that you do not need to bring camping gear or food with you on your trek. However, it’s important to note that this is

not true of all treks in Nepal (refer to the list below to see which require camping gear and food).

Altitude Sickness Altitude sickness can be a pain in the neck when trekking. Symptoms can start at 2,400 meters and usually include a headache, dizziness, upset stomach, loss of appetite, lethargy, and in extreme cases, irrational behavior. Altitude sickness is a serious medical condition, so if you start to feel any of these symptoms, don’t go any higher. Stay a night or two to acclimate and if symptoms do not improve, head back down the mountain. You can find altitude medication at Chinese pharmacies or at most trekking shops in Nepal.

Permits and Pricing All treks in Nepal require permits. You can apply for trekking permits at Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara for USD20 per person. Some treks also require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) that varies in cost depending on which trek you do. Trekking Permits

Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS)

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA)

T R AV E L | L IF E & S T Y L E

MODERATE TREKS

Rara Lake

Annapurna Base Camp

If you’re looking for a very remote trek but have limited time, the Rara Lake trek is a perfect option that will only take 8 to 14 days to complete. The secluded trek will bring you to the highest lake in Nepal, Rara Lake, which the Nepalese have dubbed the ‘Queen of Lakes.’ You will also traverse through Rara National Park, where you will find a variety of deer and even spot leopards if you get lucky! Keep in mind that you will have to pay a USD15 entry fee for the national park. To start the trek, take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and from there fly to Jumla at 2,540 meters. You’ll hike up to 3,480 meters and then back to Jumla where you’ll take flights back to Kathmandu.

If you have limited time but still have an urge to do a strenuous trek with stunning views, Annapurna Base Camp trek offers just what you need. This trek takes you to the Annapurna Base Camp where you can bask in incredible views of the Annapurna mountain range. From Pokhara, take a jeep or a bus to Ghandruk at 1,940 meters and then make your way to Annapurna Base camp at 4,130 meters. Continue on to Naya Pul where you can take a jeep or a bus back to Pokhara.

Length: 8-14 days Highest point: 3,480 meters Permits needed: TIMS Accommodation: Teahouses Cost: Cheap

Length: 7-11 days Highest point: Annapurna Base Camp at 4,320 meters Permits needed: ACAP, TIMS Accommodation: Teahouses Cost: Cheap

Ghorepani Poon Hill

Length: 5-7 days Highest point: Poon Hill at 3,210 meters Permits needed: ACAP, TIMS Accommodation: Teahouses Cost: Cheap

Ghorepani Poon Hill is an excellent introduction into trekking, as it is relatively easy while still offering incredible views of the Annapurna mountain range. If you go during the spring, you’ll also witness breathtaking rhododendron forests that cover the sweeping mountainsides. Starting from Pokhara, you can take a bus or taxi to Nayapul at 1011 meters to begin your trek. You’ll trek for 5 to 7 days and reach the highest point at 3,210 meters where you’ll begin your descent down to Deurali to catch another bus or taxi into Pokhara.

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L IF E & S T Y L E | T R AV E L

MEDIUM DIFFICULTY TREKS

Langtang Valley

Everest Base Camp

This trek brings you closer to the incredible Tibetan region than any of those previously mentioned. Because of the proximity, there are countless opportunities to visit Tibetan monasteries scattered throughout the trail. This trek is a good option whether you have limited time or time to spare, as it can take between 7 to 21 days to complete. From Kathmandu, take a jeep or bus to Syabrubesi at 1,550 meters. Trek up to the highest point on Tserko Peak at 4,984 meters, then head back to Syabrubesi to catch a ride back to Kathmandu.

Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular medium-level treks in Nepal because of its proximity to the majestic Mount Qomolangma, known in English as Mount Everest. If you want to become acquainted with the mountain, but do not have the experience or the budget to do the full journey, Everest Base Camp trek is a spectacular option to get you face-to-face with this incredible natural beauty. This trek also features the highest summit in this list at 5,600 meters. Start at Lukla at 2,651 meters and start heading up to Kala Patthar at 5,600 meters. Make a loop back around to Lukla where you can catch a flight back to Kathmandu.

Length: 7-21 days Highest point: Tserko Peak at 4,984 meters Permit needed: TIMS Accommodation: Teahouses Cost: Cheap

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Length: 12â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15 days Highest point: Kala Patthar at 5,600 meters Permits needed: TIMS Accommodation: Teahouses Cost: Medium

Annapurna Circuit

Length: 7-21 days Highest point: Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters Permit needed: TIMS, ACAP Accommodation: Teahouses Cost: Cheap

Like the Langtang Valley trek, the Annapurna Circuit is also very flexible time-wise. It features stunning views of white-capped mountains, rivers and waterfalls and a constant change of landscape as you rise in elevation. There are also a few side treks along the way such as the incredible Lake Tilicho at 5,000 meters, which is well worth it if you have time. To get there, take a jeep or bus from Kathmandu to Khudi at 800 meters. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll then make your way up to Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters before descending to Tadapani at 2,700 meters where you can take a jeep or bus to Pokhara.

T R AV E L | L IF E & S T Y L E

HIGH DIFFICULTY TREKS

Manaslu Circuit

Length: 11-22 days Highest point: Larke Pass at 5,135 meters Permits needed: ACAP, MCAP, RAP Accomodation: Guesthouses and lodges Cost: Medium

If diversity is what you’re looking for, you’ll find it on the Manaslu Circuit. With an elevation range of 600 meters to 5,135 meters, you’ll pass through forested regions in lower altitudes and arid landscapes at higher elevations. The massive range of elevation and scenery is the reason why this trek is dubbed high difficulty, but anyone who’s done it will tell you the climb is worth it. For the Manaslu Circuit, you’ll need to get a RAP permit which will cost you USD70 per person for the first seven days, between September to November. Between December and August, it’ll run you USD50 per person for the first seven days. For both seasons, it’ll cost an extra USD10 per day per person after the initial seven days, for a total cost of USD90-220, depending on the time and season. To trek the Manaslu Circuit, you’ll need to be accompanied by at least one other person as well as a Nepali guide or porter.

Upper Mustang

Length: 14-20 days Highest point: Dhakmar at 3,810 meters Permits needed: ACAP, RAP Accommodation: Teahouses Cost: High

Besides the stunning beauty of this trek, the most amazing thing about Upper Mustang is visiting the ancient capital of the Tibetan Kingdom, Lo Manthang. Because of its remoteness and difficulty level, you’ll need to acquire a RAP as well as be accompanied by at least one other trekker and a Nepali guide or porter. The RAP can be quite pricey at USD500 for 10 days. However, the trek normally takes between 14 and 20 days and costs USD50 per extra day in this region, for a total RAP cost of USD700-1,000. It’s best to fly from Pokhara to Jomson at 2,713 meters where you will begin, before going up to the highest point at 3,810 meters at Dhakmar and then back to Jomsom to return to Pokhara.

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ARTS The Playlist

Our favorite tracks from artists touring the PRD this month, p35

Faye Wong P34 32 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Punk Workshop P38

DRUMROLL

SONGS IN SEA BLUE

Benjamin Francis Leftwich Brings ‘Chill’ to China By Jocelyn Richards

You know those delicate, whispered melodies that seem to drift effortlessly through the air? Songs you can work to, fall asleep to or just breathe to? English singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich is all about those. And people are into it: ‘Shine,’ a song from his first album Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, was named Spotify’s most addictive track of 2014. Now touring his second album, After the Rain, the 27-year-old is gearing up for his second trip to China, where he’ll stop off in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in mid-June, delivering what he promises will be “real chill shows.” We caught up with Leftwich before his trip to learn more about his distinct musical approach, favorite Springsteen song and advice for aspiring artists.

For those less familiar with your music, which songs would you tell them to listen to first and why? That changes every day, but right now I would say a song called ‘Tilikum’ off my latest album, and a song called ‘Kicking Roses.’ I’m in love with all the songs and I believe in them but those two are just fairly current and they mean a lot to me. ‘Shine’ was named Spotify’s most addictive track of 2014, three years after Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm was released. Why do you think there was such a delay?

Yeah, it was crazy – I was just sitting in my bedroom having a coffee one morning when my friend texted me. Streaming has made it possible for songs to travel really long distances and I think it just took some time for that song to reach people’s countries. A big DJ named Kygo also remixed it and I think he helped bring a lot of the attention back to the original as well as his remix, which was great. In general, when creating a new song, does the melody or lyrics come to you first?

My dad used to say, "Ben, you’re a poet," and I never really agreed with him you know, because for me, with a song, the melody and the rhythm and the phrasing can enhance what would seem on paper the simplest lyrics. So a lot of the time, I’ll just be set with a guitar or a

laptop or a beat writing a melody and then maybe a word or two will come and I’ll build on it from there.

You’ve been touring for a year now. Any wild stories or memories that stand out? Many, but just a few months ago we were in Canada touring and it’s such a beautiful country… driving in the early morning and seeing the northern lights was amazing. But the most beautiful and unforgettable things are meeting people that you fall in love with, in whatever sense, whether that’s friends or partners. That’s the real blessing about touring: spending a whole year waking up in a different city, you never know what’s around the corner, and that’s something I’m very grateful for. You’ve cited Bruce Springsteen as an inspiration. Which of his songs best reflects your own style?

I’ll always remember the first time I listened to Nebraska all the way through… I think for a lot of singer-songwriters who start out with acoustic guitar, that’s a really special album. The lyrics are very humanist and kind and understanding and not preachy. Songwriting-wise, I’m really in love with a song of his called ‘Atlantic City,’ especially the chorus: “everything dies baby that’s a fact/but maybe everything that dies some day comes back/put your makeup on/fix your hair up pretty/and meet me tonight in Atlantic City.” If you could describe your musical style as a color – or food – what would it be?

It would be sea blue – like tropical sea blue – and the food would be Sriracha flavored tofu cubes. Any advice for aspiring young artists in China?

You’ve got to be happy within yourself and focused and calm before you can worry about anything else. And I would say the Internet is a dangerous place – too many people rush music out too soon. So I’d say patience, calmness, kindness, happiness, and listening to a lot of music and appreciating why music connects with people. Sun Jun 18, 8.30pm; RMB80 presale, RMB120 at the door. T:union, 361-365 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 广州市越秀区广州大道中 361–365号东方花苑首层 (020-3659 7623)

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COLL AGE SINO CELEB

COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

Faye Wong Every musical genre has a transcendent act, or artist whose name becomes the measuring stick by which all others are judged. Rare is the artist, however, who by sheer talent and staying power makes any association with other performers seem sophomoric and absurd. Faye Wong is one of these artists. Known to Chinese listeners as tian hou or ‘heavenly queen’ for her cool demeanor, Wong has literally risen above her earthbound peers to become the best-selling female Cantopop artist of all time. Born in Beijing as Wang Fei, Faye started her career in late 1980s Hong Kong, a prudent move given that Mandarin pop music was still in its nascent stage on the mainland. Early success eluded her and it wasn’t until she adopted the name Faye Wong and released her 1992 Cantonese-language album Coming Home that her rise to prominence began. Faye’s superstar audition tape was the 1994 hit single ‘I’m Willing,’ a record which also marked her return to recording in her native Mandarin tongue, from which she has not strayed since. Faye also starred in the 1994 cult classic film Chungking Express (it streams free on iQiyi.com), cementing her status in the pantheon of Chinese entertainers. Wong then signed with recording giant EMI, churning out a string of hit albums in the 1990s and early aughts. She took a hiatus from 2005 until 2009, returned for a comeback tour in 2010 and has since stayed in the public eye primarily through her philanthropy efforts and 23-million-follower-strong Weibo account.

Kind of like: a Chinese Madonna Famous for: being named best-selling Canto-pop female in 2000 Hear her stuff on: iTunes, Baidu or QQ music 34 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Wonder Woman

JUNE 2

Years after Batman and Superman got their due on the big screen, the first Wonder Woman film finally hits theaters in China on June 2. The film chronicles Wonder Woman’s origin story, which “comes straight out of feminist utopian fiction,” according to the New Yorker. An Amazonian princess named Diana lives with her clan of warrior women on an island paradise until a WWI pilot crashes his plane there and recruits her for the cause, bringing her to London in 1918, which is rife with social unrest.

The Mummy

JUNE 9

This reboot of The Mummy franchise, which extends beyond the 1999 Brendan Frasier flick to the original 1932 film starring Boris Karloff, tells the story of doomed Princess Ahmanet, who was buried alive after she killed her father for refusing to allow her to ascend the throne because she was a woman. In present-day Egypt, the American army, including a rather haggard Tom Cruise, discovers and opens Ahmanet’s tomb, and she proceeds to wreak havoc on the entire world as payback.

HAO BU HAO

Hao Directed by celebrated filmmaker Lu Chuan, Born in China is a nature documentary from Disneynature and Shanghai Media Group. The film chronicles the trials and tribulations of three animals native to China: a snow leopard, a golden snub-nosed monkey and a giant panda. Already a hit domestically when it was released this past August, Born in China found success again with its American release on April 21, topping the US new releases chart during its opening weekend. In total, the film has grossed over USD10 million in the US and nearly USD11 million domestically. The English version is narrated by John Krasinski of The Office.

Bu Hao

A Massachusetts cartoonist named Jayme Gordon will be spending the next two years in prison thanks to a fraudulent claim that he was the original creator of Kung Fu Panda. Apparently, Gordon saw an early trailer for the DreamWorks film in 2008, and it reminded him of one of his comics, Panda Power. He proceeded to alter his panda drawings to resemble the film’s animation and sued DreamWorks for copyright infringement in 2011. After being caught deleting evidence from his computer and lying under oath, he was found guilty of fraud this May. The trial cost DreamWorks USD3 million in legal fees, so Gordon must pay them back in damages in addition to serving his prison sentence.

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

WHAT’S NEW

From Leftwich's smooth tunes to Moksi’s balanced beats, here are our favorite tracks from artists playing in the PRD this month.

GUANGZHOU: Sophie Zelmani - ‘Bless Me’ Benjamin Francis Leftwich - ‘Summer’ Arested Denial - ‘D-Land’ Kontakte - ‘Sterile World’ Declan Galbraith - ‘You and Me’ PK14 - ‘你和我’ SHENZHEN: Twisted Machine - 'Lost in Beijing' Little Wizard - 'Turned Away' Anoice - 'Liange' Moksi (with Chace) - 'For a Day' Sophie Zelmani - 'Waiting for the Miracle to Come' DJ Rae (with S.K.T.) - 'Take Me Away'

Feminist Indian Film Becomes Major Hit In China Based on the inspiring true story of India’s first female wrestler to win a gold metal at the Commonwealth Games, Dangal has become the highest-grossing Indian film ever released in China. The film beat out Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which was released on the same day, for highest sales, and grossed over RMB100 million in a single day. It currently holds a 9.2 rating on Douban. Starring Indian powerhouse actor Aamir Khan, Dangal tells the story of a former pro wrestler who encourages his two daughters to defy traditional gender roles, training them both to follow in his footsteps. The movie was first screened in China earlier this year at the Beijing International Film Festival, and received a nationwide release in China after getting a positive response from festival-goers. Dangal, which translates to “wrestling” in Hindi, has also received acclaim worldwide and is currently the second-highest-grossing Indian film of all time.

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ARTS | MUSIC

MR. C

British House and Techno Pioneer Tours His New Album through China By Oscar Holland

In addition to performing as rapper and frontman of iconic 90s rave band The Shamen, Mr. C has had a long career DJing techno and acid house and being an unapologetic supporter of rave culture. He’s touring China this month to promote the release of his new album, Incidents, which includes the grinding, psychedelic single ‘Stand Up’ that was first released on the UK’s Save Fabric album compilation. We caught up with Mr. C to chat about the hidden meanings behind his songs with The Shamen and chasing dragons. Your songs are laden with double meanings – which ones did you manage to slip through? With ‘Ebeneezer Goode,’ as we know, all you need to do is take away the letter ‘h’ from the word ‘he’ in the verses and all is explained. ‘Boss Drum’ was about altered states of consciousness via rhythm, body work and percussive sounds – which are in your brainwaves – to connect you with Dione, the goddess mind of the planet. ‘Transamazonia’ was about a shaman flying across the Amazon. How the hell is a shaman going to fly across the Amazon if he’s not high on ayahuasca? So altered states of consciousness were a recurring theme?

What we were actually doing was giving people information about human evolution and coming together to form a telepathic community. I don’t think there’s been a band, before or since, that has been as informative about human evolution and how to move forward. Why was Ebeneezer so good?

Because he was cheeky, mysterious and showed people how to enjoy themselves to the fullest. If you had to change the letter ‘C’ in your name, what would you choose? Let’s say ‘E’. Again that’s got a double meaning; it’s all a bit of a mystery. 36 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

“I would catch the dragon by being in control of the illusion that tells us the dragon exists” If you had a shamanic voodoo doll, who would you use it on? Can I use it on a bunch of people, like all the elite rich? No? Then I’d have to say one of the Rothschilds because they own all the banks, and all the money. I’d use the pins to inject love and compassion so that they’d stop being greedy, self-righteous people and use their money to end all poverty. If you were chasing a dragon, how would you go about it?

That’s difficult, because I don’t ride a horse! Would I just be catching the dragon or slaying the dragon as well? We’re not sure. No one’s caught up with one yet.

Then I’m going to change my answer. I would catch the dragon by being in control of the illusion that tells us the dragon exists. Sat Jun 17, 9pm, RMB80. Shenzhen Demo Club, East gate of Coco Park, Futian District, Shenzhen 深圳市福田区购物公园东门

ARTS | MUSIC

CROSS-COUNTRY PUNK WORKSHOP PK14 Take Their As Yet Untitled Album on an Expansive China Tour By Erica Martin

ew bands have solidified a space for themselves in the Chinese rock narrative and its evolution over the past few decades the way PK14 have. Active for more than 20 years, the foursome have grown from a plucky DIY punk troupe in Nanjing to an act often cited as not just one of, but the most influential band in China. In their music and lyrics, they’ve always struck a delicate balance between embodying the protest ethos of punk and a more thoughtful, reflective quality, which has inspired legions of younger bands and catapulted them to international renown. The band is comprised of guitarist Xu Bo, bassist Shi Xudong, drummer Jonathan Leijonhufvud (who’s Swedish but has lived in China for much of his life), and vocalist Yang Haisong. Yang especially is the band’s

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tour de force; with his expansive songwriting, emotional vocal delivery and the oftphotographed signature jump-kicks he does onstage, he’s played a major role in developing the band’s complexity over the course of their five studio albums, from earlier, more rough-and-ready records like 2005’s White Paper to 2013’s album of thoughtful social critique, 1984. This quiet rebellion and singularity of mind that comes across in Yang’s stage presence and lyrics also reveals itself in conversation. “I learned a lot in these 20 years, and I’m still learning,” he says. “I’d rather let things flow smoothly and naturally, keeping my curiosity and creativity.” Because of their celebrated status and their 20-year output, PK14 is one of the few Chinese bands that has garnered lasting

attention from international music critics. Yang is regularly interviewed by publications outside China and asked to analyze and speak for the nation’s entire diverse music scene, something we imagined must be stressful. “Yes, sometimes,” Yang says, in response to whether he feels pressure being this kind of spokesperson for Chinese rock. “But I guess since I have been involved in the music scene for more than 20 years, it’s pretty natural that people want to know more about the scene from me and my experience. And also, I like to read books about the stories of the music scene in other cities, like Chicago, DC, or Manchester. It inspires us a lot.” The fact that they care deeply about nurturing the music scene in both Beijing and the country as a whole also contributes

MUSIC | ARTS

to their willingness to occasionally be the face of it. Yang is always quick to praise other bands – he has mentioned Shanghai all-girl psych-rock trio Dream Can in several interviews (including our own) and is helping to produce their debut album. He also cites noise rockers Lonely Leary from Beijing as being promising. Both bands are fairly young and green, but have a distinctive, fully realized sound, something he clearly looks for and appreciates. Much of PK14’s long-lasting appeal also comes from their continued innovation. Their most recent album, released in 2015, is an improvised live recording performed in collaboration with visual artist Sun Qiuchen at the art museum UCCA in Beijing, aptly titled Music for an Exhibition. Split into four 15-to-20-minute tracks, it moves through ambient noise to grinding postrock to dreamy soundscapes, with Yang chanting almost ritualistically. “We were pretty nervous before the show; not for the performance part, but for recording part,” says Yang of the project. “It was one take with no overdub recording, so I was a little worried that we would not record a good take, or it would be missing some sounds. But when we listened back to the recording, we all loved it.” The whole project reveals the band’s tendency to continue experimenting and not take themselves too seriously. With the notable exceptions like the Music for an Exhibition show and their set for Split Works 10th Anniversary party in Shanghai last fall, PK14 has performed only a few times a year since the tour of their last studio album, 1984, in 2013. They’re currently at work on a

new album, and will embark on an expansive China tour this month for the first time in years. But rather than an album release tour, it will be a warm-up tour to help them experiment with the way their new songs sound and feel in a live setting. Yang explains that the setlist will showcase their new material mixed with songs from City Weather Sailing and 1984, two of their most celebrated albums. “It has no name yet,” Yang says of the upcoming album. “The songs are still pretty rough and we need to find out their own characters on the road.” PK14 will invite different bands to open for them in each city that they tour through next month, another way in which they’re using their own fame to buoy up-and-comers. The very fact that they see touring the album throughout China as a way to explore and add texture to its theme and sounds makes clear the value they find in the music scene as a whole – both in its musicians and its fans. “We wrote all these new songs in studio,” Yang says, “but you know, sometimes as a rock band, these songs need to be played and get energy from the stage. We think that after the tour, we will understand these songs much better and record them better.”

“I’d rather let things flow smoothly and naturally, keeping my curiosity and creativity”

GZ: Sat Jun 17, 8.30pm; RMB100 presale, RMB150 at the door. SD Livehouse, 132 Gongye Dadao Bei, Haizhu District 海珠区工业大道北132号SD现场 (137 1919 6464); SZ: Sun Jun 18, 8.30pm; RMB100 presale, RMB150 at the door. B10 Live, North Side of Building C2, North District, OCT-Loft, Wenchang Jie, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区C2栋北侧B10现场 (www.b10live.cn, 0755-8633 7602)

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ARTS | MUSIC

CHINA MUSIC CORNER

Three New Homegrown Albums on Our Radar This Month 人间指南 by Babel Records The latest compilation release from Beijing’s Babel Records, 人间指南 or Human Guide is a distinctly cyberpunk vision of China. Its blend of 90s pop and R&B with cutting-edge bass music makes for a satisfying mix of throwback and techno-future, and seems like the ideal release for a label whose tagline on their Bandcamp and Soundcloud pages is the assertion that “Now Is Future.” Tracks from a diverse group of producers based around China, including Shanghai’s Zean (‘Make It’) and Beijing’s Soulspeak (‘Alien Born Chinese’), display an eclectic mix of styles; you’ll catch samples of Drake and Michael Jackson, jazzy horns, and robotic bleeping. Aiming to explore “a space which is full of the contradictions of 90s’ China,” 人间指南 has all the neon-soaked style of science fiction, but the poppy samples, analog warmth and soulful beats make it far more playful than it is dystopian. Listen here: https://babelrecords.bandcamp.com/album/--3

极饿非道 by Disanxian A self-described “Hardcore Punk/Crust/D-Beat” band based out of Shenzhen, Disanxian dropped their debut album of protest punk in early May. The band consisting of five members – one Japanese, one Italian and three Chinese – is named after the staple Chinese dish, apparently for no reason other than because they enjoy eating it. They sing in a combination of English and Cantonese and are major fans of British rock band Discharge, nodding to them in their logo and covering one of their songs on the album. Released under Beijing-based label Dying Art Productions, The Greatest Outrageous Famine (极饿非道) explores the band’s core concepts of “antiwar, anti-capitalism and social discontent,” with track names that double as calls to action, like ‘Follow No Leader’ and ‘Stand Up and Fight.’ Though it isn’t totally possible to tell one song from another just by the music itself, Disanxian have an energizing rawness and whiplash pacing that’s worth a listen, and probably translates especially well to live performances, especially the frenetic lyrics and aggressive guitars of the track “HENGGANG Streets Burn!!!” Listen here: https://disanxiancrust.bandcamp.com/album/the-greatest-outrageous-famine

[GNM003]: 战记 by Rui Ho The third EP release by Shanghai’s rising-star music crew Genome6.66Mbp, Rui Ho’s 战记 (Zhanji or War) is five tracks that fluctuate between militaristic, aggressive bass and poignant moments of raw emotion, all of which is imbued with their signature interweaving of Western club music with traditional Chinese instrumentals. A nonbinary DJ and producer, Rui Ho grew up in China and studied music in Paris before relocating to Berlin, where they recently won a spot in Berlin Community Radio’s incubator program. Rui Ho describes Zhanji, their debut EP, as being a therapeutic outlet, a chronicle of an ancient and imaginary war that “has happened so many times in my head.” This theme is explored impressively – several songs, most notably the opening track, ‘Gleam,’ start out sounding like fairly typical and unmemorable bass music, only to build in complexity of sound and emotional resonance so that by the end, you’re fully immersed in Rui Ho’s narrative of frustration and wary hopefulness. Listen here: https://genome666mbp.bandcamp.com/album/gnm003-rui-ho

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

THE RISE OF BIKE SHARE AND CYCLING’S GREAT COMEBACK IN CHINA By Tristin Zhang

The past and the future are never very far apart in China. Capital is once again flowing into Tianjin bike factories that just 30 years ago were churning out Pigeons, Phoenixes and Yongjius. Today, Mobikes, Ofos and Bluegogos top the list of orders, as biking – so long considered a thing of the past – contends to play a more permanent role in China’s future.

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COVER STORY

“There are nine million bicycles in Beijing. That’s a fact. It’s a thing we can’t deny.” So begins British singer Katie Melua’s 2005 single ‘Nine Million Bicycles.’ Inspired by her trip to the capital in the early 90s, the song describes China as many will always remember it: the ‘kingdom of bicycles.’

Though invented in Europe, bikes have long enjoyed a unique kind of welcome in China. In the 50s, ‘three rounds and a sound’ – a bicycle, sewing machine, wristwatch and radio – were what every Chinese household strived to possess. By the 80s, many families could finally afford them, and hordes of bikes could be seen flooding Beijing’s Chang’an Street every morning and at dusk. Today, a fresh wave of bike mania is once again sweeping the country. Yet this time, it’s not the black Phoenix or forest green Pigeon clogging urban lanes, but a polychromatic mix of dock-less, park-anywhere shared bikes. On the morning of April 22, 2016, hundreds of orange and silver frames appeared on Shanghai’s streets for the first time, all armed with a GPS-assisted lock that allowed users to park any time, any place. All one had to do was download a mobile app, scan a QR code to unlock the bike and press down a lever to lock it once the trip was finished. Dubbed 44 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

the ‘Uber for bikes,’ Mobike’s easy-to-use application and affordability appealed to hundreds of thousands of users seeking a quicker way to cover that final kilometer in their daily commute inaccessible by metro or bus. Even avid bikers grew to prefer shared bikes over their own wheels, which came with the risk of being stolen. Copycat start-up firms arose in no time, hurling themselves onto the bike-share bandwagon. In a matter of months, the sea of orange spilling onto sidewalks expanded to include nearly every color in the rainbow. As of March 2017, there were 174 bike-share schemes in 30 of China’s 34 province-level divisions, according to ExpatFinder. And whereas it may have been difficult to locate a shared bike within half a kilometer of your home or office a year ago, today, you’re likely to see dozens – maybe even hundreds – parked beside the nearest intersection, metro station or mall.

COVER STORY

CYCLES OF THE PAST

"Early bike rims were crafted with old gasoline drums left by the US Army, while frames were welded using water pipes”

hina’s penchant for pedaling is nothing new. Puyi, the country’s last emperor before dynastic rule gave way to a republic, was a bike enthusiast and collector himself. It was upon his request, in fact, that all of the thresholds within the Forbidden City were leveled to make the grounds more ‘bike-friendly.’ In 1868, the first foreign bicycle arrived in Shanghai, and by 1937, the first bike factory was established in Tianjin. Thirteen years later, that factory would turn out the Pigeon – the first bike ever produced in the PRC. Early production was relatively crude: rims were crafted with old gasoline drums left by the US Army, while frames were welded using water pipes. The bikes were absurdly heavy as a result, and riders would often sweat so much that they would ‘sweat out’ the common cold, leading some to nickname the vehicles ‘Aspirin bikes.’ In the 70s, the three most popular Chinese bicycle brands – Phoenix, Pigeon and Yongjiu – were in high demand and low supply in cities and towns alike. China’s planned economy meant one needed a ticket to purchase a bike, and no amount of power or money could guarantee obtainment of the coveted coupon. As China’s economic vision transformed in the 80s, so too did its bike production. Spare parts factories and more efficient assembly lines sprang up as the State Council poured money into developing mechanical products. According to a report by Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, China spawned more than 33 million bicycles in 11 months in 1986, meaning more than one bike was produced every second. By the end of the decade, a population of 10 million people in Beijing possessed no fewer than 8 million bikes. From the 70s to 90s, biking reflected the country’s relatively basic standard of living. To a large extent, the demand for cycles was driven by their competitive cost and efficiency: they were used to transport straw and rice in the countryside, and to carry one’s wife to work in the cities. A bicycle was where romance happened – it was an intimate part of one’s childhood memories and an icon of Chinese lifestyle. In the early 90s, two-wheelers were out in full force in China’s capital, earning it a reputation as the ‘city of bicycles.’ But the phenomenon didn’t last long. The country was on the fast track towards modernization, after all, and bicycles were destined to become a thing of the past. “The growth of bikes in cities is not a direction of urban transportation development,” declared the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in 1995. Bikes were deemed ‘inferior’ vehicles, and gradually lost their place on public roads. At the turn of the 21st century, bike commuters were forced to ride between buses. Automobiles had become the new ‘round’ – or status symbol – and most young people wanted nothing to do with outmoded twowheeled contraptions. “I would rather cry in a BMW than smile on the back of a bicycle,” were the famous words uttered by dating show contestant Ma Nuo in 2010. The quote would come to symbolize a decade of materialism fed by record economic growth and a ‘get rich quick’ mentality. For the few who still found bicycles romantic, China’s increasingly smoggy, congested roads were no longer suitable for a pleasant ride anyway. And so, in time, biking largely fell out of favor.

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COVER STORY

BIKE SHARE: A NEW BEGINNING

he logistics of bike-share have evolved considerably since the concept was conceived in Amsterdam circa 1965. In 1991, Copenhagen’s ByCylken program utilized heavy-duty bikes chained to bicycle racks with coin-operated locks. Users did not need to register, however, and thus could not be held accountable for vandalized or stolen bikes. Two years later, La Rochelle, France in-

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troduced a system known as the ‘bicycle library’ – the first of its kind to require users to show identification and leave a deposit in order to combat theft and vandalism. By 2001, the Velo’v program in Lyon, France – considered the ‘third generation of bike-share – resolved many preexisting problems by improving bikes’ security, accountability, monitoring capacity and billing system. Hangzhou, now home to the world’s largest public bike-share program with 84,100 bikes at present, is modeled on the Vélib’ system in Paris. It’s similar to private bike-share models in that users can download an app and scan a QR code to unlock a bike, but the vehicles must be returned to a docking station after use. Today’s dock-less bicycles can be thought of as the fourth generation of bike-share. Problems of inconvenience have obviously been solved, as users are free to park the wheels almost anywhere. Physical improvements, whether for comfort or durability, are made constantly: Mobike has already released its third model since last year, and Ofo its "3.0 generation." So far, rider response has been overwhelming positive: a recent survey by the Ministry of Commerce showed the number of

dock-less bike-share users in China reached 19 million at the end of 2016. The same source estimates 50 million total users by the end of this year – an increase of roughly 163 percent. Cycling has arguably become ‘cool’ again: users are pegged as being young, environmentally aware and progressive. Sharing one’s bike route on WeChat will garner one plenty of likes, as will a selfie taken atop a little yellow Ofo. So positive are Chinese youths' attitudes towards bike-share that many are posing the question: just how did Mobike turn bicycles from obsolete to original in a matter of months? And will the bike-share movement fade as quickly as it arose? “A bike is simply the fastest and cheapest way to get from A to B,” explains Karl Ulrich, the vice dean of entrepreneurship and innovation at Wharton University of Pennsylvania. “It is three times less expensive than the subway and may cut travel time by five times or more for distances of up to 3 to 5 kilometers.” Ulrich claims the density of Chinese cities, the government’s attitude, cheap labor costs to distribute and maintain bikes as well as a comparably low crime rate in China have all contributed to bike-share’s explosive popularity. There’s one more factor: the country enjoys a complete supply chain for bicycles that enables low-cost, efficient production. Tianjin, the same city that turned out China’s first Pigeon, is now home to 1,000 bike manufacturers and more than 700 spare parts manufacturers, according to a report by the Ministry of Commerce of China. Some factories there average nearly two bikes per minute.

COVER STORY

ern province of Shandong. “These young people ride in the middle of the street, earphones in, and sometimes we can’t see them.” Children in particular are at risk of falling and collisions. Though kids under 12 years of age are not legally allowed to cycle on streets in China, one research group found that 2 percent of all shared bikes in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Chengdu are used by children under 12. In March of this year, an 11-year-old boy died at an intersection in Shanghai after he was run over by a coach bus while riding an Ofo. The issue of bike-share safety is calling fresh attention to the dearth of proper bike lanes in many Chinese cities. Liu Shaokun, greenway and park-

AN UNSTEADY FUTURE

s shared bicycles are distributed daily by the truck-full onto China’s first- and second-tier city streets, however, the very factor that once made them so convenient and popular is the same factor that could spell their death. Dock-less bike-share companies began operating in cities ‘Uber-style,’ or without permission, and the ‘park anywhere’ strategy has become both a blessing and a curse. Firstly, the sheer number of wheels out on the streets is posing a problem, as Shenzhen discovered during the three-day Qingming Festival this past April. According to the management center at Shenzhen Bay Park, around 10,000 shared bikes were brought inside the park on one day during the holiday, rendering some paths impenetrable. Shenzhen authorities were so fed up with the mass of Mobikes, Ofos and Xiaomings that they enforced a park-wide ban on shared bikes the following day, and pledged to do the same on all future holidays and weekends. Other cities like Shanghai have tried to maintain order in public spaces by demarcating specific parking spaces for bike-share models on sidewalks. But abandoned bikes are still a common sight on highways, in underground parking garages and even hanging from tree branches. They are constantly abused – rendered useless by having their locks broken, tires flattened, seats stolen or QR codes scratched off. Others are simply tossed into lakes or rivers. “They’ve become a real burden, these bikes, especially at night,” says a Guangzhou taxi driver surnamed Wang, who hails from the north-

traffic laws that favor cyclists, citizens spent the better part of 30 years negotiating changes to their city’s streets. In China, the recent popularization of bike-share is merely a seedling of hope that the country may one day achieve something similar to the Dutch model. When the novelty of bike share fades, it’s unclear whether bicycles will still hold the same appeal in China. And if by chance they do, municipalities will need to be ready to foster the trend by introducing more constructive regulation, broader bike lanes and incentives to choose greener strides for bluer skies. Only then will China’s historic affinity for bicycles find a more definite place in its future.

“In the road construction blueprint of Guangzhou, the transportation committee wanted to weed out bike lanes”

ing program manager at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy’s Guangzhou office, says he is frustrated by the lack of bike-friendly routes and the fact that existing bike lanes are often hijacked by cars and busses. “In the road construction blueprint of Guangzhou [a few years ago], the transportation committee wanted to weed out bike lanes,” Liu explains. “But I hope bike-share will push the municipal government to consider planning more.” Sustainable transport consultant Bram van Ooijen, who founded Cycle Canton tours in Guangzhou, believes dock-less bike share is here to stay, but some of the current schemes may fold in the near future. “It will be a matter of who provides the most convenience to users in terms of availability of bikes and quality of bikes over time, including the maintenance and replacement of older bikes, and convenience and added services through the app,” says Ooijen. He hopes to see city governments implement more bikerelated infrastructure to improve the cycling experience. Fu Ling, director of public relations at Mobike’s Guangzhou office, is optimistic about the affect his company’s bicycles may have on the future of urban planning in China. “Mobike records the route taken by each one of our bikes every day,” he explains. “This data is valuable for transportation planning.” But the road ahead will undoubtedly be rough. In cities like Amsterdam, which now boasts more than 35,000 kilometers of bike lanes and WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2017 | GZ | 47

COVER STORY

MOBIKE CLASSIC

Deposit: RMB299 Weight: 26kg Cost: RMB1/30 min Saddle comfort: *** Build quality: ***** Style: *** Overall: ****

In the beginning, there was Mobike. Mobike Classic, to be exact. Sporting a V-chassis, the seat and handle bars were set wide enough to summon your inner BMXer, though the bike was much too heavy to ever catch air with. The internal pedal-powered generator was ditched for Mobike Lite, which relies on a solar panel at the bottom of a bike basket to keep the GPS charged. With millions of dollars in backing by Tencent and an American private equity firm, there are big bets the bikes will be the ‘last kilometer’ transport of choice for hip, careless millennials. Plenty are betting big on Mobike’s ability to stand out from the rainbow of shared bicycles clogging major city streets. The bike targets those with enough spare cash for the deposit, but those without a car – billing itself as a solution to the last kilometer of travel.

THE RIVALS

A Guide to China’s Leading Bike-Share Models By Sky Thomas Gidge, Bailey Hu and Tristin Zhang

BLUEGOGO Bluegogo is a relatively new arrival in the PRD, entering the fray well after Mobike and Ofo had already staked out significant claims. However, having raised hundreds of millions of yuan in funding, Bluegogo is putting up a good fight. The fact that Tony Li, the mastermind behind ‘smart bike’ company SpeedX, is Bluegogo’s founder probably doesn’t hurt. While the bicycles aren’t topof-the-line, they do have a cool gimmick: a solar panel inside the basket powers both the lock and taillight. Overall, the ‘little blue bikes’ are suited for the casual cyclist, moving easily after just a few strokes on the pedals. The seat is adjustable and fairly comfortable, although its shape proves to be a problem: a slight incline means that we have to brace ourselves to stop from slipping.

OFO Deposit: RMB99 Weight: 15kg Cost: RMB0.5/30 min Saddle comfort: ** Build quality: **** Style: *** Overall: ***

Ofo, nicknamed xiaohuangche (little yellow bike), started as a bike-share scheme at the campus of Peking University in 2014 but was not operated outside of university campuses until November 2016. As of March, Ofo boasted around 2.5 million cycles and 30 million users in both China and overseas, including San Francisco and Cambridge in the UK. Users think highly of the bike’s comfort, and we too found Ofo’s saddle to be the most pleasant of all the five models we tried. Unlike other models, the lock is mechanical – it requires a passcode sent to the user via text in order to manually unlock the bike. Ofo targets students and teachers in particular, who can ride for half the price of others. 48 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

COVER STORY

XIAOMING Deposit: RMB199 Weight: 23kg Cost: RMB1/30 min Saddle comfort: **** Build quality: ** Style: *** Overall: **

The Guangzhou-based Xiaoming Bike entered the market last October after receiving financial support from from France’s bike manufacturer Cronus. The azure bike claims to target “sport lovers and fashionable bikers,” but after a 30-minute test ride, we decide it suits just the opposite: the out-of-shape. Peddling a Xiaoming is much less demanding than a Mobike – it’s also very slow. One design feature we appreciate is the plastic wrap on Xiaoming’s chain, which guarantees stain-free pants. Its strategy to attract more users – whereby you can ride for just RMB0.1 per half hour if you invite 10 friends or more to join – is the most alluring of its kind in the market so far.

MOBIKE NEW

Deposit: RMB99 Weight: 15.5kg Cost: RMB1/30 min; RMB0.5 for students, teachers/30 min Saddle comfort: ***** Build quality: * Style: *** Overall: ****

Mobike’s latest incarnation builds on the toughas-nails philosophy with metal 'spokes' and a heavy bike frame, while addressing the complaints the first generation saw. Now with an adjustable seat and front basket, the torque has been toned down, meaning those hoping for a high velocity ride will be pedaling twice as fast, while charging the internal battery. Changes to the frame make it a decidedly 'sit down' experience.

Deposit: RMB299 Weight: 23kg Cost: RMB1/30 min Saddle comfort: ***** Build quality: ***** Style: **** Overall: ****

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COMM UNITY Why TCM Works

Chinese medical practitioner Jon Hanlon on pain and healing, p54

Dear Jamie P52 50 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Fencing Club P52

FEATURE

THE BLUE WHALE CHALLENGE

Should Parents in China Be Worried? By Matthew Bossons

panic that began in Russia over the ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ has spread far beyond that country’s borders, with both Chinese- and English-language media outlets reporting the game’s alleged arrival in China. According to the South China Morning Post, Guangdong-based tech-giant Tencent recently announced its security team discovered Blue Whale groups on their QQ social media platforms. The company has supposedly closed 12 such groups – some of which included members from Guangdong, according to GRT Radio. Reportedly created by 21-year-old Russian psychology student Philipp Budeikin back in 2013, the Blue Whale Challenge asks participants to complete a set of ‘tasks’ over the course of 50 days. Assignments are given by an administrator and range from the mundane, like waking up at strange hours and watching horror movies, to the extreme, including self-harm and body mutilation. At the end of the 50 days, players are reportedly encouraged to commit suicide.

The game’s name is supposedly based on the idea that whales sometimes beach themselves and then die. In the time since the Blue Whale Game made its debut in the online world, a lot has changed. Officials in countries from the Americas, Africa and Europe have purportedly linked teen suicides to the game. Police in the UK have issued a warning to parents and Budeikin is now sitting in a Russian jail cell on charges of inciting “at least 16 school girls” to end their lives. According to numerous reports, at least 130 suicides in Russia have been linked to the game since 2015. But is the Blue Whale game really a threat to youth in China and, more importantly, is the game even real? Or is its ascent into the public consciousness the result of media-fed hysteria? Evidence would tend to support the latter. Firstly, the most frequently cited statistic in this story is questionable at best. While publications claim 130 suicides have been linked to the challenge in Russia, Radio Free Europe (RFE) asserts not a single death has been definitively linked to the game. Furthermore, RFE reportedly "investigated the phenomenon and tried to participate under aliases, but got nowhere.” The Blue Whale Game is listed as ‘unproven’ by the hoax-monitoring website Snopes, which found that although suicides have indeed occurred in Russia over the past six months, there is little evidence their deaths are tied to the online challenge. Arguably the largest red herring in the entire Blue Whale saga is the fact that no publication thus far has addressed how the group of Russian 'mentors' responsible for the game’s rise could possibly be exporting it to English-, Spanish-, Swahili- and now

Chinese-speaking countries, not to mention the language-diverse European countries the game has reportedly spread to. A potential answer is that copycat groups have emerged, mimicking the original Russian version of the online death game. If that is the case, however, then the media's assertion that the Blue Whale Challenge is some kind of pre-planned, multinational online cult set to end teenage lives around the world seems premature. In an interview with Wired Magazine, Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics said: “The importance of media literacy to identify and reject fake news is vital for everyone, but especially for parents whose anxieties about their children’s safety make them too easily to fall prey to clickbait designed to trap them. The responsibilities of journalists to check their facts and sources has also never been so great, as the Blue Whale scare illustrates clearly.” It’s worth remembering that such panics have happened in the past, one example being the moral hysteria in the 1980s over rumors the game Dungeons & Dragons was promoting suicides, murders and other ungodly acts. This unwarranted fear was eventually debunked. While there is little doubt people have ended their lives due to online goading, verifying the actual reach and existence of the Blue Whale Challenge appears to be easier said than done. Perhaps the fear behind the game is best summed up by Canadian newspaper columnist Russell Smith: “What the Blue Whale myth reflects, really, is not a suicide trend among teenagers, but a creeping fear that the Internet itself can spy on us and control us.” WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2017 | GZ | 51

COMM UNITY DEAR JAMIE

Bathroom Bother Dear Jamie, I have just accepted a role with a company in the outskirts of a city here in the PRD. The company has put me up in a nice apartment, with only one caveat: the bathroom has a Turkish toilet (a squatty-potty). Am I wrong to resist using such a contraption or should I embrace it? I am seriously thinking about going back home or to my old job over the toilet. Am I being unreasonable? How should I equitably and reasonably handle this? If it helps explain the situation, I am over two meters tall and don’t squat very well due to my leg length. -Squatting in Shantou Dear Squatting, So you’d quit your job over a toilet – or even leave the country? There’s a bigger issue here than your pooping posture. Do you want to live in the PRD’s hinterlands? Is your new job something you actually want to be doing? Are you happy with your life in China? Answer these questions first, and then ask the company to replace the toilet. -Jamie

Cruisin’ for a Boozin

Dear Jamie, I am an exchange student here in Guangzhou. I love going to clubs on the weekends with my classmates – the only problem is the low-quality alcohol being served at clubs around here. They cause a mean hangover that’s pushing me towards giving up on clubbing altogether. How do I avoid the crippling headaches associated with low-quality alcohol at nightclubs in China? -Hungover in Guangzhou Dear Hungover, Stop paying RMB50 for full bottles of ‘brand-name’ booze. -Jamie Pulling an Apollo 13 with your life in China? Forget Houston, write Jamie at jamieinchina@outlook.com

52 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

AROUND TOWN SOCIAL SKILLS

Joy Swordsmen Alliance Fencing Club The days of swordsmen dueling each other for honor may be gone, but sword fighting is still a popular pastime – even in Guangdong. Now active for more than 10 years in Guangzhou, the Joy Swordsmen Alliance Fencing Club features a group of professional coaches, many of whom were former athletes or coaches on China’s national team. If you’re at all curious about fencing but not yet ready to suit up for a competitive fight, you can sign up for a free practice lesson first and decide whether or not to join the club later on. At the initial lesson, a coach will introduce you to three types of swords and corresponding protective gear before showing you the proper fighting stance. You’ll then have a chance to practice various blocking and attacking movements for the rest of the lesson. As one of the coaches we spoke to explained, fencing is a great skill to master, especially when you’re young. It helps children

learn explosiveness, sensitivity and quick reactivity. It also helps increase their concentration and intelligence, which can translate to success in the classroom. Most importantly, fencing can help kids learn polite etiquette and to respect their opponents. If you have a child who needs an outlet for his or her extra energy or if you’re looking to get fit this summer, consider trying a lesson in fencing. Pretty soon, you’ll know the difference between an épée and a foil just as you can distinguish between a jiaozi and baozi. By Paul Finkbeiner Guangzhou Sports College (across from the Hilton), 1268 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区广州大道中1268号, 广州体育学院 (020-8755 1717)

INTERNATIONAL CHITTER-CHATTER

International Chitter-Chatter Exactly 25 years ago, the first French Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded in China. This month, on June 6, the 2017 Sino French Business Forum will be held in Guangzhou, celebrating two and a half decades of business exchange and collaboration. Spearheaded by the Consulate General of France in Canton and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong, the forum will be hosted by Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich from 2-8pm. A business dinner at 6pm will offer guests an opportunity to represent their industry and exchange efficiently through thematic tables, including ‘environment,’ ‘energy,’ ‘architecture and design,’ ‘hightech’ and more.

Are you ready to discover Germany? Come out for a two-day festival from June 30 until July 1 at Kingold Century and explore German products, innovation, tourism, education and, best of all, food! Interested companies are invited to set up a booth at the event, which aims to attract around 2,000 visitors and feature German food catering, live entertainment and a multitude of activities. Organized by the German Chamber of Commerce in China, South and Southwest, in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Guangzhou, the 2017 Discover Germany festival is set to be a highlight of the summer! For more information, contact Mr. Marc Piesbergen at 020 8755 8203.

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

TAKE FIVE

John Graham Sixteen years after first visiting southern China, John Graham’s name has become synonymous with fitness in Shenzhen. Having founded a string of fitness related businesses – and later transfered them – Graham’s newest enterprises include a specialized gym called Project 0/1 and the twice yearly White Collar Fight Night, which sees everyday employees trade cubicles for the boxing ring.

nesses. I remember first coming here and it was all about badminton, tai chi and bar workouts with the seniors. It seems like gyms are opening on every corner now. Where do you see the fitness market going?

You’re a pretty buff guy, what kind of reactions do you get in the street?

The industry is growing towards specialized spaces. Two big elements that are important in a gym now are community and challenge. If your gym is too large, you can't integrate these two concepts and if a gym brand doesn't have these in the next five years, they will find it very difficult to keep business.

Lots of touching and poking and bicep squeezes. Because I'm larger than average, I try to compensate with a good smile and welcoming personality. If you are large and just try to intimidate everyone, you miss out on learning from people.

After boxing in Shanghai, I remember thinking that if I fight again, it needs to be in my own event. If I train this hard and fight this hard, I want the full benefit going back to my business and my brand.

Over your years in China, what change in attitudes towards working out have you seen?

I've seen people become more interested in exercise and joining the 'gym culture.' It's great and certainly has made things work for my busi-

Why start White Collar Fight Night in Shenzhen?

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck? For sure one horse-sized duck. No gloves, no rules. Give me five minutes to work out a strategy and 10 minutes to nail that ducky. Then it's kao ya time! I love me some kao ya.

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COMMUNIT Y | HE ALT H EDUCAT ION

TACKLING PAIN WITH TCM The Battle Against Stagnation By Jonathan Hanlon

ain affects everyone at some point in their lives. If you’re lucky, it’s rare and fleeting. If you aren’t so lucky, then pain can be a daily problem that prevents you from living life to the fullest. If you fall into the latter category, acupuncture may be able to help ease your suffering. Pain is the number one reason that people come to me for acupuncture. Some suffer from both acute and chronic pain conditions due to injured muscles, joints or nerves. Others experience pain that isn’t related to physical injury at all, like headaches, period pain and stomach pain. In Chinese medicine, pain always means stagnation. Something which should be moving freely is stuck and the resulting pressure that builds up is painful. It’s important to determine what has become stuck. Either the movement of qi (your body’s energy supply) or the circulation of blood can become stagnant leading to pain with different characteristics. But what causes the blockage in the first place? The most common cause of stagnation is physical injury. Tissue damage, blood clotting and eventually scarring all block the flow of qi and blood, causing pain. Acupuncture can be used to help stimulate your natural healing process so you recover quickly and completely. Many times, you have no history of injury 54 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

but are still in pain. Where did the stagnation come from? Overuse and poor posture are two other common causes of painful stagnation. Day after day you rest your wrist on your desk and click click click with your mouse, or you slump at your desk and stick your head way out in front like a turtle. For years there is no pain, but stagnation is building up and 15 years later your wrist or your neck finally start to hurt. In this case, you will have to correct the movement pattern that eventually led to your painful condition. You will also need to have treatment to break through the years of stagnation that have built up. Again, acupuncture can help to soothe inflamed tissues and restore proper circulation thus easing pain. In still other cases, the cause of your pain isn’t physical at all. Your environment, diet and emotional state can all contribute to painful stagnation. Extremes in temperature can affect circulation and lead to pain. Diet too affects pain in two ways. Firstly, food can be cooling or heating and just like the weather, this can cause qi or blood stagnation and therefore pain. Secondly, certain foods can cause inflammation that leads to stagnation and pain. Finally, Chinese medicine has long understood the link between mental and physical health. Strong emotions or high stress levels will make existing pain conditions worse and can sometimes be the direct cause of pain. The

underlying mechanism in all the above causes of pain is still stagnation of qi and blood and therefore acupuncture can be used to ease pain from emotional causes as well. Lifestyle factors are important in preventing and reducing pain. Care needs to be taken with posture and physical activity. You can’t control the weather, nor can you eliminate stress, but you can work to limit stress and use relaxation techniques when possible. Dress appropriately for the weather and consider if your diet is contributing to your pain levels. Seek help from an acupuncturist if you have an acute injury or if you experience pain on a regular basis. The earlier you begin treatment, the quicker you can be back to enjoying a pain-free life. Dr. Jon Hanlon is currently working as a Chinese medical practitioner at the United Family Guangzhou Clinic, 1/F, Annex, PICC Bldg, 301 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 广州市越秀区广州大道中

301号人保大厦南塔副楼首层 (4008-919191, emergency: 8620 8710 6060, www.ufh.com.cn)

EDUCAT ION | COMMUNIT Y

ZZZ…

Sleeping Your Way to the Top By Lena Gidwani

he body of research and evidence couldn’t be any clearer: napping on the job makes you happier and healthier. And just for the record, this isn’t a blanket statement - the language of productivity (and the statistics) actually exists to highlight the performance boost of a midday snooze. William and Camille Anthony, authors of The Art of Napping at Work, write that a mere 20-minute light nap in the afternoon or in between a shift has been proven to boost overall

alertness and efficiency, as well as enhance mood and attention to detail to prevent frustration and errors in judgement. This has come years after James Maas, a psychologist from Cornell University, coined the term ‘power nap.’ The goal of a power nap is to reap the revitalizing benefits of a natural post-lunch shut-eye, clearing metabolic waste and toxins from the brain in the minimum amount of time. It’s easy to get into, and easy to get out of. Progressive bigwigs like Google, NASA, Nike, AOL and Deloitte Consulting find that it recharges one’s mental edge in the office and on-your-feet thinking, and so promotes catching some z’s at work in communal nap rooms, where reclining Star Wars-like ‘energy pods’ complete with soothing built-in music and relaxing vibrations are the norm. But is this all new to us? Not quite. In some parts of the world, it’s seen as an ingrained necessity more than a proven phenomenon. Life almost comes to a grinding halt, so to speak. Spaniards escape the midday heat by enjoying siestas, shutting down businesses in the afternoon and reopening in the evening. The Italians enjoy their riposo, whilst those nations like Greece, Philippines, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Nigeria have it seamlessly woven into everyday life. And what about China? Well, let’s just say that a well-timed nap on (or under) one’s desk

at work as seen as a constitutional right. We’re not kidding. Article 43 of the Constitution rightfully states, “Working people in the People’s Republic of China have the right to rest.” Come to think of it, it actually makes sense. It’s not uncommon in China to see many leaving home at the wee break of dawn to take the train to work, and staying back to burn the midnight oil. With the sun’s rays at its hottest during the afternoon, it is only fitting that employees need to take a responsibility-free break. Now for most of us, unless you have a dream job at Ikea, possess a fetish for porcelain beds or can snooze with your eyes open, it might be hard to make mid-afternoon pillow time a priority. You may feel like you're cheating your boss out of some hard-earned profit, or embarrassed to be labeled a slacker. But despite the resistance, don’t feel bad for seeking out a biological necessity and a soft cashmere blanket, so long as you’re hitting those performance goals. It’s a lot cheaper (and healthier) than downing caffeine. Napping, long seen as a leisure activity in the West and once reserved for tai-tais and newborns, is now a proven productivitybooster, a trendsetting status symbol, and a matter of sheer economic necessity. Now the only question is, how are you going to tell your boss? You might want to sleep on it first…

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CITY SCENES Urban Family and HarMoniCare Shenzhen Women and Children's Hospital Mother's Day

May 13 saw families join in a morning of fun at the Urban Family and HarMoniCare Shenzhen Women and Children's Hospital Mother's Day Event. The 24 families were led to HarMoniCare's ballroom, where Louis from Joyeka International preschool led the group in games and activities. The children decorated cupcakes and made Mother's Day cards, while parents printed photos from the event using the printer prepared by the hosts. There was also a clown making balloon animals for the little ones, while children held musical performances. The occasion was capped off by a lucky draw and snacks provided by Indian Cottage and Flamingo. Lucky draw prizes were graciously provided by LanJingLin and HarMoniCare, whose voucher for a female physical examination is valued at RMB13,800. Finally, the group traveled to the Nantou Ancient Museum and Guandi Temple to understand the history of the area. Urban Family and HarMoniCare would like to thank all the families, and everyone who supported the event.

Food and Drink Tasting at La Maison It seemed like just another Food and Drink Tasting at La Mason, but the evening on May 18 turned out to be much more than that, as sixteen lucky diners discovered. The special menu â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which included a divine salmon avocado tartar, a delectable beef tenderloin with finely roasted shallots, followed by a vanilla cream and passion fruit dessert and accompanied by Fiji water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; delighted diners in every sense of the word. To their surprise, each attendee received coupons for a bottle of Black Label whisky at Nova Club and a free treatment at Vista-SK International Medical Center. On top of providing an enjoyable dining experience, La Maison also raffled off a bottle of house wine to conclude the event.

56 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The 20th Anniversary of Torres China

Discovering the Hidden Treasure of Ecuador, Tagua

(Supported by

)

Torres China celebrated its 20th anniversary at Four Seasons Hotel, Guangzhou on May 17, with a grand occasion that gathered wine lovers from a wide range of fields. Over 100 types of wines from 18 worldrenowned wineries were served to the delight of invitees. Owner of the time-tested Torres Winery, Miguel Torres Maczassek, toasted the success of the China division, which has grown significantly since 1997, when it had just two staff members.

The 35th Anniversary of AISG (Supported by and

)

The Consulate General of Ecuador hosted a ‘Discovering the Hidden Treasure of Ecuador, Tagua’ event on the evening of May 10, in concert with the Guangdong Fashion Designer Association and the Guangdong Association of Garment and Garment Articles. This event exhibited varies finished and semi-finished products to the representatives of Guangdong fashion as well as designers and entrepreneurs in the garment industry. Displayed products included buttons, jewelry, accessories and figures made by tagua – fruit from palm trees in the tropical forests of Ecuador.

)

AISG held its 35th Anniversary Gala on May 13 at LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou. More than 500 people from the AISG community attended the event, including consul generals, AISG alumni, faculty, parents and corporate sponsors. Guests were treated to a range of student performances, as well as a special appearance from Chef Martin Yan. AISG Alum Nina Schneider was announced as the AISG Alumni Award Recipient, before partygoers danced the night away on the dance floor. Proceeds from the gala will support the funding of additional educational opportunities that align with AISG’s new vision of dynamic, compassionate and connected learning.

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PRD FOCUS O

akwood Premier Guangzhou recently celebrated a significant milestone: the property’s 5th anniversary. A host of events commenced, culminating in the year-end appreciation soirée for the property’s longtime residents and other invited luminaries from various businesses and governments.

he Ritz-Carlton hotels of Asia Pacific set a new milestone on May 8 for Smile Asia, raising USD1.5 million. Running from May 8 to 14, Smile Asia Week saw specially-crafted cakes sold to raise funds for the international medical charity, which provides children with cleft lips or palates a reason to smile again.

Fashion Week, which saw fashion brands and up-and-coming designers showcase their creative collections, was held from May 8 to 12 at W Guangzhou. The ‘Futuristic’ theme saw everything from metallic artificial hair to dresses that dispensed actual cocktails.

he ‘Chilean Museum of Flavors’ took place in the Park Hyatt Hotel Guangzhou on April 27. Featuring varies Chilean products – like pork, wine, seafood and fruits – the exhibition was complemented by a wine class and cooking show, all of which invited guests to broaden their knowledge of Chilean culture.

he American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) held its Theater Opening Ceremony on May 23. AISG Director Bernadette Carmody and Deputy District Mayor of Huangpu Xian Yinsong highlighted the facility in their speeches as a venue that would strengthen cultural exchange within the community. The Opening Ceremony was also attended by US Consul, Doron Bard, Mexican Consul General, Carlos Giralt, and Indian Consul Genral, Y.K. Sailas Thangal, as well as Director General of Education Bureau of Huangpu District, Mr. Zhang Jianwu.

ritish School of Guangzhou students visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as part of a new collaboration. They enjoyed a week of workshops led by some of the world’s top academics.

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Guangzhou reviews, events and information

WICKED Catch the Three-Time Tony Award-Winning Show Live in Guangzhou p72

This month

60 What's On in June 63 Home Cooking 64 Grapevine 68 New Food and Drink A monthly insert in June 2017

WHAT'S ON

2017

IN JUNE

SUN JUN 18

WISHFUL SINGING

GUANGZHOU OPERA HOUSE

FRI-SAT ALL MONTH

THE FRENCH-THEMED DINNER

THE OPEN KITCHEN, LANGHAM PLACE, GUANGZHOU

60 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

SUN JUN 11

GUANGZHOU INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACES

NORTH GATE OF SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY

TUE-SUN JUN 16-OCT 15

TITANIC SALVAGE EXHIBITION

GUANGDONG MUSEUM

SAT JUN 10 DEVKH 191 SPACE P73

WED JUN 14 ARRESTED DENIAL 191 SPACE P73

SAT JUN 10 SWAN LAKE BY RUSSIAN STATE BALLET FRIENDSHIP THEATER P72

SUN JUN 18 BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH T:UNION P73

TUE-SUN UNTIL JUN 19 AGAINST THE CURRENT

THU JUN 29 SOPHIE ZELMANI

FRI JUN 30 THE PIANO FACE-OFF

TUE-SUN UNTIL JUN 30 MIND COSMOS: SCI-FI VIRTUAL REALITY

KUI YUAN GALLERY P72

XINGHAI CONCERT HALL P73

FRIENDSHIP THEATER P73

ERSHA HUI (BY AISG) P72

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2017 | GZ | 61

EAT &

DRINK Homemade Charcuterie The best-kept secret in Foshan, p81

(Bu) Fangbian Mian P68 62 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Newly Minted P71

HOME COOKING

Ingredients (for one serving):

SANDWICHED PERFECTION

Poached Sea Bass and Scampi Roll with Sun-Dried Tomato Garlic Crust

andwiches are a staple in many Western cuisines, but while peanut butter and jelly might get you through the work week, weekends call for something extraordinary. From the great Chef de Cuisine Andrea Zamboni of The Ritz Carlton, Guangzhou comes our recipe this month, which packs fresh scampi and sea bass between two savory crusts made of sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, bread crumbs and butter. Think of it as a ‘sandwich’ for gourmands, crisp on the outside and splendidly juicy inside. Don’t have time for a complex recipe? Maximize efficiency by preparing the crust in the morning and sticking it in the freezer until you’re ready to cook lunch. When you start the rest at noon, you should be able to go from chopping to chomping in roughly 30 minutes.

150g sea bass 2 pieces scampi tail 40g butter 40g dried tomato 30g bread crumbs 3g oregano 3g rosemary 3g thyme 3g garlic 80g pumpkin mash 2 pieces baby carrot olive oil edible flowers, micro greens (for garnish)

Method:

Pumpkin mash 1. Halve a small pumpkin and carve out the seeds. 2. Cut again into four slices and bake for 30 minutes. 3. Once soft, spoon out the pumpkin and mash into a fine paste. Set aside.

4. Remove the plastic wrap and place the crust on the top and bottom of the sea bass roll like a sandwich. 5. Bake in an oven at 150 degrees Celsius for about 10 minutes. 6. While the bass is in the oven, place the pumpkin mash and poached carrots on a plate. 7. Place the bass on a plate and cut in half, drizzle with some olive oil. 8. Garnish with micro greens and edible flowers.

Scan for Video:

This recipe is courtesy of Chef de Cuisine Andrea Zamboni of Limoni at The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou, 3 Xing’an Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区珠江新城兴安路3号 (020-3813 6688)

Crust 1. Mix the chopped dried tomato, herbs and bread crumps with softened butter. 2. Roll it to 5 millimeters thick and freeze. 3. Cut into two rectangular pieces and set aside.

Sea bass 1. Open the fish and debone it; cover the fillet with wax paper and beat gently. 2. Place the scampi tail inside the flattened fillet, season with salt and pepper and roll with cooking plastic wrap that can withstand high temperatures. 3. Poach the bass for 10 minutes in boiling water.

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GRAPE VINE THE SCANDALOUS SCOOP

WE TRIED IT

We’re digging:

the homemade whipped Vegemite butter at The Locksmith (apparently Vegemite is all the rage in Australia, but trust us when we say the stuff tastes absolutely delicious on sourdough); word that Washington DCbased eatery Grand Trunk is opening in Foshan Lingnan Tiandi this June (its ethos is ‘gourmet served fast’); 13 Factories’ new location in Zhujiang New Town – bout time it joined the crowd; La Medina, the latest edition to 289 Art Park serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine; that we can get our hands on dairy and gluten-free Coco Mojo ice cream via GoVegan; all the stylish parties at the recently unveiled Parasiri Loggia mansion outside of Lieshi Lingyuan Metro Station.

We’re done with:

McDonald’s Second Attempt at Michelin Burgers They’ve done it again, and by ‘they,’ we mean McDonald’s and the almost-as-famous Michelin Guide – two culinary juggernauts whose names we thought we’d never hear in the same sentence. That is, until December of last year, when McDonald’s launched two specialty burgers endorse by a two-star Michelin chef, Spain’s Ramón Freixa. While we had mixed feelings after sampling last year’s Signature Sauce Bacon Burger and BBQ Pineapple Beef Burger, clearly the response was enough to coax ‘the powers that be’ at McDonald’s to give it another go. Being the culinary cosmonauts that we are, and obviously caring so deeply about our readers’ taste buds and overall health, we decided to sample these two new burgers and report our findings.

Creamy Nuts and Steamed Egg Beef Burger

the very real possibility that a pyramid scheme is going on at Rich & Jay (that cafe with the charcoal-colored umbrellas across from Kingold); McDonald’s second attempt at Michelin-inspired cuisine (see right); news that seriously moldy raisins were sold at an Aeon supermarket in Panyu – check those expiration dates, kids! 64 | GZ | MAY 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

When we opened the box of the Creamy Nuts and Steamed Egg Beef Burger (RMB28), we were greeted by a sandwich that appeared to have been made with the same level of care afforded to a crash-test dummy. In short: the presentation was sloppy. Ingredient-wise, the burger is built with 100 percent beef (allegedly), a steamed egg reminiscent of what you’ll find in any McDonald’s breakfast sandwich, lettuce, onions, what tasted like Big Mac sauce and creamy peanut butter.

Despite the burger looking like was made by Ryan Reynold’s character in the film Waiting..., it actually was quite alright. The smooth, savory taste was pleasant to the palate and the addition of an egg to a McDonald’s meal served after 10am was strangely satisfying. Also, for those not in the know, peanut butter is probably the single greatest addition to a burger. Score: 4/5 stars

Chipotle BBQStyle Chicken Burger Up next was the Chipotle BBQ-Style Chicken Burger (RMB28), which, thankfully, came out of the box with a better presentation than the first sandwich. The burger comes with a dose of tangy chipotle sauce and chicken that appears to have been battered and fried – not barbecued, as the name suggests. Other components include lettuce, tomatoes and bacon that looks like ham, all stuffed inside a hearty, seed-covered bun that was about an inch-and-a-half too long for its contents. This sandwich’s strongest points are undoubtedly its aesthetically-pleasing bun and the chipotle sauce, which was key in covering up the taste of undercooked bacon. Its weaknesses? Definitely the bacon and the small portion of slightly soggy chicken. Score: 2/5 stars

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

COCKTAIL

The Pimms Cup Gather friends to sip a pitcher (or two) of England’s summer cocktail of choice. Essentially a national institution, there were originally many types of Pimms, based around different alcohol. Today, the gin-based beverage reigns supreme. At first glance the recipe looks easy, but the myriad of garnishes – which are spread throughout the drink – is where the complexity kicks in. Pinkies up!

Ingredients:

• 2 oranges, cut into half-moons • 2 lemons, cut into half-moons • 1 Persian cucumber, washed and sliced

OLDIE BUT GOODIE

• 2 cups Pimm’s No. 1 • 4 cups lemonade or ginger ale • 6 to 8 large sprigs mint, crushed gently, plus a few loose leaves

Method:

1. Fill two pitchers 1/4 full with ice. To each, add a layer of orange slices, a few lemon slices, and a layer of cucumber slices. Repeat the layering. 2. Pour in the Pimm’s and mixer, dividing between pitchers, and mix

with a long-handled spoon. Poke mint sprigs and leaves down into the drink. 3. Divide drink among eight tall glasses, with a few slices of fruit and cucumber in each glass, along with some mint leaves.

Recipe and photo provided by our friends at Shenzhen’s Providence Cocktail, 2/F, Paradiso Apartments, 82 Furong Lu, Futian District, Shenzhen 深圳市福田区福荣路82号金域蓝湾2楼 (186 6538 3106)

Jiu Ye Ji 九爺雞 A useful rule of thumb for restaurants in China: the grungier the place, the tastier the food. That doesn’t mean “tasty today, toilet tomorrow,” either. Go to the right spot and you’ll walk away beaming, not bilious. This month, save an hour at lunchtime to explore one of the most popular streetside eateries in Guangzhou: Jiu Ye Ji. It might not look like much from the outside, but one bite of the juicy goose, chicken or cha siu and you’ll be tempted to stop by again for dinner.

The menu is simple: there are 14 different meat and rice dishes and 14 soups to choose from. It’s all in Chinese, but we’ll help you out: for a bit of variety, order the mixed option (各款双拼饭, RMB16-18), which lets you select two different meats to go with your standard rice and veggies (there are no vegetables on the menu, they come standard with the rice). If you prefer a lean cut, try the ‘oiled chicken’ (油切鸡饭, RMB15), which isn’t actually oily, it’s just part of the name. If sweet BBQ floats your boat, go for the honey barbecue pork (蜜汁叉烧饭, RMB14). Still undecided? You’ll love the roasted goose (烧鹅饭, RMB17).

We’ll make your life easy with the soups: just order the first one on the menu – the original chicken soup served in a coconut (炖竹丝鸡, RMB18). It’s fresh, subtly sweet, and did we mention served in a coconut? That’s default deliciousness right there. Still not convinced? See what The Food Ranger thought of Jiu Ye Ji on his trip to Guangzhou by scanning the QR code on the right.

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E AT & DR INK | F E AT UR E

LANPU LU LOVIN’

5 Tips for Exploring Guangzhou’s Muslim Market By Connor Frankhouser

very Friday afternoon on Lanpu Lu, a nondescript lane in Guangzhou’s Yuexiu District, all manner of pandemonium breaks loose. At 11am, the first perfectly seasoned BBQ skewer is served. By 1pm the street looks more like Yemen than Yuexiu and by 4pm, Guangzhou’s sizable Muslim diaspora has packed up, leaving only a cloud of charcoaltinged haze and piles of wooden skewers to hint at a celebration that will reconvene the next Friday. It’s the kind of place that we would assume, based on his numerous televised adventures, Anthony Bourdain would be completely at home. You will see gentlemen in exotic, resplendent robes from Tunisia smoking a hookah next to a Uyghur man making yangrou skewers for a hungry customer next to a Chinese man hocking fake Rolex watches to passersby.

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Count on being the lone laowai here – this isn’t Hooley’s on a Saturday night. If you are ambitious enough to make the trek out to Lanpu Lu, you are quite literally in for a treat. A perfectly seasoned lamb barbeque flavored treat, that is.

1. Finding the Market

You have two options to get to Lanpu Lu: bus or metro. The bus is slightly faster but far easier to get lost on if you aren’t familiar with the area. Take bus B10 west to 越秀公园 (Yuexiu Gongyuan) bus stop. From there walk west until you reach Jiefeng Lu, then hang a left and head south and turn right onto Lanpu Lu (兰圃路). Bus B10 departs from any BRT terminal at Gangding, Shipaiqiao or Tiyu Xi Lu.

If you want to take the metro, hop on Line 2 and head to Yuexiu Park Metro Station. Go topside via the B2 exit and take a short walk north before hanging a left onto Lanpu Lu. If you’re anywhere near Yuexiu Park and find yourself lost, simply follow the horde of denizens who are all invariably walking to the market as well. Lanpu Lu is not marked clearly and is a tiny street. When you see a slew of tents and smoke from the grill, you have arrived.

2. What to Eat

Although you will see huge numbers of Muslim traders from North Africa taking a respite from the pell-mell rhythm that rules their nearby enclaves of Xiaobei and Sanyuanli, most of the food sold here is of the Xinjiang variety. That means lamb skewers and samsa (meat pies) constitute the bulk of what you will find. Making a cameo appearance is the circular bread emblazoned with neat patterns in the middle that

Pizza Hut should totally use as their pizza crusts. You will also find ice cream made from goat’s milk – the perfect treat for beating Guangzhou’s oppressive summer heat. Prices are more or less the same at each stall for any given food item. Simply find a stall that looks popular or is manned by a particularly genial cook and dig in.

3. Don’t Miss the Canton Orchid Garden

Lanpu Lu feeds right into the Canton Orchid Garden, which is well worth the RMB8 entry fee. Since you trekked all the way out here, treat yourself to a refreshing walk around. This is a great spot to take a date: romantic, uncrowded and beautiful – the holy trinity of unfindable places in Guangzhou. Don’t miss it.

4. Shopping

Tasty barbecue skewers aren’t the only thing for sale here. You will find a litany of fake watches, furs of dubious provenance and clothing that is undoubtedly the height of fashion in Tunis and Cairo. When it comes to buying food or the accessories for sale at the market, remember that bargaining is key. Those of you who have been in China long enough to be able to determine the AQI within three points just by taking a quick glance outside probably have your bar-guing (half bargaining, half arguing) skills on lock. Those of you green behind the ears, all you need to know are the words ‘duo shao qian’ (多少钱), or ‘how much?’ If the merchant selling you a lamb skewer or fake Rolex replies with a price you don’t like, say ‘wo de maya’ (我的妈呀), which translates to ‘oh my gosh’ and walk away. Repeat this schtick at a different stall until you find a price you deem satisfactory.

5. Be Respectful

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NONOODLE Cheating on Ramen Text and photos by Tristin Zhang

The Place A new ramen shop in TIT Creative Industry Park, Nonoodle’s signboard features its witty Chinese name, bu fangbian mian (不方便面馆), which literally translates: ‘not instant noodles restaurant.’ The sign doesn’t lie: it takes the cashiers and cooks far more than an instant to prepare our non-instant noodles, though they’re served fast by sit-down restaurant standards – in about five minutes. Nonoodle’s concept is to offer freshly made, nontraditional ramen in six unique flavors served in Styrofoam. It’s a way to satisfy the urge to eat noodles from a cup (kind of addictive, if you ask us) while enjoying higher quality ramen than the dry block you get in classic fangbian mian.

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The place also functions as a convenience store that sells a variety of overpriced Korean sodas, German beers and juices, as well as a collection of snacks and instant noodles in Korean and Thai flavors. Behind Nonoodle’s transparent glass facade, a team of ramen chefs bustles about behind a counter, stirring ingredients into cups of noodles and ducking out between orders to wipe down a table or two. Tent cards with photos of the six ramen varieties greet customers at the counter, each with a heart icon and the number ‘20,000’ beside it to indicate ‘likes’ on social media.

The Food

Of the three flavors we try – the Malaysian seafood laksa, tom yum soup noodles with prawns and Italian prawn and basil noodles (all RMB28) – the laksa leaves the worst impression, with a bland, flat taste that doesn’t deserve 28 kuai. The tom yum soup noodles satisfy our most basic expectations, but complaints abound over the excessive

use of bean sprouts. We’re all about the Italian prawn and basil noodles, though: served without soup, they soak up every last bit of the secret seafood sauce, yielding a full-bodied flavor.

The Vibe

We assume Nonoodle targets those working in TIT who want something other than a roujiamo as an afternoon snack. With a chic design and notion, Nonoodle successfully draws the attention of curious passersby. But if it doesn’t want people to ‘say no’ to its noodles, it had better bring its produce to a much higher level.

Price: RMB40 for a bowl Who’s going: workers at TIT, curious visitors Good for: a spicy refreshment

F1, TIT Creative Industry Zone, 397 Xingang Zhong Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区新港中路397号TIT创意园F1号

NE W R E S TAUR A N T S | E AT & DR INK

MORGAN’S PUBLIC HOUSE Monks and Meatballs By Matthew Bossons

The Place If you haven’t ventured down Huajiu Lu recently, you might be surprised to know that one of the area’s oldest pubs is gone, its recognizable green and orange sign replaced with a new emblem sporting seven glowing letters: Morgan’s. While the inside layout of its precursor, The Tavern, is left much intact, longtime patrons will rejoice to know that the smoky, dark interior has taken on a much livelier look. Fresh paint beautifies the walls and ceiling and new flooring has supplanted its battered and weathered predecessor. During the revamping, the wise minds at Morgan’s also added a couple booths and new furniture to ensure that you can eat, drink and be merry – or pray, if you’re the monk that frequents the place – in comfort. One of the biggest changes – and most celebrated by families with children – is that the ground floor of Morgan’s is a no-smoking zone, which means taking your virgin-lunged offspring out for a bite to eat is no problem here. Smokers: you still have the upstairs where the pool tables and darts are located.

The Food

While there are some holdovers from the ol’ Tavern days (like the invigorating chicken tikka masala, RMB78), Morgan’s culinary offerings are categorically more robust than that of its forerunner – you might even go as far as saying the menu is a quasi-United Nations of pub food. Case and point: there’s a

kids’ menu, vegetarian and health-conscious options, six (sometimes seven) Tex-Mex dishes and a sashimi-style tuna appetizer. Looking for a light snack? Order the mussels in white wine sauce (RMB48) or the bruschetta (RMB38), the latter of which comes topped with mozzarella, tomato, basil pesto and garlic shrimp. For a group of two or more people, the Mediterranean sampler (RMB68) goes great with wine and comes with roasted eggplant, tabbouleh, pita bread, feta, olives, tzatziki and pickled vegetables. For those craving for a filling, no-frills main, the meatball sandwich (RMB65) is going to impress. Made with a fresh French baguette rammed (with care) full of poolball-sized orbs of tender beef, marinara sauce and a generous portion of mozzarella cheese, this is the Italian-French hand-cannon hybrid you’ve been waiting for.

The New York-style spicy beef pizza (RMB78) is another hit, amongst both longtime patrons and newcomers alike. It packs a zesty – yet manageable – punch and, on our last visit, came cooked to perfection with a crunchy thin crust and generous portion of protein. For many, dessert is key to capping off the dining experience, and Morgan’s offers four options for the sweet-toothed: bread and butter pudding (RMB38), tiramisu (RMB38), apple crumble (RMB42) and chocolate cake (RMB38).

The Vibe

What do the author and monks have in common? If you took the cue from ‘The Place’ portion of this review, you probably guessed it: both hang out at Morgan’s. And while it may seem irrelevant to revisit the fact that – and here it is again – monks frequent the premises, it truly speaks volumes about the welcoming and diverse nature of the place. It’s homely. It’s warm. The conversation is good. And you know for certain that you will be received with open arms. Price: RMB100 Who’s going: monks, pool sharks, old timers and young whippersnappers alike Good for: good banter, homely atmosphere, comfort food

Shop 108, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城华就路6号保利108公馆 (8550 3038)

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MICASA BY BOCCA

Something to Taco‘bout By Matthew Bossons

The Place Located in the Canton Place space that originally hosted Bocca, this new – or more appropriately, remodeled and rebranded – restaurant is dedicated almost exclusively to Mexican cuisine. When asked by That’s the reason behind the change, MiCasa proprietor Mazen Dabbousi stated it was part of his desire to pursue a new challenge, with the ultimate goal of offering Guangzhouers authentic and high-quality Mexican eats. Clean, simple decor adorns the inside of the establishment, while the outside patio is perfect for people watching and enjoying a cold cocktail (we recommend the Jamaica flower Coronoarita, RMB88) on a hot summer’s day.

The Food

Over the past two years, we have followed the culinary career of Chef Rodrigo Gonzalez with great interest. The back-toback winner of our Reader’s Choice Best Chef Award at the 2015 and 2016 That’s PRD Food & Drink Awards, Gonzalez is known across the PRD and even as far away as Shanghai (his former city of residence) for his keen eye for detail, creative dishes and ability to cook a steak to perfection. The menu at MiCasa showcases Chef Rod’s strengths while also allowing him to dive into his native cuisine, and the results are spectacular. While the menu hosts a 70 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

couple holdovers from Bocca, like its famous spinach cheese dip (RMB68) and Bocca chicken (now MiCasa chicken, RMB88) we will focus strictly on the new edibles for space’s sake. Start with the tortilla soup (RMB52), which comes served in two parts: a bowl containing crispy tortilla strips, chicken, avocado and sour cream, and a miniature porcelain jug holding the hot tomato soup. When mixed together, greatness ensues. The ceviche appetizer (RMB68) is made with red snapper and lemon and comes garnished with red onion, cucumber, coriander, green chilis, avocado puree and micro grains of beet root. It comes with freshly made tortilla chips and is the perfect size for a premain snack for two to three people. Our main of choice is the slow-cooked Mexican-style lamb shank (RMB168), which is cooked for 24 hours in banana leaves before being flash-fried to ensure a crispy outer layer. For all intents and purposes, this dish

may be the best slow-cooked meat in town – it literally melts in your mouth, releasing a medley of soft – yet lingering – flavors. If a Mexican dinner for you means tacos and tacos alone, then you are in luck: MiCasa serves the soft-shelled variety with four filling options. In addition to chicken and beef, the restaurant also makes vegetarian rajas tacos and, a celebrated favorite, the pastor fish taco – made with fish marinated in a traditional sauce composed of over 20 ingredients. Of note: the food menu is 100 percent Halal, spiciness is done to order and the guacamole is made fresh daily.

The Vibe

MiCasa has taken on the bold task of offering an exclusive-feeling setting without the pretentiousness, and it’s done a pretty bangup job. Soft music and low lighting offer an elegant atmosphere, while friendly and professional service staff make you feel at home, which is often a tall order around here. To describe the vibe in two words, we’d have to say cool and classy. Price: RMB200 for a main and a drink Who’s going: anyone with a hankering for tequila or tacos Good for: authentic Mexican margaritas and guacamole Shop 110, The Canton Place, Haifeng Lu, Tianhe District 天河区海风路广粤天地110号铺 (8759 1558)

NE W CA F E S | E AT & DR INK

GET LAB Freshly Minted

Text and photos by Jocelyn Richards

The Place: Liwan isn’t what you’d call the hottest spot for new F&B openings, but wander down any of its secluded alleyways and you’ll find dozens of contemporary cafes, stylish cocktail bars and modern art galleries glowing within weathered Xiguan residences. Get Lab is one such coffee shop, housed in a three-story Lingnan abode that overlooks a sea of clay rooftops as far as the eye can see. It’s situated on Yong Qing Fang, the first historic alley to be refurbished in Liwan as part of a commercial project supported by the government. Bruce Lee’s ancestral home, boutique shops and various Western eateries dot the cobblestone lane, which links directly to En’ning Lu, a five-minute walk from Shangxiajiu pedestrian street. Inside, mint green dominates the otherwise neutral color scheme. It’s the favorite color (and flavor) of cofounder ‘Vodka,’ who opened the shop with her husband right around the same time they had their first child.

Guests can opt to sit on the spacious second floor or outside on the thirdfloor balcony. The second level is also where coffee beans are roasted daily and baristas lead interested guests in live demonstrations.

The Food:

Coffee is the name of the game here, and the ‘lab’ in the establishment’s moniker reflects the experimental element in some of the drinks, such as the iced coffee with fresh lemon slices (RMB23-26). Known as the shilian or ‘break-up’ drink due to its jarringly bitter flavor, this one is best left for black coffee lovers seeking a refreshing pick-me-up on a blistering summer afternoon. Those with a milder palate can stick to the classic: a flat white (RMB20-23) paired

with a homemade croissant (RMB12-15) or panini (RMB28). While we didn’t get a chance to sample the former, the panini would better be labeled a club sandwich (it’s not grilled) and would taste better sans the globs of mayo. We did appreciate the ‘mint’ theme reappearing again in the form of a homemade sauce, however. The owners say minted espresso drinks may also make an appearance on the menu soon.

The Vibe:

The gorgeous interior of Get Lab no doubt warrants a selfie or two, but we found guests didn’t hog tables for hours as is so often the case at other well-designed coffee shops in town. Instead, most were in and out within an hour, leaving their coveted seats by the window to eager new arrivals. The staff, who were likely best friends before Get Lab even opened, have a contagious gregariousness that seems to put everyone in a fine and affable mood. At the end of the day, it’s the vibe – not the coffee – that makes a coffee shop truly exceptional, and Get Lab shines in that regard.

Price: RMB20-25 for a coffee Who’s going: Xiguan xiaojie, friendly coffee snobs Good for: patio hangouts, weekend excursion

12 Yong Qing Da Jie, Yong Qing Fang, En’ning Lu, Liwan District 荔湾区恩宁路永庆坊永庆大街12号 (136 3243 2045)

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Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Races Dragon

Boating

Titanic Salvage Exhibition Exhibition

SEE

Against the Current

Exhibition

This collection of works is intense – as if young artist Gao Yang has ripped off his chest to show the contents of his beating heart. The paintings demonstrate Gao’s almost primal instincts, as he sees through unclouded eyes, speaks in his own language and portrays ideas in a piercingly direct way. Tue-Sun until Jun 19, 10am-10pm; free entry. Kui Yuan Gallery, 9 Xuguyuan Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区恤孤院路9号逵园艺术馆 (8765 9746)

This year’s tournament will be held in the section of the Pearl River between the north gate of Sun Yat-sen University and the Guangzhou Bridge. Teams from all over world will join in the races – including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Iran – and compete against each other while also battling local teams from Guangdong. Come cheer for your ‘home’ team (the Guangzhou Dragons) and see for yourself why dragon boat racing has grown so popular worldwide! Sun Jun 11, 8am. North Gate of Sun Yat-sen University, Binjing Dong Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区滨江东路中山大学北门

If you live on this planet, you’re certainly familiar with the story of the Titanic, and have probably even seen the film (a dozen or so times). But have you ever seen genuine Titanic artifacts up close? Probably not, but now is your chance. The first exhibition in China to showcase objects salvaged from the Titanic, this show will present more than 300 artifacts to visitors, displayed in reproduced cabins of the liner. If you can’t make it this month, don’t fret: the exhibition will continue through October 15. Tue-Sun Jun 16-Oct 15, 9am-5pm; Price TBC. Guangdong Museum, 2 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城珠江东路2号广东博物馆 (www. gdmuseum.cn, 3804 6886)

Wicked the Musical Stage Mind Cosmos: Sci-Fi Virtual Reality Exhibition

Swan Lake by Russian State Ballet Ballet

Over the last 20 years, the Russian State Ballet Theater has remained one of the leading ballet companies in Russia, enjoying international acclaim. Its repertoire includes masterpieces of classical ballets as well as the best samples of modern choreography. With its elaborate costumes, vivid set and breathtaking stunts, Swan Lake promises audiences a world-class experience. Sat-Sun Jun 17-18, 3pm/8pm; RMB180-1,100. Friendship Theater, Friendship Theater, 696 Renmin Bei Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区人民北路696 号友谊剧院 (www.damai.cn)

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A musical loosely based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked is acts like a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Combining the hydrophobic Wicked Witch of the West, the saintly Good Witch of the North, a scarecrow without a brain and a tin man without a heart, Wicked provides these familiar characters a back story that transforms the original tale of good and evil into one about racism, political corruption and human cruelty. While the film paints the Wicked Witch as a villain, Wicked has fun with its story, recasting her as a victim to the Wizard’s corrupt government. The show has won three Tony Awards and been seen by more than two million people. Tue-Sun Jun 18-Jul 2, 2.30pm/7.30pm; RMB180-1,380. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (www.gzdjy.org, 3839 2888)

win!

We have a pair of tickets to this show to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before June 16 with the subject ‘Wicked’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

In this surreal exhibition, visitors can explore a three-dimensional, virtual space created by artists at the Open Media Lab of China Academy of Art. It is an ever-changing world: you might be walking in a space surrounded by floating geometrical objects one minute before finding yourself amidst the famous terracotta army a second later. Feel like escaping into that world? Call 3758 2736 to make a reservation first. Tue-Sun until Jun 30 (closed during holidays), 10am-noon, 3-5pm; free with reservation. Ersha Hui (by AISG), 28 Yanyu Lu, Ersha Isalnd, Yuexiu District 越秀区二沙岛烟雨路28号二沙汇 (3758 2736)

Benjamin Francis Leftwich Acoustic Guitar

Arrested Denial Punk

Rock

HEAR

Devkh Mongolian Folk

Music

A Mongolian band that focuses on presenting folk music hummed and sung for centuries on the Mongolian steppe, Devkh performs in an unconventional manner their predecessors could never have imagined, weaving electronic and dance elements throughout each song. Before the trio was founded in 2014, its members collaborated with a variety of independent musicians highly esteemed in their respective genres. Yet melodies from their homeland have never ceased to define Devkh’s music. Sat Jun 10, 8-9.30pm; RMB50 presale, RMB60 at the door. 191 Space, 191 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District 越秀区广州大道中191号191空间 (8737 9375)

British singer and songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich has displayed a talent for composing tender and timeless music with melancholic lyrics. His 2011 debut album, Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm, was a huge success, selling 100,000 copies worldwide. As the acoustic guitar is increasingly drowned out by the world of electronic music, Leftwich’s classic approach is becoming more distinct. He will tour Beijing and Shanghai in mid-June, before performing a collection of songs from his 2016 album, After the Rain, at T:union. Sun Jun 18, 8.30pm; RMB80 presale, RMB120 at the door. T:union, 1/F, 361-365 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District 越秀区广州大道中361-365号东方花苑首层凸空间 (3862 5735)

Sophie Zelmani

Concert

win!

We have a pair of tickets to this show to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before June 15 with the subject ‘Leftwich’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

Wishful Singing A Cappella

The Piano Face-off

Concert

This is a musical battle between two classical pianists: Paul Cibis, who studied in Hannover but currently performs in Asia, and Andreas Kern, a soloist and chamber musician who studied in Berlin. In this five-round face-off, the two pianists will showcase their skills in an effort to win votes from the audience, who will have the chance to ‘pick on’ the pianists by shouting out improvisation requests. It promises to be a pretty wild and engaging show – as far as piano recitals go, that is. Fri Jun 30, 8pm; RMB80-380. Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District 越秀区二沙岛晴波路33号星海音乐厅 (www.concerthall.com.cn, 8735 3869)

Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 2009, Arrested Denial was greatly impacted by American punk bands popular in the 90s, such as Swingin’ Utters, Rancid and Bouncing Souls. Their 2013 album Our Best Record So Far received rave reviews by German punk music magazine Plastic Bomb, while OX named the group the best punk rock band in 2013. Wed Jun 14, 8-9.30pm; RMB60 presale, RMB80 at the door. 191 Space, 191 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District 越秀区广州大道中191 号191空间 (8737 9375)

Five ladies from the Netherlands comprise this stunning a cappella group, whose members previously sung together in the Netherlands Youth Choir. Today, their repertoire includes everything from Renaissance and Baroque era tunes to swinging versions of golden oldies. Sun Jun 18, 8pm; RMB180-380. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (www.gzdjy.org, 3839 2888)

win!

We have a pair of tickets to this show to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before June 15 with the subject ‘Wishful’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

With her first self-titled debut album, Sophie Zelmani, a Swedish singer and songwriter, won the Best Newcomer Award at the Sweden Grammy Awards in 1996. Zelmani has no ambition to become internationally famous, yet her songs have been featured in TV series such as Dawson’s Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, My Best Friend’s Wedding and Independence Day. Revered Chinese singer Wong Faye later covered her song ‘Going Home’ in the Mandarin version, ‘Passenger.’ For 21 years, Zelmani has been singing from her heart, releasing 10 albums to enthusiastic fans all over the world. If you dig the style of Jack Johnson, Keren Ann or Suzanne Vega, you will not want to miss Zelmani live. Thu Jun 29, 8pm; RMB100-380. Friendship Theater, 696 Renmin Bei Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区人民北路696 号友谊剧院 (www.juooo.com)

win!

We have a pair of tickets to this show to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before June 26 with the subject ‘Zelmani’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

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Pride Festival LGBTQ

This year’s 5th annual Pride Festival kicks off on June 9 with a diversity lecture and a party at Wilber’s, followed by a ‘rainbow chic’-themed bash Saturday night with drag performances, live music and plenty of booze and an LGBTQ picnic and family BBQ on Sunday capped off by an evening cruise! Don’t miss it! Jun 9-11, various times, prices and locations in Guangzhou. For event details, add Jenny_Mac (English) or ryanluo5 (Chinese) on WeChat.

Southeast Asian Food Festival Themed Dinner

TA S T E

French-Themed Dinner

Buffet Lychee Picking Day Trip CIS 2017 Convocation

School

The Canadian International School of Guangzhou is pleased to announce its Second Annual Convocation, a ceremony for the school’s Class of 2017 graduates, all of whom have been accepted to universities and postsecondary schools in Canada and the United States. CIS looks forward to celebrating with parents, friends, teachers, the Canadian Consul General, as well as alumni. Thu Jun 8, 6pm. Cambridgeshire Garden, Nancun Town, Panyu District 番禺区南村镇剑桥郡花园广州加拿大国际学校 (www.cisgz.com, 3925 5321)

Lychees are in season, and those hand-picked by yourself always taste sweeter! Join this lychee-picking tour that takes you to orchards in Zengcheng or Conghua. Coach buses leave from Guangzhou at 8.30am and return at 1pm. Sun Jun 25, 8.30am-1pm; RMB30 for children, RMB60 for adults. Contact Ellen at 159 1878 3607 for more information.

The Box Project Creative Arts

Powered by The Salon, The Box Project aims to offer participants an opportunity to give life to their dreams or a safe space to relinquish their secrets. We often ‘box up’ our inner thoughts, drawing lines between what is good, possible or acceptable to share, but we all have a lot more in common than we’d like to think! And community and interconnectivity can only grow when we think outside the box. That’s why everyone is invited to submit their dreams, aspirations and/or secrets as part of this worldwide public art initiative known as The Box Project. Ongoing. Submissions can be sent online at wethesalon.com or at pop-up locations in Guangzhou shared via The Salon group (add AriLombardi or MisterRowley on WeChat for more info). 74 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The Open Kitchen at Langham Place, Guangzhou presents a dinner buffet featuring French dishes in their original flavors, prepared with fresh ingredients imported from France. Popular delicacies include fresh oysters from Bretagne, France, Nicoise salad, coq au vin (chicken braised with wine, lardons, mushrooms and more), Marseille-style prawn and pan-fried foie gras. The dessert selection comprises dozens of French traditional sweets such as lemon tartlet with meringue and caramelized apple tartine. Fri-Sat all month, 6-10pm; RMB388 plus service charge and taxes. The Open Kitchen, Langham Place, Guangzhou, 638 Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区新港东路638号广州朗豪酒店 (8916 3528)

Recognized all over the world for their unique cultures and delicacies, Southeast Asian countries truly boast a spectacular collection of delicacies. This month, Grand Hyatt Guangzhou will hold a Southeast Asian food festival featuring the best of Thai, Malaysian and Singaporean cuisines. Its executive chef, working together with two guest chefs from sister hotels, will strive to create only the most authentic Southeast Asian flavors for diners. All week Jun 6-25, noon-2.30pm, 6-9.30pm; RMB268 (Mon-Fri)/ RMB358 (Sat-Sun) for lunch, RMB468 (Mon-Thu)/RMB568 (Fri-Sun) for dinner. The Market Café, Grand Hyatt Guangzhou, 12 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城珠江西路12号广州富力君悦大酒店 (8550 8025, 8550 8026)

Business Set Lunch at Laiwan Market Lunch

An excellent integration of fresh ingredients and authentic Cantonese cooking skills contribute to the special sampan-like restaurant, where you can soak up the atmosphere of old Canton. Reserve your seat by contacting Ms. Wang at 189 2625 8505. Mon-Fri ongoing, 11am-2pm; RMB98. Liwan Market, LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区环市东路368号广州花园酒店 (189 2625 8505)

HONG KONG & MACAU CALENDAR MO

ALL MONTH WED-MON

be 12 events including men’s and women’s epee, foil and sabre individual and team competitions.

JUNE 10-18 MON-SUN

JUNE 12 MON

JUN 22 THU

Tech Industry Networking, 4pm6pm; purchase of coffee. Pacific Coffee Wanchai (centreo.hk) Techies unite! Whether you’re looking for a skilled professional or are in the industry yourself, this is an informal gathering of all things tech in Hong Kong. Attendees will be given a chance to make a 1-minute elevator pitch and receive free business advice.

JUN 9-10 FRI-SAT Inventing Le Louvre, 10am-6pm (Mon, Wed, Fri) 10am-7pm (Sat-Sun); free. Hong Kong Heritage Museum (hk.heritage.museum) This exhibition of priceless paintings, sculptures and ceramics from France look at the 800-year-long evolution of the Lourve, from opulent palace to modern day museum.

ALL MONTH SAT-WED

Ancient Egypt’s Quest for Eternal Life, 10am-7pm (Mon-Wed, Fri) 10am-9pm (Sun-Sat); various prices. Hong Kong Science Museum (hk.science.museum) On loan from the British Museum, coffins, burial objects and centuries-old mummies are used to introduce the funeral customs of ancient Egypt, with a focus on the cultures pursuit for immortality.

Macao Lotus Flower Festival, 10am-6pm; free entry. Taipa HousesMuseum, Lou Lim leoc Garden (853 2831 5566) There’s a reason why the lotus flower has a special place on Macau’s flag. In June, the perennial aquatic plants are in full bloom and the Macao Lotus Flower Festival invites visitors to observe special varieties of lotus at Taipa Houses-Museum and Lou Lim Ieoc Garden, among other places.

JUNE 17 SAT Open Source Conference, 10am (Fri) to 6pm (Sat); HKD300. Cyberport 3, Level 3 (hkoscon.org) This annual conference will take an in-depth look at the world of open source, from software to hardware and update attendees on the latest developments. Workshops and speakers will address trends in programming and the future of the open source community.

JUN 17 SAT

Marcel Khalife World Music Concert, 8pm; MMOP100-250. Macao Cultural Centre (www.macauticket.com) Prolific Arabic musician Marcel Khalife’s avant-garde compositions and wistful optimism has won him acclaim worldwide. His Macau concert will combine classical, jazz and folk sounds in a mixture of Middle Eastern and Western music.

JUNE 18 SUN

JUN 15-20 THU-TUE

2017 Asian Fencing Championships, various times; free. Kowloon Bay International Convention Center (asianfencing.com) This is the most significant fencing competition in Asia, attracting more than 300 athletes from around 30 countries. There will

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Higher Education Festival, 9.30am– 4.30pm; free with registration. InnoCentre (higheredfestival.com) This festival will see a wide selection of renowned higher education institutes brought together for seminars and panel discussions. The goal is to help students and parents explore higher education opportunities. Exhibitors include local universities, professional colleges, vocational training and overseas institutions.

Richard Lin Violin Recital, 8pm; MOP160/200. Macao Cultural Centre (www.macauticket.com) At just 22 years old, TaiwaneseAmerican violinist virtuoso Richard Lin has built an international reputation as one of the most promising young concert soloists. He will present classic works by Mozart, Fauré, Sarasate and more at his concert in Macau.

The Feast of Na Cha, 9.30am. Na Cha Temple (by Ruins of St. Paul’s) In Chinese folk religion, Na Cha (or Nezha in pinyin) is a protection deity. During the Feast of Na Cha, you will see two parades: one starts as a worship ritual in the Na Tcha Temple near the Ruins of St. Paul’s, which is followed by a lion dance team escorting Na Cha’s statue; the second, also starting from the Na Tcha Temple, features a dragon dance.

ONGOING TUE-SUN

Hundred Species, 10am-7pm; free. Macao Museum of Art (www.mam. gov.mo) Macau artist Peggy Chan is an expert at probing into relationships among individuals, city and nature, through the creation of paintings, photographs, videos and installations. The venue of this exhibition was specially designed to resemble the artist’s ‘experimental studio,’ where visitors can enjoy a closer look at the artist’s creative processes.

ALL MONTH

Thriller Live, 2pm/6pm/8pm; MOP180-480. The Parisian Theatre, The Parisian Macau (www.parisianmacao.com) This electrifying concert, organized as a tribute to the King of Pop, will feature a 90-minute, intensive explosion of rock, soul, pop and disco music. Thriller Live, produced by London’s West End, is celebrating its eighth year and has been applauded by audiences in over 30 countries.

win!

We have 3 pairs of tickets to this show on June 24 to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) with the subject ‘Thriller’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

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HOTEL NEWS HOTEL NEWS Chef Andrea at the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou Presents New Menu at Limoni

PROMOTIONS Summer Package at LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou

Summer is the perfect time to take a stroll through LN Garden Hotel’s luscious back gardens and relax beside the twin waterfalls before taking a splash in an outdoor pool or the hotel’s new twin Jacuzzis. Stay in the newly renovated summer-ready Premier Room or suites that start from RMB1,228 and include a buffet breakfast and set dinner. This package is available until July 2.

Chef Andrea, Limoni’s Chef de Cuisine, is thrilled to present a reinvigorating menu this summer, incorporating freshly harvested imported ingredients and combining the culinary traditions of 20 regions in Italy, including authentic homemade dishes. Guests can enjoy no less than 28 new a la carte creations and five new desserts.

Park Hyatt Guangzhou Masters of Food and Wine 2017

The Masters of Food & Wine 2017 held by Park Hyatt Guangzhou offered diners an exclusive opportunity to engage with the hotel’s awardwinning chef, Marco Ullrich. Attendees enjoyed a colorful presentation of dishes, while wineries provided select Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Vin Perdu, Shiraz, and Port.

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LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区环市东路368号广州花园酒店 (8333 8989)

Thai Food Festival at DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City

Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich Appoints Rose Lo as Director of Sales and Marketing

Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich announced the appointment of Rose Lo as the hotel’s new director of sales and marketing. Lo will oversee the sales of rooms and events. For the past eight years, Lo has worked in various flagship and luxury hotels in Greater China, including JW Marriott Hong Kong, Grand Hyatt Beijing, Four Seasons Beijing and Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich.

A special Thai food festival offered by Elements All Day Dining Restaurant will be held from May 19 to June 30 at the Double Tree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City. It highlights some much-loved Thai treats and dishes, scores of authentic Thai dishes, including seafood tom yam gong soup, Thai shrimp with rice noodles, roasted squid with sambal chili and pineapple and Thai organic papaya salad. Guests can also enjoy ebullient Thai dancing performances during the food festival. Thai buffet dinners are priced at RMB228 per person (subject to a 15 percent service charge), and served from Sunday to Thursday (RMB268 per person from Friday and Saturday), from 5.30pm to 9.30pm. Groups of three can enjoy one free meal. DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou - Science City, 18 Shuixi Lu, Huangpu District 黄埔区水西路18号广州汇华希尔顿逸林酒店 (3865 9555)

TRAVEL DEALS Summer Holiday at Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel Treat yourself to a little staycation this summer at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, where water sports, entertainment and funfilled activities await. Book a Bay Hotel Room Package starting from RMB1,998 and enjoy a one-night stay in a themed room with tickets for two to Ocean Kingdom, Hengqin Theatre’s circus and Hengqin Bay Water World. Once you get to the hotel, it’s easy to jump between attractions, saving you all the time and trouble that typically accompanies excursions. For enquiries or reservations, call 0756-299 8888 or visit www. chimelong.com. Chimelong Henqing Bay Hotel, Fuxiang Bay, Hengqin New District, Zhuhai 珠海市横琴新区富祥湾长隆横琴湾酒店 (www. chimelong.com, 0756-299 8888)

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FEATURED LISTINGS Scan for complete listings

Want to see all restaurants, hotels and more in Guangzhou? Check out www.thatsmags.com or download our app by scanning the QR code

FOOD & DRINK 1920 Restaurant 1) 4/F, 1 Jianshe Liu Malu, Yuexiu District; 2) Shops 67, 69, 72 & 76, The Canton Place, Qingfeng Jie, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (8388 1142); Shop MW01-03, 05, Central Zone, Mall of the World, 89 Huacheng Dadao, Tianhe District (8709 6033) 1920 咖啡厅 1) 建设六马路一号前幢 4 楼 ; 2) 天河区珠江新城清风街 48 号广粤天地 67, 69, 72, 76 号铺 ; 3) 天河区花城大道 89 号花城汇 MW01-03, 05 商铺

OPEN DOOR

CHILE WEEK 2017 COMING TO CHINA THIS SUMMER

Aroma Bistro Shop 117, 1/F, Voka Street, 460 Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District (185 0200 1416) 天河区天河北路460号沃凯街首层 117铺 Bravo Shop 114-115, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城华就路6号114-115铺 The Brew Sports Bar & Grill 1) Unit 9-11, Huanan Country Garden, Panyu Dadao (across the road from Chimelong Theme Park), Panyu District (3482 0401); 2) West Section, Bao Lin Yuan, Huaxun Jie, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3408 9549); 3) Shop 11-13, Yuhai Food Street, 1 Jianshe Liu Malu, Yuexiu District (8382 8299) 1) 番禺区番禺大道华南碧桂园碧华商业2街9-11 号; 2) 天河区珠江新城华讯街保林苑西区加拿大布鲁咖啡馆, 近发展中心; 3) 越秀区建设六马路誉海食街11-13号铺

In case you’ve forgotten since fifth grade geography class, Chile is a long, thin country in southwest South America that stretches between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. Within its borders rest the world’s driest desert in the north – the Atacama – a series of valleys in the middle, immense lakes, evergreen forests and snow-capped volcanoes in the south, and fjords and glaciers in Chilean Patagonia, which connects to Antarctica. Aside from its rich natural landscape, Chili is also home to a fascinating culture. And it’s all coming to China – starting from August 29 – as part of Chile Week 2017. An international festival organized by the State of Chile, Chile Week will stop off in Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Wuhan in late August-September. The aim is to promote trade and exchange, especially in the food and beverage, tourism and financial sectors, in addition to the agroindustry, mining and telecommunications industries. Guests can expect a host of seminars on trading in goods and services, round tables, product samples and the opportunity to network with leading business and political leaders from both Chile and China. Don’t miss it!

Buongiorno 1) 3/F, Yi An Plaza, 33 Jianshe Liu Malu, Yuexiu District (8363 3587); 2) A7, Xinshijie Haoyuan Diyi Ju, 168 Dongcheng Nan Lu, Dongguan (0769 2339 6499) 邦奴意大利餐厅 1) 越秀区建设六马路宜安广场 3 楼 ; 2) 东莞市东城南路 168 号新世界豪圆第一居 A7 号 The Eating Table With seats for more than 200 diners to explore gastronomy at a less frenetic pace, The Eating Table's warm, alluring design enlivens the senses. The owner, who spent years in Melbourne, has ensured that the food delivers to both local and foreign palates. Enjoy a gratifying meal, with a menu that boasts a wide range of appetizers, soups, pastas and both meaty and marine-filled mains. Shop 401, 4/F, GTLand Winter Plaza, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城高德置地冬广场4楼401室 (8398 0860)

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Element Fresh 1) Shop L302, TaiKoo Hui, 383 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3808 8506); 2) G/F, 42 Qingfeng Jie, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3828 8482) 新元素 , 1) 天河区天河路 383 号太古汇广场 L302 店 ; 2) 天河区珠江新城清风街 42 号首层 Happy Monk 1) Back of Yi’an Plaza, Jianshe Wu Malu, Yuexiu District (8376 5597) ; 2) No. 109, 7Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang

Xincheng, Tianhe District (3877 8679); 3) Outdoor Plaza, Happy Valley Mall, 36 Machang Lu, Tianhe District (3832 5317) 1) 越秀区建设五马路宜安广场后门 ; 2) 天河区珠江新城兴盛路 7 号 109 号铺 ; 3) 天河区珠江新城马场路 36 号太阳新天地户外广场 Hooley’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 1)101, 8 Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3886 2675); 2)Section 2, Yijia Yuan, 7 Xingzhongdao, Zhongshan 1)爱尔兰西餐酒吧, 天河区珠江新城兴盛路8号101; 2) 中山市兴中道7号颐嘉苑2卡 In·Side·Out By Threedrops 3/F, 10 Xietianli, Lingnan Tiandi, Chancheng District, Foshan (0757-8203 1400, 189 885 25470) 佛山市禅城区岭南天地协天里10号3楼T

Knightship Fusion Restaurant Conveniently located in Zhujiang New Town, Knightship Fusion Restaurant provides gourmet food with international favor in an unparalleled atmosphere. We are committed to applying our understanding of what constitutes a quality life to each dish in our boutique restaurant. In addition to Chinese and Asian foods, you can also taste the best of European fare on our‘fusion’menu. Shop No.116，Zhong Hai Jing Hui Huating, No.33, Liede Da Dao, Tianhe, Guangzhou 广州市天河区猎德大道 33 号中海璟晖华庭一期首层 116 号铺 (85162413)

The Locksmith Situated in the charming dining area of Lingnan Tiandi in Foshan, The Locksmith combines innovative dishes with a chic interior and exterior design that's second to none. All herbs, garnishes and some produce is grown onsite, while the Australian head chef personally dryages much of the meat. 2 Qilin She, Lingnan Tiandi, Chancheng District, Foshan 佛山市禅城区岭南天地麒麟社2号（07578203 6557）

M9 Restaurant Lounge Shop 112, 9 Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3802 0171) McCawley’s Bar & Grill Shop 101, 16 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3801 7000) 天河区珠江新城花城大道 16 号 101 铺

LISTINGS

OPEN DOOR

THE LOCKSMITH

Homemade Charcuterie Like You’ve Never Tasted Before Rare is the restaurant that makes its own charcuterie in house – and that includes dining establishments worldwide, not just in China. It’s a complicated process, to say the least, and requires patience – some cuts need to be aged for five or six months – but it only takes one bite to taste the difference. At The Locksmith, a high-end eatery in Foshan that’s almost completely self-sustainable (the chefs grow 40 percent of produce onsite and make all of their own butters, breads, vinegars, sauces and more), charcuterie is not only made from scratch with all natural, organic ingredients, but comes in more than 20 different flavors and varieties, from smoked black pork speck to Baharat spiced donkey and pork salami and even goose salami. No matter your preference – fatty, lean, spicy, mild – there’s an ideal cut for you. An avid hunter himself back in his home country of Australia, The Locksmith Head Chef E.J. Holland has been researching different charcuterie techniques for the last half decade. He loves having his own garden right outside the restaurant, which allows him to add a host of interesting herbs and spices to further customize the dry-aged meats. “If you order in some salamis [from a supplier], it’s usually just chili and fennel, and you can’t really do anything else with it. So here, the joy of making it in house is we can add whatever flavors we want. You can do really unique things that nobody else is doing and add you own signature touch.” The result? Tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat that packs layers of intricate flavors into every bite. Served on a platter with an attractive mix of pickles, house-made preserves, ferments and a plate of homemade butter and sourdough, it’s the perfect dish to accompany pre-dinner cocktails on a lazy summer evening. 2 Qilin She, Lingnan Tiandi, Chancheng District, Foshan 佛山市禅城区岭南天地麒麟社2号（0757-8203 6557）

Oggi Pizzeria 1) Shop 119, 8 Xingsheng Lu, Tianhe District (3805 1282); 4) 1 Tianlun Garden, Jianshe 4 Lu,Yuexiu District (8356 1196) www.oggirestaurant.com 卡布里西餐厅 1) 天河区兴盛路 8 号 119 铺 ; 2) 越秀区建设四马路天伦花园首层

Paulaner Bräuhaus L307, 3/F, TaiKoo Hui, 383 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (2808 6333) 宝莱纳 , 天河区天河路 383 号太古汇广场 L307 Rebel Rebel 42 Tiyu Dong Lu, Tianhe District (8520 1579) 天河区体育东路42号

Ricci Creative Eats Shop 015B, G/F, Popark Mall, No.63 Linhe Zhong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China (Across the street from IKEA) (3809 6330) 天河区林和中路 63 号东方宝泰购物广场首层（宜家家居对面） Shami House 2/F, Zhao Qing Da Sha, 304 Huanshi Zhong Lu, Yuexiu District (8355 3012 / 8355 3091) 莎米屋 , 越秀区环市中路 304 号肇庆大厦 2 楼

Baiyun Hotel and Friendship Store, Yuexiu District (8349 4170, 8349 4171); 2) Shop 102 & 114, Zhonghai Jinghui Huating, 31 Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, TianHe District(3801 5002) 1)苏坦土耳其烧烤餐厅, 越秀区环市东路367号1-3楼(白云宾馆与友谊商店夹位处); 2)广州市天河区珠江新城兴盛路31号中海璟晖华庭二期商铺102 & 114 The Tavern Sports Bar Traditional English style bar that fosters a cosy intimate atmosphere. Both Taverns offer an extensive menu of Western favorites and different theme nights throughout the whole week. 1) Poly 108, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (8550 3038); 2) On the right side of the Huanan Country Garden, Yingbin Lu, Panyu District (3482 4882, www.tavernchina.com) 致盛 1) 天河区珠江新城华就路 6 号保利 108 公馆 ; 2) 番禺区迎宾路华南碧桂园大门右侧

HEALTH All Smile - Dr. Lu Int'l Dental Clinic Rm 603-604, 6/F, Metro Plaza, 183 Tianhe Bei Lu (24-hour hotline: 8755 3380). Mon-Sat 9am6pm (other times by appointment) 大都会牙科，天河北路183号大都会广场六楼 603-604 Bellaire Int'l Clinic Rm 2202-2203, Kingold Century, 62 Jinsui Lu, Tianhe District (2899 3911, 3736 2020) 贝利尔全科医疗中心，广州市珠江新城金穗路 62 号侨鑫国际中心 2202-2203

Summer House Directly behind the Marriage House, Xietian Li, Lingnan Tiandi, Chancheng District, Foshan (133 9223 6374, www.summerhouse.com.cn) 佛山市禅城区岭南天地协天里（嫁娶屋正后面）粤天地112-116号铺

Sultan Restaurant Turkish BBQ 1) 1-3/F, 367 Huanshi Dong Lu, between

Deron Dental 11/F, Ice Flower Hotel, 2 Tianhe Bei Lu (3886 4821,www.kaiyiyk.com) 德隆齿科诊所，天河北路 2 号冰花酒店 11 层 Dr. Sherily Xiao Master of Medicine. 19 years TCM & Acupuncture & Massage & Physiotherapy Experience.Only for appointment. Fu Lai Garden Shui Yin Zhi Jie Shui Yin Road Yue Xiu District Guang Zhou.（Tel:

137 1052 6617. E-mail: xiaoshuilan@hotmail. com. L5, Zoo station, C exit) 广州市越秀区水阴路水阴直街福莱花园

公寓 101 铺 ; 5) 番禺区迎宾路星河湾酒店 2 楼 15 号铺 ; 6) 番禺区洛溪新城奥园城市花园首层 81-82 号铺 ; 7) 花都区凤凰北路雅居乐二期 21 号铺

Eur Am Int’l Medical Center 1/F, North Tower, Ocean Pearl Bldg, 19 Huali Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng (3758 5328, 24hr urgent care: 137 1041 3347, www. eurammedicalcenter.com) 康辰国际医疗 , 珠江新城华利路 19 号远洋明珠大厦北座首层

True Pilates China Studio provides Pilates &Gyrotonic lessons for everyone. Add: 7F/7 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang New Town. www.truepilateschina.com (186 2007 6022) 珠江新城花城大道 7 号 7 楼

H&H Dental Center 1/F, Mingmen Building, 4 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3808 0700, 3808 0729; 24hour hotline: 139 2516 2826; E-mail: hnhdental@163.com) H&H 牙科中心（嘉茜医疗门诊 ), 天河区珠江新城花城大道 4 号名门大厦正门首层 United Family Guangzhou Clinic 1/F, Annex Bldg, PICC Bldg, 301 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong (4008 919 191, 24-hr urgent care: 8710 6060) 广州越秀和睦家门诊部 , 广州大道中 301 号人保大厦南塔副楼首层

LIFESTYLE SO’ O LK (Hair Salon) 1) G/F, 545 Binjiang Dong Lu, Haizhu District (3425 7429); 2) Shop 103A, World Trade Centre, 371-375 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District (8760 6299); 3) Shop101, 712 Binjiang Dong Lu, Haizhu District (8419 1022); 4) Shop101, Fuli Edinburgh Apartment, 2 Huali Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District(3826 3718); 5) Shop 15 2/F, Chateau Star River Hotel, Yingbin Lu, Panyu District(3479 0641); 6) Shop81-82, G/F, New City Plaza, Olympic Garden, Luoxi New Town, Panyu District(3452 1826); 7) Shop 21, Agile Phase II, Fenghuang Bei Lu, Huadu District(3692 8686) 苏豪路易士，嘉玛发廊，1) 天河区天河北路 366 号都市华庭 13 铺 ; 2) 越秀区环市东路 371-375 号世界贸易中心首层 103A; 3) 海珠区滨江东路 712 号 101 铺 ; 4) 天河区珠江新城华利路 2 号富力爱丁堡

EDUCATION American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) 1) 3 Yanyu Nan Lu, Ersha Island (8735 3393); 2) 19,Kexiang Road Luogang District,Science Park, Guangzhou (3213 5555) 1) 广州美国人，二沙岛烟雨南路 3 号 ; 2) 广州罗岗区科翔路 19 号 Canadian Foreign Language School Cambridgshire Garden, Panyu District (39191868 ext. 0) 广州市番禺区剑桥郡加拿达外国语学校，广州市番禺区剑桥郡花园 Canadian International School of Guangzhou Cambridgeshire Garden, Nancun Town, Panyu District (3925 5321) www. cisgz.com 广州加拿大人国际学校，番禺区南村镇雅居乐剑桥郡花园内 Canadian Internatioanal Kindergarten Agile Garden, Yinbin Lu, Panyu District (8456 6551). 加拿大国际幼儿园，番禺区迎宾路雅居乐花园 Clifford School International International Building, Clifford School, Clifford Estates, Shiguang Lu, Panyu District (8471 8273; 8471 1441; 8471 1694) 祈福英语实验学校，番禺区市广路 Eclipse English Education 18D, No.368, Tianhe Bei Road, GZ (Tel:38780382,18922769713) 爱誉英语, 天河北路, 368号, 18D

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2017 | GZ | 81

LISTINGS

Guangzhou Nanfang International School No.1 South Industrial Park, Yinglong Lu, Longdong, Tianhe District (3886 6952, 3886 3606, Fax: 3886 3680). www.gnischina.com 广州南方国际学校，天河区龙洞迎龙路龙山工业园南1号

www.sofitel.com

希腊领事馆 , 林和中路 8 号海航大厦 2105 室

The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou 3, Xing’an Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (3813 6688, www.ritzcarlton.com) 广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒店, 天河区珠江新城兴安路3号

Guangzhou Narcotics Anonymous Meetings: Monday 6.30pm and Friday 7pm. (For help: 188 9857 0042 (French, Chinese & English), 133 3287 0750 (Persian), 185 8876 4470 (English), www.nachina.com)

Hanbridge Mandarin School Individual Class,Group Class: 50RMB/ Hour~ Daily Chinese/Business Chinese/ HSK Kids Chinese/Cantonese/Company Training 1303, Left tower, Stars building, No.174 Huasui Road,Zhujiang Newtown,Tianhe ,GZ.Branch shcools: Linhexi CITIC & LieDe Pub Street & ShiPaiQiao TaikooHui (TEL&Wechat 020-85645966, 189 9838 3060, 181 0272 9662) 翰语桥中国语总校：天河珠江新城华穗路星辰大厦东塔1303

W Guangzhou 26 Xiancun Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (6628 6628) 广州 W 酒店 , 天河区珠江新城冼村路 26 号

ISA International School Guangzhou Block C2-2, 128 Yuancun Siheng Lu, Tianhe District 广州爱莎国际学校, 天河区员村四横路 128号红专厂创意园C2-2 (8890 0909, info@ isaschool.com )

Argentina 2405, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3888 0328, cguan@ mrecic.gov.ar) 阿根廷共和国领事馆 , 天河区天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 2405 单元

The British School of Guangzhou 983-3 Tonghe Lu, Baiyun District (8709 4788) 广州英国学校 , 白云区同和路 983-3 Utahloy Int’l School www.utahloy.com 1) 800 Shatai Bei Lu, Baiyun District (8720 2019, fax 8704 4296); 2) Sanjiang Town, Zeng Cheng (8291 4691 fax 8291 3303) 广州誉德莱国际学校，1) 白云区沙太北路 800 号；2) 增城三江镇

HOTEL Chimelong Hotel Panyu Dadao,Panyu District (8478 6838, gz.chimelong.com) 长隆酒店 , 番禺区番禺大道 Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 8888, www. chimelong.com) 长隆横琴湾酒店 , 珠海市横琴新区 Chimelong Penguin Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 3366, www.chimelong.com) 长隆企鹅酒店, 珠海市横琴新区 Chimelong Circus Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 3399, www.chimelong. com) 长隆马戏酒店, 珠海市横琴新区 China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel 122, Liuhua Lu (8666 6888) www.MarriottChinahotel.com 中国大酒店 , 流花路 122 号 DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou 391 Dongfeng Lu, Yuexiu District (2833 7215; 2833 2888) 广州希尔顿逸林酒店 , 越秀区东风路 391 号 Grand Hyatt Guangzhou 12, Zhujiang Xi Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (8396 1234 www.guangzhou.grand.hyatt.com) 广州富力君悦大酒店 , 天河区珠江新城珠江西路 12 号 Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe 228 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (6108 8888) 广州正佳广场万豪酒店，天河区天河路 228 号 Langham Place Guangzhou 638 Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District(8916 3388) 广州南丰朗豪酒店 , 海珠区新港东路 638 号 LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou 368, Huanshi Dong Lu (8333 8989, www.thegardenhotel. com.cn) LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District 广州花园酒店 , 越秀区环市东路 368 号花园酒店 (8333 8989) LN Hotel Five 277 Yanjiang Zhong Lu, Yuexiu District （8931 0505）广州岭南五号酒店，越秀区沿江中路 277 号 Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou 389 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3808 8888) 广州文华东方酒店 , 天河区天河路 389 号 Park Hyatt Guangzhou 16 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (3769 1234) 广州柏悦酒店天河区珠江新城华夏路 16 号 Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou 1, Huizhan Dong Lu, Haizhu District (8917 8888, www. shangri-la.com) 广州香格里拉大酒店 , 海珠区会展东路 1 号 Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich 988 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Tianhe District (3883 8888) 广州圣丰索菲特大酒店 , 天河区广州大道中 988 号 .

82 | GZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

White Swan Hotel 1 Shamian Nan Jie, Liwan District (8188 6968) 白天鹅宾馆 , 荔湾区沙面南街 1 号

CONSULATES Christian Fellowship Hilton Hotel Guangzhou Tianhe , 215 Lin He Xi Heng Lu, Tianhe District (6683 9999) (Foreigners only. Please bring ID) Worship Hours: 10am11:30am.every Sunday. 广州天河新天希尔顿酒店 , 广州天河区林和西横路 215 号 Guangdong Int’l Volunteer Expatriate Service (GIVES) Contact Rosaline Yam (8778 2778; givescn@ yahoo.com) www.gives.cn Guangzhou Women’s Int’l Club (GWIC) For contact information, visit www.gwic.org Brazil Rm 1403, 10 Huaxia Lu, R&F Center, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (02083652236; cg. cantao.itamaraty.gov.br) 巴西驻广州总领事馆, 珠江新城华夏路10号富力中心1403室 Australia 12/F, Zhujiang New City, Development Centre, 3 Linjiang Lu (Tel: 3814 0111; Fax: 3814 0112) www.guangzhou.china. embassy.gov.au 澳大利亚领事馆，临江路 3 号珠江新城发展中心 12 楼 Belgium Room 0702, 7/F, R & F Center, Unit 2, 10 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3877 2351; Fax: 3877 2353) 天河区珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 7 楼 0702 室 Cambodia Rm 802, The Garden Hotel (Tower), Huangshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8333 8999 - 805; Fax: 8365 2361) 柬埔寨领事馆，环市东路花园酒店大楼 808 室 Canada 26/F, Tower 1, Taikoo Hui, 385 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8611 6100, Fax: 8667 2401) www.guangzhou.gc.ca 加拿大领事馆，天河区天河路 385 号太古汇一座 26 楼

India 14/F, Haichuan Dasha, 8 Linhe Zhong Lu, Tianhe District (8550 1501-05) 印度领事馆，天河区林和中路 8 号海船大厦 14 楼

Turkey Rm. 23A, Development Center Building, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3785 3466, bkesmen@mfa. gov.tr) 天河区珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展中心 23A

Indonesia Rm 1201-1223, 2/F, West Building, Dong Fang Hotel, 120 Liuhua Lu (Tel: 8601 8772; fax 8601 8773; kjrigz@public.guangzhou. gd.cn) 印度尼西亚领事馆，流花路 120 号东方宾馆西座 2 楼 1201-1223 室

United States 43 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3814 5000) http://guangzhou-ch.usembassy-china. org.cn/   美国领事馆，天河区珠江新城华就路 43 号

Israel 19/F, Development Center, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (8513 0509) 以色列领事馆，天河区珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展中心 19 楼 . Guangzhou.mfa.gov.il

Vietnam 2/F, Hua Xia Hotel, Haizhou Square, Qiaoguang Lu (Tel: 8330 5911; Fax: 8330 5915) 越南领事馆，侨光路华沙大酒店 B 座 2 楼北部

Italy Rm 1403, International Finance Place (IFP), 8, Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3839 6225; Fax: 8550 6370) 意大利领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 8 号合景国际金融广场 14 楼 1403 室

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Japan 1/F, East Tower, The Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8334 3009; Fax: 8333 8972) www.guangzhou.cn.emb-japan. go.jp 日本领事馆，环市东路 368 号花园酒店东塔 1 楼 Korea (Republic) 18 Youlin Lu, Chigang Consulate Area, Haizhu District (Tel: 2919 2999; fax 2919 2980; Guangzhou@mofat.go.kr) 韩国领事馆，海珠区赤岗领事馆区友邻路 18 号 Kuwait 10A-10D, Nanyazhonghe Plaza, 57 Lingjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3807 8070; Fax: 3807 8007). 科威特国总领事馆，珠江新城临江大道 57 号南雅中和广场 10A-10D Malaysia Rm 1915-1918, 19/F, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu ((Tel: 3877 0765; Fax: 3877 2320) 马来西亚领事馆，天河北路 233 号中信广场 19 楼 1915-1918 室 Mexico Rm2001, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 2208 1540; Fax: 2208 1539) 墨西哥领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 20 楼 01 单元 Netherlands 34/F, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 3813 2200; Fax: 3813 2299) www.hollandinchina.org 荷兰领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 34 楼 New Zealand Rm C1055, Office Tower, China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel, 122 Liuhua Lu (Tel: 8667 0253; Fax: 8666 6420; Guangzhou@nzte. govt.nz) www.nzte.govt.nz 新西兰领事馆，流花路 122 号中国大酒店商业大厦 1055 室 Norway Suite 1802, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu (3811 3188 Fax: 3811 3199) 挪威领事馆，天河北路 233 号中信广场 180 室

Colombia Unit 12, 36/F No 5, Zhujiang West Road, Tianhe, Guangzhou (8883 4826, cguangzhou@cancilleria.gov.co) 哥伦比亚驻广州总领事馆，珠江西路 5 号广州国际金融中心主塔写字楼 36 层 12 单元

Peru Unit 01 on 32/F 5 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe (Tel: 6184 6244; Fax: 6631 1804) 秘鲁驻广州总领事馆，珠江西路5号广州国际金融中心主塔写字楼32层01单元

Cuba Rm 2411, West Tower, Huapu Plaza, 13 Huaming Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 2238 2603 / 2238 2604; Fax: 2238 2605) 珠江新城华明路 13 号华普广场西塔 2411

Philippines Rm 706-712 Guangdong Int’l Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8331 1461; Fax: 8333 0573) www.guangzhoupcg.org 菲律宾领事馆，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店主楼 706-712 室

Denmark Rm 1578, China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel, 122 Liuhua Lu (Tel: 8666 0795; Fax: 8667 0315) 丹麦领事馆，流花路 122 号中国大酒店写字楼 1578 室  Ecuador Room 1801, R&F Building, 10 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3892 7650; Fax: 3892 7550) 厄瓜多尔共和国驻广州领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 1801 室 France Rm 810, 8/F, Main Tower, Guangdong Int’l Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (2829 2000) www.consulfrance-canton.org/ 法国领事馆，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店主楼８10 室 Germany 14/F Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8313 0000; Fax: 8516 8133) www.kanton.diplo.de 德国领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 14 楼 Greece Rm 2105, HNA Building, 8 Linhe Zhong Lu (Tel: 8550 1114; Fax: 8550 1450; grgencon.guan@mfa.gr)

The Russian Federation 26/A, Development Centre, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New Town (8518 5001 Fax: 8518 5099 (office)/ 8518 5088(visa section)) 俄罗斯联邦驻广州总领事馆 , 珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展中心 26/A

Poland 63 Shamian Da Jie (Tel: 8121 9993; Fax: 8121 9995) 波兰领事馆，沙面大街 63 号 Singapore Unit 2418, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 3891 2345; Fax: 3891 2933) 新加坡领事馆，天河北路 233 中信广场 2418 室 Spain Rm 501/507/508 5/F, R&F Center, 10 Huaxia Lu, Pearl River New City (Tel: 3892 7185 / 3892 8909; Fax: 3892 7197). www. maec.es/consulados/canton 西班牙驻广州总领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 5 楼 501/507/508 室 Switzerland 27/F, Kingold Century, 62 Jinsui Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3833 0450; Fax: 3833 0453) 瑞士领事馆，天河区珠江新城金穗路 62 号侨鑫国际金融中心 27 层 Thailand Rm M07, 2/F, Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8385 8988; Fax: 8388 9567) 泰国领事馆，环市东路 368 号花园酒店 2 楼 M07 室

American Chamber of Commerce Suite 1801, Guangzhou International Sourcing Center, 8 Pazhou Dadao Dong, Haizhu District (Tel: 8335 1476; Fax: 8332 1642; amcham@ amcham-sunthchina.org) www.amchamsouthchina.org 美国商会，海珠区琶洲大道东 8 号广州国际采购中心 1801 室 Australian Chamber of Commerce Rm1714 -15, Main Tower, Guangdong International Building, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 2237 2866; Fax: 8319 0765; mail@austcham-southchina.org). www.austcham-southchina.org 澳洲商会，环市东路 339 号广东国际大厦主楼 1714 – 15 室 BenCham, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) Chamber of Commerce in China, Pearl River Delta, Floor 34, 208 Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu (155 2118 2708 ). 荷比卢商会 , 天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 34 楼 www.bencham.org British Chamber of Commerce Unit 2201B, International Financial Center, 5 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District ( Tel: 8331 5013; Fax: 8331 5016; events@britchamgd.com) 英国商会，天河区珠江西路 5 号国际金融中心 2201B European Union Chamber of Commerce Rm 2817, Tower A, Shine Plaza, 9 Linhe Xi Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 3801 0269; Fax: 3801 0275) 中国欧盟商会，天河区林和西路9号耀中广场A塔2817室 French Chamber of Commerce in South China (CCIFC) Room 802, 8/F, Leatop Plaza, 32 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (2916 5535) 天河区珠江新城珠江东路 32 号利通广场 8 层 02 单元 German Chamber of Commerce 1903 Leatop Plaza, 32 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8755 2353; Fax: 8755 1889; chamber@gz.china.ahk.de) china.ahk.de 天河区珠江东路 32 号利通广场 1903 室 Italian Chamber of Commerce Rm 948, Office Tower, the Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu ( Tel: 8365 2682; Fax: 8365 2983) 意大利商会，环市东路 368 号花园大厦 948 房 www.cameraitacina.com China-Philippines Chamber of Commerce Rm 1613, Main Tower, Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (8331 1888-71613; Fax: 8331 1983; E-mail: cpcc2005@21cn.com) 中国菲律宾商会，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店主楼 1613 室 Spanish Chamber of Commerce Rm 1814, 18/F, Guangzhou International Sourcing Center, 8 Pazhou Dadao Dong, Haizhu District (Tel: 3892 7531; Fax: 3892 7530) 海珠区琶洲大道东 8 号广州国际采购中心 1814 室

CLASSIFIEDS

Eclipse English Education Native English teachers wanted. Competitive pay with flexible scheduling. Free Chinese classes for employees. Tianhe location. 13902273359 or (020) 38780382 Mrs. Wong

ACCOUNTING FIRMS Harris Corporate Solutions Ltd Guangzhou | Shanghai | Beijing | Hong Kong Established since 1972 • WFOE & Rep. Office Set Up • Accounting & Tax Compliance • Payroll, HR & Visa Solutions • Hong Kong & Offshore Company Registration • Hong Kong & China Bank Account Opening Serving all your business needs for investing in China. Call us for a free consultation. Tel: (86)20-8762 0508 Mobile: 135-703-48815 Email: info.gz@harriscorps.com.cn Romeo Lau & Co. work visa, WFOE, JV, RO, HK company, auditing, car rental,driver license. www.romeolawoffice.com Mobile: 13570993252, 020-38865269, dmc_ canto@yahoo.com

BUSINESS SERVICES Asiabs & B.string Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai 1) Setting-up HK, BVI and other offshore company 2) Setting-up WFOE, JV, Representative Office in China mainland 3) Accounting, Taxation, HR, Visa & Trading service Tel: 852 8102 2592 /  86 21 58362605       86 10 65637970 Website: www.AsiaBS.com www.Stringbc.com E-mail: info@stringbc.com CENTURY, a Comprehensive Office Services Company 1. Office Relocation, Personal Relocation 2. Second-hand Office Furniture Resell 3. Office Cleaning Services 4. Landscaping/Indoor Plant 5. Carpet Cleaning 6. Pest Control Tel: (86 20) 2816 5345 Email: guangzhou@centuryrelo.com

MOVING & SHIPPING

HiTouch Consulting Leading business and legal solution provider • Company Registration • Tax & Accounting • Intellectual Property • China Visa Tel: (8620) 8355 5515 Website: www.hitouch.com Guangzhou丨Shanghai 丨Yiwu

CHURCH CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Expatriates welcome! Large group multinational, non-denominational expatriate Christians hold English services Sundays 10.00am to 11.30am. Need foreign citizenship proof. Website: www.gicf.net Tel: 177 2768 5019.

JOBS OFFERED South China HR English Website (English.job168.com) China's most famous & professional job hunting website 8/F, Nanfang Jingdian Building, No. 198 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou 1/F,Huapu Building, No.104 Tianhe Road,Guangzhou (Tel: 85584676) 南方人才网英文站(english.job168.com) 广州市天河路198号南方精典大厦八楼广州市天河路104号华普大厦西座一楼

We are FAIM & ISO 9001-2008 accredited, members of the FAIM and FIDI. Contact us for FREE survey and quotation: Tel: +86 20 8363 3735 Email: manager.guangzhou@agsfourwinds. com Website: www.agsfourwinds.com Rayca Moving & Transportation Services With 10 years experience, Rayca provides international, domestic, local moving services & pet relocation service. We can effectively move you anywhere with competitive price! You move, you save! Service hotline: 400-048-9099 Email: info@raycatrans.com Website:www.raycatrans.com

REAL ESTATE

Asian Tigers Mobility Is an international relocation specialist started in 1988 handling visa and immigration, orientation, home finding, international, domestic and local moves and settling in services in China. We are FAIM & ISO 9001-2008 accredited, members of the OMNI and FIDI which gives us the global representation. Contact us: Tel:(8620) 8326 6758 / 8666 2655 E-mail: general.can@asiantigers-china. com Website: www.asiantigers-mobility.com AGS Four Winds is leading international moving company offers a full range relocation, moving, and storage services. Our global network of over 300 offices worldwide plus 40 years experience in the moving industry, we know your concerns and have the ability to serve you anywhere in the world.

Life Partner provides house leasing, housekeeping and other personalized services to expatriates from Multi Corporations and foreign institutes as well as to individuals. Guangzhou/Foshan/Zhaoqing/Zhengzhou/Wuhan Since 2004 Contact Person: Ellen Pan, Tel: 020-3881 3137, Mobile: 159 1878 3607 Email: panhj@lifepartner.cn Web: www.lifepartner.cn

TRAVEL Free N Easy Travel An International Travel Agency in GZ, offers you the most competitive airfares, best discounted hotels worldwide and great getaway packages. Call our Toll free no.800-830-2353 or Tel 3877 2345 or email us at Guangzhou@fnetravel. com or visit us at our travel center at 218 Sky Galleria, CITIC PALAZA, 233 Tianhe North Road or check for more details at our website---www .fnetravel .com Turkish Airlines Rm. 6107, Citic Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District (3877 1690, 3877 1691, www.turkishairlines.com)天河区天河北路233号中信广场6107室

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2017 | GZ | 83

JUNE

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s zhou Guang

Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in Guangzhou. BY NOELLE MATEER

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

5.22~6.21

6.22~7.22

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

The stars spell relationship problems for you, Gemini, so get off Tantan and focus on your significant other, damn it. Take him or her on a romantic walk along the Pearl River. Bring warm liangcha for good luck.

Socializing is important, so stop being such a recluse. It's nice out now. Go get drinks with people. If anyone suggests Xingsheng Lu for dinner though, do kindly direct them to this wonderful magazine you read full of interesting new eateries. Drink Tsingtao on the 17th.

Leos can expect great fortune to fall upon their sex lives this month. The following are the most auspicious days to bone: the 7th, the 13th, the 25th. Do not get it on on the 30th, or an ayi will start knocking on your door loudly halfway through.

You will find great success at a networking event. If you wear red to it, a shiny Zhujiang office building is in your future. Make your WeChat profile picture more professional though. It is inauspicious to have a cartoon character as your WeChat photo.

9.24~10.23

Libra

10.24~11.22

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Soon you will suffer from bad health. Sorry. Go Somewhere Else and eat healthy stuff or something. Avoid H a i z h u D i s t r i c t o n T u e s d ay s o r misfortune will befall you.

Your spouse or lover will help you to achieve financial success. Maybe he or she will also point you to our guide to Lanpu Lu market in this magazine, IDK, just a suggestion. Either way, enter Yuexiu Park by walking backwards.

This will be a chaotic month for you, so keep zen by avoiding the Guangzhou subway from the hours of 4.30-6pm, and the Starbucks in IFC for all the hours, period. Do not send WeChat messages while riding your Mobike.

When two roads diverge in the wood, follow the path that leads back to Party Pier. Seriously, where are you? None of the hip parts of Guangzhou have any vegetation. Avoid men in patterned face masks.

Aquarius

12.22~1.20

1.21~2.19

2.20~3.20

3.21~4.20

Aries

Taurus

Be ready to compromise. You may have to go to an inferior noodle place if your favorite noodle place has been bricked over. Hold your breath when walking east in Dongshankou.

No more complaining about China, Pisces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you're getting annoying! Stop hanging out with whiny expats and go buy a good air filter. If you still feel like crap, book a flight to Thailand. Whiny expats love Thailand.

Issues with your family may distract you from monetary success this month. Try to regain some of that monetary success by not drinking so much. You have family issues to deal with anyway, apparently. Do not eat dim sum on a full moon.

Taurus: Only your hard work will bring you success. That, or being born in a privileged background under advantageous geopolitical circumstances. Keep this in mind as you work hard in your English teaching job this month. Eat dumplings on the 15th.

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Pisces

11.23~12.21

4.21~5.21