That's Shenzhen - 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 | SZ | 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 17

36 MR. C

Second White Collar Fight Night

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

62 EAT & DRINK 69 BLUE FROG South from Shanghai.

72 CLUB SECTOR Hands up!

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74 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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 | SZ | 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

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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 | SZ | 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 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.

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The 20th Anniversary of Torres China

HOFEX 2017 Achieves a New Milestone

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.

Asia’s leading food and hospitality expo, HOFEX, concluded on May 11 with 39,060 visitors from 86 countries and regions, the largest scale in the event's history. Powered by a partnership with ProWine Asia, the 30th HOFEX saw an impressive amount of food and drink products and the latest catering equipment. Visitors left with high expectations for the next HOFEX, which will take place at HKCEC in May 2019.

Shenzhen Second Cross Border Summit Supported by

Shenzhen’s Fourth Health and Wellness Fair Supported by

Global From Asia hosted its second Cross Border Summit last month, focusing on importing, exporting and B2C e-commerce in China, with 200 attendees from 32 countries. “The knowledge gap between China and overseas countries must be shortened,” said organizer Michael Michelini. “There is still a huge opportunity for businesses that can master both sides.” Global From Asia also debuted its business services marketplace, available on its website.

On May 6, the fourth Health and Wellness Fair was held in Shenzhen. The free event saw attendees browse a large selection of health products and health-related services. Dozens of classes were held, including cooking classes, dance and yoga. The event is held twice a year at Vista-SK International Medical Center and aims to meet the demand for healthy living in Shenzhen.

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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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Shenzhen reviews, events and information

WHITE COLLAR FIGHT NIGHT

Watch Workers Trade the Cubicle for the Ring See p76

This month

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

A monthly insert for June 2017

WHAT'S ON IN JUNE

2017

FRI JUNE 9 MOSKI

CLUB SECTOR

SAT JUNE 3 TWISTED MACHINE

B10 LIVE

FRI JUNE 16 DJ RAE

PEPPER CLUB

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WED JUNE 28

SOPHIE ZELMANI

NANSHAN SPORTS THEATER

SAT-SUN JUN 3-4 AIFA TOURNAMENT

FRI JUN 9 GOLF TOURNAMENT

SAT JUN 10 GUINGUETTE

UNTIL JUN 13 ART SHOW

UNTIL JUN 21 TAOISM EXHIBITION

THU JUN 22 ANOICE

UNTIL JUN 30 THAI FOOD FESTIVAL

ALL MONTH IN SEARCH OF GLOBAL POETRY

Degrantin Sports Field p76

SoFun Land p75

Shenzhen Museum p76

Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen p75

Mission Hills Dongguan p75

Jardin Orange p76

B10 Live p74

Video-art Exhibition p76

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EAT &

DRINK Blue Burgers

A Shanghai staple hits Shenzhen, p69

Suds Before Dessert P69 62 | SZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Thali Take Out P70

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 tails 40g butter 40g dried tomato 30g bread crumbs 3g oregano 3g rosemary 3g thyme 3g garlic 80g pumpkin mash 2 pieces baby carrots 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:

Blue Frog bringing big burgers to Wongtee Plaza’s periphery; the slaphappy soon happening of White Collar Fight Night; rumors of a certain cafe setting up shop and going to the dogs; Shenzhen subway’s pink-plastered efforts at encouraging amorous confessions.

We’re done with:

Bionic Shekou’s pop-up end of days at the end of May; the smoggy-foggy days hiding Shenzhen’s sun; the moral panic over a certain azure aquatic mammal game; an unending tide of food scandals, formaldehyde pig blood anyone?

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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 endorsed 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

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 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 Stars

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

COCKTAIL

The Pimm's 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 Pimm's, 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 • 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)

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LATTE LOVIN’ Cool Cafes in the City By Bailey Hu

Tired of going to the same spots (read: Starbucks) for your daily caffeine fix? Try some of these cafes, both old and new-ish, for a novel twist on the classic cuppa joe. Easy Access: Aix Arome Café Duck into a cute little cafe in a back alley and you might come away impressed – or not. Why not save yourself some uncertainty (and bitter brews) by visiting Aix Arome? The chain has nine Shenzhen shops, a few of which are in the city’s most popular locations – Window of the World, Shopping Park and KK Mall. All serve solid renditions of crowd favorites, plus a signature creamy ‘Caffe Amour’ (RMB39).

Intersection of Fuhua Lu and Zhongxin Er Lu, Shopping Park, Futian District 福田区购物公园福华路与中心二路交叉口 (8316 5383)

Sweet Tooth: Lu Patisserie For a sweet treat or three to go with your cappuccino (RMB28), stop by the OCT-Loft or Huaqiangbei location of this French bakery and cafe. Desserts are carefully crafted to appeal as much to the eyes as the palate. They’re also relatively inexpensive: customers can opt for an afternoon tea option (RMB38) that pairs any coffee drink with a choice of mango cheesecake, tiramisu or creme brulee. Intersection of Fuhua Lu and Zhongxin Er Lu, Shopping Park, Futian District 福田区购物公园福华路与中心二路交叉口 (8316 5383)

Hipster Haven: Old Heaven Books If the mandolins hanging from the ceiling and experimental post-rock soundtrack didn’t tip you off when you entered, we’ll spell it out: Old Heaven is unapologetically alternative. Behind the bookstore is a cafe area that includes comfy indoor and outdoor seating. There are plenty of power outlets too, in case you want to plug in your Macbook and write a blog post about the symbolism of the house latte (RMB28).

120, Bldg A5, Xiangshan Dong Jie, by Wenchang Jie, OCT, Nanshan District 南山区香山东街华侨城创意园北区A5栋120铺 (8614 8090)

Novelty: 3D Coffice 3D Coffice may not have the best Americano (RMB26) in town, but it sets itself apart in other ways. It offers high-tech entertainment, for example, in the form of an in-store full-body scanner that can record your image and allow you to create a miniature figurine of yourself (RMB888 and up). There’s also food, including ‘3D-printed’ cookies (RMB10), in case you get hungry while waiting for your personalized crystal keychain (RMB30) to be finished. 1/F, West side, KK Mall, Luohu District 罗湖区KK Mall西区一楼 (2296 6645)

Creative Combos: Barista Pro Located in Shenzhen’s CBD, just across the street from the municipal government, this favorite haunt of white-collar workers offers drinks as well as meals. One sip of the ‘coffee soda’ (RMB28) has us hooked: mix iced coffee with soda water, a little sugar and lemon, and you get a refreshing, light drink that’s neither too sweet nor too sour. Sipped under an umbrella on the outdoor patio, it’s just right.

Shop 02, Lower Square, Taiping Financial Building, Fuzhong San Lu, Futian District 福田区福中三路太平金融大厦下沉广场02铺 (2360 8043)

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BLUE FROG South from Shanghai By Chris Webster

The Place

The Food

The Vibe

Blue Frog Bar and Grill has finally hopped its way down to South China. Headquartered in Shanghai, Blue Frog bills itself as ‘casual Western dining’ and is popular for its selection of towering burgers. The Shenzhen iteration comes with all the trappings of the original outlets: royal-blue decor, juicy burgers and no actual frogs.

Blue Frog appeals to diners seeking hearty offerings and signature cocktails, but we start off on a lighter note by ordering the mango shrimp salad (RMB98), which comes as a delightfully plated combination of mixed greens and red bell peppers, punctuated by chili-spiced shrimp, ricotta cheese and bright slices of fresh mango. The salad pairs well with the tangy passion fruit mojito (RMB60). A weightier challenge is the Montana burger (RMB98). This mountain of meat comes with sweet BBQ sauce drizzled over two crispy onion rings, lounging on top of a cheddar cheese beef patty, all stacked on a bed of bacon, onions, lettuce, tomato and pickles. It's messy, in a good way. We had the burger with the blue frog iced tea, which is advertised as ‘like a Long Island, but double the fun.’ Visually, the drink looks like swamp water, but is surprisingly sweet and as fun as advertised (read: strong).

Since Blue Frog has sprung up along the Wongtee Plaza’s periphery, it offers a tripartite dining experience – booths and long tables with a view of a screen projecting sports near the mall entrance, high tables and bar seating in the interior, and a sprawling patio along the outdoor promenade. Sit outside on a nice day for lunch, or pull up a stool at the bar for an after-work burger and drink; you’ll leave full and maybe even a little buzzed.

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Price: RMB160 for a burger and cocktail Who’s going: anyone who likes a good burger Good for: filling food, strong drinks

Shop 28, 2/F, Wongtee Plaza, 118 Fuhua San Road, Futian District 福田区福华三路118号皇庭国商购物广场2 层28铺 (8255 3646)

N E W R E S T AFUE RA AT U N RT SE | E A T & D R I N K

FUBAR Recognize

By Sky Thomas Gidge

The Place FuBar makes an impression. On a street with overly friendly women who favor the dark doorways of neighboring establishments, the brewpub is a well-lit, gleaming beast. Inside is the expected mix of austere concrete, shiny beer-brewing tanks and ground floor sofas, good for a lean-in after filling up on pub fare while drinking one of FuBar’s decidedly strong brews. Above it all is a nine-screen LED display showing the sporting event du jour. A jaunt up a black, industrial staircase finds a cozy second floor, a sort of bar within a brewpub.

The Food

It’s standard pub fare, which is a good thing, considering how awry Western food in this town can go. The meat lover’s su-

preme pizza (RMB88 for 9 inches) is a cheesy, grease fest with black olives, bacon, ham and sausage. Unlike some other establishments, the RMB38 cheese balls avoid the trap of being painfully plain, though the sweet chili sauce is a must. Beer is served in three sizes and prices: the medium an American pint, the large a much taller British pint. The American-sized RMB48 Chicken Street IPA is not the kick in the taste buds more hardcore IPA fans might want, instead its the fruity malty mix is an easy sip with a 6.5 ABV. Already attracting an event split of local and foreign patrons, FuBar sells golden ale at just RMB18 for a small – a handy introduction to those used to downing Tsingtao. Word of advice: if you order the sexy cider (RMB28 small, RMB48 medium), go with a medium at most. It’s absurdly drinkable with an 8 percent ABV and is actually something closer to apple wine.

The Vibe

Shekou establishments tend to be more community oriented and FuBar is no exception: expect the manager to ask your name as children clamber for the upstairs video game

system. In a city hit by copycat brewpubs, FuBar serves original brews that warrant at least one visit and Western management that ‘get it.’ Price: RMB100 for two beers Who’s going: locals, expats, early evening families Good for: pub fare, fresh brewed beer 101-4 Haichang Jie, Nanshan District 南山区海昌街 101-4号

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NAMASTE

Veggies at the Ready By Lachlan Cairns

The Place

two curries, a dahl, pickles, rice and chapatti, all freshly made in house. We began with the dahl. Its creamy blend of vegetables gave way to an acidic kick and spicy aftertaste, which naturally led to the cardamom-heavy potato and onion curry. Both dishes were welcome surprises, given that presentation consisted of a neon-orange plastic tray.

Sweating in the summer heat, with the buzz of drones overhead, you may stumble on this small Huaqiang Bei vegetarian restaurant. With few tables, and trays instead of plates, this is as close to a real Thali experience as Shenzhen gets. The owner, an Indian electronics trader long desperate for affordable vegetarian food, explains why he took a no-frills approach to the dining experience: to keep prices down and recreate an Indian dining style.

The Food

The menu is limited – so limited, in fact, that you may have only one choice, as was the case when we visited. ‘The Lunch set’ (RMB35) consisted of

The only let-down was the bean and eggplant curry. While the vegetables were fresh, it lacked the full flavor kick the others offered. The handmade chapatti and pickles were natural sides: freshly made and filling, the

pickles feature chunky cuts of veggies with a tongue biting acidity.

The Vibe

Namaste’s clear focus on delivery means there isn’t a huge amount of feeling in the small, supply-filled dining area, though the owner is happy to make conversation. Weekends see the menu expanding to include biriyani, but there needs to be more choices if Namaste is going to recreate a proper Thali experience. For those who work in the Huaqiang Bei area or its surrounds, Namaste will be a welcome change from the usual greasy takeout container of rice, veggies and meat. Price: RMB35 lunch, RMB40 dinner Who’s going: vegetarians, Thali lovers Good for: an almost Indian lunch experience

1/F, Shop 42, Zhong Hang Bei Yuan Mansion, Huaqiang Bei Street, Futian District (Huaqiang Bei Metro Exit C) 福田区华强北街道振华路中航北苑大厦第一栋一层42 (131 6377 0022)

BEER NUTS U Sud-sidizing Students By Sky Thomas Gidge

ear the West gate of Shenzhen University, down a quaint brick pathway, sits Beer Nuts U – the former location of Taco Loco. This new venue is running with the college bar vibe by serving up cheap snacks and reasonably priced drinks, while grafting on some of the culinary offerings anyone who has been to Futian’s TexMex Pulse Café will be familiar with. Visiting on a recent evening, a group of boisterous Australians man a table of RMB10 shots – waiting for a moment of celebration, while demure-looking women sip juice in a corner. A ceiling-mounted Yamaha speaker plays music at conversation-friendly levels, filling the space that isn’t much more than four walls, a bar and a kitchen. The most prominent decoration is a wall-wide illustration of how beer is made. It’s clear Beer Nuts U is targeting the budgeted crowd with RMB25 draughts of 500 milliliter Asahi, though there is also the Firestone’s Easy Jack (RMB40) for those who want to splash out. Near the door sits a fridge with bottled beers, stocking the expected

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Duvel and Vedette. If you’re hungry, go straight for the RMB35 Bratwurst. Served with sauerkraut and wedge fries, it’s a full meal, unlike the thincrusted pepperoni pizzas (RMB35). It might take two or three pies to satisfy the average diner. Like any new bar, there are things to iron out, and it seems like the kinks are in the kitchen – wait time on orders for quesadillas (RMB20) stretch to around 20 minutes, with pizzas taking slightly longer. Though that part of the business is set for a shake up, as

we’re told halal food will soon be added to the menu. Beer Nuts U will not be drawing crowds from across the city, but with low prices, friendly staff and planned music nights, it’s set to be one of the best bars in the area. Price: RMB75 Who’s going: university students Good for: cheap drinks, snacks

29-1 Guimiao Xincun, Xuefu Lu, Nanshan District 南山区学府路桂庙新村29-1 (187 1857 5021)

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CLUB SECTOR Hands Up! By Bailey Hu

f you can measure a nightclub’s success by the number of hands waving in the air ‘like they just don’t care,’ Sector’s doing great. The Nanshan club’s giant ‘Mainroom’ dance floor is packed on the Friday we visit. In the middle of the dance floor, head-

bobbing and swaying intensify as the DJ takes stage. He eggs the audience on. “Put your hands in the air!” Not original, but it works. Hands wave to the rhythm of the music, while mist, multicolored lights and the occasional spray of

confetti rain down. In the smaller ‘Underground’ room, we order drinks – whisky and soda (RMB45), vodka and orange (RMB35) – which taste as likely to keep you hydrated as lend a buzz. The ‘Underground’ has no jumping crowds, just lone dancers grooving to the tunes of another DJ, with the club’s lounge area offering refuge for those cooling down. Unlike many clubs, Sector boasts ample space for both chatting at a normal volume and dancing. In general, the decor — reflective black walls and dim lighting — doesn’t draw attention to itself, and customers aren’t required to buy drinks. It leads to a focus solely on the music, which marketing director Ray Zhu says has led to the formation of a ‘community.’ Weekend acts can attract enormous crowds, with turnout for one event so high, the club had to close for the evening. Zhu is undaunted, with a confidence that’s backed up by the club’s popularity. Sector has already built a reputation for its electronic music: so long as the DJs keep playing, the crowds will come.

Price: RMB100-200 Who’s going: EDM lovers Good for: top-notch DJs, dramatic beat drops Club Sector, A8 Music Mansion, 1002 Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科园路1002号A8音乐大厦2层 (0755-86937021)

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Classic Movie Music Concert

Rae ‘Deep In Your Love' DJ

HEAR Moksi China Tour DJ

Moksi's music is a kaleidoscope of screaming leads and bass paired with subwoofer-heavy drops, influenced by dubstep and UK garage classics from the 80s. Moksi's first work, the 45-second snippet 'Getting Higher,' was later turned into a full track and noticed by industry insiders. Soon after that, Moksi released debut EP Brace Yourself, which lit up social media platforms and got massive live show exposure from popular DJs, resulting in Moksi landing their first DJ gig at Tomorrowland. Since then they have steadily built a following. Fri Jun 9, 10pm; RMB80 early bird, RMB120. Club Sector, 1002 Keyuan Lu, Nanshan District 南山区科园路1002号A8 音乐大厦2层 (clubsector.com, 186 8870 6020)

Little Wizard Gig

Relive your best movie memories with a professional, live rendition of the songs you might not know by name, but already know by heart. Songs from The Pianist, The God Father and The Good The Bad and the Ugly will be performed by renowned pianist Gilda Butta, with Luca Pincini on cello. The full program is available online and subject to change. Fri Jun 23, 8pm; RMB180-380. Nanshan Culture Sports Theatre, 62 Nantou Jie, Nanshan Da Dao, Nanshan District 南山区南山大道南头街62号 (en.damai.cn, 8320 8858)

Sophie Zelmani Concert

DJ Rae knows how to marry powerful vocals and house beats in the most creative ways in studio and on stage. By touring the globe with her emotive live performance and soulful, improv vocals diced with tech DJing, Rae became a clubland talking point. Her 'Take Me Away' collaboration with DJ SKT was the anthem of the summer and became a top 20 hit on UK charts. Free entry all night for members and party champion card holders. Fri Jun 16, 10pm; free entry before 10pm, RMB60 presale, RMB100 at door. Pepper Club, 2/F, Shopping Park, Fuhua Lu, by Yitian Lu Futian District 福田区福华路购物公园二楼 (weidian.com, 8387 9899)

Twisted Machine Gig B10 Zelmani was born in the suburbs of Stockholm in 1972 and received a guitar at 14. Despite no professional music training, Zelmani was offered a record deal by Sony Music Sweden. Her music is a mix of soothing and melancholy, that relies on friendly guitar riffs and backing piano matched with almost-whisper vocals. Wed Jun 28, 8pm; RMB100-380. Nanshan Culture Sports Theatre, 62 Nantou Jie, Nanshan Da Dao, Nanshan District 南山区南山大道南头街62号 (en.damai.cn, 8320 8858)

Anoice Gig

Formed in 2008 in Shaoxing, Little Wizard have recorded and released three EPs, two full-length studio album and a remix album. A three-piece post-punk band, their new music has seen them adopt a cleaner sound. Introducing new material at the beginning of 2017, Little Wizard is eager to bring it to live audiences. Sat Jun 10, 8.30pm-10pm; RMB6o presale, RMB100 at door. B10 Live, Building C2, North District, OCT-LOFT Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区B10 现场 (b10live.cn, 8633 7602)

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This top Chinese rock band was founded in 1998 and remains one of the biggest draws at mainland music festivals. Major influencers of Chinese rock, they purvey in nu metal, mixing English and Chinese lyrics with a rapmetal delivery. Think System of a Down making out with Linkin Park as Metallica plays on the stereo. Sat Jun 3, 8.30pm-10pm; RMB100 presale, RMB150 door. B10 Live, Building C2, North District, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区B10现场 (b10live.cn, 8633 7602) Tokyo-based cinematic instrumental music group Anoice is coming to Shenzhen. Formed in 2004 by multi-instrumentalists Takahiro Kido, Yuki Murata, Utaka Fujiwara and Tadashi Yoshikawa, Anoice has risen to the top of the Japanese cinematic music scene by creating mesmerizing sound tracks for non-existent films. Ranging from small and soft to toweringly grand and vast, their sound creates mental landscapes. Thu Jun 22, 8.30pm; RMB100 presale, RMB120 at door. B10 Live, Building C2, North District, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区B10现场 (en.newnoise.cn, 8633 7602)

win! We have tickets to this show to give away. Message our official WeChat account (ThatsShenzhen) before June 1 with the band name, your contact number and why you should win.

Shenzhen’s Second White Collar Fight Night Boxing

Taoism Through Artifacts Exhibition

SEE AIFA International Youth Tournament Soccer

Come watch the Asian International Football Academy Youth Tournament 2017 Shenzhen China, which is being held in collaboration with Urban Family. It will take place at Degrantin Sports Football Pitch on June 3 and 4. There will be six different age categories, from 'under 7' to 'under 12,' more than 45 international teams from Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Guangzhou, with over 500 kids playing soccer tournament in a fair and fun environment. Old shoe collection will be available onsite during the tournament. Sat-Sun Jun 3-4, 8am-6pm; Degrantin Sports Soccer Pitch, Bao’an District 宝安区南路德冠廷体育足球公园 (theaifa.com)

White-collar boxing gives the business, finance and tech workers of the city a venue to throw a few punches while networking and promoting their ventures. Only amateurs have been accepted before going through rigorous training to get them ready for the ring. The last event was a who’s who of Shenzhen, with the second set to be even bigger. Sat Jun 17, 7pm-12pm; RMB450 presale, RMB500 at door. Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai, 1177 Wanghai Lu, by Gongye Yi Lu, Nanshan District 南山区望海路1177号深圳蛇口希尔顿南海酒店 (2161 8888)

The Chicanos Revolution Art show

Shenzhen Museum is holding an exhibition that looks at the history of Taoism, starting with its origins as a prehistoric faith. The history is illustrated in the form of relics, like a painted board for an ancient chesslike game. Appearing at first to be a simple toy, the board actually offers clues to the spiritual philosophy purveyed by the early religion. Daily until Wed Jun 21, 10am-6pm (closed Mon); free. 3 Fuzhong San Road, Futian District 福田区福中3路深圳市民中心(8201 3036)

In Search of Global Poetry Exhibition

I’m Not There Movie

I'm Not There is a 2007 biographical musical drama directed by Todd Haynes. The movie portrays the tales of six characters, all inspired by different aspects of Bob Dylan's personal life and artwork. An ambitious project carried on by a first-class cast: Christian Bale, Kate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Ben Wishaw and Richard Gere among others. Sun Jun 11, 8pm; free. Magma, Shangyebuxing Jie, Baishizhou, Nanshan District 南山区白石洲商业步行街,8号酒店旁边(185 0305 9524)

The title of this show gives a hint to the rule-breaking and unexpected changes you will see in the most recent pieces of artist Ceet’s work. Moving away from his traditionally simple characters. His latest canvases will force viewers to seek out the ‘impressions’ of the chickens. Tue-Sun Until Jun 13, 10am-6pm and open by reservation; free. Jardin Orange, B22, SoFun Land, Tangxing Lu, Nanshan District南山区塘兴路133号集悦城B区22栋 (8600 8690)

Participating video artists offer extremely different stories, conveyed by mixing reality and fiction in moving visual images. Experimental, the works delve into the relationship between art and new media in the digital era. Hailing from Iran, Lithuania and the US, the artists' backgrounds color theirs works, presenting poetry – through video. All month, 10am-5.30pm (closed Mon); free. He Xiangning Art Museum, 9013 Shennan Da Dao, Nanshan District 南山深南大道9013号 2660 4540

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TA S T E Southeast Asia Food Festival Buffet

Open Restaurant in Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai is presenting the Southeast Asia Food Festival from until June 12, creating a colorful and tasty food experience for all Southeast Asia food lovers. In order to provide the most authentic dishes, Open has invited guest chef Kb Ng from Malaysia, as well as his assistant. Savory satay chicken, spicy crab, hot Tom Yam Gong soup and delicate and tasty desserts will impress with every bite. Drinks include teh tarik, a hot milk tea popular in Malaysia and Singapore. Dancers will also perform during dinner. All prices are subject to 15 percent service charge. Until Mon Jun 12, 12-9.30pm; RMB218 Mon-Sat Lunch, RMB388 Sun, RMB318 dinner Sun-Thu, RMB408 Fri-Sat. Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai 1177 Wanghai Lu by Gongye Yi Lu,Nanshan District 南山区望海路1177号深圳蛇口希尔顿南海酒店 (2162 8888)

European Feast Buffet

Come and enjoy the authentic European delicacies at Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen, with wonderful European delights. Indulge yourself in Iberico ham, Parma ham with honeydew melon, Bavarian meatloaf, baked mussels Provencal and more. Desserts include raspberry napoleon, Bavarian strudel with vanilla sauce, black forest cake and panna cotta. All dishes use top quality seasonal products. Prices subject to 10 percent surcharge and 6 percent VAT. Until Fri Jun 30, 11:30am-9:30; RMB208 lunch, RMB328 dinner. Kempinski Hotel Shenzhen, Hai De San Boulevard, by Houhai Bin, Nanshan District 南山区后海滨路海德三道 (8888 8888)

DO British Chamber Golf Tournament Sport

About 100 golfers will tee off in an event featuring exclusive prizes and multinational company sponsorships. It’s also a platform to maximize the exposure of your business, while gaining access to senior professionals and business leaders from across Hong Kong and Southern China. Expect free-flow drinks and luxury prizes. E-mail for inquiries. Fri Jun 9,11am-8pm. Mission Hills Dongguan, Lin Ping Road, Tangxia, Dongguan City 东莞市塘厦镇大坪林坪路 (britchamteam@britchamgd.com, 8331 5013)

French Guinguette Party

Thai Food Festival Buffet

Taste Signature Restaurant offers authentic Thai Cuisine to guests, ranging from refreshing appetizers and classic soups to signature street favorites. The dishes are prepared with passion and the freshest ingredients. All prices are inclusive 15 percent service charge. Located in the Futian Free Trade Zone, Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen is the closest hotel to the China-Hong Kong Futian border. Until Fri Jun 30; RMB278. Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen, 5 Guihua Lu, Free Trade Zone, Futian District 福田区保税区桂花路5号喜来登酒店 (8359 9999)

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This is the antidote to events that take themselves too seriously. The party's roots stem from 1700s 'Guinguettes' — popular hangouts that offered drinks, food and dance to customers who wanted to enjoy themselves in France. The modern-day version labels itself 'the unpretentious French party.' Shenzhen's Guinguette event will include games, live music and French cuisine, all in an inviting setting. The price of entry includes unlimited food and beverages — French wine, beer and cocktails — all night long. Contact via WeChat for tickets. Sat Jun 10, 6pm-12pm; RMB300 presale, RMB400 at door, RMB80 children below 12, free for children below 5. 133 TangXing Road SoFun Land, Nanshan District 南山区塘兴路133号集悦城 (WeChat FTKITCHEN, 151 1250 0312)

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 Louvre, 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 culture's 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 (ThatsShenzhen) with the subject ‘Thriller’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

HOTEL NEWS Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen

Marco Polo Shenzhen

Marriott International South China

Appoints New General Manager

Appoints New Director of Restaurants

Holds South China Chef Battle 2017

The Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen recently welcomed new general manger Mr. Sunil Narang. Born and raised in Amritsar, India, Narang was interested in hospitality from a young age. After finishing secondary school, he moved to Switzerland where he attended the prestigious Hotel Management School at Les Roches for his bachelor’s degree. Narang began his now 20-year Four Seasons career journey in Boston. An instant success as a receptionist, he moved through different departments within the Rooms Division. Flexible and always on the lookout for new adventures, Narang has excelled with his passion for service. His outgoing personality, sense of humor and high adaptability are his trademarks. China offers him a new adventure.

Marco Polo Hotels Group has appointed Mr. Olivier Foucke as Director of Restaurants, Bars and Events of Marco Polo Shenzhen. He was the previous executive chef of Marco Polo Xiamen. Foucke has over 20 years of experience in hospitality, with vast international experience across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He has worked in restaurant management on behalf of such renowned international brands as Starwood, Marriott and Hilton. In Xiamen, Foucke redesigned and implemented operational procedures in all the kitchens. “With Foucke’s success at our Xiamen properties, we are delighted to recognize his achievements with his appointment,” said Mr. Christoph Hoeflich, general manager of Marco Polo Shenzhen.

The Marriott International South China Chef Battle’s first round was held at JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen Bao'an. The event brought together 47 chefs from 38 hotels, covering 12 hotel brands including JW Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Westin, W and Marriott. The Chef Battle is a signature Marriott International event across China. After a fierce competition, six talented chefs rose to the top, qualifying for the finals at the JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen on July 6.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2017 | SZ | 79

FEATURED LIS Scan for complete listings

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

EDUCATION American International School, No. 82,Gongyuan Lu, Shekou,Nanshan District (8619 4750) 南山区蛇口公园路82号青少年活动中心

Green Oasis School  No 4030, Shennan Middle Road, Tianmian, Futian District. (8399 6712) admission@ greenoasis.org.cn   www.greenoasis.org.cn 福田区田面村深南中路 4030 号

International School of Nanshan Shenzhen A Canadian school accepting application for Pre-Grade 1 through Grade 12. 166 Nanguang Lu, Nanshan District (2666 1000, 2606 6968). admission@isnsz.com www. isnsz.com 南山区南光路166号

Peninsula Montessori Kindergarten the Peninsula one, Jin Shiji Lu, Shekou Nanshan District ( 2685 1266)

半岛城邦国际幼儿园南山区蛇口东角头金世纪路1 号半岛城邦一期

Quality Schools International 2/F Bitao Center, 8 Taizi Lu, Shekou,Nanshan District (2667 6031). www.shk.qsi.org 南山区蛇口太子路 8 号碧涛中心 2 楼

QSI International School of Shenzhen (Futian) A1, TCL Science Park, No. 1001

Zhongshan Yuan, Nanshan District (8371 7108) 中山园路1001号TCL 科学园区A1栋

福田区深南大道1003号大中华国际金融中心B座

Shekou International School Jingshan Villas, Gongye Er Lu, Shekou, Nanshan District (2669 3669). www.sis.org.cn

福田区深南大道 6005 号

南山区蛇口工业二路鲸山别墅内

Shen Wai International School 29 Baishi San Lu, Nanshan (8654 1200, www.swis.cn) 深圳外国语学校国际部南山区白石三道 29 号

HOTEL Futian Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen No.4088 Yitian Lu, Futian District (8828 4088). 福田区益田路 4088 号福田香格里拉大酒店

Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen 138 Fuhua San Lu, Futian District (8826 8888) 深圳市福田区福华三路 138 号

Grand Hyatt Shenzhen No.1881 Baoan Nan Lu, Luohu District (8266 1234) www.shenzhen.grand.hyatt.com 罗湖区宝安南路1881号 Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai 1177, Wanghai Lu, Nanshan District

深圳蛇口希尔顿南海酒店南山区望海路 1177 号 (2162 8888)

Hilton Shenzhen Futian Town B, Great China International Finance Centre, 1003 Shennan Dadao, Futian District (2130 8888)

JW Marriott Shenzhen No.6005 Shennan Dadao, Futian District. (2269 8888) JW Marriott Shenzhen Bao’an 8 Baoxing Lu, Baoan District (2323 8888) 深圳前海华侨城 JW 万豪酒店 , 宝安区宝兴路 8 号

nan Dadao, Futian District (8828 9888). 深圳朗廷酒店，福田区深南大道 7888 号

The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen 116 Fuhua San Lu, Futian District (2222 2222)

福田区福华三路 116 号

The Venice Raytour Hotel Shenzhen No.9026, Shennan Dadao, Overseas Chinese Town, Nanshan District (2693 6888)

Kempinski Hotel Hai De San Dao, Hou Hai Bin Lu, Nanshan District (8888 8888) www. kempinski.com/cn

深圳威尼斯睿途酒店南山区华侨城深南大道 9026 号

Marco Polo Shenzhen Fuhua Yi Lu, CBD, Futian District (8298 9888). www. cn.marcopolohotels.com 福田中心区福华一路

9028号-2

南山区后海滨路海德三道

Mission Hills Resort No.1 Mission Hills Dadao, Bao’an District.(2802 0888)

观澜湖酒店集团宝安区观澜湖高尔夫大道 1 号

Shangri-La Hotel East of the Luohu Train Station, Jianshe Lu, Luohu District (8233 0888). www.shangri-la.com 罗湖区建设路火车站东侧

Sheraton Dameisha Resort 9 Yankui Lu, Dameisha, Yantian District (8888 6688) 盐田大梅沙盐葵路 ( 大梅沙段 )9 号

St. Regis Shenzhen No.5016 Shennan Dong Lu, Luohu District.(8308 8888) 深圳瑞吉酒店罗湖区深南东路 5016 号

The Langham, Shenzhen, No. 7888, Shen-

The Westin Shenzhen 9028-2 Shennan Dadao, Nanshan District (2698 8888) www.westin.com/shenzhen 南山区深南大道

HEALTH HarMoniCare Women & Children's Hospital 12018 Shennan Dadao, by Nanshan Dadao (3339 1333) 深圳和美妇儿科医院南山区深南大道12018号

Vista-SK International Medical Center Lvl 4, Bldg 4C, Shenzhen Software Industry Base,Xuefu Lu, Nanshan District (3689 9833) 南山区学府路软件产业基地4栋C座裙楼4层 C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital 1-2/F, Shengtang Bldg, 1 Tairan Jiu Lu, Chegongmiao, Futian District (4001 666 120, 3322 7188) 福田区车公庙泰然九路一号

盛唐大厦1-2层

URBAN MOMENTS LUXURY Party@Atlife Club, 20th May

80 | SZ | JUNE 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

DJ Curtis@Dazzle Club, 20th May

TINGS 心, 深圳市福田区深南大道4001号时代金融中心14 层; 7) 深圳时代广场, 深圳市蛇口区太子路1号新时代广场3层; 8) 深圳彭年广场, 深圳市罗湖区嘉宾路 2002号彭年广场

China-Italy Chamber of Commerce Rm220, 2/F, International Chamber Of Commerce, Fuhua San Lu, Futian District (Tel: 8632 9518; Fax: 8632 9528). www. cameraitacina.com `

福田区新沙路5号 www.ascottchina.com

FOOD & DRINK

福田区福华三路国际商会中心 2 楼 220 室

IMC(International Medical Center) serves the local community and expatriates from all over the world. We are proud to provide private, personalized healthcare for each patient. Our experienced staff from Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas provide comprehensive medical services including general and specialty outpatient services, health assessments, inpatient services and more. Scan QR Code above for more info of IMC. 深圳市福田区海园一路，香港

大学深圳医院国际医疗中心 International Medical Centre，The University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital, 1, Haiyuan 1st Road, Futian District, Shenzhen （0755-86913388）

BUSINESS Regus Serviced Office 雷格斯服务式办公室 • Flexible office leases from 1 day to 1 year • Quick and easy to set up for 1-200 people • Prices from RMB180 per month • Find more on Regus.cn • Tel: 400 120 1207 1) Futian Anlian, 26/F, Anlian CentreNo.4018 Jintian Road, Futian District; 2) A8 Building, 15/F, A8 Building, No.1002 Keyuan Road Tech Zone, Nanshan District; 3) Futian NEO, 44/F, NEO Tower A, No.6011 Shennan Avenue Futian District; 4) SCC, 7/F, Tower A, SCC Financial Centre, Junction of Houhai Avenue & First Haide Avenue Nanshan District; 5) New World Centre, 23/F, New World Centre, No.6009 Yitian Road Futian District; 6) Times Financial Centre, 14/F Times Financial Centre, No. 4001 Shennan Avenue Futian District; 7) New Times Plaza, 3/F, New Times Plaza,No.1 Taizi Road Shekou District; 8) Panglin Plaza, 35/F, Panglin Plaza, No.2002 Jiabin Road Luohu District; 1)深圳安联中心, 深圳市福田区

金田路4018号安联大厦26层; 2) 深圳A8大厦,深圳市南山区科技园科园路1002号A8大厦15层; 3)深圳 NEO大厦, 深圳市福田区深南大道6011号NEO企业大道A座44层; 4) 深圳中洲控股金融中心, 深圳市南山区后海大道与海德一道交汇处中洲控股金融中心A座7层; 5) 深圳新世界中心, 深圳市福田区益田路6009号新世界中心23层; 6) 深圳时代金融中

JOBS OFFERED

European Union Chamber of Commerce Rm 308, 3/F Overseas Chinese Scholars Venture Building, southern section of HighTech Industrial Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 8635 0920; fax: 8632 9785). 南山高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦 3 楼 308 室

French Chamber of Commerce in South China (CCIFC) Room 318, 3/F Chinese Overseas Scholars Venture Building,South section of Hi-tech Industry Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 8632 9602; fax: 8632 9736) www.ccifc.org 南山区科技园南区留学生创业大

厦3楼318室

German Chamber of Commerce 217 Chinese Overseas Scholars Venture Building, Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District. (8635 0487) www.china.ahk.de 南山区高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦 217

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China Rm 208, 2/F Overseas Chinese Scholars Venture Building, southern section of High-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 0755-2658 8342; fax: 0755-2658 8341). www.amcham-southchina.org

pho nam 1) Shop B26C, Link City Passage (near Coco Park), Futian District； 2) B1 floor, B1-04, Zhuoyue Plaza, Shangmeilin, Futian District

越小品 , 1）福田区连城新天地 B26C 商铺 (8255 7048)；2）福田区上梅林卓悦汇 B1 楼 B1-04

高新科技园南区留学生创业大厦3楼314室

Savills Residence Daxin Shenzhen Bay 1168 Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen (2685 6688) 南山区后海滨路1168

号 www.savillsresidence.com

Somerset Grandview Shenzhen No.5 Xinsha Road, Futian District, Shenzhen (400 820 1028)

Mobile Game company business development position. A NASDAQ listed Shenzhen based mobile game company iDreamSky is looking for an expat for one business development position, native English speaker and fluent in Mandarin a must, well versed with mobile games or business negotiation experience a plus. Responsible for looking for Western games suitable for the Chinese market and contacting the game developers. Our office is located in NanShan district, Shenzhen. If interested, please send resume to Evan at email: evan. liang@idreamsky.com

MOVING & SHIPPING 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. We are FAIM & ISO 9001-2008 accredited, members of the FAIM and FIDI. Contact us for FREE survey and quotation: Tel: +86755 2665 6139 / +8620 8363 3735 Email: manager.guangzhou@ agsfourwinds.com Website: www.agsfourwinds.com

The British Chamber of Commerce, Shenzhen Sub-Chamber Rm 314, 3/F Overseas Chinese Scholars Venture Building, southern section of High-Tech Industrial Park, Nanshan District (Tel: 2658 8350). 深圳市南山区

SERVICED RESIDENCE

CLASSIFIEDS

The George & Dragon The quintessential British pub; good draft beers, ales, stout, cider, hearty pub food with BBQ's, screening non-stop sports, secluded beer garden. Your home away from home. www.george-dragon. com. Email: manager@george-dragon.com 3 Taizi Lu, by Minghua Lu, Nanshan District (Tel: 2669 8564). 南山区太子路3号太子宾馆1

楼后排3号商铺

Rayca Moving & Transportation Services With 10 years experience, Rayca provides international, domestic, local moving services & pet relocation service. We can effectively move you anywhere at competitive prices! You move, you save! Service hotline: 400-048-9099 Email: info@raycatrans.com Website:www.raycatrans.com

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

OPEN DOOR

MUINE

Introduces New Afternoon Tea Set Meal

VISTA-SK INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

English-language Acupuncture Service Rolled Out

Korean Doctor Eric Huang Fu is now providing English-speaking acupuncture services. Everyone can enjoy three acupuncture sessions for only RMB600, a discount of RMB150. The deal is valid until July 31. Please mention the voucher when making an appointment in advance. Along with introducing a delicious Vietnamese snack platter, on May 11 Muine released an entirely new afternoon tea set meal. Order for a fresh spin on the afternoon tea experience. L2-203, Coco Park, Fuhua San Lu, Futian District 福田区福华三路Coco Park L2-203 (8271 2527)

IRORI

Brings Japanese Cuisine to Shenzhen North

Level 4, Building 4C, Shenzhen Software Industry Base, Xuefu Lu, Nanshan District 南山区学府路软件产业基地4栋C座裙楼4层 (3689 9688)

win! To receive the voucher, simply follow ThatsShenzhen and send code "Vista" to our WeChat official account.

NESNO FRUIT TEA

Introduces New Seasonal Flavors

Situated in the DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Longhua, Irori is already making a splash with foodies due to the East meets West fusion cuisine. With elegant and modern decor and a view overlooking Culture Square, guests feel at ease and enjoy the chef’s live cooking, with wood and bamboo furnishings delivering a comfortable Japanese dinning experience. 8 Donghua 2nd Road, DoubleTree by Hilton Shenzhen Longhua 龙华逸林希尔顿酒店东二环二路8号 6188 8888)

win! We’ve got vouchers to give away, each one worth RMB100 at Irori. For a chance to win, please follow our official WeChat account ThatsShenzhen and tell us why you should win.

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

Nesno fruit tea uses seasonal fruit and tea leaves from Taiwan and Sri Lanka to create the special tea. Nesno’s feature products have seven delicious favors, including milk strawberry and mango. Fruit tea made with whole fruit and tea in a juicer, with fruit slices added to the tea afterwards. New flavors are usually introduced monthly.

win! We’ve got vouchers for some premium Nesno tea to give away. For a chance to win, please follow our official WeChat account ThatShenzhen and tell us why you should win.

JUNE

Horoscopes

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hen Shenz

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in Shenzhen. 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 around Coco Park. Bring warm Tsingtao for good luck.

Socializing is important, so stop being such a recluse. It's nice out now. Go get drinks with people. I f a n y o n e s u gge s t s C ra f t H e a d though, do kindly direct them to this wonderful magazine you read full of interesting bar reviews. 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 CBD 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 to Sexy Salad and eat healthy stuff or something. Avoid Luohu District on Tuesdays or misfortune will befall you.

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

This will be a chaotic month for you, so keep zen by avoiding the Shenzhen subway from the hours of 4.30-6pm, and the Starbucks in Sea World 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 Luohu. Seriously, where are you? None of the hip parts of Shenzhen 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 demolished over. Hold your breath when walking East in any urban village.

No more complaining about Shenzhen, Pisces â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you're getting annoying! Stop hanging out with whiny expats and go buy a good air conditioner. 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 i n S h e ko u s o m u c h . Yo u h ave family issues to deal with anyway, apparently. Do not eat baozi 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