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

The Future of Sports is Digital. It’s also Chinese.

that's guangzhou

that's shenzhen

China Intercontinental Press

Advertising Hotline

AUGUST 2017

城市漫步珠三角英文版 8 月份国内统一刊号: CN 11-5234/GO

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 Gary Bailer, Lachlan Cairns, Zaruf Ezhan, Lena Gidwani, Matt Horn, Dr. Adam Koh, Jimmy Li, Mia Li, Vivian Liu, Noelle Mateer, Dominic Ngai, Iris Wang, Dominique Wong, Allyn Zamora, Zheng Yueyue

HK FOCUS MEDIA Shanghai (Head Office) 上海和舟广告有限公司上海市蒙自路 169 号智造局 2 号楼 305-306 室邮政编码 : 200023 Room 305-306, Building 2, No.169 Mengzi Lu, Shanghai 200023 电话 : 021-8023 2199 传真 : 021-8023 2190 Guangzhou 上海和舟广告有限公司广州分公司广州市麓苑路 42 号大院 2 号楼 610 室邮政编码 : 510095 Rm 610, No. 2 Building, Area 42, Luyuan Lu, Guangzhou 510095 电话 : 020-8358 6125 传真 : 020-8357 3859 - 816 Shenzhen 深圳联络处深圳市福田区彩田路星河世纪大厦 C1-1303 C1-1303, Galaxy Century Building, Caitian Lu, Futian District, Shenzhen 电话 : 0755-8623 3220 传真 : 0755-6406 8538 Beijing 北京联络处北京市东城区东直门外大街 48 号东方银座 C 座 G9 室邮政编码 : 100027 9G, Block C, Ginza Mall, No. 48 Dongzhimen Wai Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100027 电话 : 010-8447 7002 传真 : 010-8447 6455 General Manager Henry Zeng Operations Manager Rachel Tong Accountant Annie Qi Production Supervisor Jack Lin Designers Claire Zheng, Felix Chen Sales Managers Celia Yu, Justin Lu Senior Account Executive Shumin Li Account Executives Wesley Zhang, Nicole Tang, Annie Li, Tia Weng Sales Assistant Sunnie Lü Event Manager Valentina Latorraca Event Supervisor Alice Wang Senior Marketing Executive Fish Lin Marketing Executive Peggy Ni Distribution Luo Zhi, He Wei Wen National Operation CEO Leo Zhou Head of Communication Ned Kelly HR/Admin Director Penny Li Financial Manager Laura Lu Head of Digital Vickie Guo Digital Joseph Miao, Miller Yue, Amanda Bao, Lambert Chen, Peggy Zhu General enquiries and switchboard (020) 8358 6125 info.prd@urbanatomy.com Editorial (020) 8358 9847 ext 808 editor.prd@urbanatomy.com Sales (Guangzhou) (020) 8358 9847 ext 802 sales.prd@urbanatomy.com (Shenzhen) (0755) 8623 3210 ext 801 Distribution/Subscription (020) 8358 7749 ext 828 Listings & Events (Guangzhou) (020) 8358 9847 ext 808. (Shenzhen) (0755) 8623 3220 Web & IT (021) 5238 5459 Fax (020) 8363 3759 ext. 816

www.thatsmags.com 广告经营许可证 : 京海工商厂字第 8069 号法律大部 : 大成律师事务所魏君贤律师 Legal advisor: Wei Junxian, Dacheng Law Firm 国际标准刊号 : ISSN 1672-8041 国内统一刊号 : CN 11-5233/GO 定价 : 25.00 元邮发代号：46-193 如发现印刷装订问题 , 请与广州白云天马印刷厂联系部分非卖品 , 仅限赠阅

2 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Distribution across the Pearl River Delta: 63,000 copies

Editor's Note

AUGUST 2017

My first window into esports (also known as electronic sports or professional video gaming) was the 2014 documentary Free to Play, and the only reason I watched it, as I recall, was because it was the featured USD0.99 cent movie rental on iTunes that week. Fast forward three years, and I’m attending a digital gaming event live: the National Electronic Sports Open (NESO) at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. A Chinese team has just won the whole tournament, and I’m halfway through a list of questions like ‘Do your parents support your career?’ which suddenly seem extremely outdated. “You don’t know much about esports, do you?” A player from China’s Dota 2 Team Newbee, ranked among the top five in the world, asks with a grin. I didn’t, and my assumption that many Chinese didn’t either couldn’t have been further from the truth. Now the No. 1 market in the world for video games, China is home to more than 70 million esports enthusiasts – more than triple the US’s 20 million. Meanwhile, there are roughly 117 million esports players in China, from recreational to professional, and half of the 10 highest-earning esports players in the world in 2016 were Chinese. Yet despite those numbers, electronic sports are only just beginning to reach their full potential here, as local governments and universities gradually show more support for the industry. To read more about how China is helping shape the future of digital gaming, turn to p38. Elsewhere in the magazine, we go behind the scenes of global fidget spinner production (p12), chat with a Russian photographer who is redefining impressions of modern China (p16), divulge 10 things you never knew about Ariana Grande (p34) and speak with some of the world’s leading snooker players before they compete in Guangzhou this month (p52). There’s a lot going on this summer in the Pearl River Delta, so remember to flip to p72 for a few ideas on how to spend your holiday!

WIN

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.

ThatsGuangzhou

Cheers,

Jocelyn Richards Editor-in-Chief ThatsShenzhen

Hourly updates on news, current affairs and general weirdness from around the PRD and China. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

facebook.com/ThatsPRD twitter.com/ThatsPRD youtube.com/thatsonline #THATSPRD

4 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 5

38 COVER STORY

8 CITY

GAME ON

9 END OF THE LINE

The future of sports is digital. It's also Chinese.

E-bike taxi driver.

12 MADE IN CHINA The fidget fad's cash then crash.

19 MIKE DYNAN

48 COMMUNITY

THE WRAP

18 LIFE & STYLE

Bringing the best of British to China.

22 THAT'S 2017 HOSPITALITY AWARDS Celebrating the best of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hotel industry.

28 ARTS

72 EVENTS

32 SUMMER FLICKS China's most bingeworthy films.

AUG 30

36 CHINA MUSIC CORNER

Ariana Grande

Three new homegrown albums on our radar this month.

60 EAT & DRINK 68 YUN PAVILION

SEPT 2

2017 Macao International Fireworks Display Contest

Canto-molecular with a twist.

71 SUN IN SKY A reason to ganbei.

AUG 11 - SEPT 2 Hong Kong Pulse Light Show

6 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

@ucchow

CITY Another China

The Pearl River Delta reimagined, p16

Eco-Architecture P10 8 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Behind the Concrete P11

MAN ON THE STREET

END OF THE LINE E-bike Taxi Driver By Bailey Hu

he e-bike taxi drivers don’t want to be interviewed. They’d rather not be photographed. And they definitely don’t want to talk about their work. “Work? We’re unemployed!” one exclaims. He’s sitting astride a bike with an umbrella attached, outside a popular subway station in Shenzhen where four metro lines intersect. It’s turning out to be a blustery day, full of sudden summer showers – not weather you’d want to walk through – but after 30 minutes of waiting, the four men don’t pick up a single fare. “The state of laobaixing [‘the common people’] is really terrible,” the same driver comments. “You can’t even make a living.” That’s at least in part because their trade is illegal. Citing safety reasons, authorities banned e-bikes from many parts of Shenzhen and Guangzhou (also Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen). Every day, e-bike taxi

drivers in areas like this one run the risk of being caught. A driver named Wang Dana tells us that last year, police raided the places where e-bike taxis gather to wait for passengers daily. If caught, a driver could lose his vehicle. In the past, you could also get detained for riding an e-bike unless you were lucky enough to get picked up by a “good policeman.” This year, according to Wang, the raids are less frequent. But that’s only because e-bike taxi drivers have had to contend with an even greater foe: shared bicycles. With the plethora of colorful bikes parked outside subway station exits in Chinese cities, the e-bike taxi trade has been hit hard. Fewer drivers means there’s less reason for local police to raid so often, but it’s a mixed blessing. Wang, a Shandong native, tells us that he’s been ferrying passengers on his bike for five years now. He estimates that he earns

a total of RMB100 per diem from this job. After subtracting the cost of necessities, that’s about RMB15 of savings each day. It’s not enough. As Wang waits outside the subway station, he’s still dressed in the red-and-black shirt from his second job as a restaurant delivery guy. Wang is relatively friendly. But like the others, he refuses to be photographed when we ask. It’d be too much risk, apparently, in a position that’s already plenty precarious.

THE DIRTY DETAILS

Monthly salary: RMB3,000 Days per week: 7

Hours per day: 10 Man on the Street is a monthly feature where we talk to someone doing an everyday job to gain insight into the lives of ordinary Chinese people.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 9

THE BUZZ RANDOM NUMBER

…is the number of kilometers a 12-yearold boy drove a public bus in Guangzhou’s Zengcheng District last month, after hijacking it for a 30-minute joyride. Alerted to the situation by alarmed bystanders, police were dispatched immediately to intercept the rogue bus. Amazingly, the boy averted everything – and everyone – during his half-hour cruise. He’s said to have a history of theft, having previously pinched mobile phones and wallets, though we dare say this latest stunt is one for the books.

PRICK OF THE MONTH

H&M’s Peeping ‘Huang’ At around 6pm on July 2, a ‘Mr. Huang’ from Guangzhou entered a Zhongshan H&M retail location, where he set up a small camera in the changing room. Luckily for fit-curious H&M customers, the camera was horribly positioned (amateur move) and Huang was only able to get a look at the tops of their oblivious heads. Phew. Caught on store CCTV, Huang was eventually apprehended by police over a week later. Our suggested punishment? A nude walk through the H&M location he targeted while an old woman in a qipao follows closely behind, banging a gong and yelling chiru (shame).

10 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

CITY SNAPSHOT

Gardens in the Sky Arriving in Shenzhen last year to work as a youth football coach, 26-year-old Jonas Deman of Belgium enjoys snapping photos of public parks, mountains and skylines with his iPhone in his spare time. For the image here, taken in Chegongmiao, Futian District, Deman climbed to the top of an adjacent building to capture the tiered green rooftops from above. “I like the special, modern architecture of this building,” he tells us over email. “In the background, you can see Nanshan District and a part of Shekou.” See more of his work on Instagram (@jonas_d.m). Want your photo in our City Snapshot column? Tag #thatsprd on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our feed and in the magazine.

BEHIND THE CONCRETE

Guangzhou’s ‘Blocks Building' We’ve acquainted you with the bizarre Guangzhou Circle, a building that resembles an old Chinese copper coin. Now, it’s time to introduce Guangzhou’s ‘blocks building’: a structure that looks like a pile of colossal toy blocks. Some have sneered at its peculiar design, saying it should be called the ‘coffin building,’ while others praise it as an architectural gem of postmodernism. But we’ll let you be the judge. Owned by the Nan Fung Group, an investment corporation based in Hong Kong, the ‘blocks building’ is a mixed bag of office buildings, a shopping mall, live music venue, cinema, hotel and exhibition hall. Nan Fung Group reportedly invested a whopping RMB5 billion in its creation. Situated behind the Canton Fair complex and facing the Pearl River, it serves to entertain and service the world’s business traders when they gather in Guangzhou for the annual fair. It also hosts auto exhibitions on a regular basis and, in typical only-in-China fashion, rock concerts on the second floor, because why not? Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 广州市海珠区新港东路

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

Laosiji / lǎosījī / 老司机 n. 'an old driver,' someone with a lot of experience, especially when it comes to dating; someone who's been doing something for a very long time, knows everything there is to know about it and is willing to teach newcomers. I have been struggling with this PowerPoint presentation for weeks, and Lao Wang did it for me in minutes! Wow Lao Wang is a laosiji. It's so nice of him to teach you.

I know. I will be able to do it myself next time. Thank god for laosiji.

We often say that a relationship is like a ride – two people set off on a journey, discovering themselves and each other along the way. It's not about the destination, and it always has its ups and downs. They may fight and go their separate ways, or make up and travel to faraway places. Laosiji is built on that metaphor. Literally meaning 'an old driver,' laosiji is the person who has been dating for a very, very long time. He knows all the ups and downs, every pitfall and rocky patch along the ride, because he has been down this road countless times. When he takes you for a ride, he can show you the best scenery and how to deal with situations when they arise. When you are young, an experienced lover may be a shortcut to the best things a relationship can offer. The term originated from a raunchy music video of a Yunnan folk song titled 'Laosiji, Take Me with You,' where young girls trade their company for a ride into town (mad respect to Yunnan for setting

the trend). Laosiji came to mean experienced men who can show young girls a good time. Later it came to mean those who are experienced in finding pirated content online (the No. 1 thing that the Internet is built for) and are willing to share such resources, aka to 'take people for a ride.' Such laosiji are treated with the utmost respect for their skills and generosity. Today, laosiji can be anyone that is knowledgeable about any subject and willing to share the knowledge. For the younger generation who lack experience and don't know how to get to the destination, laosiji will get you there by giving you a ride. Love, life or even the Internet can seem like a jungle without a trail sometimes. And we all need a laosiji to show us the way. Next time you see one, jump onboard and enjoy the ride. Also don't forget to pay it back when you become a laosiji one day. By Mia Li

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 11

CIT Y | F E AT URE

MADE IN CHINA:

THE FIDGET FAD'S CASH By Sky Thomas Gidge

SHENZHEN -

the Huaqiang North Electronics Market had an official noise, it would be the scream of packing tape coming off the reel.

The tape is wrapped around boxes of electronics before they are shipped across the world. But things have been quieter recently, with the rise of e-commerce and an influx of retail outlets lining a new pedestrian street in the market. To find the ‘real Huaqiang North’ of local lore, you need to visit the factory-direct kiosks in the massive buildings along the periphery. Through plastic-flap doorways, cigarette smoke drifts across cramped hallways where tech ranging from SD cards to musical plant vases are sold – in bulk. Inside one of these buildings, up an escalator narrow enough to rest my hands on both rails without a stretch, I find Wu Huayang sitting in a shop holding a fidget spinner. It’s a simple toy: a central bearing with weighted metal or plastic that rotates around it. It’s also cheap to manufacture and, when I first visit in early June, wildly popular in Western markets. 12 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Fidget spinners have been a boon for Wu, for Huaqiang North and for the small manufacturers that cashed in on the trend. After sitting in the shop for about 30 minutes, a man enters, refuses a cigarette and places an order worth RMB50,000 – all within about five minutes. “He’s selling abroad,” Wu says, naming the best markets for the toy as England and the US, where they are both touted as an ADHD treatment and banned from schools as distractions. The Huaqiang North Electronics Market sits at the nexus of China’s export supply chain, with a sprawling Foxconn plant about an hour north. Countless factories across the region are served by the Port of Shenzhen, by some measures the third busiest in the world. If there is a place that can provide a cross-section of China’s manufacturing prowess it’s Huaqiang North, and looking at the rows upon rows of rainbow-colored fidget spinners lining the shelves in Wu’s shop, you can see that something is seriously wrong.

F E AT URE | CIT Y

THEN CRASH How many fidget spinners have been made, bought or sold is unknown, with the numbers hidden in a fractured web of Western sellers and small Chinese factories. One Fox Business article dubbed it a ‘500,000,000 fad,’ predicting overall US sales by yearend. In the search for a more solid number, dozens of other articles turned to Google Trends to gauge the toy’s popularity. Google Trends rates worldwide interest in a topic based on keyword searches, and on January 15 ‘fidget spinners’ were rated at zero – no interest worldwide. Only four months later the toys accounted for 20 percent of all sold online and briefly took all 20 slots on Amazon’s top selling toy list, according to Slice Intelligence. “This craze was one of the fastest growing of all time,” says Marissa DiBartolo, senior editor of trade magazine The Toy Insider. Over a few months, they became the topic of countless morning shows, the subject of YouTube videos with millions of views and a sort of ‘school yard currency,’ according to DiBartolo. They were impossible to escape. But where the real impact of the toy is most obvious – and the most meaningful – is the narrow hallways of the Huaqiang North Electronics Market. Suffering from double-digit vacancy rates, stores that remain embraced fidget spinners with gusto: an iPhone cable store covered a table with the toy, a store with an English sign reading ‘factory direct phones’ filled one of their shelves. Also stocking them was a microSD adapter store, and the neighboring USB drive store. A store specializing in wooden phone cases displayed wooden fidget spinners. All of these outlets would be happy to take a bulk order for spinners – or introduce you to a friend that could. “Why am I selling fidget spinners?” says Huang Keqiang, the toys laid over a case of optical switches. “Selling electronics is bad business.”

This craze was one of the fastest growing of all time

The fidget spinners phenomenon wasn’t unique just because of its speed, but also in how the toy reached Western consumers. “One of the most interesting things about fidget spinners is that they were not sold at mass retailers,” says DiBartolo. “This was a toy that genuinely became hot through old-school word of mouth and new-school social media madness.” Popularized through a rocketfuel mix of Instagram posts and YouTube videos – and originally unavailable on Toys R’ Us shelves - consumers turned to Amazon, highlighting a growing willingness to buy online. Meanwhile, the owners of gas stations and newsstands used Alibaba to order fidget spinners directly from factories. With no copyright factories were free to produce as many as they wanted, in whatever styles that sold, but instead of a design team crafting new versions, the task was often left to in-house designers. The results range from the brilliant – a fidget spinner that loads with fake bullets like a six-shooter – to the questionable: a spinner containing an electric lighter. Eight spinners are laid out on a table by Wang Ming, who explains them by ‘generation.’ The first generation is a bulky green plastic thing with a bearing in the center. Later generations are metal, and then colored metal, with the last a cube-shaped spinner. WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 13

CIT Y | F E AT URE

ng says. “After new ones within a month,” Wa supply will outstrip demand.” that, copycat factories mean or at the is an adjunct assistant profess Baneil Cheung agrees. Cheung Limited, a cy tan sul Con the founder of Integral University of Hong Kong and iness abroad. bus do to g for companies lookin ch ear res t rke ma s doe t tha group e product,” he duct, thousands will do the sam pro one s doe y) tor (fac one “If m.” says. “That's a serious proble ung says it's a as the nature of business, Che this ing crib des n tha her Rat , unbranded prodilar sim of undercutting prices on systemic problem. A pattern breaking out of rs ure and he doesn’t see manufact ucts is a race to the bottom – the pattern anytime soon. months, you eaker spinner. “After one or two Wang holds up a Bluetooth-sp won’t be able to sell these.” also a sign of rt-term boost, no doubt, but Fidget spinners have been a sho the “You’ve really got to sell all

trouble. y required a factories were competitive, the “Fifteen years ago, when the bulk order,” says Cheung. d. to take orders of a few hundre Today, the factories are ready cations, but a relo ation on factory closings or China doesn’t release inform ong-owned g-K Hon l article cites a study showing June 2016 Wall Street Journa to around 6 200 ta plummeted by a third since factories in the Pearl River Del 32,000 in 2013. n many small “In the past five years, I’ve see “To be honest,” says Cheung. but those rey, m move outside of the countr manufacturers die. Some of the ir technology.” the e low costs, they need to upgrad maining in China can’t rely on ducts isn’t a pro ng prices on similar quality Cheung believes that undercutti ablishing est on nufacturers should be focusing sustainable model – instead ma products. brands and creating original A,” Cheung says. e tech or branding in their DN hav ’t don ply “But they sim don’t know how to.” even if they have money they “You need money to do it, and

Google Trends: Fidget Spinner

100

May 14-20

Jul 16

Jan 8 14 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

F E AT URE | CIT Y

Back at Wu’s shop about a month and a half later, things are different. For one: the shop is gone. I’m directed nearby, and greet the people I recognize. They don’t want to talk. The four men are glowering at their cellphones. To the left and to the right are shelves of phone screen covers wrapped in sterile-looking padding, a contrast with the colored toys that lined the shelves in Wu’s shop weeks before. “We don’t sell them because we don’t sell them,” a man answers when questioned about fidget spinners. Business was bad? Silence and cigarette smoke. I leave. Later, an employee at Tian’s International Logistics Supply Chain confirms what Google Trends’ drooping rating already suggests: fewer fidget spinners are being sent abroad. Air shipping to the US by this company dropped from ‘two to three tons’ around April to between 700-800 kilograms in June, we’re told. “Mass manufacturers are now producing fidget spinners. US consumers are informed consumers and they want to purchase products from companies they trust,” says DiBartolo.

Major retailers, though late to the game, are selling branded fidget spinners, cutting out the small factories vying for business at Huaqiang North that people like Jiang Haoyuan represent. Jiang says he works in ‘about five’ stores in the area and we chat surrounded by boxes of the toy, which Jiang says are on the way out. A woman remarks that one box contains spinners that are sold at RMB8 each, but cost RMB12 to make. Jiang doesn’t seem worried. He wants me to look at his phone. He flips through pictures showing ‘thumb-chucks,’ a ball-andstring toy that whips around your fingers. Then he shows a handsized ‘fidget cube’ with buttons and dials, asking what I think. Finally, he pulls the phone to his chest and motions for me to look from behind his shoulder. It’s a type of phone case I’ve never seen before. “I’d buy that,” I tell him, and wave a friend over to look. Jiang stops me. For now, it’s a secret. Jiang wants to be the first on the market – before the copies arrive.

With no copyright, factories were free to produce as many as they wanted, in whatever styles sold

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 15

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

ANOTHER CHINA

The Russian Photographer Posing in a Whole New World By Jocelyn Richards

ita Akhundova isn’t entirely sure why, but she would like nothing more than to change your mind about China – hopefully for the better. “I just feel very good when people have a bad impression of China and then I show them another side and they go, ‘Oh my god, it’s amazing!’ I don’t know how to explain it – I just like the feeling.” Moving to Guangzhou from Moscow two years ago to work as a fashion buyer, 28-year-old Akhundova spends her free time scanning Instagram, the web and even satellite maps to discover unfinished construction sites or unusual architecture to serve as backdrops for her photographs. Fittingly named ‘Another China,’ her project strives to enlighten viewers who might otherwise see the country merely as a place of tea, the Great Wall and pagodas. “I want to show it like a movie or like from another reality,” she tells us one afternoon in her home neighborhood of Taojin. “My goal is to show common or ordinary places in a very unique way, maybe in interesting sunlight or with a strange action, like sleeping in a blanket.” By the latter, Akhundova is referring to a photo of her lying beneath a white comforter on a beam suspended high above Xiancun, an urban village in downtown Guangzhou. The image, which took four separate attempts to get right, is one of the few Akhundova didn’t take herself, explaining it was a difficult idea that required help from a friend (@jason_x1n). Most days, however, Akhundova is her own photographer, capturing surreal self-portraits using only an iPhone SE, small tripod and Bluetooth-connected remote control. “Maybe now it’s a strange concept, but I think in the future it will be normal for everyone to take photos with iPhones instead of cameras,” she says. “It doesn’t matter what you use, the most important thing is good light and your vision.” Akhundova doesn’t look for one specific element when selecting a scene. Instead, she’s fascinated by any unusual stages of buildings or cities in China, be it a completely bare, just-finished art museum in Shenzhen or an abandoned French restaurant in Guangzhou. This December, she plans to explore a new opera house in Harbin designed by Zaha Hadid, where the snowy landscape “should be really from another planet.” Though Akhundova poses in nearly all of her photos, her face is never fully exposed, adding another layer of intrigue to her dreamlike, Monument Valley-esque compositions. As for why she only wears dresses, Akhundova admits that’s all she owns (“I have no jeans or shorts in my wardrobe”). 16 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

@jason_x1n

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

Some of her shots have taken her right to the edge, tiptoeing barefoot – for better balance – on towering skyscrapers. “I’m not crazy,” she laughs. “If I’m not sure [about safety], I just won’t go to a place. But I’m not afraid of heights.” Joking that her mom is her biggest fan, Akhundova says she’s fortunate to have received so much support, including from the “huge family” of fellow urban explorers she’s met on Instagram. An exhibition of her work, to be held in either Guangzhou or Moscow in the near future, will aim to showcase Akhundova’s blossoming hobby in a more impressive way than simply hanging printed photographs on a wall. “I want to participate in projects that inspire people and communicate with different people,” she says. “Because then you expand your mind and you see how the world is amazing.”

To see more of Akhundova’s work, visit her Instagram feed @_moonmilk.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 17

LIFE

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

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

STYLE Secrets of Shawan

Exploring Panyu's ancient village, p21

Hot Vibes P27

SPOTLIGHT

MIKE DYNAN

Bringing the Best of British to China Interview by Dominic Ngai

For decades, British brands have made a mark in the hearts and minds of Chinese consumers and established themselves as a symbol for quality. But besides household names like Rolls-Royce, Twining’s and Burberry, the Brits still have a lot more to offer. Dozens of UK lifestyle, fashion, design, technology and food brands that have yet to enter the Chinese market will be featured in the upcoming Best of British Show in Shanghai. Ahead of the show, Mike Dynan, managing director of Media 10 China, an enthusiast of all things British and an expert in introducing global brands to the Middle Kingdom, talks to us about the unique virtues of British brands, and shares a few success stories that he has witnessed firsthand over his last 10 years spent in China.

What are some unique qualities of British brands and culture that appeal to the Chinese? One thing that Britain is really good at is originality, and we care about the quality in our products and the manufacturing process. I’ve been in China for almost 10 years, and when I first arrived, people were only interested in the biggest labels and brand names. But over the last decade, I’ve noticed that the Chinese consumers have developed an interest in the stories behind the brands and products. I believe that people now place more value on individuality, by buying unique products that have an interesting backstory... and that’s one thing that Britain has – we have a lot of great stories. What are some British brands that have done well in China?

We’ve heard many great stories back home in the UK about how the Chinese perceive the British trademark as a symbol for quality. The biggest success story that I’ve witnessed firsthand is Jaguar Land Rover, a brand that we’ve worked with many times over the years. It’s such an amazing story for me because when I met with their China team for the first time in September 2013, China was the brand’s fifth biggest market in the world. Only six months later, when I came back for another visit, it had become their biggest. Even smaller companies such

“Over the last decade, I’ve noticed that Chinese consumers have developed an interest in the stories behind the products... and that’s one thing that Britain has – we have a lot of great stories” as Brompton (famous for their foldable bikes) have made a mark on the Chinese market, simply because they have a welldesigned, well-engineered product.

breakfast cereals since I was a child. I also do a lot of traveling between London and Shanghai, and I fly with British Airways all the time.

For sure! Everyone is aware of the fast economic growth of China over the last few decades, and the trends and changes that are happening over here are very interesting to watch. But of course, entering the Chinese market has its difficulties: language barriers, legal procedures relating to customs and shipping, etc. What we aim to do with shows like Best of British is to be a stepping stone for smaller companies to enter China, putting them in touch with their potential buyers and other Chinese businesses.

The Best of British Show is a four-day showcase of all of the best British luxury brands. We’re focusing on fashion, lifestyle, food and drink, innovation and technology, travel and tourism, education, and home and interiors – British companies from all of those sectors will be at the show. We’re not only going to showcase successful British brands that are already in China; there will also be more than 75 new high-end British brands that will be coming to China for the first time. Besides the retail element, there will also be entertainment, sporting events, places to eat and drink, and much more.

In general, are small or medium-sized British brands keen on coming over to China?

What are some British brands that you have a personal connection to?

Weetabix has always been one of my favorite

Tell us about the Best of British Show in Shanghai this October. What can people expect to see?

Learn more about the Best of British Show at www. thebestofbritishshow.com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 19

STYLE RADAR TAP THAT APP

COVET

Down Dog

Swarovski x Wuliangye

We know, we know: yoga falls right after gluten allergies on the list of things we’d rather not talk about at parties. Or maybe ever. But this app is different, and not only because it’s been downloaded half a million times and maintains a 5-star rating on both the Apple App and Google Play stores. It’s unique because it will make people like us – who haven’t practiced ‘vinyasa yoga’ since it was mandatory in eighth grade gym class – actually want to fire up the app again for a second practice. From an amateur’s perspective, three of the most attractive points of Down Dog are its clarity of instruction (both vocal and visual), the voice (it’s not irritating!) and the music. Our first session, which we set at the shortest length option on the 10-80-minute spectrum, unfolded to the peaceful beats of ‘Divinity’ (Porter Robinson), ‘Give Me One Reason’ (Tracy Chapman) and ‘Aftermath’ (Vancouver Sleep Clinic). The playlist was so good that family members previously oblivious to what we were doing on the ground perked up to inquire about the music. For yoga gurus, Down Dog is appealing because no two practices are ever completely alike – even if you choose the same settings of level, sequence type, duration and pace every time. Seattle-based founders Ben Simon and Carlos Ormachea explain the app is powered by roughly 18 hours of recorded content, which is used to deliver nearly endless amounts of customizable classes. Though this kind of yoga is known for emphasizing strength, balance and flexibility, it also features a calming ‘restorative’ sequence, which is great as a bedtime ritual. Paid membership is available, but you really don’t need it to see why Down Dog is everyone’s go-to yoga app.

Last month, Swarovski announced a somewhat surprising crossover with premium baijiu label, Wuliangye. The two have collaborated on a new collection named ‘缘定晶生’ – a luxurious baijiu bottle perfect as a wedding gift for your tuhao friend. With a ‘bottle within a bottle’ design concept, the two swans inside are adorned with delicate pieces of crystals and form the shape of a heart. Italian craftsmen have also hand-decorated the long glass bottleneck with shimmering rocks. No word on the pricing at the time of writing, but if you want to impress the hosts of a lavish Chinese wedding, you should probably buy it. Or, if budget is an issue, maybe you should wait for their next collab with a soy sauce or Zhenjiang vinegar brand?

Available for both iOS and Android devices; visit downdogapp.com

20 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

www.swarovski.com

INSPECT-A-GADGET

Smart Keybox Igloohome’s slick ‘Smart Keybox’ is touted as the first that works offline. The box is latched to a railing or fastened to a wall and can be used to secure keys or cards until unlocked via passcode or Bluetooth. Though you can customize the lock’s passcodes when connected via an app, this gadget’s most impressive feature is what it doesn’t do: connect to Wi-Fi. Despite a lack of Wi-Fi – which also prevents hacking – you are able to generate valid, time-sensitive passcodes from anywhere, no net connection needed. Confused? The mobile app is synced with the lock and expiration data is hidden in the passcode itself. It’s the same tech used in those calculatorlooking things that spit out single-use passwords for web banking. This means you can remotely create a code for a friend swinging by your house, or an Airbnb that arrived early, just as long as you have your phone with the app. Hide the box outside your apartment and it’ll save you a few hundred renminbi the next time you lock yourself out. The Apple-like packaging includes instructions and most users will need to read the full directions hosted online.

Sold-separately batteries are said to last about 12 months, but they’re set inside the box, so what happens if they die? Igloohome’s solution is, literally, twopronged: you can press a standard nine-volt battery against two prongs to ‘jumpstart’ the lock. The shareable Bluetooth key feature is impressive in principle but less so in person. Shareable via WeChat or QR code, it requires the receiver to download the app. They can then hold their phone next to the lock to open it – after first waking the lock and wrangling with the Bluetooth connection. For first-time users, a few seconds of wait time is maddening. Our advice: keep it simple with the lockbox’s novel tech and use a passcode.

RMB1,150; igloohome.co (contact info@igloohome. co to purchase in China)

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

DAYTRIPPER

Shawan Ancient Town

here was a time, before the Tang dynasty, when the city of Guangzhou was called Panyu. Ironically, today’s Panyu District is not located anywhere near the original old city. Instead, what we now know as ‘Panyu’ was once a stretch of rural farmland dotted with tiny villages – many of which have preserved the same architecture, recipes and way of life that characterized them centuries ago.

Shawan Ancient Town is one such hamlet, founded nearly 800 years ago during the Southern Song dynasty. Ambling through its warren of lanes paved with large, rectangular stones and walls of oyster shells can feel like traveling back in time. Oyster shell walls are unique to the Lingnan region, defined as the lands south of the Nanling Mountains that now include parts of Guangdong, Guangxi and northern Vietnam. Made of a mix of shells, brown sugar, steamed sticky rice and mud, these walls were believed to be fireproof, soundproof and insect-proof. Today, they primarily succeed in jamming the already narrow alleyways with photo-hungry tourists. Jiangzhuangnai (literally ‘ginger hit milk’), a ginger-flavored milk curd, is a famous dessert and intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong, but few know it originated in Shawan. Order a bowl from the shop in a yellow brick house (you’ll recognize it by the huge star on the exterior). The owner claims his family has been making the gingery-milky dessert for generations and will happily cook some for you on the spot.

Shawan is tranquil inasmuch as no tourists want to make a racket on quiet alleyways. Spending an afternoon wandering through the heart of the town amongst Taoist temples, ancestral shrines, pagodas, small shops and curious townsfolk is a relaxed getaway indeed. Beyond the immediate premises, Chinese restaurants abound; but you don’t want to travel to an ancient Cantonese town only to partake in spicy crayfish. For a wide range of authentic Cantonese dishes at fair prices, try Shawang Wangshi, located on Anning Xi Jie. Dig in and leave full – body and mind. TZ

How to get there: Take Line 3 towards Panyu Square and exit at Shiqiao Metro Station. Take a taxi (about 20 minutes) and tell the driver to go to Shawan Guzhen (沙湾古镇). Or, take bus K349 (outside Shiqiao Metro Station Exit D) about 40 minutes and get off three stops later at Shawan Cultural Center (沙湾文化中心). WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 21

LIFE & S T YLE | HO SP I TA L I T Y AWA RD S

Celebrating the Best of China’s Hotel Industry

22 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

he first ever national That’s National Hospitality Awards took place on July 14 at the brand new W Shanghai – The Bund. It was a glamorous evening as over 200 leading industry figures from across China gathered to see 25 awards presented; more than 100 hotels were recognized for their excellence. The evening kicked off with a lovely reception in the W Shanghai – The Bund hotel lobby. A huge thanks to our wine sponsor France Wineries Union, beer sponsors Liquid Solutions, Morning Peninsula Brewery and Karl Strauss and cocktail sponsor Rootymoot for helping the evening get off on the right foot. And we’d like to thank our gift sponsors Thai Airways, Hainan Airlines, Fabulous Original Foods and Guava Pass, hairstylist sponsors Kraemer Paris by Hair Culture and Fifth Hair Code, as well as all the lucky draw prize sponsors. Without further ado, here are the winners – huge congratulations all round!

HO SP I TA L I T Y AWA RD S | LIFE & S T YLE

NEW HOTEL OF THE YEAR Sheraton Shanghai Chongming Hotel The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan W Shanghai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Bund Hyatt Regency Shanghai Global Harbor naked Castle

THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED HOTEL OPENING OF THE YEAR Amanyangyun Bellagio Shanghai Hard Rock Hotel Shenzhen PRIMUS Hotel Shanghai Hongqiao Cordis Shanghai, Hongqiao Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li The Shanghai EDITION Hyatt Place & Hyatt House Shanghai Hongqiao CBD

LUXURY HOTEL OF THE YEAR The Langham Shanghai, Xintiandi Conrad Beijing The St. Regis Shenzhen Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai Wanda Reign on the Bund W Guangzhou

MICE HOTEL OF THE YEAR Hilton Shenzhen Shekou Nanhai Sofitel Shanghai Hongqiao LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou InterContinental Shanghai NECC InterContinental Shanghai Expo Hyatt Regency Shanghai, Wujiaochang

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 23

LIFE & S T YLE | HO SP I TA L I T Y AWA RD S

FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTEL OF THE YEAR Hyatt Regency Chongming Banyan Tree Lijiang Sheraton Sanya Haitang Bay Resort Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel, Zhuhai InterContinental Sanya Resort Crowne Plaza Shanghai Harbour City

BUSINESS HOTEL OF THE YEAR Crowne Plaza Beijing Chao Yang U-Town EAST, Beijing Kerry Hotel, Beijing Jing An Shangri-la, West Shanghai JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Changfeng Park Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

ART HOTEL OF THE YEAR Andaz Xintiandi, Shanghai Nuo Hotel Beijing Park Hyatt Hangzhou Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund W Beijing Chang’An

BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF THE YEAR Chaptel Hangzhou Banyan Tree Ringha LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou The Temple House Bamboo Retreat

24 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

OUTSTANDING HOTEL DESIGN Jumeriah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai Le Mérdien Zhengzhou The Shanhaitian Resort Sanya, Autograph Collection Twelve at Hengshan, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai Le Mérdien Shanghai Minhang

GETAWAY HOTEL OF THE YEAR Hilton Ningbo Dongqian Lake Resort naked Stables Guangzhou Chimelong Hotel The Westin Zhujiajian Resort, Zhoushan Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort

THE MOST INFLUENTIAL HOTEL

URBAN RESORT HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Grand Hyatt Guangzhou The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong New World Beijing Hotel Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai Park Hyatt Shanghai

Sofitel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund The Yuluxe Sheshan, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Shanghai The Puli Hotel and Spa Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai

LANDMARK HOTEL OF THE YEAR

HISTORIC HOTEL OF THE YEAR

Grand Hyatt Shanghai Hyatt on the Bund The Westin Bund Center Shanghai Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

Fairmont Peace Hotel Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin XiJiao State Guest Hotel Broadway Mansions Hotel

OUTSTANDING CITY VIEW Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund Hyatt on the Bund Le Royal Méridien Shanghai Hyatt Regency Hangzhou Niccolo Chengdu

HO SP I TA L I T Y AWA RD S | LIFE & S T YLE

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 25

LIFE & S T YLE | HO SP I TA L I T Y AWA RD S

NEW SERVICED APARTMENT OF THE YEAR PRIMUS Residence Shanghai Hongqiao

THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SERVICED APARTMENT OPENING OF THE YEAR Ascott Raffles City Shenzhen

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SERVICED APARTMENT OF THE YEAR Somerset XuHui Fraser Place Tianjin

OUTSTANDING SERVICE THE ONE Executive Suites Shanghai managed by Kempinski JW Marriott Beijing Central Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East Grand Millennium Shanghai Hongqiao Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao

OUTSTANDING HOTEL SPA

Waldorf Astoria Spa, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund The Peninsula Spa, The Peninsula Shanghai CHI Spa, Jing An Shangri-la, West Shanghai Banyan Tree Spa, Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund YHI SPA, Melia Shanghai Hongqiao

LUXURY SERVICED APARTMENT OF THE YEAR

OUTSTANDING HOTEL SWIMMING POOL

Oakwood Residence Damei Beijing GTC Residence Beijing Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, Executive Apartments THE ONE Executive Suites managed by Kempinski Fraser Suites Top Glory Futian Shangri-La, Shenzhen

Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square W Shanghai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Bund InterContinental Shanghai Puxi New World Shanghai Hotel

ECO-TOURISM DESTINATION OF THE YEAR

Discovery Adventures Moganshan Park

26 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

MOST INFLUENTIAL HOTEL COMPANY OCT International Hotel Management Co., Ltd.

FASHION | LIFE & STYLE

H&M RMB379, hm.com

45rpm RMB5,470, rby45rpm.com

Gap

Beams

RMB379, gap.cn

RMB1,600, beams.co.jp

SUNDRESSED

FOR HER

Embrace the Summer with Floral Prints and Bold Colors Compiled by Dominic Ngai

No plans for a Hawaiian vacation this summer? Fret not – here are are some shirts and dresses that will make you feel like you’re there.

FOR H IM

Zara

Gap

RMB199, zara.cn

RMB149, gap.cn

45rpm

Beams Plus

RMB4,270, rby45rpm.com

RMB990, beams.co.jp

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 27

ARTS Dangerous Woman

10 little-known facts about Ariana Grande, p34

Chinese Superheroes P30 28 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Birdstriking P35

DRUMROLL The debut of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Guangdong Museum not only marks the first time artifacts from the RMS Titanic have been openly showcased in China, it’s also organizer Premier Exhibition Inc.’s largest show in history, with more than 300 relics displayed across 20,000 square feet of space. This month, we went behind the scenes and chatted with one of the curators, Ou Yan, to see what visitors can expect.

LOST… AND FOUND

Behind the Scenes of China’s First-Ever Titanic Artifact Exhibition By Tristin Zhang

Can you tell us what’s new or unique about this particular exhibition? At the entrance, visitors will be greeted by the outer side of the Titanic’s hull before receiving a photocopy of one of the 150 original tickets used to board the Titanic. These tickets include information about the passengers, including their signature, age, cabin class and reasons for boarding the Titanic, like immigrating or doing missionary work. This part has never been featured in past exhibitions. The tickets give visitors a specific role to play while viewing the exhibition. What are some of the highlights?

There are over 5,000 artifacts total that have been recovered from the wreck of the Titanic. In this exhibition, we display about 300 of them. You can see the bell that the sailors struck when spotting the iceberg, a bag the purser used to store passengers’ valuable items, a 1:120-scale replica of the Titanic, a replica of the coal-burning boiler, a recreated first-class room that cost USD4,500 and many others. How does the exhibition speak to the differences among social classes?

We used these artifacts to tell a story behind the scene. You can tell the class difference from the utensils used in different cabins. We also display a reproduced third-class cabin. Here, the ceilings of the rooms show exposed water pipes. Some first-class passengers boarded with

more than 10 suitcases. Some third-class passengers, on the other hand, had to ask their relatives from America to buy them tickets. The death toll in the third-class cabin was also the largest. What other stories are told here that were not mentioned in the film?

On the walls, we display portraits and stories of various characters aboard the Titanic. We also have a section dedicated to telling the story of second-class passengers, about 90 percent of whom passed away in the accident because they didn’t have the same privileges as firstclass passengers, but were also somewhat discouraged from escaping recklessly due to their pride. Are there any interactive sections?

We have a 3-D movie where you can watch divers go 3,800 meters underwater to explore the wreck of the Titanic. Audiences can also learn more about how the accident transpired by seeing what a typical drill was like, the number of lifeboats available and other facts about the ship. Tue-Sun until Oct 15, tickets sold 9am-4pm, exhibition open 9am-5pm; RMB80, half price for students and anyone over 60, free for children under 1.2 meters (bring ID to enter). Guangdong Museum, 2 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区珠江新城珠江东路2号 (3804 6886, gdmuseum.com)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 29

COLL AGE SINO CELEB

Jiang Wen Featuring in tabloids most recently for playing Baze Malbus in Rogue One, ‘wild man’ actor-director Jiang Wen has been quietly churning out cinematic masterpieces in China for the past 30 years. He is among the rare breed of actors who also display immense talent behind the camera, evidenced by his internationally acclaimed films In the Heat of the Sun (1994), Devils on the Doorstep (2000) and Let the Bullets Fly (2010), the second of which won him the Grand Prix at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. Though Devils on the Doorstep was banned in China shortly after it was released, the black comedy film – which cleverly challenges typical anti-Japanese war narratives – is accessible today on streaming apps like iQiyi and remains an all-time favorite among mainland movie buffs. “Subversive humor” and “ingeniously veiled political critiques” have been said to unite all of Jiang’s films, be they small indie flicks or major blockbusters (he’s tried them all). So successful has his foray into directing and screenwriting been, in fact, that some may forget Jiang’s early accomplishments as an actor, where he starred in Zhang Yimou’s Red Sorghum back in 1987, Black Snow (1990) and the popular television series A Native of Beijing in New York (1993). Now 54, Jiang was recently named among the Academy’s 2017 acting branch invitees, alongside stars like Viggo Mortensen, Chris Pratt, Kristen Stewart and Margot Robbie.

Kind of like: Clint Eastwood without the menacing whisper Famous for: actually having a sense of humor See him next in: another Star Wars film? 30 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

Baby Driver This stylish heist film has garnered much buzz since debuting in the US in July. Written, produced and directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), the film follows Baby (Ansel Elgort), a young and talented getaway driver in Atlanta who falls in love with a waitress (Lily James) and tries to extricate himself from his bad-guy bosses (a star-studded crew featuring Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Hamm) in order to be with her. Though the plot may sound a bit too similar to Drive, Baby stands out thanks to a tragic backstory and a head injury that he copes with by listening to music all the time; this in turn allows the film to have an excellent soundtrack.

AUGUST 25

HAO BU HAO

Hao American comic book giant Marvel has teamed up with Chinese company NetEase to create the first Marvel comic series centered on Chinese superheroes. Comic book artists Keng and Zhou Liefen, along with playwright Shui Zhu, have been tasked with creating the new characters, and production is already in progress. For now these characters will be limited to the pages of comic books, but considering Marvel’s massive popularity in China, they could also play a role in upcoming Marvel films. The same deal has allowed NetEase to distribute 12 of Marvel’s comic books in China, including Guardians of the Galaxy, The Amazing Spider-Man and Invincible Iron Man.

Bu Hao Disney fans who have been anticipating the live-action remake of Mulan will be disappointed to learn that the film’s premiere has been delayed more than a year, until late 2019. Experts believe that pressure on Disney is mounting due to the success of the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast and Wonder Woman, and this has caused the network to go back to the drawing board in order to ensure that the remake is up to snuff and will satisfy fans. Rumors that Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo will play the title character – instead of an actress from China – have led to controversies that may also be delaying the film’s production.

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 the lyrical rock sound of Liam Gallagher to the upbeat R&B of Khalil Fong, here are our 10 top picks from artists playing in South China this month.

Ariana Grande – ‘Everyday’ The Royal Concept – ‘On Our Way’ Liam Gallagher - ‘Wall of Glass’ For a Minor Reflection – ‘Impulse’ Tom Odell - ‘Another Love’ Miserable Faith – ‘Summer’ Khalil Fong - ‘BB88’ EXO [HK] - ‘咆哮’ 伍佰 & China Blue - ‘Norwegian Wood’ The Neville Staple Band [HK] - ‘Police and Thieves’

Wu Kong Set to be Summer’s Major Domestic Film The first part of 2017 has seen a dearth of success for domestic films in China, with most box office records coming from foreign films like The Fate of the Furious and Dangal. Wu Kong, which debuted in theaters around China on July 13, turned the tide by becoming the first domestically produced film of 2017 to break RMB100 million on its opening day. Directed by Derek Kwok and starring Eddie Peng, the film is the latest interpretation of the much-loved and much-adapted story of the Monkey King, though filmmakers have attempted to give the classic tale a more modern twist by basing it on a popular Internet novel from the early 2000s. Wu Kong should get a further boost in the box office throughout the month of August due to a temporary summer lag on foreign films released in Chinese theaters.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 31

ARTS | FILM

Too hot to leave the house, or even drag yourself out of bed? There are few better ways to fight the excruciating heat of summer than to hole up next to your air conditioner and spend a day getting better acquainted with Chinese cinema. From heralded classics to art house flicks to campy horror stories, here are some of our favorite Chinese films to help pass your steamy PRD summer. Recommendations come via the That’s editorial team and a few of our pretentious movie buff friends (thanks, guys!).

SUMMER GUIDE

TO CHINA’S MOST BINGE-WORTHY MOVIES

omance Days of Being Wild 阿飞正传

Farewell My Concubine

(Wong Kar-wai, 1990)

霸王别姬

Though his classic In the Mood for Love is also a must-watch, we love this loose prequel to the film for its sensual depictions of Hong Kong and the Philippines. Plus, with Maggie Cheung, Leslie Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau and a cameo from Tony Leung, it probably breaks the record for the largest number of attractive people in a single film.

A 路边野餐 (Bi Gan, 2016)

rama

24 City 二十四城记 (Jia Zhangke, 2008)

This film by revered Sixth Generation filmmaker Jia Zhangke movingly depicts a building in Chengdu and the characters who frequent it over the course of 50 years. Originally a state-owned factory, the building is eventually demolished to become a luxury high-rise in a story that mirrors China’s urban development as a whole. 24 City is a real apartment

complex in Chengdu, and parts of the film are shot in a documentary style.

Mr. Six 老炮儿 (Guan Hu, 2015)

This thrilling crime drama was a both a festival award-winner and a major blockbuster hit, finding acclaim for turning many action movie tropes (like flashy fight scenes) on their head. The titular protagonist is an aging kingpin in Beijing who must delve back into the

32 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

underworld to save his kidnapped son.

Yi Yi 一一

(Edward Yang, 2000)

Regularly cited as one of the best films of the 21st Century, Yang’s complex drama about three generations of a middle-class family in Taipei won him Best Director at Cannes. Critics rave about Yang’s keen camerawork and the film’s universal themes about the struggles of everyday life.

This Fifth Generation classic won a raft of awards thanks to it stunning cinematography, sumptuous costume design, and riveting performances by Leslie Cheung and Gong Li as a Peking Opera singer and his love interest. It’s the only Chinese-language film to have won the Palm d’Or at Cannes.

rt House

Kaili Blues

(Chen Kaige, 1993)

Set in Guizhou, Bi Gan’s acclaimed directorial debut follows a former gangster as he travels around his home region trying to rescue his nephew. Its haunting imagery and innovative camerawork (including a 41-minute unbroken shot that takes up a third of the movie) have led critics to compare Bi to Thai indie darling Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

Suzhou River 苏州河 (Lou Ye, 2000)

This moody, noir-like drama was praised for its depiction of the gritty

underbelly of Shanghai’s rapid urban development. It tells the tragic story of a videographer and his lost love, a performer who makes a living by swimming in a tank at a bar dressed as a mermaid.

Paths of the Soul 冈仁波齐 (Zhang Yang, 2017)

This docu-drama road movie from Beijing director Zhang Yang follows 11 religious pilgrims as they walk for seven months from their hometown to Lhasa. After debuting to much acclaim at film festivals all over the world, Paths of the Soul secured a China release date and hit domestic theaters this past June.

FILM | ARTS

Big Fish & Begonia 大鱼海棠 (Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun)

Despite its somewhat meandering plot, this blockbuster animation is one of the most successful Chinese animated films of all time thanks to its gorgeous, innovative visuals. Based on a classic Taoist story, it follows a mythical little girl named Chun who visits the human world disguised as a red dolphin.

House of Flying Daggers 十面埋伏 (Zhang Yimou, 2004)

The obligatory wuxia entry to this list comes in the form of House of Flying Daggers. This Academy Awardnominated film is as much a romance as a martial arts piece, with its breathtaking cinematography and showcase of superstar Zhang Ziyi, who plays a blind dancer in one of her early starring roles.

Prince Nezha’s Triumph Against Dragon King 哪吒闹海 (Yan Dingxian, Wang Shuchen and Xu Jingda, 1979)

This classic animated film based on the mythology of warrior-deity Prince Nezha screened at Cannes in 1980 and is acclaimed for its modern, mesmerizing animation style.

Havoc in Heaven 大闹天宫 (Wan Laiming, 1961)

China’s animation industry underwent a Renaissance in the 60s thanks to the work of the four trailblazing Wan Brothers. Their magnum opus is Havoc in Heaven, a Peking opera-themed interpretation of Journey to the West that’s widely considered one of the world’s best animated films.

nimation

orror

Lonely Spirit in an Old Building 黑楼孤魂 (Ming Liang and Deyuan Mu, 1989)

China lags behind its twisted neighbor across the sea when it comes to horror, but this micro-budget film made by a group of young teachers at Beijing Film Academy is profoundly disturbing. It spent several years ranked as the number one Chinese horror movie on Douban, and tells the story of a little girl who haunts a basement after she dies there in a hanging.

The Phantom Lover 夜半歌聲 (Ronny Yu, 1995)

I Am Not Madame Bovary

Forbidden City Cop

我不是潘金莲

大内密探零零发

(Feng Xiaogang, 2016)

(Vincent Kok and Stephen Chow, 1996)

Fan Bingbing shines in this satirical comedy that cleaned up at the box office while also earning praise from critics both at home and abroad. The movie follows Fan as protagonist Li Xuelian, who must navigate bureaucracy and societal pressures on women as she tries to outsmart her trifling ex-husband, who is attempting to slander her good name.

Stephen Chow was making quirky slapstick comedies long before he broke all of China’s film records with his smash hit The Mermaid. This James Bond parody stars Chow as an imperial bodyguard, inventor and… gynecologist living in ancient times and struggling to keep the emperor safe.

Devils on the Doorstep 鬼子来了 (Jiang Wen, 2000)

This black comedy directed by and starring Jiang Wen (whose latest star turn was as the lovable Baze Malbus in Star Wars: Rogue One) uses satire to comment on the futility of war. It’s set during the second Sino-Japanese War and is shot in blackand-white to mimic oldtime war movies.

omedy

Less a horror film and more of an eerie otherworldly romance, this period piece set in the 1940s stars Leslie Cheung as a Phantom of The Opera-like figure who secretly lives in a theater and terrorizes students who try and fail to sing the song he wrote for his long lost love.

The House That Never Dies 京城81号 (Raymond Yip, 2014)

One of China’s few horror films to find success at the box office, The House That Never Dies is based on an actual historic Beijing mansion that’s believed to be haunted. It’s a bit thin on actual scares, but with sumptuous art direction and feminist undertones thanks to Ruby Lin’s incredible performance as both the house’s belabored new occupant and a ghost prostitute from the 1910s, we think it’s worth a watch. Plus, House That Never Dies II is currently playing in theaters across China.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 33

MUSIC | ARTS

ARTS | MUSIC

The city of Manchester made Grande an honorary citizen in response to her support after she organized the One Love Manchester concert to raise money for the victims of the bombing that took place at the end of her concert on May 22, 2017.

She’s a vegan.

Despite having the world’s most iconic sleek auburn ponytail, Grande’s hair is naturally dark and curly.

Gloria Estefan saw Grande singing on a cruise ship when she was eight years old and approached her to say, “You were meant to do this.”

Her parents named her after the heroine Princess Oriana from Felix the Cat: The Movie. She’s also allergic to cats. Her least favorite musical genre is dubstep.

She has 13 tattoos (including a worker bee, the official symbol of the city of Manchester), but only 11 have ever been photographed or described by her.

10 THINGS

YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT

ARIANA GRANDE As the pop princess makes her China debut at the peak of her dizzying rise to stardom, That’s scours the darkest recesses of the Internet for some little-known Ariana Grande trivia. Read on and prepare yourself for her Dangerous Woman world tour.

Her mother has stated that she was worried Grande would grow up to be a serial killer because of her childhood fascination with horror movies.

On an MTV show called Cambio Goes Home With in 2010, Grande revealed that she lives in a historic LA mansion that was once owned by American director Francis Ford Coppola.

Before finding more mainstream acting fame as Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon show Victorious, Grande made her Broadway debut in 2008 at age 14 as a cheerleader named Charlotte in the musical 13.

1) Wed Aug 30, 8pm; RMB480-1,680. Guangzhou International Sports Arena, 2666 Kaichuang Dadao, Huangpu District, Guangzhou 广州市黄埔区开创大道2666号 (020-3209 1000); 2) Thu Sep 21, 8pm; HKD888-4,888. AsiaWorld-Expo, Arena, 26 Harbour Dao, Hong Kong 香港港湾道26号 (hkticketing.com) 34 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

MUSIC | ARTS

OPEN MINDS

Beijing Noise Rockers Birdstriking Turn to New Ideas on Their Anticipated Second Album By Zaruf Ezhan

half-decade gap between albums may be the norm for veteran rock stars holding on to what’s left of their music career. When it’s a young band with massive potential and a solid fan-base, it’s not so common. “We’ve been through a lot, both in and out of music,” explains Wang Xinjiu and He Fan, the founding members of Beijing noise rock outfit Birdstriking. They aren't kidding. Not long after the band first got together, Birdstriking had risen through the ranks of the Chinese capital’s rock clubs. In 2012, the college-aged trio released their self-titled debut album, which was recorded by local hero Yang Haisong from P.K.14 under coveted Beijing label Maybe Mars. The problem? Lyrics like “You can control the media, but you can’t control my mind” didn’t sit well with authorities, and because of a track called ‘Monkey Snake,’ Birdstriking didn’t see any distribution for their debut album in the PRC. This kind of rebellious, youthful exu-

berance that some call ‘punk’ convinced Anton Newcombe, the frontman of San Francisco psych-rock band The Brian Jonestown Massacre, to rerelease Birdstriking’s album under his UK label ‘A’ Recordings three years later. That same year, Birdstriking went on a 25date US tour under the management of Ricky Maymi, The Brian Jonestown Massacre’s guitarist. It was Maymi who brought up the idea of a follow-up record by the Beijing-based band. They asked him to produce it, and he did. The result was Holey Brain, which is slated for an August 2017 release under Maybe Mars once again. Instead of rallying cries against brainwashing, this time around the band opts for subject matters like the struggles of being 25, distant relatives, and favorite sports teams. “We believe that real rock music reflects

who you are,” says Birdstriking. “We wrote the first album at the age of 20 and we did the second in our mid-20s. It’s less punk but more melodic, and the songs are deep thoughts about ourselves rather than us telling people what they should or should not do.” Holey Brain drops mid-August and is available at www.maybemars.com.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 35

ARTS | MUSIC

CHINA MUSIC CORNER

Three New Homegrown Albums on Our Radar This Month

Hearts of Desire by Fazi Somewhere between their 2016 sophomore release The Root of Innocence and this third official studio album from Maybe Mars, Xi’an post-punk foursome The Fuzz changed their name to Fazi. Fortunately, the dreamy, brooding aesthetic that they explored on their first two albums has survived the identity alteration. Fazi composed and recorded Hearts of Desire while on an expansive 43-city tour of their previous record, stopping to record it in pieces everywhere from Taipei to Wuhan. Musicians from five other bands throughout China collaborated with Fazi on the eight-track album, but it actually sounds more cohesive than their previous release; all the songs are shot through with melodic post-punk, nostalgia and the occasional surf-rock riff, especially on the album’s title track, which actually opens with the sounds of crashing waves. More lyric-heavy songs are broken up by several long, shoegaze-y interludes, especially on the aptly named ‘Beautiful Noise,’ and the record as a whole is overlaid with the feelings of movement and rootlessness that may have cropped up naturally from the fact that Fazi recorded it on the road. Listen here: https://site.douban.com/FAZI/

Split by Die!ChiwawaDie! and Struggle Session  This collaboration between Beijing DIY punk label Genjing Records and Guangzhou’s Qii Snacks Records is a 21-track split album from two punk bands, currently being sold in vinyl format on a slickly produced see-through record splattered with blue paint that’s somewhat at odds with the crusty songs within. Guangzhou punk-rockers Die!ChiwawaDie! open the record with a crackly 30-second funk sample, then launch into their aggressively uptempo tracks, which move at a dizzying speed, as few of them break the two-minute mark. A variety of equally raw male and female vocals plus a few evocative song titles (like ‘Classmate Chiu the Shoegazer’) make for an intriguing listen. Beijing’s Struggle Session, who just completed a tour of Spain and Morocco, and whose roaring, plaintive fast-core songs were recorded for the album by P.K.14’s Yang Haisong, scream their way through the album’s B-side. Their final track ‘Trail of Glass’ is the clearest narrative of Beijing underground angst that they are going for throughout the album. Listen here: https://genjingrecords.bandcamp.com/album/split-12

Saboteurs by Deer Park A project conceived by Shanghai-based, New Zealand-born vocalist Nick Walsh and his cousin Shannon Walsh, who’s based in New Zealand, Deer Park offers up an impressive and nuanced album in the form of Saboteurs. The band describe themselves as having “a healthy dose of 21st century paranoia” explored through eerie, atmospheric pop songs that blend ambient electronic music with the seamless use of a trumpet and saxophone. Walsh’s soaring vocals are reminiscent of Seattle folk rockers Fleet Foxes at times, but with completely different preoccupations. Standout tracks include ‘Re-Up’ and the poignantly unsettling ‘Birthdays.’ The band performed an unofficial release show last month in Shanghai at Harley’s while both core members were in town, which displayed vocalist Walsh’s onstage charisma and that unlikely horn section; here’s hoping they continue making music despite the geographical setbacks. Listen at: https://deerpark.bandcamp.com/

36 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The future of sports is digital. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s also Chinese.

38 / COVER STORY

ome on, China!” Spectators holler as China battles Norway, erupting into applause whenever a player makes a killer move. State-ofthe-art cameras record the action, then blast it onto massive screens throughout the stadium. Fangirls wear electronic headbands flashing the names of their favorite players, giggling and covering their faces whenever the cameras zoom in on them. Throngs of teens line up to buy official Team China jerseys; others are already wearing them. It’s the second day of Shanghai’s Overwatch World Cup qualifier. Developed and released by American video game company Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch is a teambased shooter game that boasts 30 million players worldwide, a base it has grown in barely a year. The tournament draws a cast of characters from around the world – both onscreen and off. Aside from the players and teams, there are coaches, presenters, broadcasters, sponsors and viewers (millions of whom are watching online via live-streaming platforms like Amazon’s Twitch). Both American and Chinese commentators narrate the action. It’s an enormous operation. The players look like typical teenagers, except they wear serious facial expressions, which we see close up on a secondary set of screens projecting as they play. But the biggest screens hang above them, showing the players as their virtual selves – Overwatch game characters battling each another in fantastical settings. Team China and Team France top the day’s competitions and qualify for the next stage of the World Cup. But every team that places in Shanghai this weekend receives USD9,000. That’s over RMB10,000 per player. Not bad for a weekend of gaming. Welcome to the world of esports, where – often professional – gamers compete in multiplayer videogames in front of a live audience. Esports has transformed a onetime slacker pursuit into an industry worth millions of dollars. The idea of ‘professional video gaming’ may have seemed laughable a decade ago, but today, the esports industry is booming. Global revenue reached USD493 million in 2016 and is expected to reach a staggering USD1.5 billion by 2020, according to a market report by gaming researcher Newzoo. Players compete in tournaments around the world, join clubs and train daily. But nowhere is taking esports more seriously than China, the No. 1 market in the world for video games. China has more than 70 million esports enthusiasts (viewers who watch esports multiple times a month) – more than triple the US’s 20 million, according to Newzoo. Meanwhile, the Words by Dominique Wong Additional reporting by Noelle Mateer, Vivian Liu, Jocelyn Richards, Sky Thomas Gidge and Jimmy Li Graphics by Iris Wang

COVER STORY / 39

number of esports players (from recreational to professional) in China is a colossal 117 million, according to consultancy group iResearch. In 2016, half of the 10 highest-earning esports players in the world were Chinese. And while the US and South Korea once ruled the esports scene – both were at the top of the tournament winnings table until 2011, and, in the case of South Korea, until 2014 – China now currently dominates the board. The country’s esports supremacy is no coincidence. According to Beijing-based game developer Chris Pfeiffer, the reason is twofold: accessibility and big business. Games in China are generally free to play, meaning that instead of paying upfront to buy a game like in the West, users can download it for nothing. And then, there’s Tencent. “Tencent is massive,” says Pfeiffer, who has worked in the gaming industry professionally since 1995 (and “not-professionally since the mid-80s”). The Internet giant owns WeChat, game distributor WeGame and game-streaming service Douyu. It also owns Riot Games, which developed League of Legends – currently the most-played esport in the world. “If [your company] is big in China, that instantly gives you one-fifth of the world. You’re big in Korea? Meh, that’s like being big in Chongqing,” Pfeiffer laughs. But big companies aren’t the only ones making

40 / COVER STORY

money off esports in China – the players themselves are, too. One way to game a paycheck? Tournaments. Shenzhen Bay Sports Center is a 33,000-seat stadium mostly used for swimming and football. But on one day in June, it hosts the National Electronic Sports Open (NESO) warm-up competition. It’s here we meet 23-year-old Theeban Siva, who’s been competing professionally for the past seven years. Better known by his on-screen names 1437 and Rose, Siva is part of TNC Pro Team, an esports team sponsored by a Philippine Internet cafe chain. Siva spent a year in China playing for a team called LGD Gaming back in 2012, but says he “[felt] out of place constantly. You get burned out really quickly.” The Canadian native has been recruited by so many teams throughout his career, he’s finding it hard to keep track (he joined TNC Pro Team earlier this year, his seventh team in just two years). When asked where his team is based in the Philippines, he shouts across the room to his manager: “Hey, we live in Manila, right?” (Yes, they live in Manila.) “Well,” Siva says apologetically, “I’ve only been with the team for three weeks.” Siva’s indifference to geography belies his position on the team: captain. Eight teams participate in the NESO warm-up: three from China, two each from the Philippines

Previous page: An esports tournament held in Shenzhen (photo by Jocelyn Richards) Top: Team merchandise for sale at an esports tournament (photo by Jimmy Li) Right: Esports spectators watch a live game (photo by Jimmy Li)

If you’ re big in China, that

instantly gives you one-fifth re big in Korea? of the world. You’ s like being big in Meh, that’

Chongqing

and North America, and one from Europe (Greece). Spectators are mostly young men in their 20s and 30s – with the occasional girlfriend checking her phone – and a few hardcore female gamers. The stands seem a little empty, though our tour guide ensures us that “it’ll fill up later on – Chinese people don’t like to arrive early.” A glittering trophy sits between the two teams during play. The atmosphere is tense but Chinese team Newbee, who are about to enter their third game, seem pretty relaxed. One team member is even yawning. The team goes on to win three-nil, and later ends up blitzing the entire tournament. After fending off Newbee’s rabid fans – one asks for a signature from the MVP – we catch up with team member Damian “kpii” Chok. “It’s amazing,” he says. “Our team is known for getting second place all the time, and now finally we’ve [won] something.” Originally from Australia, Chok moved to China to play Dota 2 (the country is regarded as one of the best in the world at the game, and as Siva tells That’s: “Dota has the most prize money”). Esports in China is like a professional sport, Chok says. “In Australia it’s just a game.” Chok’s daily ‘professional life’ is strenuous, though it may sound like leisure time to some. “We’re pretty much in a house every day and just play games. We practice six to eight hours a day, seven days a week,” he says, adding that the team “occasionally have a day off and go for food and a movie, or whatever, but usually, it’s just staying in the house.” Chok say’s he’s “living the dream.”

COVER STORY / 41

We practice six to eight hours a day,

seven days a week. But Of course I’ m s like living the dream happy, it’

Not all talented esports players follow the professional road. Semi-pro Li “zipninja” Jun plays esports on the live-streaming site Huomao. “I play attacking games like Street Fighter,” the 33-year-old tells us over coffee in Beijing. “These kinds of games haven’t reached maturity in China. I want to help increase their popularity here, so I signed a contract [with Huomao].” Live-streaming is a popular way for esports players to earn money, as the last couple of years have seen a proliferation of live-streaming sites in China. People game in real time for real audiences and in exchange for real cash, and streaming platforms offer lucrative contracts when they believe a player will draw traffic to their site. Li says his Huomao contract forbids hims him from revealing his salary, but he says it is “stable” and that he’s content with his status as a semi-pro. “If you’re a pro player, many things influence whether you succeed or not. The nature of gaming is cruel. One or two minutes can determine the result of a tournament, which could determine your whole career.” Li travels regularly to compete. At last year’s Evolution tournament in Las Vegas he placed 256 out of 5,000, he tells That’s Beijing. “I like the attention and satisfaction of competing in tournaments.” Fame and fortune also drew gamer Xiao Zhao to the industry. She regularly attends tournaments both here and elsewhere in China, telling us: “I love having a lot of fans.” Zhao worked in a bank for four years before being approached to work as a producer at Panda TV, an esports live-streaming service founded by Wang Sicong, the son of one of China’s richest men, Dalian Wanda Group founder Wang Jianlin. “It’s rare to see a girl at this level,” Zhao says. “The guy gamers feel protective towards me. Even though I see more pro female esports players in the future, I don’t think peo-

42 / COVER STORY

ple’s attitudes will change. People will probably always view girls who game exceptionally as cool, badass people.” Zhao describes a competition in her home city of Nanning. “It was a big deal – from locals to regionals and nationals. I became the first female player ever to get into the finals,” she says proudly. “This gave me a lot of attention and helped build up my fanbase. It [also] increased awareness of female gamers in the professional industry.” The esports industry is overwhelmingly male-dominated. Of the few female esports players who do compete, the ones abroad generally perform better than their Chinese counterparts (no Chinese player made last year’s female top 10 esports earnings list). Yet according to a 2017 report by Newzoo, across the 13 countries surveyed, 46 percent of gamers are women. So it’s not that women aren’t playing games; they just aren’t competing on the same professional level. Zhao attributes this discrepancy to players’ objectives. “There are a lot of female gamers in the industry – especially League of Legends – but instead of trying to become a serious pro gamer, they’re just in the business for livestreaming. They may be beautiful or sing really well. Rich guys give them [monetary] ‘gifts’

Below: Team China competes at the Overwatch World Cup qualifier in China (photo by Jimmy Li) Right (top to bottom): Team Newbee prepares to enter the stage; Team Newbee battles it out in a game of Dota 2; the esports stage from below (photos by Jocelyn Richards)

COVER STORY / 43

[on streaming websites]. They’re not necessarily gaming because they like it.” Another reason may be societal expectations. “Parents don’t think girls should play. Girls are expected to be docile. “Older people think that playing games negatively impacts studies or sleep and health. When I was little I’d go into the electronics store and my dad would say, ‘If you come in here again, I’ll break your leg!’” For many parents of young gamers, China’s obsession with esports is no laughing matter. The nation is infamous for its Internet addiction camps, where worried parents send their kids, sometimes for months on end, in the hopes of “rehabilita-

Clockwise from top: Game developer Chris Pfeiffer at his start-up space in Beijing; World Cyber Arena deputy general manager Li Yanfei (photos by Dominique Wong); a fan girl wears the name of her favorite player on her headband at Shanghai's Overwatch World Cup qualifier (photo by Jimmy Li); inside a live e-sports broadcasting room at WCA (photo by Dominique Wong)

44 / COVER STORY

tion.” Known for their harsh environment, military-style discipline and even electric shock therapy, the camps are less retreat, more bootcamp. The consequences can be deadly. Last year, a 16-year-old Chinese girl killed her mother after being sent to an Internet addiction bootcamp, claiming she had been beaten and abused at the center. Earlier this year, the Chinese government drafted a cyberprotection law that hopes to protect camp attendees from such abuse. Due to fear of their negative effect on children, video game consoles were officially banned in China between 2000 and 2015. Firms such as Microsoft and Sony were prohibited from making and selling their gaming

consoles anywhere in China (though a gray market existed in many Chinese cities). Despite lifting the console ban, the State General Administration of Press and Publication still occasionally prohibits games from the mainland, including shooter game Battlefield 4 for “endangering national security” and World War II-themed Hearts of Iron for “distorting history.” In July, the staterun People’s Daily lambasted Tencent’s mega-popular mobile game Honor of Kings, for its “negative energy.” Following this criticism, Tencent’s share price plunged and the company began limiting the amount of time children could play the game. But Chinese views towards gaming are

changing. Zhao’s own parents eventually came to accept her passion: “[My parents were unsure] because I am a girl, and gaming was seen as financially unstable. But they became especially supportive after I hosted a competition in Guangdong. They realized that gaming could be very serious and professional.” Semi-pro Li tells us his family also changed their attitudes – after he proved that he was doing well. “They only accept it if you are playing to get some tangible benefit and not wasting time,” he says. Authorities may be softening their antiesports stance as well. The Communication University of China (CUC), a public univer-

sity that is administered by the Ministry of Education, is the first university in China to introduce an undergraduate esports major, which will be offered to students from the beginning of this school year. “It’s actually called ‘Digital Entertainment,’” a CUC staff member tells us during a visit to the campus in east Beijing. The staff member, who asks to remain anonymous, teaches in the same department as the new major. “The name ‘esports’ is too broad – [CUC’s] major covers esports organization, broadcasting, esports event management and the fan economy.” “We expect the program to contribute to the [esports] industry through our students’

expertise in the planning, management and design of games,” she says. Though China’s Ministry of Education approved the major, the professor says it’s an industry-led effort. Of the 20 students that will graduate from CUC’s ‘Digital Entertainment’ program each year, 10 will have the opportunity to work at Hero Entertainment, the program’s official partner. “The company has had some difficulties in esports media – no one knows what to do. They have a lot of people from elsewhere in TV or media but no one [has specialized in esports].” Local governments show more direct support for the esports industry. Take

COVER STORY / 45

People will probably always view girls who game as exceptionally cool, badass people

Yinchuan, a prefecture-level city located in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in central China, for example. Each year the city hosts the grand finals of World Cyber Arena (WCA), the world’s biggest “third-party” (a party unrelated to the game developer) esports tournament. Based in China since 2014, WCA live-streams matches that take place around the world to screens in equally diverse places. On a visit to the company’s Beijing office, it’s two minutes until show time. In the production room, we meet a handful of producers lounging in chairs in front of a wall of monitors. The sceens display scenes from a live Dota 2 game and two hosts (who happen to be sitting in front of a green screen in the room next-door). “We’re on in one, two, three,…” a producer says. The hosts begin chatting animatedly and we are quickly shuffled out of the room. Inside the office of WCA’s deputy general manager Li Yanfei (no relation to Li Jun), we’re told that WCA’s Yinchuan tournament is sponsored by the local government. “They fund our activities partly because of policies, such as ‘One Belt, One Road,’ that are aimed at attracting industry to the region,” Li Yanfei explains. “As Yinchuan is out west, rather

46 / COVER STORY

than east, the local government is keen to attract people to the area. Aside from that, esports attracts social media platforms and big tech companies. [The local government] hopes these industries will gravitate to the area.” WCA is also focused on educating young people about esports, and have partnered up with an education group to provide esports-related materials and exams for students wanting to work in the industry. Opportunities in China’s esports industry may seem limitless. But, while the industry insiders we talk to are adamant it will supplant traditional sports in the future, they express trepidation about the path they’re taking to get there. Question marks over the industry’s infrastructure, or lack thereof, remain. Activision Blizzard, the parent company of Blizzard Entertainment, is hoping to address this. The company recently announced plans to create a professional Overwatch league based on intercity rivalries. Many in the industry are calling it a potential game-changer, and the company has already sold franchise teams to owners in Seoul, Los Angeles and New York. Buyers include powerful sporting identities such as Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, an

Opposite page: Team Newbee player Song Chun is awarded MVP of the NESO tournament (photo by Jocelyn Richards) This page, top to bottom: esports players in action; game developer Blizzard Entertainment’s logo is displayed prominently on stage (photo by Jimmy Li)

American football team, and Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer of the New York Mets baseball team. The franchise model is similar to that of traditional sports, and as senior director of esports Lawrence Chi says Blizzard hopes to blur the distinction between the two even further. As he tells That’s Beijing: “A lot of [our model] will be taking a page from other sports: recap shows, debate shows, [and] if there’s some drama, let’s roll with it. Let’s get the fans involved and tell these stories.” Meanwhile, despite lacking the same resources as companies like Activision Blizzard, grassroots esports communities are gaining momentum. In Beijing, esports group BiB Community hosts a monthly amateur Street Fighter tournament at Paddy O’Sheas. The Irish pub, known as one of the best sports bars in the city, has broadened its programming to include esports alongside a traditional roster of rugby and football. The tournament attracts a diverse bunch of people from both local and afar. Huddled around monitors underneath a big-screen projector, players compete amid a whirlwind of flashy digital animation. Behind the main group, curious bar patrons turn into accidental esports spectators. “LJ, you’re a legend!” someone says, half-exasperatedly, half-admirably, as Li Jun eviscerates his opponent. Co-organizer of the event Rick Liu hopes to turn BiB Community into a proper company. Things are looking good: they’re already in talks with sponsors and a live-streaming site. But, in the esports industry, one can never be sure. Companies take off, making millions – or they implode. Whatever happens, Liu and co will keep at it. “Playing games gets you a lot of friends,” Liu says. “It’ll never make you feel lonely. A sense of belonging is very important. That’s why we run this.”

COVER STORY / 47

COMM UNITY Wrestle Mania

Shenzhen fans gear up for WWE Live's September event, p49

Shenzhen's Viral Drag Queen P51 48 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The Art of Charm P55

FEATURE 2016 CHINA LIVE

KNOCK ‘EM DEAD

WWE Live to Rock Shenzhen This Fall By Gary Bailer

Can you smell what’s cooking in Shenzhen? Because there is more being prepared in the city than baozi and a seemingly endless supply of craft beer… That’s right Shenzhen wrestling fans, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Live is coming to Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena for the first time ever on September 17. The event marks WWE’s return to China following last year’s successful show at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai. Tickets have been on sale since June 16, so we encourage readers that like smashing, bashing and crashing to buy their seats quick, as this event is expected to sell out. Purchase tickets at www.Damai.cn or through the Damai hotline 1010-3721. “WWE’s return to China demonstrates our continued commitment to the market,” said Jay Li, vice president and general manager, WWE Greater China. “Our WWE superstars will deliver an action-packed night of family-friendly entertainment that is certain to create memories that will last a lifetime.” Fans attending WWE LIVE China will be able to see their favorite WWE stars including AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, The New Day, John Cena, Randy Orton, Charlotte, Becky Lynch,

Natalya, Sami Zayn and many more, though organizers note the lineup may change. Over the past 12 months, WWE in China has seen a number of new developments, reaching an exclusive multi-year agreement with PPTV, a popular Chinese streaming site, to live-stream its flagship shows Raw and SmackDown in Mandarin. The integrated media organization and leader in global entertainment also signed eight Chinese athletes to contracts to train at the WWE Performance Center, including the first-ever Chinese WWE superstar, Tian Bing. This upcoming September show in Shenzhen, presented in partnership with Live Nation, marks the beginning of a promising future for WWE on the Chinese mainland, where audiences are keen to experience professional wrestling up close.

Sun Sep 17; RMB180-2,080. Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena, 3001 Binhai Dadao (by Coastal City), Nanshan District, Shenzhen 深圳市南山区滨海大道3001号 (近海岸城) (0755-8630 8840, purchase tickets at piao.damai.cn/125359.html)

2016 CHINA LIVE WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 49

COMM UNITY

AROUND TOWN

DEAR JAMIE

Mother Dearest Dear Jamie, I’ve been teaching English in the PRD for over a year now, and in the last few months I’ve been sleeping with the single mother of one of my students. It was good fun at first, but now I’m in too deep and I need to break it off. I teach her son at their home, so simply avoiding her isn’t an option. I’m worried that when I end things, she might cause problems for me. She is friends with the parents of all my other students, so she may get me in trouble with them too. This lady has a fiery side and I’m scared to be on the receiving end. I can’t afford to lose any work because I need all the money I can get. How can I end this relationship without putting my job and reputation at risk? -Gutless in Guangdong Dear Gutless, You, sir, are a bad bunny. In English there’s a saying about sleeping areas and bathroom habits – the Chinese equivalent? ‘A good rabbit doesn’t eat the grass around its burrow.’ Yet here you are with a tale of eaten grass, exposed holes and a question about how to not ‘risk your reputation.’ Sorry, but that boat set sail the moment you crossed the line from Tommy’s pedagogue to mommy’s plaything. Don’t overreact. Fiery side or not, it’s unlikely this woman plans to run hand-in-hand into the sunset with you. Stop teaching the student at home and avoid any alone time with the woman, if possible. If she doesn’t get the message, you may have to be more direct – how she reacts is up to her. -Jamie Got a problem? Jamieinchina@outlook. com.

50 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

SOCIAL SKILLS

Books and Brews This isn’t your mother’s book club. Books and Brews updates the tradition of discussing reads in small groups by throwing in something different: craft beer. Members gather at local brewpub Bionic to talk about each month’s pick – decided through a democratic vote – over brimming glasses of whatever’s on tap. Gatherings are held on Sunday evenings and usually see around 6-10 people, making for cozy discussions. Membership is free and open to all. Founder Winnie Jin started the group intending “to build a community with common interests.” As for the combination of beer with books: “Taprooms have a great vibe – they’re not usually too crowded, and people aren’t too drunk. They’re unpretentious and inviting, which is exactly what I want the book club to be.” In between meetups, the more than 80 members mostly communicate in the WeChat group, suggesting new books and then choos-

ing their favorites from a shortlist each month. Past picks have included classics such as 1984 and Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, plus more contemporary novels like Shelter, centered around the dark secrets of a KoreanAmerican family. Although the reading material so far has leaned towards literary fiction, Jin is happy to switch things up. August, for example, will be the club’s first graphic novel month, and popular vote swung in favor of Persepolis, an autobiographical coming-of-age tale set in 1980s Iran. Having such a diverse array of Englishlanguage options does come with a downside: most readers will have to stick to e-books due to lack of availability in local bookstores. But for non-traditionalists, there’s still a lot to love about this cool, quirky group. To join the WeChat group, add Winnie Jin at ID ‘winniejin-.’

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

TAKE FIVE

Sister Tomato Shenzhen’s very own viral drag queen, who goes by the stage name ‘Sister Tomato,’ has been performing for years now. Her fame really blew up, though, after she staged a photoshoot in a grocery store with a friend last May. Her outfit of choice? Knee-high boots, a crop top and leather undies with a heart-shaped cutout in the back, of course. Since then the fashionista and dancer has been on a role with cameos in viral videos, performance gigs and a Weibo following of well over 700,000. We talked to her this past month. When did you decide that you wanted to become Internet famous?

I started doing this eight years ago, at the time I was still in the small community of college, but my popularity was still very high, even the famous professors nearby knew me! I was very happy and proud, so I decided to keep going!

Do you get a lot of backlash from people in public and online? If so, how do you deal with it? Usually when I perform outside there’s not much harassment, of course if there is I’ll deal with it rationally. After all, I get that they don’t understand me. I understand their mindset of judging someone by their appearance. What’s your day job?

My daily work is more fulfilling than before, not only performing at nightclubs, but also in many business settings like parties, auto shows, etc. At home if I have nothing to do I live stream and exercise! Biggest role model, dead or alive?

My role models are Michael Jackson and [singer/ dancer] Coco Lee. What’s your favorite clothing brand? Bar in Shenzhen?

I like Versace and Gucci for giving me great inspiration, but besides appreciating others I’ve also been trying hard to create my own style. I don’t like going out to bars, I prefer quiet, romantic places.

You can follow Sister Tomato on Weibo at handle ‘Super God Tomato’ (超级男神西红士).

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 51

COMMUNITY | SPORTS

SNOOKER STARS READY TO ROCK Guangzhou's Battle of the Green Baize Set to Be Red Hot Text by Matt Horn, photos by Tai Chengzhe

The world's top snooker stars will be turning up the heat in Guangzhou this month as they battle for the 2017 Evergrande China Championship in a city one former world champion believes is the home of snooker in China. Stuart Bingham was runner-up to John Higgins in the inaugural invitational event held in the Guangzhou Gymnasium last November, and he can't wait to go one better this time around. "They tell me that Guangzhou is where a lot of the top Chinese players come from," explains the 41-year-old, who was top of the world in 2015 and thinks that may have an impact on the crowds. "In some Chinese cities snooker is not as popular as others but the crowds were good last year, especially the semis and the final," he recalls. "I've got good memories and I made some good friends there." Bingham is delighted the snooker calendar has a number of big events in China and he believes the fact the Guangzhou event has ranking status this year adds an extra bit of 52 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

spice. That said, he knows he faces a tough battle in round one against the latest talented Chinese teenager Yan Bingtao. "It will be a tough match," he admits, "because he will be a Top-16 player within a couple of years." Yan, 17, became the youngest amateur world champion in 2014 and looks destined for stardom. While practice and matches come first, Bingham says he enjoyed being in Guangzhou last November. "It's a lively place and, if my friend comes over from Hong Kong, I hope to see a bit more of it this year," he explains. This year's event was officially launched last month at a ceremony attended by defending champion Higgins, China's biggest star Ding Junhui and Hong Kong's Marco Fu. The decision to upgrade the event from an invitational to a world ranking event was announced when Higgins became the inaugural Evergrande champion last year. Qualifiers took place earlier this summer and a strong field is heading to Guangzhou. World snooker chairman Barry Hearn

SPORTS | COMMUNITY

Guangzhou is where a lot of the top Chinese players come from

a total prize fund of GBP700,000 (RMB6.2 million) up for grabs, with the winner pocketing GBP150,000 (RMB1.33 million). When the heat in southern China is at its fiercest, hiding away in an air-conditioned snooker hall is always a good option. It’s even better if you can sit back and enjoy seeing the game played at the highest level. So head to the Guangzhou Sport University Gymnasium this August for some world-class sport. Aug 16-22, various times. Guangzhou Sport University Gymnasium, 1268 Guangzhou Dadao, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区广州大道中 1268 号

told worldsnooker.com: "We are thrilled to be working with the promoter Evergrande and the CBSA on this event. Our global calendar gets busier every year and this is a major addition. Alongside our partners in China we are creating a very bright future for the sport." There will be a liberal sprinkling of home talent in action but also much interest in seeing the game's best players, including current world champion Mark Selby, defending champion Higgins, and former world champions Judd Trump and Neil Robertson. One of the biggest attractions will certainly be fans' favorite ‘Rocket’ Ronnie O'Sullivan, who begins his campaign against Sam Baird. The tournament starts on Wednesday, August 16, and will see a total of 70 matches with the final on Tuesday, August 22. In addition to valuable world ranking points, there is also WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 53

COMMUNITY | HE ALT H

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE TICKLE Why You Should Never Shrug Off a Cough By Dr. Adam Koh

tickle in the throat, a rattle in the chest, a nighttime hack that is disrupting your sleep – these are all examples of lingering coughs that deserve some attention. Before reaching for the closest medication, however, it’s important to first determine what caused the cough. One common trigger is bronchitis – or the inflammation and swelling of airways – which can result in a cough, wheezing and shortness of breath when severe. The most common cause of bronchitis is the aftermath of a cold or other viral infection. Runny noses or nasal congestion often clear within a few days, but the virus can irritate the airway and cause a persistent cough that lasts weeks or even months. Sometimes, a viral cold can make our throats or airways so raw that bacteria invade, causing a secondary infection. If you develop a fever or pains along with a lingering cough, see your doctor. Antibiotics cannot cure viral illness and they may have a limited role, especially if the period of illness has been very short. However, they may be prescribed if your doctor suspects a bacterial infection. It is also more common for the doctor to use antibiotics for patients who smoke, have chronic lung problems or are immune-compromised. Apart from infections from viruses or bacteria, inhalation of smoke, dust or chemical solvents can also irritate the thin mucosal lining of the airway, causing a chronic cough. A second possible cause is underlying medical conditions, 54 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

like asthma, acid reflux or obstructive sleep apnea. Infections and environmental triggers like pollen and pollutants can certainly cause acute flares of asthma. If you have a history of asthma and have difficulty controlling the condition with your current medications, do speak to your doctor for further evaluation. Sometimes a chronic cough could be a sign of acid reflux. Fortunately, this is easily treatable. See your doctor if you have been burping excessively, with symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation. If you find yourself snoring loudly, waking up at night gasping or choking, or tired during the day with disrupted sleep, ask your doctor if

you should be evaluated for sleep apnea. A third possible cause of a nagging cough may be the medications you’re taking. Common examples include OTC nasal decongestant sprays or blood pressure medications. The former may help relieve a runny nose or nasal congestion at first, but excessive use will cause nasal membranes to swell, producing more congestion, post-nasal drip and coughing. As for blood pressure medications, one out of every five people who take ACE inhibitors will develop a chronic, dry cough as a side effect. Finally, dry air – common in the winter – can irritate the nasal passages and airways, causing a cough. But too high a humidity may not be helpful either: moist air can be a trigger for asthma and encourage the growth of dust mites and mold. Humidity levels of 40 or 50 percent indoors are ideal. So, when is a visit to the doctor warranted? In persistent coughs, it is important to treat secondary bacterial infections and more importantly, to exclude any underlying medical conditions. Apart from the physical examination, the doctor may order a chest xray, blood work or a lung function test. Speak to your doctor if your cough is interfering with your sleep, exercise or daily life; if you are wheezing, with difficulty breathing; if you have a large amount of sputum, or blood-stained, rust-colored sputum; if you have a fever lasting more than three days or if there are any associated symptoms with your persistent cough, like loss of weight or appetite, unexplained fatigue or pain. Remember, a cough is only a symptom, not a disease, and often the importance of a cough can only be determined when other symptoms are evaluated.

Dr. Adam Koh has over 20 years of clinical experience and is currently working as a family physician at Sing Health Medical, 2 Xiancun Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 广州市天河区冼村路2 号 (020-3739 2500, 020-3739 2566, www. singhealth.asia). MonFri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am-3pm

EDUCAT ION | COMMUNIT Y

THE ART OF CHARM

Bond-esque Lessons to Make Friends and Influence People By Lena Gidwani

he name is Bond, James Bond. Admit it: you’ve thought about how immensely awesome it would be to spend a day with this fictional yet iconic gentleman, surrounded by fast cars, badass adventure, gorgeous folks and ridiculous spy gadgets. But there’s something else that attracts us to Bond, and it’s not just his sophisticated lifestyle or accessories. It’s how he truly embodies so many of the qualities that we lustfully admire: confidence, strength, charisma, self-control, independence and charm, mixed with plenty of dapperness and a bit of unadulterated, brute force. And without any effort whatsoever, he seems to magically hold the world in his hands, but he’d just as easily give it all away. If your heart just skipped a beat, you’re not alone. So, what does it take to be charming? Are charmers born or made? Before we get into the nitty gritty of this most interesting of self-help topics, it is critical to note the key difference here: charm is not straight-up manipulation. We’re not trying to trick someone into liking us, but striving to present ourselves in the best light possible. Those who have charm down pat have the innate ability to make others feel as though they have known them forever, even if they just met them 20 minutes ago. They ask the right questions at the right time, display a sense of avid curiosity, praise without going too far and create the most remarkable

of first impressions with the most minimal of effort – or so it seems. Unbeknownst to many, popular opinion has it that there are about 1,001 different ways to charm the pants off someone, and it isn’t about getting them to think highly of you. Rather, it’s about getting them to feel good when they are around you. Given that August is the month when international schools open, families move into town and parties are in full swing, it only seems fitting that we dish out some solid advice from the charm experts, namely Tony Robbins, Jordan Harbinger and the likes. Here are a few simple ways to charm others and, as Dale Carnegie would say, win friends and influence people, regardless of how old you are or what you do. 1. Be Genuinely Interested in Others In the words of the late Richard Avedon, charm is the ability to be truly interested in others. Be curious, but not pushy. Ask questions, but the right ones only. And be truly genuine, for no one wants a sycophant in their midst. Most of all, stop getting frivolously sidetracked by technology. Like Bond, it’s cool to keep up with the times, but you need to master it, not be a slave to it. 2. Say My Name, Say My Name Oh, Destiny’s Child, a great song, and a

great idea to boot. For brownie points, commit names to memory and use them fittingly during conversations, but not in every single sentence.

3. Smile, Smile, Smile This simple act goes a long way, and brings oodles of joy and confidence. But flash those pearly whites and smile the right way, for the wrong kind of smile (think the Joker) can be far worse than not smiling at all.

4. Find Common Ground As the world grows more connected, there is always common ground to be found, so keep searching as it can help develop emotional connections and build familiarity.

5. Mind your Manners No one likes a talkative Google-like know-it-all. When someone is talking, don't interrupt them. To actively listen, turn off that nagging inner voice and stop thinking about what you’re going to say next. Listen, hear them out and then respond at the right time. Finally, in true-blue Bond-esque style, respect yourself by ditching those old, ill-fitting rags and invest in a quality wardrobe that flaunts your every curve and/or muscles. As Bond once said in Thunderball, “I think he’s got the point.” Hello, Charmer! WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 55

CITY SCENES That’s PRD Food and Drink Tasting at Minikor (Supported by

)

Minikor graciously set aside its first floor for an event that almost looked like it might be rained out, but instead brought together a group of 20 from the US, South Korea, Italy, China and more, all of whom were interested in Minikor’s unique blend of fusion food. Starting at 7pm and lasting until 9pm, the dinner saw delighted guests order extra dishes to get a better sense of Minikor’s evolving menu while sipping on Fiji water and other drinks included in the set. The night ended with a lucky draw, including vouchers for Minikor and an indoor golf and gym at Atlife. An extra gift arrived at the end when Minikor offered everyone homemade kimchi and rice cakes, along with RMB50 worth in vouchers for those who didn’t win anything in the lucky draw.

2017 Bastille Day Celebration at Sofitel (Supported by

)

The annual Bastille Day was held on July 14 at Sofitel Guangzhou Grand Ballroom, and saw over 600 guests attend the celebration. Mr. Bertrand Furno, the Consul General of France in Guangzhou, and Mr. Deng Haiguang, Vice Governor of Guangdong province, expressed their confidence in the future cooperation between China and France and wished the two countries all the best going forward.

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

Canton Plage 2017 – The French National Day Celebration in Guangzhou (Supported by ) The 2017 edition of Canton Plage – or French National Day – was organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (CCIFC), Guangzhou Nikko Hotel and the General Consulate of France in Guangzhou on July 14. Cocktails made by restaurant and bar La Médina kept the night going till late. The French and Chinese communities gathered around the splendid pool and garden of the five-star hotel to celebrate Bastille Day and the impact of French culture. Many activities entertained over 550 guests, who were offered swimsuits from Decathlon in gift bags made by FFG. Other sponsors included Red Pony French wines, San Miguel beers, La Crêperie Maggy and Maison Délice, among many others.

Celebrating 2017 Discover Germany Festival in Guangzhou (Supported by ) In celebration of Deutschland, the German Chamber of Commerce threw a two-day festival on June 30 and July 1 appropriately titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Discover Germany.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Still in its first year, the event featured numerous German brands, products, culture, innovation, education and food from the land of poets and engineers. Attendees tasted original German burgers, beer and traditional snacks, while being offered the chance to view just-released German cars and find out which German company builds tunnels for Chinese high-speed railways.

Moulin Rouge Party at Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou (Supported by

)

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou hosted a Moulin Rouge Party on July 8 at Ebony and Jin Bar. Moulin Rouge is best known as the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. The party recreated the vibe of Moulin Rouge to bring the romance and passion of Paris to Guangzhou. Guests were entertained with the original can-can dance and jazz, a riveting fire dance, music by a talented DJ and of course plenty of tasty appetizers and gin-infused cocktails.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 57

PRD FOCUS T

he Asian Music Gala 2017 was held by Tencent LiveMusic and MTV at Guangzhou Gymnasium on July 19. Many a famous Chinese singer performed, entertaining audiences with their popular songs.

n July 8, a Dubai roadshow landed at Winter Square, GTLand Mall in Guangzhou. Organized by Dubai Tourism, the show featured presentations of popular food and destinations in Dubai, including Lapita Dubai Park and Resort and Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai. Chinese currently enjoy on-arrival visa to Dubai, making it a convenient destination for even a short vacation. 58 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

promotional tourism event was held by Nepal authorities at the Crowne Plaza Guangzhou City Centre on July 8, targeting Chinese tourists and followers of Shakyamuni Buddhism. The occasion aimed to introduce potential travelers to Nepal, a country with beautiful scenery and rich Buddhist culture.

n July 1, Urban Family joined hands with Guangzhou Trinity International Kindergarten to organize a Trinity Family Zootopia Party that hosted more than 20 families from different countries. The little ones enjoyed a DIY t-shirt art class and a Chinese storytelling class held in a festive room decorated with balloons.

o celebrate Marriott Internationalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Employer Brand Campaign 'To The Journey,' China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel treated more than 80 local major media to a sumptuous dinner in its Crystal Ballroom on the evening of June 30. During the event, young hoteliers chatted about the industry, while several guests were invited to share their stories.

n art exhibition entitled High-Tension: 8 Winners of the Marcel Duchamp Prize was held at Times Museum this past month to showcase inspiring works by eight talented French artists.

FOOD, DRINK

& EVENTS IN GUANGZHOU Soak up the Sun

Why we’re raving about Sun in Sky’s new wine bar, p71

Organic Eats P66 60 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Michelin Experience P76

WE TRIED IT

CHANGFEN CHRONICLES We Tried 7-11’s New Rice Noodle Rolls and Lived By Matthew Bossons

hangfen: those delightful rice wraps that look kind of like flaccid dolphin penises and are an essential part of any self-respecting Guangzhouer’s morning meal. Dong joke aside, we are big fans of the dim sum dish and have made a concerted effort to try every variety available, from egg- and vegetable-filled changfen to eloquently prepared rolls stuffed with pork, chicken, shrimp and even melon. So, when we heard 7-11 stores are now selling microwaveable versions of the popular dish, we hopped on the nearest Mobike and cruised over to give it a try. What we found may surprise you…

Pork Changfen (酱香肉肠粉) Unlike the questionable egg-salad sandwiches it shares a shelf with, this heat-it-and-eat-it changfen is edible and tasty. We devoured all three of the rolls, which are filled with a generous amount of ground pork, even though they regrettably lack that ‘special sauce’ changfen are so famously served with. Our only complaint? The rice wrapping is a little tougher than you’d normally get at a restaurant, but we reckon that’s to be expected of a prepackaged microwavable meal. Pork Changfen: 4/5

Chicken, Bamboo Shoot and Corn Changfen (三宝肠粉) While still palatable, this variety of 7-11 changfen is unquestionably the weaker of the two. Seemingly filled with more corn than meat, the wraps lack the savory flavor that make the pork changfen such a succulent snack. In a word: forgettable. But still a notch or two up from the bizarre sushi-esque rice rolls sold on the shelf above. While we initially envisioned this article using a reference to puking up the colors of 7-11’s logo, we have to admit we were pleasantly surprised by the microwavable dish’s flavor and quality. Chicken, Bamboo Shoot and Corn Changfen: 2/5 At RMB7 a pop (two for RMB12), and with a twominute cooking time, this 7-11 dim sum dish is both affordable and easy to prepare. Consider it the next time you need a speedy breakfast before catching a train to Hong Kong or maybe even as a light lunch.

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

GRAPE VINE THE SCANDALOUS SCOOP

OLDIE BUT GOODIE

We’re digging:

Minor Cafe

Conrad Guangzhou’s new Yun Pavilion, a posh restaurant putting a Cantonese spin on molecular gastronomy (p68); movie nights over endless wine at Sun in Sky (p71); the burly burgers held together with knives at M’eat, a Western diner-like eatery in Pazhou (p67); Jurassic BBQ, which took over Pandan Indonesian Cuisine’s old spot on Jianshe Liu Malu (review coming soon!); a new line of summer salads from Sunshine Fruits (WeChat: juab001).

We’re done with:

what appears to be the official end of Xingsheng Lu, with M9 and La Marina closing this past month; the obnoxiously loud (and off-key) beats that blare from Lucky Jack’s outdoor speakers on otherwise pleasant afternoons at the pier; food scares involving oil brewed from rotting pig carcasses in Zengcheng District; KFC’s strawberry soft-serve and McDonald’s minion-blood burgers. 62 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Open for a year, Minor Cafe regrettably slipped under our radar until now – perhaps in part because it’s located an inconvenient 15-minute walk from Tancun Metro Station. Had we discovered it six months ago, it would have easily made our list of Guangzhou’s 5 Best New Cafes of 2017 (So Far). Right away, the interior strikes us as original, with irregular geometric structures that echo elements of deconstructivism. A conceptual mural behind the bar adds a splash of color to the otherwise stark first floor seating area, which doesn’t let in much natural sunlight. For a more comfortable dining experience and view, make your way up the winding wooden staircase to the bright and spacious upper level. It’s an amazingly quiet, inspiring place to work remotely from your laptop – just make sure to come with fully-charged devices, as we couldn’t find any power outlets. The menu is as creative as the interior, full of imaginatively plated Western salads and pastas, brunch classics and desserts. Our salmon roe and crab stick salad (RMB42), arrives almost too beautiful to eat. When we finally dig in, it’s intensely flavorful – maybe a touch heavy on the dressing – but sadly not filling enough for lunch. Scanning the digital menu a second time, we decide on the

Japanese muffin with fruit (RMB47), which, contrary to what the cashier will tell you, is in fact a stack of three delightfully fluffy pancakes. It’s a dish we’ll happily order again, when – not if – we return. Price: RMB80 Nearest metro: Tancun, 15 minutes

Open daily, 9am-8.30pm; Shop 101, 250 Tancun Lu, Tianhe District 天河区潭村路250号101铺 (186 0200 4642)

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

COCKTAIL

Summer Cup Soliciting bartenders for drink recipes usually yields terse instructions, a few measurements and an unusable photo. Not with Lola Lau. After we requested the perfect end-of-summer sip, she opted to send a video – time lapse, ingredient cards and all. This demanded an on-the-ground inspection where we heard the summer cup is the upscale answer to our previously featured Pimm’s Cup – think the landscaped lawns of Wimbledon versus the seedy Soho of yesteryear. The prime ingredient? The sweet Sipsmith London Dry Gin, creating a decidedly mild drink further relaxed by ice and garnishing.

Ingredients

25ml lemon juice

25ml sugar syrup 100ml water 50ml Sipsmith London Cup

Garnish

Cucumber slices Orange slices Mint

1. Add lemon juice, sugar syrup and water and stir. 2. Add the Sipsmith London Cup and stir again. 3. Garnish with “whatever you like.”

Recipe provided by our friend Lola Lao at The Compass, 39/F, Wongtee V Hotel, Futian District, Shenzhen 深圳市福田区金田路皇庭V酒店39楼 (07558270 7559)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 63

E AT & DR INK | F E AT UR E

WHAT IS A SANDWICH, Roujiamou 肉夹馍 Ah, the classic: juicy shredded pork on a Shaanxi-style bun. Find it where you find Lanzhou lamian.

Gua Bao 割包 Gua Bao are pork belly sandwiches from Taiwan (but don't expect yours to be shaped like a paw unless you get it from Little Ming in Topwin Center, Beijing).

Fu Qi Fei Pian Guo Kui 夫妻肺片锅盔 The sandwich of Sichuan: beef heart, tripe and tongue soaked in chili oil and thrown on a bun.

Lamb Shaobing 羊肉芝麻烧饼 Find this halal snack on Lanpu Lu in Guangzhou on Friday afternoons.

Lurou Huoshao

驴肉火烧

Nothing says ‘North China’ like a donkey burger from Hebei. We hear they sell ‘em in South China too: Mall of the World, level B1 (by the movie theater).

64 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

F E AT UR E | E AT & DR INK

ANYWAY?

OK, maybe these aren’t technically sandwiches, but they’re pretty damn close. Looking to try a Chinese take on meat between bread? Look no further. COMPILED BY NOELLE MATEER, IMAGE BY VICTOR LIU

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 65

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

SLOW LIFE Relax, You’re Here By Jocelyn Richards

The Place Tucked in a fairly ‘local’ food plaza off of Huangpu Avenue, where shoppers still do head-turns upon spotting laowai, Slow Life is reassuringly chicer than its surroundings. Inside, “mixed-culture decor” – a blend of Chinese porcelain tile flooring and Scandinavian furniture – creates a sleek, modern vibe, while rustic ‘Welcome’ signs hung with twine and a wall of fresh herbs grown onsite make the space feel homey. Marketing itself as an organic, healthconscious restaurant, Slow Life also doubles as a foreign grocery store. Currently, a modest range of imported goodies are in stock for prices well under Ole’s, though cofounder Johnny Ding tells us slow-cooked meats, as well as washed and cut organic vegetables from the restaurant’s farm in Qingyuan, will be available soon.

The Food

We didn’t know what to expect of this Hong Kong-based eatery going in, but Slow Life’s menu – and food – turn out to be amazingly on point. It’s progressive, for one: every dish is guaranteed to be free of MSG, additives and hormones, while vegetarians have their choice of appetizing mains. Ding says he refuses to compromise or change recipes to suit local palates, which means you won’t find fruit salads drenched in mayo here. Spanish cuisine is the focus, but every dish contains a creative fusion of global flavors, from the grilled shrimp and cashew salad tossed with sticky rice vinegar, basil, red chilies 66 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

and honey (RMB55) to the squid stuffed with pork, rice and onions sauteed in orange juice (RMB45, three pieces). The former is tasty but treats lettuce as a garnish, so if you prefer more veggies order the green apple caramel walnut salad served on a bed of rocket and romaine (RMB42). For appetizers, bet on a platter of 18-hours slow-cooked pork belly mini burgers (RMB42 for two pieces) or the pan-fried foie gras with caramel apple (RMB78, three pieces). Save room for a couple mains, of which we thoroughly enjoyed the slow-cooked salmon with handmade pasta (RMB80), even if it seemed heavy on the cream for a restaurant priding itself on being nutritious. You might try the steak instead – specifically the Australian wagyu ribeye (250g) served with roasted vegetables and a creamy pepper sauce (RMB268). Certified Australian organic and sourced from Jack’s Creek (named the World’s Best Steak Producer in the 2015 World Steak Challenge), it’s one of the best cuts of beef you’ll find for that price in the city. Moving onto dessert, the durian cheese tarts (RMB10), filled with cream and D24 Malaysian durian meat, are a must-try. You’re probably thinking ‘but I don’t like durian,’ which was exactly our stance before we tried one… and loved it.

All of this can and should be paired with wine (RMB150-600), if only because it’s summertime and Slow Life desperately wants you to chill out (see below).

The Vibe

As Ding told us on our visit: “Guangzhou is a busy city where everyone is always rushing, so hopefully this is a place where people can come to relax and enjoy life with friends and family.” You can’t really force guests to slow down, but Slow Life tries its best by providing a reasonably quiet, private atmosphere, smart wait staff and innocuous dinner music that shouldn’t leave you irritated. If all else fails, remember the wine. Price: RMB150 for dinner and drink Who’s going: young parents, in-the-know expats Good for: affordable organic food, Spanish cuisine, set lunches Nearest metro: Liede (Exit B), 22 minutes

Open daily, 11am-10pm; Shop 107, 1/F, Gaozhi Dasha, 120 Huangpu Dadao Xi, Tianhe District 天河区黄埔大道西120号高志大厦首层107铺 (3788 7173, 3788 7172)

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

M’EAT

Haizhu’s Latest Feat By Lena Gidwani

The Place The wide-open space around Pazhou is home to the biggest trade fairgrounds in the world, new-ish 5-star hotels, offices featuring the likes of QQ and Mobike and, these days, burgers that are reliably delicious, inexpensive and held together by a knife. Say hello to M’eat: a Western food joint paying homage to beef, bread, bacon and beers, with a few more plates thrown in for good value and choice.

The Food

At M’eat, you have a decision to make. Are you all-in for the joy-inducing cherry lover burger (RMB42), with angus beef dripping savory juices onto a homemade black bun smothered with lush cherry jam made lovingly in-house and topped with grilled bacon and tangy parmesan cheese? Or are you hankering for the easygoing classic, the juicy lucy (RMB36)? Whilst the former packs a powerful punch and looks super cool, the

latter comes on a white sesame-topped bun, with a thick Argentinean beef patty, bacon, melted cheddar, lettuce, onions and pickles if you like. Whether you opt for the dark side or light side, both burgers are off the charts and won’t burn a hole in your pocket. There’s a chicken option (RMB32) too, which comes smothered in basil sauce. If you’re craving a side of indulgent carbs, order fries (RMB16), as burger platters only come with a healthy side of salad. On M’eat’s menu, steaks unsurprisingly occupy prime real estate. If you prefer an affordable, meaty and well-marbled cut, try the prime snowflake short ribs (RMB228/250g). Feeling particularly carnivorous? The ribeye (RMB298) might just do the trick, weighing in at a hefty kilogram and costing a third of what you might pay at other steak joints.

For those seeking less meaty options, try a pizza (RMB58-68). Basic varieties like the margherita and pepperoni get the job done, although aren’t much to sing about. Quite frankly, M’eat’s menu could use an extra oomph or two, which is why we’re happy to hear that more is right around the corner, from greasy yet satisfying breakfast plates and chili con carne, to black pizza and homemade chimichurri sauce. Drinks here are the uncomplicated sort, and include beers (RMB26-36), virgin mojitos, smoothies and milkshakes.

The Vibe

Run by energetic duo Ilya and Sheryl, with Chef Alex at the helm of the kitchen, M’eat touts rustic, industrial charm with a welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home. You will be forgiven for thinking you’ve entered a diner – the wall murals add a touch of New York to the mix. M’eat isn’t the sort of place for a romantic date or to woo your most important client, but will suffice for a hearty, decent meal with family and friends, a birthday party for youngins or even an impromptu (read: drunk) night out with the boys. Be warned, though: M’eat isn’t that easy to find, and if you’re going for dinner, you’ll have to look past a dimly lit, narrow corridor where only a bright sign indicates what lies beyond. Price: RMB60 Who’s going: mates (not dates), stresseaters, budget-meal seekers Good for: no-fuss burgers, cherry jam, filling diner-style grub Nearest metro: Wanshengwei (Exit C), 12 minutes Open daily 10am-10pm; Shop 5-12 and 13, 28 North Terminal, Huangpu Cun, Pazhou, Haizhu District 海珠区琶洲黄埔村北码头28号5-12, 13店铺 (8092 9424)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 67

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

YUN PAVILION

Canto-Molecular with a Twist By Lena Gidwani

The Place Foodies, take note: if you dig Michelin-quality dishes and are looking to throw down on a fine dining experience that promises to be impeccable from start to finish, then Yun Pavilion at the newly-opened Conrad Guangzhou might just be the place to splurge. Featuring modern and experimental – yet fundamentally Cantonese – dishes, Yun Pavilion is helmed by tastemaker Chef Tan, who takes immense pride in dabbling in both classic and molecular creations.

The Food

At Yun, all the usual menu suspects are in evidence, from double-boiled soups and sea cucumber to premium bird’s nest and barbequed pork, so one may start to wonder how the chef will demonstrate his culinary prowess through such common dishes. But even something as simple and downto-earth as stewed organic vegetables in fresh fish broth (RMB108) at Yun delivers an experience you won’t forget. Light to the palate, the broth is flavorful, drawing from gelatin-producing parts of the fish to create an emulsion that gives the warm soup its signature creaminess. The rock salt baked chicken (RMB338/ whole, RMB168/half) is elevated by the artistic technique of using a rock salt base to lock in the moisture and flavor to create juicy, tender morsels. If seafood takes your fancy, opt for the Shunde-style steamed mandarin fish with rice flour sheets (RMB338), with slivers of chili and scallions. It may seem simple to describe, but at Yun, it’s a taste to behold. For daintier bites, a must-try is the chilled French goose liver in red wine and

68 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

blueberry sauce (RMB238); the slightly tart sauce is a faultless veil for the creamy cubes of foie gras that melt in your mouth. The deep-fried goose puff (RMB28), which looks more like delicate art than food, sits in a dainty wooden cage. Once you figure out how to gracefully bite into those layers of thinly crafted pastry, the crispy exterior contrasts the rich filling, making it a scrumptious combination. But what really makes Tan’s menu stand out is the stellar cast of cutting-edge molecular creations. Start with the pan-fried Canadian scallops (RMB98/two) with truffleinfused cream sauce, crowned with shavings of truffle, tangy foam emulsion and mash. Seductive and delicious, you will be forgiven for scraping that extra-large plate clean. The slow-cooked soft boiled egg (RMB68) is simple yet visually appealing, sitting on a bed of organic greens doused in Japanese sesame sauce and Russian caviar in a smoke-filled glass nest. For a sweet end, order the liquid nitrogen cream drops (RMB128), served tableside. The cold concoction is squirted from a soda siphon into a glass bowl filled with the go-to ingredient of molecular gastronomy – liquid nitrogen – bubbling away at negative 198 degrees Celsius. It solidifies instantly, the air inside giving it a popcorn shape. Take your spoon to it and as you roll it around your tongue, it will start to disappear. You’ll then feel a different sensation – a feathery cold – that also fades, this time into the flavor of ginger milk pud-

ding. It’s delicious, and a striking dish for its textural novelty, whimsical playfulness and presentation that Tan does so beautifully.

The Vibe

If you’re primed to be pampered, put on your Sunday best and opt for a seat at one of Yun’s many private rooms. With sleek interiors, Xiguan-style woodwork and modern lighting, you’ll agree that the service here is attentive, making for an impressive, albeit costly, culinary experience.

Price: RMB400 Who’s going: molecular gastronomists, those with deep pockets Good for: Cantonese with a twist, designer recipes, artistic creations Nearest metro: Liede (Exit B), 5 minutes Lunch: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-2.30pm; Dinner: Daily 5.30-10pm; Beside IGC Mall West Entrance, 222 Xingmin Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城兴民路22号IGC 西门旁 (3739 2222)

NNEEWWCBAAF RE | E A T & D R I N K

JPG COFFEE Ready in a Flash

Text and photos by Jocelyn Richards

cheaper than the others too: Americanos sell for a mere RMB15, lattes RMB18-20 and flat whites and cappuccinos RMB18.

The Food

The Place “People in China associate coffee with overpriced cafes where you have to dress up and bring a laptop to fit in. We want to show them that drinking coffee can be a casual, affordable thing.” It’s 11am on a Thursday and two cheery baristas are telling us the story behind Jpg Coffee, located right outside Tiyu Xi Lu metro station. The shop is literally just a window bounded by colorful electroplated steel, which looks cooler the farther away you stand. There’s no seating at Jpg, but that doesn’t detract from the overall experience. The concept, after all, is coffee to go – something Beijing and Shanghai (and the rest of the world) caught onto ages ago but that Guangzhou, for whatever reason, has been sluggish to embrace. Unlike most coffee shops in the city that open long after people with caffeine addictions are expected to be at work and functioning like normal human beings, Jpg welcomes customers at 7.30am on weekdays, making it a reasonable alternative to Starbucks if you happen to live nearby. It’s

Can RMB15 even buy you a real cup of coffee? It’s a valid question, seeing how accustomed we’ve grown to shelling out RMB30 for a shot of espresso. But Jpg reminds us that yes, affordable coffee has existed for years and can still taste pretty damn delicious. The iced latte is by far your best bet and a favorite among regulars. Smooth, nutty and containing a touch of natural sweetness thanks to the milk, it’s rich and agreeable even on an empty stomach. Though we didn’t get a chance to sample the Americano for ourselves, reviews on Dianping peg it as being too weak, so if you prefer a bold brew be sure to let the baristas know.

The Vibe Jpg Coffee attracts a motley crew, from 40-somethings heading to work 12-hour shifts to teenage girls whose only obligation in life appears to be wandering the city taking cute photos. The lack of seating leads to small crowds forming around the window, but the space feels lively as a result. And there’s no need to worry about queues: most customers are in and out within three minutes – about the time it’ll take to complete your cuppa Joe. Price: RMB20 Who’s going: a diverse group seeking good, cheap coffee Good for: coffee to go, iced lattes, photo-ops Nearest metro: Tiyu Xi Lu (Exit H), 1 minute

Open daily, 7.30am-7.30pm weekdays, 10am-7pm weekends; 48 Tiyu Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区体育西路48号

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 69

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

ZENHO SUSHI HOUSE Easy Peasy Japanesey Text and photos by Tristin Zhang

The Place It’s a shame samurai warriors don’t walk the streets of Japan anymore. But the traditional fare they once consumed still survives today, embraced and perpetuated by the world’s foodies. In the thriving CBD of Guangzhou, we’ve reviewed the renowned Inakaya, an expert in robatayaki cuisine. Now, the latest Japanese establishment to settle into Zhujiang New Town is Zenho Sushi House. Located in the immediate vicinity of Tangcun Metro Station, Zenho is housed in a preprocessing space on the second floor of an office building, with a pristine wooden facade on the first floor where a receptionist greets patrons with “Zenho e yokoso!” (Welcome to Zenho).

70 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Boasting almost 20 private rooms and a long bar capable of seating 20 diners, the restaurant bustles with waitresses balancing bowls of sashimi and plates of tempura shrimp on a Monday evening around 7 o’clock. Reservations are recommended now, three months into operation, because the space has become popular among whitecollar workers in nearby offices.

The Food

Zenho’s menu features a set meal recommended by the chef (RMB500/800) comprising sashimi, sushi, soup, salad, grilled meat and king crab. What’s in demand here is the sashimi platter (RMB238/468), in which the prime cuts of mackerel and bream are ethereal. From tempura to sushi, nabemono (hot pot) to sashimi rice bowls and wagyu beef to the highly acclaimed kinki fish from Hokkaido, Zenho has it all. After raw fish, sampling the assorted grilled sushi (RMB120), which includes unagi, salmon, foie gras and flatfish sushi, is a tactful move. This plate of grilled seafood is paired to perfection with the sticky rice, whereas the

foie gras revolted us with its metallic taste. Savoring the broiled mackerel (RMB50), however, makes up for it. Served with cherry tomatoes and mashed daikon, the fish is broiled till a nice shade of charcoal appears, which gives the skin a crispy mouthfeel, its texture soft and melty.

The Vibe

Zenho spares no effort in bringing Japan to its patrons: each room is named after either a Japanese city or region. Here, Chinese chefs signal the completion of dishes in Japanese. Dining at the bar while waitresses shuffle to and fro behind us carrying hefty bowls of sashimi and ice proves quite distracting. Unlike most Chinese restaurants, though, Zenho does not enforce any minimum expenditure to dine in private rooms. So take off your shoes (as is required) and prepare to eat like the Japanese do! Price: RMB300 Who’s going: Chinese men wearing Louis Vuitton belts, white-collar workers Good for: semi-authentic Japanese ambience, grilled sushi Nearest metro: Tangcun Metro Station (Exit D), 5 minutes

Open daily, 11am-2pm, 5-10pm; Shop 104-201, 1/F, Feili Business Building, 665 Huacheng Dadao, Tianhe District 天河区花城大道665号翡丽商务大厦1楼104-201单元 (3720 9797)

NE W B A R S | E AT & DR INK

SUN IN SKY A Reason to Ganbei Text and photos by Jocelyn Richards

raft beer bars and clubs are great sometimes, but we’ve been craving a change of pace recently – a chic, breezy locale where we can sip fine wine by the glass, get a little buzz and not burn through half our monthly paycheck doing so. Sun in Sky’s newly unveiled wine bar on Party Pier has taken our long-held wish and fulfilled it with a concept more spectacular than we could have imagined. We anticipated, for instance, that a showroom with Sun in Sky’s ostentatious interior would charge at least RMB90 per glass, but that’s hardly the case. Varieties featured on the list of weekly specials, selected by Ye Liujie – the wine department manager and allegedly the first Chinese person to receive an AIS sommelier certification – start at a very affordable RMB38 a glass. On Friday and Sunday nights, the entire collection of more than 1,000 bottles is buyone-glass-get-one-free, so you can open a vintage variety you wouldn’t normally dare touch and split the cost of one glass with a friend.

BEER CITY

Hops in a Sleepless Hood Text and photos by Tristin Zhang

xploring the older district of Haizhu is always exciting: you never know what lies around the corner. For the last two months, what’s awaited us around the bend of a backstreet in Jiangnanxi neighborhood is a new pub serving an impressive array of craft beer and sophisticated xiaoye, or latenight snacks. The bar is housed in a two-story establishment with cheesy decor that’s supplemented by a patio and soon-to-open cocktail bar. With the capacity to fit about 200 craft

Avoid our mistake and locate the wine bar’s own entrance instead of walking through the entire fashion showroom to get there (those gorgeous dresses will empty your wallet before you make it to the bar, trust us). You can opt to sit at the counter, which we prefer, or on plush leather chairs in dimly lit rooms inside, designed to be a little too lavish. Ninety percent of the wines in stock are Italian, which means Giulia Biscontin, a bubbly young wine connoisseur from Veneto who will likely be there when you visit, knows exactly the variety for your taste. We were impressed not just with the wine, but also with the surprisingly downto-earth ambiance. And now that Sun in Sky hosts regular movie nights, ‘ladies drink for free’ Wednesdays and Aperiwine Saturdays (where you can enjoy two glasses of wine and an Italian buffet for RMB98), it feels like we have an excuse to drop in for a glass or two every night of the week!

Price: RMB38 and up Good for: great deals on Italian wine, a stunning atmosphere Who’s going: stylish young women, wine lovers of all ages Nearest metro: Canton Tower (Exit A), 24 minutes beer lovers, Beer City longs to introduce classic pub events and games that may be unfamiliar among local drinkers. It’s what’s been driving owner Marcus Wen, who previously worked with Chicago brewery Goose Island. Beer City, as its name implies, boasts a whopping collection of 180 brands of craft beer from the UK, the US, Australia, Belgium, China… you name it. Six fridges full of bottled craft beer are displayed on the premises. “It’s hard to find another bar that has more craft beer than us,” says Wen, his eyes glittering with a hint of fulfillment. Try the hoppy IPA by Temple (RMB35), an Australian brewery hailing from Melbourne. It’s a kick in the head. Kaiju Krush (RMB35), brewed by another Australian craft beer brand Kaiju, boasts a juicy fruit flavor that’ll cool the desert of your island. It comes in a can, so you can crush it after you ‘Krush’ it. As for the Western pub food menu, it wasn’t ready when we visited, but Wen estimates it will be available by the time our August is-

Open daily, 3pm-midnight; Area B, Zhujiang Party Pier Beer Culture and Art Zone, Modiesha Jie, Yuejiang Xi Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区阅江西路磨碟沙隧街珠江琶醍啤酒文化创意艺术区B区 (8944 9032)

sue hits the stands. Beer city is a small, intimate pub. Being located on a relatively quiet street, the bar tries to play mellow music. If you feel like having an undisturbed conversation over a beer, climb up to the second story, where tranquility is guaranteed.

Price: RMB40 for a beer Who’s going: school teachers, craft beer enthusiasts Good for: craft beer tasting Nearest metro: Jiangnanxi (Exit A), 5 minutes Open daily, 3pm-3am; 11-2 Shenhe Dajie, Jiangnanxi Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区江南西路慎和大街11-2号 (135 6019 9277)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 71

The Las Vegas Magician Show Magic Show

Swan Lake Ballet

SEE

Peacock’s Winter

Dance

Dubbed ‘the peacock princess of China,’ Yang Liping, a Bai ethnic dancer, choreographer and director from Yunnan, is famous for her exotic dances in which her gestures and moves resemble a dancing peacock. Yang made her name known to the world with Dynamic Yunan, which toured Europe and the US. She is to present Peacock’s Winter at the Guangzhou Opera House this month. Wed-Sun Aug 23-27, 3pm/8pm; RMB280-1,680. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (www.gzdjy.org, 3839 2888)

Gathering some of the top magicians popular on the stage in Las Vegas, this jaw-dropping magic show will excite the senses and spark the imagination. A mind-opening experience, it features Jeff McBride, who keeps several Guinness World Records, Greg Gleason, who is considered the world’s most creative magician, Arianna Black, one of the most acclaimed female magicians in the field of magic, as well as Dean Gunnarson, the ‘escape master’ from Canada. Wed-Sun Aug 2-6, 3pm/8pm; RMB180-680. Zhengjia Theater, F/7, Grandview Mall, 228 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District 天河区天河路正佳广场正佳7楼演艺剧场 (www.damai.cn, 3833 1818) 915)

2017 Evergrande World Snooker China Championship Snooker Match

Kharkiv State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, coming into being in 1925, is the oldest ballet theater in Ukraine. The theater has raised many internationally renowned ballet stars. Although the oldest ballet institute of the Eastern European country, the theater troupe remains vigorous, with the average age of dancers being just 25 years old. With a total of 50 operas and ballets in its repertoire, the ballet theater is to present the time-tested Swan Lake at the Guangdong Performance Arts Center Theater. Sat Aug 12, 8pm; RMB100-580. Guangdong Performance Arts Center Theater, 1229 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Tianhe District 天河区广州大道中1229号广东演艺中心剧院 (www. damai.cn, 3720 6282)

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Film

Festival

E=hv Exhibition

In this exhibition titled E=hv, the artist uses installations to connect the magic of light to his audiences. As is witnessed in Stonehenge, the Egyptian pyramids and the Maya civilization, the worship of light coexists with an unknown and mysterious power, which this exhibition attempts to convey. Wed-Sun until Aug 30, 11am-7pm; free entry. 5Art Space, 3/F, Kui Yuan, 9 Xuguyuan Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区恤孤院路9号逵园3楼5Art Space

72 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

The world’s top snooker stars will turn up the heat in Guangzhou this month as they battle for the 2017 Evergrande China Championship. The seven-day contest will see the world’s No. 1 snooker player Mark Selby, ‘Wizard of Wishaw’ and current champion John Higgins, Judd Trump, Star of the East Ding Junhui and a dozen other snooker professionals compete with each other for prizes totaling GBP700,000 (RMB6.2 million), with the winner’s check at GBP150,000 (RMB1.33 million). Wed-Tue Aug 16-22, various times; Prices TBC. Guangzhou Sport University, 1268 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Tianhe District 天河区广州大道中1268号广州体育学院 (www.damai.cn)

In 2010, Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour was first introduced into China, which is one the 40 countries to host this world-renowned outdoor film festival. As the first professional outdoor film and lifestyle promoter, the film festival has influenced an increasing number of people to embrace the outdoors and an environmentally friendly lifestyle. A total of 29 films constituting four programs will be screened. Sat-Sun Aug 19-20, 1.30pm/4pm; RMB119/program. Lumiai IMAX Cinema, 5/F, Hesheng Plaza, 249 Diejing Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区叠景路249号合生广场5楼卢米埃IMAX影城 (www.banffchina.com)

The Royal Concept Pop

Rock

HEAR

Issues Metalcore Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the young American rock band Issues boasts a musical fusion of metalcore, pop, electronic and R&B. They are influenced by many an artist and band like Katy Perry, Linkin Park and Stevie Wonder. Touring Asia in August, they are performing in Guangzhou on August 10 at SD Livehouse. Thu Aug 10, 8.30-11pm; RMB120 presale, RMB180 at the door. SD Livehouse, Building No. 7, Huacheng Wangshi Creative Area, 132 Gongye Dadao Bei, Haizhu District 海珠区工业大道北132号花城往事创意园7栋SD 现场 (www.showstart.com)

Li Yundi and Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra Concert

The Royal Concept is a Swedish band founded in 2010. They first received worldwide attention with their hit single ‘D-D-Dance,’ but it wasn’t until 2013, when their song ‘On Our Way’ was covered in season five of Glee, that the quartet became more widely known. Their latest album Smile is an upbeat and energetic record. Sat Aug 26, 8.30-10pm; RMB120 presale, RMB150 at the door. T:union, 361-365 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District 越秀区广州大道中 361-365号东方花苑1层凸空间 (www. showstart.com, 3659 7623)

Michael Learns to Rock Concert

win!

We have a pair of tickets to this show to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before August 23 with the subject ‘Royal’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

Walking in the Music

Guitar

They made their name known to Chinese audiences with their single ‘Take Me to Your Heart,’ an English adaption of the famous Chinese hit song ‘Kiss Goodbye.’ Danish band Michael Learns to Rock was named after Michael Jackson and modeled after British bands Johnny Hates Jazz and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. With their debut album released in 1991, the Danish band has been performing on stage for almost 30 years. Sun Aug 20, 7.30pm; RMB280-1,080. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, 259 Dongfeng Zhong Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区东风中路259号孙中山纪念堂 (www.damai.cn, 8356 1631)

Ariana Grande Concert Li Yundi, the youngest pianist to win the International Chopin Piano Competition, has been called ‘prince of piano,’ ‘Chopin of the 21st century’ and ‘China’s leading pianist.’ Since 2000, Li has been active among world-renowned concert halls and music festivals, performing under the baton of esteemed conductors and collaborating with the world’s best orchestras. This month, in concert with Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra, Li will bring his performance to Xinghai Concert Hall. Thu Aug 31, 8pm; RMB280-1,680. Xinghai ConCert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District 越秀区二沙岛晴波路33号星海音乐厅 (www. concerthall.com.cn, 8735 3869)

Japanese guitarist Gin emerged by playing melancholic, aesthetic tunes to appeal to his audiences and soon established himself as one of the most popular performers in Japan. He will be performing alongside Chinese guitarist Cao Siyi on his China tour, stopping by Guangzhou on August 13. Sun Aug 13, 8.30-10pm; RMB100 presale, RMB150 at the door. T:union, 361-365 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Yuexiu District 越秀区广州大道中 361-365号东方花苑1层凸空间 (www. showstart.com, 3659 7623)

Everyone’s favorite ‘dangerous woman’ is touring in Asia this fall and will stop by Guangzhou on August 30. Since her Nickelodeon days singing about popularity with Mika, Grande’s risen to experience plenty herself, asking for just a little bit of our hearts with tracks that’ll get you moving from side to side. Wed Aug 30, 7.30pm; RMB480-1,680. Guangzhou International Sports Arena, 2666 Kaichuang Dadao, Huangpu District 黄浦区开创大道2666号广州国际体育演艺中心 (www.damai.cn)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 73

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Picture Book Reading

Over a hundred picture books are traveling across the Pacific to Guangzhou in July. Brought by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, A Pigeon Goes to China: A Children’s Exhibition Celebrating Mo Willems is an opportune occasion for the little ones to immerse themselves in imaginative worlds created by renowned picture book authors like Eric Carle and Mo Willems. This is the first time the non-profit museum will present its collections in Guangzhou. Daily until Aug 20, 10am-9.30pm; RMB49-99. 6/F, Guangzhou Book Center, 123 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District 天河区天河路123号广州购书中心6楼 (188 2623 7298)

Japanese Classes

Language

Learning a new language will open a new world for you, and Japanese is a charming choice. The island country boasts a unique culture, gorgeous landscape and sumptuous food. If you find Japanese a cool language, step out and try one of Hanbridge’s Japanese classes (free for one hour). Rm. 1303, East Tower, Star Building, 174 Huasui Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城华穗路 174号星辰大厦东塔1303室翰语桥语言学校 (8564 5966)

VR+Paradise VR Games

TEDxXiguanED TED

Talk

This is a special episode focusing on education and hosted by TEDxXiguan. Taking place at AISG, speeches will be given by some of the best educators from both the US and China, discussing topics like the gaokao. Workshops will also be arranged afterwards for audiences to engage directly with the speakers. Sun Aug 27, 9am-5pm; RMB238 (Include shuttle bus). AISG, 19 Kexiang Lu, Huangpu District 黄浦区科翔路19号广州美国人国际学校黄埔校区 (www.huodongxing.com)

74 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

An international wildlife photography contest hosted by the Natural History Museum in London, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY) showcases the world’s best nature photography. It consists of a worldwide tour, which will arrive in Guangzhou this month. The exhibited photos are taken by photographers around the globe, in the prairie of eastern Africa, the Amazon rainforest and other places beyond your imagination. While promoting wildlife and environment protection, the WPY exhibition in Guangzhou will also include games, installations and a section showcasing China’s state-protected animals. All week Aug 5-29, 10am-5pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-6pm (Sat-Sun); RMB10 for children and the elderly, RMB20 for adults. Donxi Gallery, Shop 128, Banghua Yichuangshe Creative Park, 1 Dajiang Zhijie, Haizhu District 海珠区大江直街邦华一创社128号东西博物 (www.damai.cn)

win!

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

Located in Fashion Tianhe Plaza, Guangzhou’s hub for the young and fashionable, VR+Paradise is a brandnew venue dedicated for all the fun you can have with virtual reality games. It is different from past VR games in that real objects appearing in the games were installed in gaming areas, allowing users to touch, lean on and interact with props for a more realistic experience. And for the first time, games can be played by multiple users simultaneously. Six gaming rooms are arranged in a 300-square-meter space. Currently, three games (two zombie versions and one robot-related) are available to try. 10am-10pm. Shop 040, Zhong Wu Jie, Fashion Tianhe Plaza, 299 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District 天河区天河路299号时尚天河商业广场中五街040号 (8928 2513)

Mooncakes from Marriott Mooncakes

Funfair Themed Afternoon Tea at The Ritz-Carlton Afternoon

Tea

TA S T E

The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou welcomes the summer with a whimsical afternoon tea experience. Pearl Lounge transforms into a fairy-tale paradise featuring a Ferris wheel tea set and colorful decorations, as well as assorted goodies such as roasted duck rice roll with mango chutney and chocolate peanut butter layer sandwich served with refreshing tea. The highlight is the homemade pure hazelnut chocolate sandwich cookie with chocolate raspberry verinne. Call 3813 6888 to book your seats in advance. Daily all month, 2-5.30pm; RMB298 for one, RMB428 for two (price subject to 15 percent service charge). Pearl Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou, 3 Xing’an Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城兴安路3号广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒店珍珠酒廊 (3813 6888)

Sunset Indulgence

Dinner

Enjoy a drink or two in a relaxing ambiance with a stunning sunset view of Guangzhou at the Roof Bar of Park Hyatt Guangzhou. The package, priced at RMB568 for two, includes one bottle of champagne or white wine, one plate of snacks with oyster, foie gras, cherries, Parma ham, black truffle and mushroom croque-monsieur, as well as assorted European cheese. Call 3769 1234 to book your seat in advance. Sat-Sun all month, 5.30-7pm; RMB568 plus 15 percent. The Roof Bar, 70/F, Park Hyatt Guangzhou, 16 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城华夏路16号广州柏悦酒店70楼悦吧 (3769 1234)

Michelin Gourmet Experience Dinner

Buffet Dinner at Asia International Hotel Buffet

Come dine at the Sky Café-Revolving Restaurant in Asia International Hotel and enjoy a special treat of iced sea cucumber for free. The Sky CaféRevolving Restaurant, located on the 45th floor of the hotel, boasts a panoramic view of Guangzhou, romantic ambience and stylish open kitchen. All month, 6-9.30pm; RMB358 plus 15 percent. Sky Café-Revolving Restaurant, 45/F, Asia International Hotel, 326, Section 1, Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区环市东路 326号之一广东亚洲国际大酒店 (6128 8888 ext. 4583)

For the coming Mid-Autumn Festival, Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe presents elegantly packaged mooncakes together with a gift pack of food and beverage vouchers. You can choose from three packages: lotus seed paste with double egg yolk mooncakes, mixed nuts with Yunnan ham mooncakes, as well as Jinming assorted mooncakes. All month. Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe, 228 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District 天河区天河路228号广州正佳广场万豪酒店 (6108 8888)

Summer Palace restaurant in ShangriLa Hotel, Guangzhou is to take diners on an affordable, luxurious two-day food journey in August: a set menu with wine paring hosted by guest chef Chan Kwok Wah from the highly acclaimed two-starred Michelin restaurant Shang Palace of Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong. One of the highlights of this food experience is the introduction of caviar, a domestic good with both world-class quality and sustainable philosophy at its core. Fri-Sat Aug 11-12, 7-9.30pm; RMB1,088 (additional RMB200 with wine paring), RMB800 early bird. Summer Palace, 2/F, Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou, 1 Huizhan Dong Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区会展东路1 号广州香格里拉大酒店二楼夏宫 (8917 8888) WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 75

HONG KONG & MACAU CALENDAR AUG 2-15 WED-TUE

Hong Kong International Drummer Festival, various times; various prices. See website for venue list (www. hkdrumfest.com) Concerts, competitions and exclusive master classes are going into the 2017 Hong Kong drummer festival. Experienced drummers or anyone with just a passing interest in percussion will want to check out this event’s range of activities.

AUG 4-8 FRI-TUE

Ink Global, 9am-6pm Aug 4-7, 9am-12pm Aug 8; free. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (inkglobal.org) Featuring 500 of the world’s masterpieces of ink paintings, as well as art seminars hosted by wellknown local and overseas artists, a multi-media zone and guided tours, this is one of the world’s top ink art events.

AUG 14

MON

DNCE Live in Hong Kong, 8pm; HKD588-1,438. MacPherson Stadium (ticketflap.com) Headed by Joe Jonas, of Jonas Brothers fame, American dancerock band DNCE is performing their first concert in Hong Kong. Melding undeniably catchy pop sounds with anthem-worthy lyrics, their music has been climbing charts since 2015.

AUG 17-21 THU-MON

AUG 11–SEPT 2 FRI-SAT

Food Expo 2017, 10am-10pm; various prices, tickets sold at 7/11. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (hktdc.com/hkfoodexpo) Join thousands of foodies from around the world in sampling gourmet treats from across the globe, as well as checking out demonstrations by some of the world’s top chefs.

AUG 25-27 Hong Kong Pulse Light Show, Daily 8.20pm, 8.40pm, 9pm, 9.20pm, 9.40pm; free. Hong Kong Cultural Center (discoverhongkong.com) Enjoy an exhilarating multimedia light show with spectacular lighting effects, 3D projection mapping, music and sound effects. This mesmerizing display will coincide with the Hong Kong Summer Fun program.

76 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

FRI-SUN

Don Quixote on Stage, Aug 2527, 7.30pm; Aug 26-27, 2.30pm; HKD140-1,000. Grand Theatre (hkballet.com) Fireworks and ballet: this production of Don Quixote abounds with love, illusion, courage and adventure in the colorful streets of Spain. Don Quixote is a must-see ballet for the whole family.

AUG 5 SAT

One: Kings and Conquerors, 7pm; MOP140-1,980. Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macao (www.cotaiticketing.com) The battle is about to break between One World Champion Bibiano Fernandes and American fighter Andrew Leone. Dubbed Asia’s biggest fight night, One: Kings and Conquerors will see dozens of the world’s best mixed martial arts fighters compete for a prize. Get ready for a ‘bloody’ night at Cotai Arena.

AUG 10-13 THU-SUN

2017 Wushu Masters Challenge, various time; Price TBC. Tap Seac Multisports Pavilion (sport.gov.mo) The 2017 Wushu Masters Challenge is where some of the world’s greatest martial art masters gather to demonstrate their kung fu skills. Held from August 10-13, the four-day spectacle will also feature the CKF International Combat Challenge - Macao, Wushu Summer Carnival, International Taolu Competition, as well as the 4th Asian Dragon and Lion Dance Championships, which is happening in various locations.

AUG 11-13 FRI-SUN

The Little Match Girl, 3pm/7.30pm; MOP180. Macao Cultural Centre (www.macauticket.com) On a wintry Christmas Eve, a little girl walks onto emptying streets, desperately trying to sell her matches. Famous South African director and choreographer Arthur Pita presents a dance theatre adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl, where a young girl’s hopes and dreams are beautifully unveiled through dance, song and original music performed live on stage.

SEPT 2

SAT

2017 Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, 9pm/9.40pm. Coastline in front of the Macau Tower (fireworks.macaotourism. gov.mo) Macau’s skyline will glow this September with a burst of magnificent fireworks during the annual Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. One of the city’s most highly anticipated events, the show draws thousands of spectators each year seeking a visual thrill and romantic evening on the coast.

ONGOING TUE-SUN

Venice Biennale 2017 - Exhibits from Macao, 10am-7pm; free. Macao Museum of Art (mam.gov.mo) The exhibition showcases creative works by local sculptor and painter Wong Cheng Pou, which were exhibited during the 57th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale Di Venezia. A total of 17 sculptures and paintings were created around the theme of bonsai.

ONGOING TUE-SUN

Pop-up Shop, 10am-8pm. 47 Rua de S. Roque (www.macaofashiongallery. com) The Macao Fashion Gallery is hosting a pop-up shop to showcase and sell fashionable clothing and wearable items by six local, independent designers: Macon, Jade.L, Soul, Worker Playground, Zics and Salut ça va. Boasting their own, unique styles, some of the brands are popular with mainland fashionistas and sell on Tmall.

URBAN MOMENTS Do you have party pictures to contribute? Send them to us at editor.prd@urbanatomy.com and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll run the best.

Wild Flavors of Foshan @ The Locksmith, July 1

Hilton Guangzhou& Foshan Cluster Hotels2017Summer Citrus Media Event @ DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou, July 7

Moulin Rouge Party @ Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou, July 8

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 77

HOTEL NEWS HOTEL NEWS

Hilton Hotels in Guangzhou and Foshan Host 2017 Summer Citrus Media Event Summer Citrus Media Event hosted by Hilton saw versatile and creative chefs and bartenders challenge themselves to transform fresh fruit into something inspiring and delicious. Five Hilton hotels, including Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe, Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun, Hilton Foshan, DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou and DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou Science City, collaborated to present the media event on July 7.

Sofitel Debuts in Foshan Located in China’s furniture manufacturing hub – Lecong in Foshan City – Sofitel Foshan connects to the 200,000-square-meter Louvre International Exhibition Centre. Sofitel Foshan is the brand’s first property in Foshan. Standing at 236 meters high, the 62-story Sofitel Foshan is the tallest hotel in the city with a 360-degree view of the downtown area. Boasting 325 modern guest rooms designed by four themes – modern, post-modern, neo-Chinese and classic French – the hotel features an in-house furniture gallery display on the ninth and 10th floors that offers unique art pieces and designer furniture.

Moulin Rouge Party at Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou The Moulin Rouge party hosted by Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou was a night of reveling. Taking place at the hotel’s Ebony restaurant and Jin Bar, the Saturday night occasion pampered attendees with an array of canapes, entertaining dance performances and electrifying beats from an invited DJ.

PROMOTIONS

Fun Summer Journey for Your Kids

Summer Camp at the Park

This summer, have a great getaway with the rascals in your family at Langham Place, Guangzhou with buffet breakfast and amusement amenities. The package, priced at RMB988, includes a one-night stay in a ‘Superior Twin Room,’ with daily breakfast for two adults and one child under 12 years old.

Book the “Summer Camp at the Park” package at Park Hyatt Guangzhou to enjoy a one-night stay in a ‘Park Room’ with complimentary breakfast for two adults and one child and 15 percent discount at Dining Room. The package, available Fridays and Saturdays until August 26, will feature drywall engraving, swimming, floral and cooking classes. It is priced at RMB2,300 for one child and RMB800 for an extra child.

Langham Place, Guangzhou, 638 Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区新港东路 638号广州南丰朗豪酒店 (8916 3388)

78 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Park Hyatt Guangzhou, 16 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城华夏路16号广州柏悦酒店 (3769 1234)

TRAVEL DEALS Family Fun Packages Conrad Guangzhou, Hilton’s brand new luxury hotel in Guangzhou, is offering its good service to your families this August. Buy any Family Fun Package and enjoy a discount of as much as 40 percent and pay an extra RMB280 to enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet for two adults, as well as a complimentary buffet for children under 5 years old and half price for kids aged 6-12. On top of that, you’ll be impressed by the hotel’s Kids Ambassador Service that ensures all needs of family guests are attended to. There are more surprises awaiting at Conrad Guangzhou! Family Fun Package discounts are available until August 18. Reservations must be made two days in advance. Conrad Guangzhou, 222 Xingmin Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城兴民路222 号广州康莱德酒店 (3705 6688)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | AUGUST 2017 | GZ | 79

FEATURED LISTINGS Scan here for complete Guangzhou listings

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

FOOD & DRINK 1920 Restaurant 1) 4/F, 1 Jianshe Liu Malu, Yuexiu District; 2) Shops 67, 69, 72 & 76, The Canton Place, Qingfeng Jie, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (8388 1142); Shop MW01-03, 05, Central Zone, Mall of the World, 89 Huacheng Dadao, Tianhe District (8709 6033) 1920 咖啡厅 1) 建设六马路一号前幢 4 楼 ; 2) 天河区珠江新城清风街 48 号广粤天地 67, 69, 72, 76 号铺 ; 3) 天河区花城大道 89 号花城汇 MW01-03, 05 商铺 Aroma Bistro Shop 117, 1/F, Voka Street, 460 Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District (185 0200 1416) 天河区天河北路460号沃凯街首层 117铺 Bravo Shop 114-115, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城华就路6号114-115铺 The Brew Sports Bar & Grill 1) Unit 9-11, Huanan Country Garden, Panyu Dadao (across the road from Chimelong Theme Park), Panyu District (3482 0401); 2) West Section, Bao Lin Yuan, Huaxun Jie, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3408 9549); 3) Shop 11-13, Yuhai Food Street, 1 Jianshe Liu Malu, Yuexiu District (8382 8299) 1) 番禺区番禺大道华南碧桂园碧华商业2街9-11 号; 2) 天河区珠江新城华讯街保林苑西区加拿大布鲁咖啡馆, 近发展中心; 3) 越秀区建设六马路誉海食街11-13号铺

Buongiorno 1) 3/F, Yi An Plaza, 33 Jianshe Liu Malu, Yuexiu District (8363 3587); 2) A7, Xinshijie Haoyuan Diyi Ju, 168 Dongcheng Nan Lu, Dongguan (0769 2339 6499) 邦奴意大利餐厅 1) 越秀区建设六马路宜安广场 3 楼 ; 2) 东莞市东城南路 168 号新世界豪圆第一居 A7 号

Element Fresh 1) Shop L302, TaiKoo Hui, 383 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3808 8506); 2) G/F, 42 Qingfeng Jie, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3828 8482) 新元素 , 1) 天河区天河路 383 号太古汇广场 L302 店 ; 2) 天河区珠江新城清风街 42 号首层 Happy Monk 1) Back of Yi’an Plaza, Jianshe Wu Malu, Yuexiu District (8376 5597) ; 2) No. 109, 7Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3877 8679); 3) Outdoor Plaza, Happy Valley Mall, 36 Machang Lu, Tianhe District (3832 5317) 1) 越秀区建设五马路宜安广场后门 ; 2) 天河区珠江新城兴盛路 7 号 109 号铺 ; 3) 天河区珠江新城马场路 36 号太阳新天地户外广场 Hooley’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 1)101, 8 Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3886 2675); 2)Section 2, Yijia Yuan, 7 Xingzhongdao, Zhongshan 1)爱尔兰西餐酒吧, 天河区珠江新城兴盛路8号101; 2) 中山市兴中道7号颐嘉苑2卡 In·Side·Out By Threedrops 3/F, 10 Xietianli, Lingnan Tiandi, Chancheng District, Foshan (0757-8203 1400, 189 885 25470) 佛山市禅城区岭南天地协天里10号3楼T

The Locksmith Situated in the charming dining area of Lingnan Tiandi in Foshan, The Locksmith combines innovative dishes with a chic interior and exterior design that's second to none. All herbs, garnishes and some produce is grown onsite, while the Australian head chef personally dryages much of the meat. 2 Qilin She, Lingnan Tiandi, Chancheng District, Foshan 佛山市禅城区岭南天地麒麟社2号（+86 181 44756916）

Slow Life An organic, health-conscious Western restaurant that excels in Spanish cuisine, Slow Life aims to be a place where guests can take a break from their busy schedules to visit with friends and family over a feast of delicious fusion dishes. Shop 107, 1/F, Gaozhi Dasha, 120 Huangpu Dadao Xi, Tianhe District 天河区黄埔大道西120号高志大厦首层107铺 (3788 7173, 3788 7172)

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

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

Paulaner Bräuhaus L307, 3/F, TaiKoo Hui, 383 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (2808 6333) 宝莱纳 , 天河区天河路 383 号太古汇广场 L307

The Eating Table With seats for more than 200 diners to explore gastronomy at a less frenetic pace, The Eating Table's warm, alluring design enlivens the senses. The owner, who spent years in Melbourne, has ensured that the food delivers to both local and foreign palates. Enjoy a gratifying meal, with a menu that boasts a wide range of appetizers, soups, pastas and both meaty and marine-filled mains. Shop 401, 4/F, GTLand Winter Plaza, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城高德置地冬广场4楼401室 (8398 0860)

80 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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

Rebel Rebel 42 Tiyu Dong Lu, Tianhe District (8520 1579) 天河区体育东路42号

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

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

Sultan Restaurant Turkish BBQ 1) 1-3/F, 367 Huanshi Dong Lu, between Baiyun Hotel and Friendship Store, Yuexiu District (8349 4170, 8349 4171); 2) Shop 102 & 114, Zhonghai Jinghui Huating, 31 Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, TianHe District(3801 5002) 1)苏坦土耳其烧烤餐厅, 越秀区环市东路367号1-3楼(白云宾馆与友谊商店夹位处); 2)广州市天河区珠江新城兴盛路31号中海璟晖华庭二期商铺102 & 114 The Tavern Sports Bar Traditional English style bar that fosters a cosy intimate atmosphere. Both Taverns offer an extensive menu of Western favorites and different theme nights throughout the whole week. 1) Poly 108, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (8550 3038); 2)

LISTINGS

OPEN DOOR

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON GUANGZHOU

Food and Wine Experience DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou Hotel will host its third Food & Wine Experience on August 26. The event has been running for over 18 years at Hilton Beijing and provides more than 600 goodies including wines, spirits, coffees, juices, pastries, chocolates, teas, beers, meats and so forth. Last year, the occasion was quite a buzz with many of China’s major wine, beverage, food and related equipment suppliers showcasing their products. The event will be divided into two parts: one, running from noon till 3pm, is dedicated to people in the food and beverage field; the other, from 3-7pm, is open to the public. For the second part, a buffet at Open Restaurant will be complemented by live entertainment and interactive activities such as bartending performances, cooking classes and wine seminars. Tickets are priced at just RMB188. Call 2833 2888 for reservations.

DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou, 391 Dongfeng Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区东风路 391号广州希尔顿逸林酒店 (2833 2888)

On the right side of the Huanan Country Garden, Yingbin Lu, Panyu District (3482 4882, www.tavernchina.com) 致盛 1) 天河区珠江新城华就路 6 号保利 108 公馆 ; 2) 番禺区迎宾路华南碧桂园大门右侧

HEALTH All Smile - Dr. Lu Int'l Dental Clinic Rm 603-604, 6/F, Metro Plaza, 183 Tianhe Bei Lu (24-hour hotline: 8755 3380). Mon-Sat 9am-6pm (other times by appointment) 大都会牙科，天河北路183号大都会广场六楼 603-604 Bellaire Medical Center 1)Rm 2202-2203, Qiaoxin Kingold Century, 62 Jinsui Lu, Tianhe District ( 3736 2020/ 24-hr 3736 2110) 2) Rm 302D, Fuli Park, 28 Machang Lu (3891 0511/ 24-hr 152 1881 8990), Bellaireclinic.com 贝利尔医疗中心，1）天河区珠江新城金穗路62号侨鑫国际中心2202-2203, 2) 天河区珠江新城马场路富力公园28商业区302D Deron Dental 11/F, Ice Flower Hotel, 2 Tianhe Bei Lu (3886 4821,www.kaiyiyk. com) 德隆齿科诊所，天河北路 2 号冰花酒店 11 层 Dr. Sherily Xiao Master of Medicine. 19 years TCM & Acupuncture & Massage & Physiotherapy Experience.Only for appointment. Fu Lai Garden Shui Yin Zhi Jie Shui Yin Road Yue Xiu District Guang Zhou. （Tel: 137 1052 6617. E-mail: xiaoshuilan@ hotmail.com. L5, Zoo station, C exit)

广州市越秀区水阴路水阴直街福莱花园 Eur Am Int’l Medical Center 1/F, North Tower, Ocean Pearl Bldg, 19 Huali Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng (3758 5328, 24hr urgent care: 137 1041 3347, www. eurammedicalcenter.com) 康辰国际医疗 , 珠江新城华利路 19 号远洋明珠大厦北座首层 Guangzhou I Born Women’s Hospital No.6 Longkou Dong Lu, Tianhe District (2811 6375/185 2018 8335) 广州爱博恩妇产医院 , 天河区龙口东路 6 号 H&H Dental Center 1/F, Mingmen Building, 4 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3808 0700, 3808 0729; 24-hour hotline: 139 2516 2826; Email: hnhdental@163.com) H&H 牙科中心（嘉茜医疗门诊 ), 天河区珠江新城花城大道 4 号名门大厦正门首层 United Family Guangzhou Clinic 1/F, Annex Bldg, PICC Bldg, 301 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong (4008 919 191, 24-hr urgent care: 8710 6060) 广州越秀和睦家门诊部 , 广州大道中 301 号人保大厦南塔副楼首层

LIFESTYLE SO’ O LK (Hair Salon) 1) G/F, 545 Binjiang Dong Lu, Haizhu District (3425 7429); 2) Shop 103A, World Trade Centre, 371-375 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District (8760 6299); 3) Shop101, 712 Binjiang Dong Lu, Haizhu District (8419 1022); 4) Shop101, Fuli Edinburgh Apartment, 2 Huali Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District(3826 3718); 5) Shop 15 2/F, Chateau Star River Hotel, Yingbin Lu, Panyu District(3479

0641); 6) Shop81-82, G/F, New City Plaza, Olympic Garden, Luoxi New Town, Panyu District(3452 1826); 7) Shop 21, Agile Phase II, Fenghuang Bei Lu, Huadu District(3692 8686) 苏豪路易士，嘉玛发廊，1) 天河区天河北路 366 号都市华庭 13 铺 ; 2) 越秀区环市东路 371-375 号世界贸易中心首层 103A; 3) 海珠区滨江东路 712 号 101 铺 ; 4) 天河区珠江新城华利路 2 号富力爱丁堡公寓 101 铺 ; 5) 番禺区迎宾路星河湾酒店 2 楼 15 号铺 ; 6) 番禺区洛溪新城奥园城市花园首层 81-82 号铺 ; 7) 花都区凤凰北路雅居乐二期 21 号铺 True Pilates China Studio provides Pilates &Gyrotonic lessons for everyone. Add: 7F/7 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang New Town. www.truepilateschina.com (186 2007 6022) 珠江新城花城大道 7 号 7 楼

EDUCATION American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) 1) 3 Yanyu Nan Lu, Ersha Island (8735 3393); 2) 19,Kexiang Road Luogang District,Science Park, Guangzhou (3213 5555) 1) 广州美国人，二沙岛烟雨南路 3 号 ; 2) 广州罗岗区科翔路 19 号 Canadian Foreign Language School Cambridgshire Garden, Panyu District (39191868 ext. 0) 广州市番禺区剑桥郡加拿达外国语学校，广州市番禺区剑桥郡花园 Canadian International School of Guangzhou Cambridgeshire Garden, Nancun Town, Panyu District (3925 5321)

www.cisgz.com 广州加拿大人国际学校，番禺区南村镇雅居乐剑桥郡花园内 Canadian Internatioanal Kindergarten Agile Garden, Yinbin Lu, Panyu District (8456 6551). 加拿大国际幼儿园，番禺区迎宾路雅居乐花园 Canton Global Academy 4 Chuangjia Road, Jinshazhou, Baiyun District, Guagnzhou (180 2401 1757) 广州寰宇外籍人员子女学校 , 广州市白云区金沙洲创佳路 4 号 Clifford School International International Building, Clifford School, Clifford Estates, Shiguang Lu, Panyu District (8471 8273; 8471 1441; 8471 1694) 祈福英语实验学校，番禺区市广路 Eclipse English Education 18D, No.368, Tianhe Bei Road, GZ (Tel:38780382,18922769713) 爱誉英语, 天河北路, 368号, 18D Guangzhou Nanfang International School No.1 South Industrial Park, Yinglong Lu, Longdong, Tianhe District (3886 6952, 3886 3606, Fax: 3886 3680). www.gnischina. com 广州南方国际学校，天河区龙洞迎龙路龙山工业园南1号 Hanbridge Mandarin School Individual Class,Group Class: 50RMB/ Hour~ Daily Chinese/Business Chinese/ HSK Kids Chinese/Cantonese/Company Training 1303, Left tower, Stars building, No.174 Huasui Road,Zhujiang Newtown,Tianhe ,GZ.Branch shcools: Linhexi CITIC & LieDe Pub Street & ShiPaiQiao TaikooHui (TEL&Wechat 020-85645966, 189 9838 3060, 181 0272 9662) 翰语桥中国语总校：天河珠江新城华穗路星辰大

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

LISTINGS

厦东塔1303 ISA International School Guangzhou Block C2-2, 128 Yuancun Siheng Lu, Tianhe District (8890 0909, info@isaschool.com) 广州爱莎国际学校, 天河区员村四横路128号红专厂创意园C2-2 The British School of Guangzhou 983-3 Tonghe Lu, Baiyun District (8709 4788) 广州英国学校, 白云区同和路983-3 Trinity International Kindergarten 663 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (8558 3287) 圣心国际幼稚园, 天河区珠江新城花城大道663号 Utahloy Int’l School www.utahloy.com 1) 800 Shatai Bei Lu, Baiyun District (8720 2019, fax 8704 4296); 2) Sanjiang Town, Zeng Cheng (8291 4691 fax: 8291 3303) 广州誉德莱国际学校，1) 白云区沙太北路 800 号；2) 增城三江镇

HOTEL Chimelong Hotel Panyu Dadao, Panyu District (8478 6838, gz.chimelong.com) 长隆酒店 , 番禺区番禺大道 Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 8888, www. chimelong.com) 长隆横琴湾酒店 , 珠海市横琴新区 Chimelong Penguin Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 3366, www. chimelong.com) 长隆企鹅酒店, 珠海市横琴新区 Chimelong Circus Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 3399, www. chimelong.com) 长隆马戏酒店, 珠海市横琴新区 China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel 122, Liuhua Lu (8666 6888) www.MarriottChinahotel. com 中国大酒店 , 流花路 122 号 Conrad Guangzhou 222 Xingmin Lu, Tianhe District (3739 2222) 广州康莱德酒店，天河区兴民路222号 DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou 391 Dongfeng Lu, Yuexiu District (2833 7215; 2833 2888) 广州希尔顿逸林酒店 , 越秀区东风路 391 号 Grand Hyatt Guangzhou 12, Zhujiang Xi Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (8396 1234 www.guangzhou.grand.hyatt.com) 广州富力君悦大酒店 , 天河区珠江新城珠江西路 12 号 Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe 228 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (6108 8888) 广州正佳广场万豪酒店，天河区天河路 228 号 Langham Place Guangzhou 638 Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District(8916 3388) 广州南丰朗豪酒店 , 海珠区新港东路 638 号 LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou 368, Huanshi Dong Lu (8333 8989, www.thegardenhotel.com.cn) LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District 广州花园酒店 , 越秀区环市东路 368 号花园酒店 (8333 8989) LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou 277 Yanjiang Zhong Lu, Yuexiu District （8931 0505）广州岭南五号酒店，越秀区沿江中路 277 号 Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou 389 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3808 8888) 广州文华东方酒店 , 天河区天河路 389 号 Park Hyatt Guangzhou 16 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (3769 1234) 广州柏悦酒店天河区珠江新城华夏路 16 号 Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou 1, Huizhan Dong Lu, Haizhu District (8917 8888, www. shangri-la.com) 广州香格里拉大酒店 , 海珠区会展东路 1 号 Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich 988 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Tianhe District (3883 8888) 广州圣丰索菲特大酒店 , 天河区广州大道中 988 号 . www.sofitel.com The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou 3, Xing’an Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (3813 6688, www.ritzcarlton.com) 广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒店, 天河区珠江新城兴安路3号 W Guangzhou 26 Xiancun Lu, Zhujiang

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

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

English), 133 3287 0750 (Persian), 185 8876 4470 (English), www.nachina.com)

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

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

CONSULATES

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

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

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

Christian Fellowship Hilton Hotel Guangzhou Tianhe , 215 Lin He Xi Heng Lu, Tianhe District (6683 9999) (Foreigners only. Please bring ID) Worship Hours: 10am-11:30am.every Sunday. 广州天河新天希尔顿酒店 , 广州天河区林和西横路 215 号

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

Guangdong Int’l Volunteer Expatriate Service (GIVES) Contact Rosaline Yam (8778 2778; givescn@yahoo.com) www.gives.cn Guangzhou Women’s Int’l Club (GWIC) For contact information, visit www.gwic.org Brazil Rm 1403, 10 Huaxia Lu, R&F Center, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (02083652236; cg. cantao.itamaraty.gov.br) 巴西驻广州总领事馆, 珠江新城华夏路10号富力中心1403室 Australia 12/F, Zhujiang New City, Development Centre, 3 Linjiang Lu (Tel: 3814 0111; Fax: 3814 0112) www.guangzhou. china.embassy.gov.au 澳大利亚领事馆，临江路 3 号珠江新城发展中心 12 楼 Belgium Room 0702, 7/F, R & F Center, Unit 2, 10 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3877 2351; Fax: 3877 2353) 天河区珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 7 楼 0702 室 Cambodia Rm 802, The Garden Hotel (Tower), Huangshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8333 8999 - 805; Fax: 8365 2361) 柬埔寨领事馆，环市东路花园酒店大楼 808 室 Canada 26/F, Tower 1, Taikoo Hui, 385 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8611 6100, Fax: 8667 2401) www.guangzhou.gc.ca 加拿大领事馆，天河区天河路 385 号太古汇一座 26 楼 Colombia Unit 12, 36/F No 5, Zhujiang West Road, Tianhe, Guangzhou (8883 4826, cguangzhou@cancilleria.gov.co) 哥伦比亚驻广州总领事馆，珠江西路 5 号广州国际金融中心主塔写字楼 36 层 12 单元 Cuba Rm 2411, West Tower, Huapu Plaza, 13 Huaming Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 2238 2603 / 2238 2604; Fax: 2238 2605) 珠江新城华明路 13 号华普广场西塔 2411 Denmark Rm 1578, China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel, 122 Liuhua Lu (Tel: 8666 0795; Fax: 8667 0315) 丹麦领事馆，流花路 122 号中国大酒店写字楼 1578 室  Ecuador Room 1801, R&F Building, 10 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3892 7650; Fax: 3892 7550) 厄瓜多尔共和国驻广州领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 1801 室

Japan 1/F, East Tower, The Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8334 3009; Fax: 8333 8972) www.guangzhou.cn.emb-japan. go.jp 日本领事馆，环市东路 368 号花园酒店东塔 1 楼 Korea (Republic) 18 Youlin Lu, Chigang Consulate Area, Haizhu District (Tel: 2919 2999; fax 2919 2980; Guangzhou@mofat. go.kr) 韩国领事馆，海珠区赤岗领事馆区友邻路 18 号 Kuwait 10A-10D, Nanyazhonghe Plaza, 57 Lingjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3807 8070; Fax: 3807 8007). 科威特国总领事馆，珠江新城临江大道 57 号南雅中和广场 10A-10D Malaysia Rm 1915-1918, 19/F, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu ((Tel: 3877 0765; Fax: 3877 2320) 马来西亚领事馆，天河北路 233 号中信广场 19 楼 1915-1918 室 Mexico Rm2001, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 2208 1540; Fax: 2208 1539) 墨西哥领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 20 楼 01 单元 Netherlands 34/F, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 3813 2200; Fax: 3813 2299) www.hollandinchina.org 荷兰领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 34 楼 New Zealand Rm C1055, Office Tower, China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel, 122 Liuhua Lu (Tel: 8667 0253; Fax: 8666 6420; Guangzhou@nzte.govt.nz) www.nzte.govt.nz 新西兰领事馆，流花路 122 号中国大酒店商业大厦 1055 室 Norway Suite 1802, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu (3811 3188 Fax: 3811 3199) 挪威领事馆，天河北路 233 号中信广场 180 室 Peru Unit 01 on 32/F 5 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe (Tel: 6184 6244; Fax: 6631 1804) 秘鲁驻广州总领事馆，珠江西路5号广州国际金融中心主塔写字楼32层01单元 Philippines Rm 706-712 Guangdong Int’l Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8331 1461; Fax: 8333 0573) www.guangzhoupcg.org 菲律宾领事馆，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店主楼 706-712 室 Poland 63 Shamian Da Jie (Tel: 8121 9993; Fax: 8121 9995) 波兰领事馆，沙面大街 63 号 Singapore Unit 2418, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 3891 2345; Fax: 3891 2933) 新加坡领事馆，天河北路 233 中信广场 2418 室

France Rm 810, 8/F, Main Tower, Guangdong Int’l Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (2829 2000) www.consulfrance-canton. org/ 法国领事馆，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店主楼８10 室

Spain Rm 501/507/508 5/F, R&F Center, 10 Huaxia Lu, Pearl River New City (Tel: 3892 7185 / 3892 8909; Fax: 3892 7197). www. maec.es/consulados/canton 西班牙驻广州总领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 5 楼 501/507/508 室

Germany 14/F Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8313 0000; Fax: 8516 8133) www.kanton.diplo.de 德国领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 14 楼

Switzerland 27/F, Kingold Century, 62 Jinsui Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3833 0450; Fax: 3833 0453) 瑞士领事馆，天河区珠江新城金穗路 62 号侨鑫国际金融中心 27 层

Greece Rm 2105, HNA Building, 8 Linhe Zhong Lu (Tel: 8550 1114; Fax: 8550 1450; grgencon.guan@mfa.gr) 希腊领事馆 , 林和中路 8 号海航大厦 2105 室

Thailand Rm M07, 2/F, Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8385 8988; Fax: 8388 9567) 泰国领事馆，环市东路 368 号花园酒店 2 楼 M07 室

Guangzhou Narcotics Anonymous Meetings: Monday 6.30pm and Friday 7pm. (For help: 188 9857 0042 (French, Chinese &

The Russian Federation 26/A, Development Centre, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New

Town (8518 5001 Fax: 8518 5099 (office)/ 8518 5088(visa section)) 俄罗斯联邦驻广州总领事馆 , 珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展中心 26/A Turkey Rm. 23A, Development Center Building, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3785 3466, bkesmen@mfa. gov.tr) 天河区珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展中心 23A United States 43 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3814 5000) http://guangzhou-ch.usembassy-china. org.cn/   美国领事馆，天河区珠江新城华就路 43 号 Vietnam 2/F, Hua Xia Hotel, Haizhou Square, Qiaoguang Lu (Tel: 8330 5911; Fax: 8330 5915) 越南领事馆，侨光路华沙大酒店 B 座 2 楼北部

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE American Chamber of Commerce Suite 1801, Guangzhou International Sourcing Center, 8 Pazhou Dadao Dong, Haizhu District (Tel: 8335 1476; Fax: 8332 1642; amcham@amcham-sunthchina.org) www. amcham-southchina.org 美国商会，海珠区琶洲大道东 8 号广州国际采购中心 1801 室 Australian Chamber of Commerce Rm1714 -15, Main Tower, Guangdong International Building, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 2237 2866; Fax: 8319 0765; mail@ austcham-southchina.org). www.austcham-southchina.org 澳洲商会，环市东路 339 号广东国际大厦主楼 1714 – 15 室 BenCham, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) Chamber of Commerce in China, Pearl River Delta, Floor 34, 208 Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu (155 2118 2708 ). 荷比卢商会 , 天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 34 楼 www.bencham.org British Chamber of Commerce Unit 2201B, International Financial Center, 5 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District ( Tel: 8331 5013; Fax: 8331 5016; events@britchamgd. com) 英国商会，天河区珠江西路 5 号国际金融中心 2201B European Union Chamber of Commerce Rm 2817, Tower A, Shine Plaza, 9 Linhe Xi Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 3801 0269; Fax: 3801 0275) 中国欧盟商会，天河区林和西路9号耀中广场A塔2817室 French Chamber of Commerce in South China (CCIFC) Room 802, 8/F, Leatop Plaza, 32 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (2916 5535) 天河区珠江新城珠江东路 32 号利通广场 8 层 02 单元 German Chamber of Commerce 1903 Leatop Plaza, 32 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8755 2353; Fax: 8755 1889; chamber@gz.china.ahk.de) china.ahk.de 天河区珠江东路 32 号利通广场 1903 室 Italian Chamber of Commerce Rm 948, Office Tower, the Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu ( Tel: 8365 2682; Fax: 8365 2983) 意大利商会，环市东路 368 号花园大厦 948 房 www.cameraitacina.com China-Philippines Chamber of Commerce Rm 1613, Main Tower, Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (8331 1888-71613; Fax: 8331 1983; E-mail: cpcc2005@21cn.com) 中国菲律宾商会，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店主楼 1613 室 Spanish Chamber of Commerce Rm. 1305, 13/F, Main Tower, Guangdong International Building, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District (Tel: 3892 7531; Fax: 3892 7127; www. spanishchamber-ch.com) 越秀区环市东路 339 号广东国际大厦主楼 1305 室

CLASSIFIEDS

Chin-Door Culture Kindergarten Full-time Foreign English Teacher needed in Chin-Door Culture Kindergarten in Baiyun district. Resume please email to Cecilia Zhang. Email address: 398423591@qq.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: +86 20 8363 3735 Email: manager.guangzhou@agsfourwinds. com Website: www.agsfourwinds.com

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

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

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

Horoscopes

AUGUST

That’s zhou Guang

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

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

9.24~10.23

10.24~11.22

There is no such thing as a tame lion, but you can certainly keep one in a cage. We’re sorry you lost your key – search your WeChat group histories for ‘does anyone know a locksmith?’ and you will find at least seven answers.

I m m e r s e yo u r s e l f i n s o m e t h i n g you hate, like waking up early. Or immerse yourself in something that you maybe don’t hate but everyone else loves and you don’t understand why. Like the NBA, or Shanghai.

Stop doing yoga. Stop getting massages. Instead, let your anger flow, and actively repress any thoughts and feelings that make you uncomfortable. Yell more. With a bitterer outlook and an unquenchable spite for others, you’re correctly positioning yourself to get that raise this month.

In order to keep the gods of misfortune at bay, avoid Jianshe Liu Malu for the duration of August. Avoid men in three-piece suits. And do not eat from the spicy half of that two-flavored hot pot broth at Haidilao.

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius 1.21~2.19

2.20~3.20

Your office keeps copies of That’s PRD in its bathroom, which is where you are right now. You didn’t even need to go. You’re just avoiding work again. Sort of like how we’re avoiding real work by writing these garbage horoscopes. No effort at all.

Be tolerant of all beliefs. Some believe Tiger is better than Tsingtao, and while that is repulsive, keep an open mind. Our differences are what make us beautiful.

Your favorite bar, restaurant or street food stand closed and is gone. How hard it is, having to find another place to eat in Guangzhou, where every other tiny storefront has a binder-sized food menu and brick walls with diners behind them. Rough times for you.

Whatever day it is that you’re reading this, Pisces, you will remember forever. For after you finish reading this magazine and use it as a mat for your dog to poop on, a terrible calamity shall befall you. That's karma. That's PRD karma.

Aries

Taurus 4.21~5.21

5.22~6.21

6.22~7.22

Why are you still wearing your fake Beats every day? Do you think it’s 2011? The part of the electronics market you bought them from isn’t even open anymore. Upgrade to a pair of those Bose noise-canceling headphones or just get earbuds already.

Leave Guangzhou.

Life is a roller coaster – one of the terrifying ones at Chimelong. Use this knowledge to come to terms with your own urgent, panicky lifestyle. It’s not you, Gemini, it’s the coaster inside you.

Your wardrobe needs an upgrade. The Beijing bikini will only last you another two months, and then you’ll need to find a shirt capable of covering your belly. Try out a jersey, or just go to Uniqlo. Wear green on the 13th for good fortune.

11.23~12.21

3.21~4.20

84 | GZ | AUGUST 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

12.22~1.20

Gemini

Pisces

Cancer