https://www.scmp.com/rss/309099/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Gulangyu island, a five-minute ferry ride from Xiamen proper, is the most popular tourist destination in the city. The small island is a Unesco World Heritage Site, a 5A tourist destination and one of the top 10 tourist destinations in Fujian province. Gulangyu was a concession to Western imperial powers following the opium wars, and hosted as many as a dozen consulates in the late 19th and early 20th century. The architecture is mostly Victorian, and the influence of the old European settlement... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/2150700/all-aboard-gulangyu-island-ferry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/2150700/all-aboard-gulangyu-island-ferry?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jun 2018 03:17:02 +0000 The city of Haikou was historically a place where adventurers dived for pearls along the coastline and Ming dynasty soldiers guarded against pirates. It was an important port during the imperial period, and traded with many nations nearby as part of Guangdong province. The city rose to greater prominence during the early 19th century, when the British opened Haikou up as a treaty port and sought to establish greater trade by sea with Hong Kong and the islands of the South Pacific. Those efforts... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148510/haikous-dynamism-rooted-its-past?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148510/haikous-dynamism-rooted-its-past?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 10:13:35 +0000 Haikou is a growing city of 2.27 million people, but there are still beautiful, wild and natural places surrounding the city. There are beaches and parks, volcanoes and coconut plantations, as well as vast strands of mangrove trees and exotic botanic gardens. Many of the best beaches in China are on Hainan Island, and the northern coastline east and west of Haikou are no exception. Holiday and Xixiu beaches make up parts of a long strip of sandy beach heading west from the city. The luxurious... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148508/haikou-offers-easy-access-nature-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148508/haikou-offers-easy-access-nature-its?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 10:07:19 +0000 Haikou is set amid the splendour of a tropical island, surrounded by the ocean, beaches, lush plantations and rolling green hills. Within the city, however, there is a need for a conscious effort to maintain green spaces for the urbanites who are not always able to take time off and visit the special wild places around Haikou. Sometimes people need to just walk down the street, go to the nearest park, and stroll along to gather their thoughts and rejuvenate their spirits. Fortunately, the city... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148505/city-haikou-recognises-need-healthy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148505/city-haikou-recognises-need-healthy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 10:02:29 +0000 Hainan has a long and varied history, with waves of migrants landing on the island from the mainland, since the Han dynasty. The local Li people have endured, and so has their way of life. Much of what we see today represented as “Hainan culture” is an eclectic mix of traditional Li and Han imperial cultures, with a dash of foreign influence to go along with today’s more modern society. One of the most iconic elements of Hainan culture is Qiong opera, based in Haikou. The art is a dramatic... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148503/hainan-culture-expresses-drama-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148503/hainan-culture-expresses-drama-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 09:59:21 +0000 Chengdu has long been at the forefront of China’s quest for a balance between economic progress and environmental protection. Much of that has to do with the fact that Chengdu is far removed from the capital but enjoyed funding from the central government’s Go West campaign established in 2000. The combination of access to funds and relative freedom from central control have allowed the city to become a proving ground for projects and ideas. Some of those projects have panned out, others have... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111591/chengdu-strikes-healthy-balance-between?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111591/chengdu-strikes-healthy-balance-between?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 08:02:53 +0000 China’s back-to-the-land movement started in the late 1980s, following the country’s Green Revolution, which used heavily subsidised petrochemical fertilisers, improved irrigation techniques and other policies to dramatically expand agricultural output. Although a success in terms of productivity, the damage to the environment soon became apparent and local governments and enterprises, reacting to urban demand, started experimenting with less destructive methods. One of the most interesting... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111594/chengdus-flower-town-thrives-haven-artists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111594/chengdus-flower-town-thrives-haven-artists?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 07:45:25 +0000 The crowning achievement of Chengdu’s decades-long transformation into a transport hub can be summed up in the slogan: “Chengdu-Europe Plus”. It refers to the Chengdu-Europe Express Rail, which was inaugurated in 2013, but only recently reached its potential as a modern Silk Road connection between East and West. The rail link stretches more than 10,000km and takes 10 days to reach Poland and 14 to reach Germany. Its trains carry goods and products such as food, appliances, electronics, even... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111592/chengdu-europe-express-rail-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111592/chengdu-europe-express-rail-accelerates?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 07:45:24 +0000 Chengdu sits at the centre of some of China’s most beautiful scenery, and amid a number of important cultural sites. In every direction, there are Unesco-protected World Heritage sites and culturally significant places of interest. To the south of the city lie Emei Mountain and the Leshan Giant Buddha. Now less than an hour’s travel from the capital via high-speed rail, these two sites represent important religious pilgrimage destinations for the Buddhist faithful, and incredibly busy tourist... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111595/giant-buddha-tibetan-plateau-lush?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111595/giant-buddha-tibetan-plateau-lush?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 07:15:46 +0000 Canadian Jordan Porter moved to Chengdu in 2010 as an alternative to doing his masters degree in Chinese history. That initial two-year jaunt became a journey that has now spanned seven years and given rise to his own company, Chengdu Food Tours, which uses Sichuan’s famous cuisine as a tool to teach visitors about the city. Since the company’s inception in 2015, Chengdu Food Tours has guided dozens of groups through the side streets of the city, exploring wet markets, visiting small street... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111597/chengdu-food-tours-offer-intimate-way-heart?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111597/chengdu-food-tours-offer-intimate-way-heart?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 07:02:57 +0000 You are never more than a stone’s throw away from great food in Chengdu. Two decades of headlong development has led to entire neighbourhoods being overhauled, especially in the south side of the city, and that has led to the loss of some traditional wet markets, street vendors, and venerable locales. However, there are still thousands of good restaurants in Chengdu offering classic Sichuan fare. At the moment, the north side of the city is doing the best job of maintaining the traditional feel... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111596/chengdus-restaurants-sizzle-sichuanese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111596/chengdus-restaurants-sizzle-sichuanese?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 06:45:20 +0000 Sanya’s intangible cultural heritage goes back centuries and can be found in the customs and ceremonies of the local minorities. Sanya city has listed 10 customs that qualify as intangible cultural heritage and must be protected. Local Yazhou FolkSongs and the Li minority Firewood-gathering Dance are approved examples of national level intangible cultural heritage. The Li minority Oral Traditions, the Legends of the Conch Shell Maiden, the traditional Hui Minority wedding ceremony, Li minority... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102135/sanya-fights-preserve-its-cultural-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102135/sanya-fights-preserve-its-cultural-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 04:56:47 +0000 Sanya’s rich food culture has benefited from the decade-long tourist boom that the city has experienced, featuring an innovative worldly dining experience as well as the traditionalmeals that have satisfied islanders for centuries. Excellent dishes are available at any time of the day, and night. A good place to start looking for some great options is along the Hongsha Port, or the dock leading to Wuzhizhou Island. Restaurants cluster around the ports, getting the freshest seafood possible and... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102132/culinary-odyssey-sanyas-rich-food-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102132/culinary-odyssey-sanyas-rich-food-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 04:45:09 +0000 Xiamen is the jewel of China’s southeast coast. Long the door to the outside world from imperial China, the modern era has transformed this island city and its surroundings into one of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations and a dynamic economic engine in southern China. The city earned its name from an ancient castle, the “Lower Gate Fortress” but, as the city flourished and grew rich from ocean trade, the city’s leaders decided to replace lower with its Putonghua homonym “mansion,”... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097065/xiamens-mansion-gate-serves-model-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097065/xiamens-mansion-gate-serves-model-chinas?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2017 03:51:51 +0000 The most industrialised city in northwest China, Xian is the focal point for the development of the nation’s central and northwestern regions, and the revitalisation of land trade routes to Central Asia and Europe. Xian benefited early from the national government’s decision to make the city a centre of the aviation industry. That decision resulted in heavy investment in infrastructure, higher education and hi-tech industries, providing a solid foundation for the modern, industrialised, hi-tech... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048987/hi-tech-xian-flourishes-local?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048987/hi-tech-xian-flourishes-local?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Nov 2016 03:46:16 +0000 The imperial city of Changan is the site of many legends and stories, perhaps none as compelling as the love between the Tang emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, his imperial consort. Yang Guifei was born Yang Yuhuan and began her relationship with the imperial family as the wife of Xuanzong’s son, Li Mao, the prince of Shou. But her allure was such that the emperor himself wanted her for his own, so he had her put on Taoist robes – to nullify her marriage – and then made Yang Yuhuan into his... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048984/journey-past-changans-compelling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048984/journey-past-changans-compelling?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Nov 2016 03:01:11 +0000 Xian has been the heart of Chinese civilisation for millennia. Even when the capitals of later Chinese dynasties moved east, the core of Chinese culture remained intact in the central province of Shanxi where the imperial capital once known as “City of Eternal Peace” presided over the beginning and end of the famed Silk Road and the rise and fall of more than a dozen of China’s most fabled imperial dynasties. Xian’s historical legacy remains ever-present in the looming majesty of the city walls... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048986/city-eternal-peace-xian-heart?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048986/city-eternal-peace-xian-heart?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Nov 2016 03:01:11 +0000 Like many cities in China, Xian sits at the crossroads of modernity and tradition. This dichotomy forms the character of this ancient capital, and influences the old customs of the locals as well as the new fads. Xian’s history and how it influences the people is most evident in the mornings, when the elderly move slowly out into the spreading light and do the things they’ve done for so many years: remove the coverings from a bird cage; head to the park for exercise and a song; light up a... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048983/xians-ancient-roots-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048983/xians-ancient-roots-tradition?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Nov 2016 02:46:59 +0000 Xiamen is one of China’s best-kept secrets. Long a successful port on the country’s southeast coast, Xiamen was also the departure point for thousands of migrants out of China and the first stop for many a foreign trader. The city stands out from others in China due to its climate and pristine beaches and its ability to maintain a clean streetscape. The lights and clubs of the city itself and the nearby beaches are attractions enough, but there are also several popular sights and sounds that... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994922/tradition-and-warm-beaches-modern-coastal-gem-makes-ideal-business-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994922/tradition-and-warm-beaches-modern-coastal-gem-makes-ideal-business-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2016 04:45:45 +0000 Xiamen expresses China’s modern-day split between hyper-modern and staunchly traditional like few other Chinese cities can. The city’s location and traditional role as the “doorway to China” led to Xiamen being always at the forefront of change and adaptation. Overseas Chinese ensured that the best of what they encountered abroad would eventually make it back to the hometown. The clearest example of that today is the cityscape, especially at night. Xiamen’s clean, slick streets and buildings rub... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994893/pulling-strings-chinese-marionette-tradition-lives-xiamen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994893/pulling-strings-chinese-marionette-tradition-lives-xiamen?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2016 04:30:00 +0000 The first time I saw the Leshan Grand Buddha, in southern Sichuan Province, I was standing on a strip of wet stones in the middle of the River Dadu. A group of children marched over the stones gingerly, stopping every few steps to snatch one up and toss it into the rushing waters, while silent, skinny old men stared at the ends of their fishing lines. The Buddha peered down from its alcove in the red cliffs and was both a symbol of protective divinity, and the backdrop to an ordinary day in the... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spirit-travel/article/1989787/leshan-grand-buddha-has-been-standing-tall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spirit-travel/article/1989787/leshan-grand-buddha-has-been-standing-tall?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Jul 2016 02:00:15 +0000 The beauty and splendour of Sanya is well-known throughout China. For years, Sanya has been synonymous with “vacation” and a well-deserved respite from the long work weeks most Chinese endure throughout the rest of the year. Sanya has something to offer for couples on their honeymoon; extended clans on their annual trip; individuals seeking adventure; or businessmen seeking the perfect atmosphere for their end-of-year meeting. The tasks today are about maintaining the balance between continued... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1988830/great-escape-adventurous-visitors-discover-exotic-attractions-sanya?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1988830/great-escape-adventurous-visitors-discover-exotic-attractions-sanya?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 05:00:45 +0000 Sanya has a reputation for its magnificent beaches, but some of the most thrilling excursions are away from the sea and into the interior. The middle of Hainan Island features soaring peaks and a thick tropical rainforest. Just north of Sanya, the foothills of these central peaks start to rise up, and the pineapple orchards give way to the tangled greenery of the forest. There are treks up slick steep hillsides that jut above the canopy, giving visitors an unforgettable view of the land as it... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988832/venturing-interior-hainan-island-means-trekking-rainforest-and-peaks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988832/venturing-interior-hainan-island-means-trekking-rainforest-and-peaks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 05:00:30 +0000 Sanya can be credited with introducing the joy of water sports to the general population of mainland China. Before Sanya’s Yalong and Dadong bays offered jet skiing and windsurfing, there was little opportunity anywhere else in China to participate in those sports. As time went on, and Sanya’s tourism industry realised the demand for water sports was high and getting stronger, the number of places with water sports on offer multiplied. The effect was felt as far north as Qingdao which, despite... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988827/fun-under-sun-sanya-helps-kick-start-mainland-chinas-love-affair-water?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988827/fun-under-sun-sanya-helps-kick-start-mainland-chinas-love-affair-water?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:45:45 +0000 Hainan has always been an outlier, and no city on the island more so than Sanya. Throughout history, Hainan and Sanya were referred to as the “edge of the world”, where civilisation dropped off and wonders that were beautiful and terrible were to be found. As time went on, the myths faded away, but Hainan remained a special part of China. Like their Cantonese neighbours to the north, the Hainanese are seafaring folk, fisherfolk and people who are content to live high in the tropical mountains,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988829/known-edge-world-hainan-plays-special-part-chinas-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988829/known-edge-world-hainan-plays-special-part-chinas-history?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:45:04 +0000 Yachting took off in China after the Volvo Ocean Race stopped in Sanya two years ago. The race highlighted the status of Sanya as a port of call for international sailing events, and introduced sailing to mainland Chinese who, up until then, had little previous exposure to the concept. Sanya has since established a local Sanya Marina Sailing Academy to accommodate the rush of people who want to sail their own boats, and partnerships, such as the one between the Sanya Visun Royal Yacht Club and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988825/port-call-citys-inclusion-big-race-calendar-opens-door-world-sailing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988825/port-call-citys-inclusion-big-race-calendar-opens-door-world-sailing?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:34:07 +0000 Sanya is blessed with some of the cleanest, most pollution-free waters anywhere in China. These waters provide the city and its inhabitants with an array of edible riches from the sea – abalone, sea cucumbers, and shrimps; crabs, fish and mussels – and all these tasty treats can be found in the hundreds of restaurants and barbecue stands that line the streets and beaches of Sanya city. Sanya prides itself on preparing these fresh, delicious morsels in ways traditionally Chinese and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988822/seafood-delights-sanya-sounds-fishy-delicious?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988822/seafood-delights-sanya-sounds-fishy-delicious?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:15:00 +0000 China’s first deep-sea research facility, the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, began operations in May. The facility is located in Sanya and is mandated by the central government to study the ecology of the South China Sea in order to enhance public knowledge of the resources of the region and how to protect them, as well as improve naval capabilities for China’s maritime operations. “The deep sea has a wealth of resources, including mineral,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988772/40-billion-tonnes-oil-sanya-institute-expands-deep-water-maritime-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988772/40-billion-tonnes-oil-sanya-institute-expands-deep-water-maritime-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 03:00:15 +0000 Shanghai has a great mix of the old and the new, often juxtaposed within the same neighbourhood. For visitors to the city, the sheer size and scope of one of the world’s fastest-growing metropolises might be daunting, but the efficient subway system is really useful for getting around the city, and there are districts that can satisfy several urges in one go. One of the most popular neighbourhoods is Xintiandi. The district is at the edge of the old French Concession where there are several... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1962586/shanghais-contrasting-neighbourhoods-offer-fascinating-kaleidoscope-citys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1962586/shanghais-contrasting-neighbourhoods-offer-fascinating-kaleidoscope-citys?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jun 2016 22:00:30 +0000 Disney’s first foray into mainland China opens on June 16, but it has already seen well over a million visitors. Retirees and tourists eager to see Mickey and what the park has to offer have taken the train ride out to the park and bought souvenirs, snapped selfies and munched on high-priced street food. The real fun is yet to come. Disneyland Shanghai will feature the familiar cast, but with new additions and ambitious new looks to some favourite rides. One of the most talked-about attractions... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1962589/new-pirates-caribbean-ride-adds-attractions-disneyland-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1962589/new-pirates-caribbean-ride-adds-attractions-disneyland-shanghai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jun 2016 22:00:30 +0000 Just an hour from Zhengzhou, thousands of students in the city of Dengfeng train and study at more than a dozen top wushu academies. Students from all walks of life and different countries choose Dengfeng to study wushu mainly due to the proximity of the Shaolin Temple, the world's most famous martial arts school and Buddhist temple. Wushu academies in Dengfeng are not just places to learn flying kicks and the horse stance, students take the same academic courses their peers in regular public... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931484/wushu-academies-benefit-tremendous?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931484/wushu-academies-benefit-tremendous?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2016 02:10:39 +0000 Located as it is in the cradle of Chinese civilisation, Zhengzhou has a lot to offer to visitors culturally. The city was built on the first foundation of the Chinese people, the Shang and Xia dynasties, and served as a capital and hub for later imperial dynasties that spread out across Asia and developed incredible cultural and artistic works. One of the biggest events in Zhengzhou is the annual Ancestor Worship Ceremony in the Yellow Emperor's native place of Xinzheng town, just outside the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931483/zhengzhou-culturally-rich-location?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931483/zhengzhou-culturally-rich-location?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2016 02:10:38 +0000 Zhengzhou is fast becoming the major logistics hub for central China, making it an ideal location for visitors who want to be able to take in all of the sights and sounds of Henan province and the surrounding region. The city itself has three remarkable sites, the Henan Provincial Museum, Shang dynasty ruins and Erqi Square. The museum is a treasure trove of artefacts reflecting thousands of years of history and civilisation, while the square shows off Zhengzhou's more modern identity, paying... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931479/zhengzhou-offers-great-base-which?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931479/zhengzhou-offers-great-base-which?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2016 02:10:35 +0000 When Chengdu city officials built the Global Centre and moved the centre of their exhibition industry to the south side of the city, they weren't making a play for the title of "Exhibition Centre of West China", they were expanding on an honour the city has owned for some time.  There are exhibitions in Chengdu almost every month. From car shows to food and beverage fairs, international symposiums to national forums, the city of Chengdu rivals any in Asia for the number of exhibitions it holds,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-chengdu/article/1859121/sector-replaces-quantity-quality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-chengdu/article/1859121/sector-replaces-quantity-quality?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2015 09:45:30 +0000 As Chengdu transforms to take its place beside Asia's major metropolitan areas as an economic powerhouse, it is important that the city continues to maintain its identity by pointing visitors towards its rich history and culture.  A case in point is one of Chengdu's more famous tourist destinations, Kuan Zhai Xiangzi, or "wide and narrow alley". This is one of the oldest surviving neighbourhoods in the city, but one wouldn't guess it walking down the bustling, renovated faux-Qing era streets... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-chengdu/article/1859118/get-taste-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-chengdu/article/1859118/get-taste-history?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2015 09:45:15 +0000 Chengdu is built in a basin formed by Himalayan rivers flowing down to the Yangtze River. A ring of verdant hills surrounds this basin, providing fantastic day-trip opportunities to the small towns nestled at the base of the world's largest mountains. The top destination among these is Dujiangyan, which can be reached in 40 minutes by car or 15 minutes via high-speed train. This city played an important role in establishing and maintaining civilisation in this part of the world. The dam there... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-chengdu/article/1859115/hills-are-alive-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-chengdu/article/1859115/hills-are-alive-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Sep 2015 09:30:00 +0000 It's been more than a decade since Sanya burst into the international travel scene with a successful hosting of the Miss World pageant. Since then, the city has annually experienced double-digit growth in domestic tourism numbers and investment, an explosion of high-end luxury hotels and resorts, and a growing global footprint as a desirable vacation spot.  The city has achieved this success through concerted cultivation of the region's attractions combined with a hands-off approach to the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838385/citys-success-continues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838385/citys-success-continues?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:21:55 +0000 Sanya's society has undergone some interesting changes since the city's economic miracle began more than a decade ago. Many locals have taken advantage of their improved circumstances and moved away from basic farming and fishing activities into other business lines. At the same time, farmers inland have thrived as restaurants and hotels create a large and growing demand for fresh local produce.  The wealth generated by tourism and ancillary industries has given rise to new opportunities.... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838382/opportunities-knock-locals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838382/opportunities-knock-locals?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:21:28 +0000 Sanya's local cuisine is excellent and healthy, light on oil and fat, and heavy on seafood and poultry. Wenchang chicken, Dongshan lamb, Hele crab and jiaji duck were not created in Sanya, but as the city on the south coast of Hainan is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in China, all the delicacies and staples are available.  But only one of these, the crab dish, is from the sea. When in Sanya, head for the seafood section. There are stalls all along the coastline selling... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838366/spoils-ocean?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838366/spoils-ocean?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:20:59 +0000 As the city of Zhengzhou and its inhabitants change with the rest of the mainland, some things still remain the same - primarily food.  All across China, eating habits are as much a part of identity as one's last name, and in Zhengzhou, it's no different. The major dish in the city is a seemingly innocuous bowl of beef noodles, lamian.  There isn't a time of day or night when a bowl of thick, stretched out noodles is a bad choice. Locals will have a bowl for breakfast, lunch, dinner, after-party... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802893/enjoy-taste-historic-significance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802893/enjoy-taste-historic-significance?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 03:00:15 +0000 Shaolin Temple has an aggressive and wide-ranging outreach programme that isn't confined to the temple and the corporation that runs it but also extends to the wushu schools that have cropped up around the temple.  The largest school, Tagou Wushu Academy, has an outreach office that has held numerous events to promote the school abroad and internationalise the student body's experiences as much as possible. A recent exhibition, involving hip-hop dancers from Los Angeles and wushu performers from... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802902/schools-spread-word-globally-olympics-goal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802902/schools-spread-word-globally-olympics-goal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:45 +0000 Zhengzhou's modernisation drive is not just relegated to the Zhengdong central business district (CBD) or to other infrastructure improvements in and around the city. The improvements are not the end, but merely the means to the real goal of the local administration: a modernisation of the people in how they act, dress, buy, think and play. It will take time for the real changes to come.  However, the transformation is slowly taking place. Changing tastes in Zhengzhou, especially among the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802894/modernised-minds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802894/modernised-minds?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:45 +0000 Zhengzhou is an emerging tourist city, one of the oldest inhabited areas in China and surrounded by living reminders of the world's oldest continuous civilisation. After years of playing second fiddle to other more famous areas of the mainland, Zhengzhou is finally coming into its own. It boasts the deep martial arts legacy of the Shaolin Temple and the ancient roots of Chinese civilisation in the Shang ruins and the Yellow Emperor. It also acts as custodian for the Yellow River, the heart of... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802921/coming-out-shadows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802921/coming-out-shadows?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:30 +0000 Zhengzhou's history lies not just within the city limits, but also across the countryside and the plains formed by the Yellow River. You must venture out to truly understand the history of this area and the legacy of its many dynasties and emperors.  The Yellow River Scenic Area is a good jumping-off point, not only for its beauty but also for the information provided about the history of the river and its role in building Chinese civilisation. The river is wide and wandering yet powerful even... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802915/river-rolls-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802915/river-rolls-history?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:30 +0000 The Shang archaeological site in Zhengzhou is one of the oldest known. Even older than Anyang's, the Shang site is rich in artefacts, weapons, oracle bones and other items that describe the civilisation that ruled here about 3,000 years ago. The Shang, also known as the Yin, are believed to be the first "Chinese" dynasty and are therefore the common ancestors of all Chinese states. The society before them, the Xia, are almost completely lost to antiquity, while the society that followed the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802910/legends-linger-ruins-shang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802910/legends-linger-ruins-shang?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:15 +0000 The Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, is widely considered to be the ancestor of all Chinese people. The first mentions of the Yellow Emperor as an actual political figure rather than a mythical deity began a little more than 2,500 years ago, during the Warring States period. That period began with the crumbling of the Zhou Empire and concluded when the Qin Emperor unified China in 221BC.  The true nature of the Yellow Emperor is lost to history, but Chinese states since the Han dynasty credit him with a... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802909/cradle-civilisation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802909/cradle-civilisation?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:15 +0000 Shaolin Temple is arguably the most famous martial arts temple and training facility in the world. Dozens of movies, books, stories and legends surround the temple and the Buddhist monks, who have lived, worked and trained here for the past 1,500 years.  Legends aside, it is possible to learn kung fu at Shaolin Temple. There is a difference, however, between kung fu, wushu and sanda - three variations of Chinese martial arts that are distinct from each other.  Kung fu is best described as the... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802908/fighting-get?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802908/fighting-get?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:00 +0000 It's midmorning in the mountains north of Beijing and Ning Guangyou is racing towards the collapsed section of the Great Wall around Mutianyu. Every few steps he throws a left-right combination at the waves of heat radiating up from the ground. Other than his bursts of breath, the only sounds are the buzzing of gnats and the pounding of his feet on a dusty path. More than 3,200km to the south in Phuket, Yang Jianping pounds the pads at Tiger Muay Thai, one of Asia's premier mixed martial arts... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1578641/harnessing-power-chinas-explosive-talent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1578641/harnessing-power-chinas-explosive-talent?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:15:30 +0000 The Xixi Wetlands, China's only national wetland park, is 6km west of central Hangzhou in a gorgeous setting of mulberry trees, bamboo groves, lagoons and soft, rippling canals. People have been living in the wetlands for almost 2,000 years, weaving silk and fishing, and the park aims to enshrine that ancient way of life. The park has a silk-weaving museum and boat rides through the many canals created by six causeways and innumerable small islands of bamboo and mulberry. The overall design was... https://www.scmp.com/article/1076935/serene-journey-back-gentler-times?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1076935/serene-journey-back-gentler-times?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:35:59 +0000 Hangzhou was once known as Lin'an, the last capital of the Song dynasty before it fell to Kublai Khan's armies in the late 13th century. Few regions are as productive and fertile as the Lower Yangtze around Hangzhou, and the commercial power of the area's silk, tea and rice-growing regions helped keep the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) alive after the Jurchen overran the north and established the Jin dynasty (1115-1234). After the fall of the north to the Jurchen invaders, Hangzhou grew into... https://www.scmp.com/article/1076933/restored-former-glories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1076933/restored-former-glories?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:32:00 +0000