https://www.scmp.com/rss/77251/feed <p>David Powell is a Xiamen-based writer versed in an eclectic set of topics, including China, business, tech, education and endurance sports. Stints in Italy, the United States and China give him insight into what makes us unique as well as an abiding interest in the social, cultural and economic events and habits that unite us.</p> en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Xiamen has plenty of attractions for residents and guests. Whether in search of a peaceful moment in nature or a rousing good time, the perfect answer awaits in this ancient port. Art lovers can head over to Huamei Kongjian, a loft-like space in a repurposed factory that is now home to tea-houses, cafes and designer studios on 132 Huasheng Road. Check out the rotating series of exhibitions at Baqiu Gallery, which opened last year and was founded in part by a Chinese artist who focuses on... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2150699/historic-xiamen-packed-attractions-peaceful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2150699/historic-xiamen-packed-attractions-peaceful?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jun 2018 03:30:42 +0000 Blessed with vibrant commercial, meeting and leisure travel industries, it’s no surprise that the city offers a surfeit of upscale hotels, with more than two dozen five-star hotels now gracing the city, according to David Katemopoulos, general manager of Le Meridien Xiamen. It’s a number that’s sure to grow. Millie Tsui, general manager of the Marco Polo Xiamen, notes that an additional 22 premium hotels are set to open in the city in 2020. Even individual neighbourhoods in Xiamen have a surfeit... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/2150697/upscale-hotels-cater-needs-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/2150697/upscale-hotels-cater-needs-business?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jun 2018 03:30:40 +0000 Perfectly situated on the South China Sea, and with easy access to mainland China and neighbouring countries, the port of Haikou is an emerging nautical tourism centre. Located on the Nandu River, Haikou faces the Chinese mainland across the Qiongzhou Strait. While the city is an important shipping and trading port, cruise tourism is fast becoming an essential part of the city’s maritime operations. Aiding the area’s transformation into an international coastal tourism centre are a slew of... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148502/haikou-opens-way-more-intimate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148502/haikou-opens-way-more-intimate?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 09:54:13 +0000 Haikou offers a vast array of sports events and activities for all levels, from enthusiasts to professionals. The island’s year-round temperate weather makes it an ideal destination for golf aficionados, so it comes as no surprise that the island offers more than two dozen top golf clubs. One of the city’s premier golf clubs is Mission Hills Haikou, one of the largest in the world. Professional cyclists race through the city as a part of the Tour of Hainan, an annual road race that started in... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148501/temperate-climate-enhances-sporting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148501/temperate-climate-enhances-sporting?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 09:49:28 +0000 Haikou’s culinary scene offers many savoury foods that run the gamut from Hainan classics, including chicken, duck and lamb, to seafood, all of which are on hand at a wide range of local restaurants and markets. One of the most famous regional dishes is Wenchang chicken, with legend dating it back to the city of Wenchang in northeastern Hainan in the 14th century. Even today, this fleshy chicken is raised in Wenchang on a diet of coconut flesh and peanut cake. The whole chicken is typically... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148490/food-choices-haikou-make-every-meal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-haikou/article/2148490/food-choices-haikou-make-every-meal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 09:24:01 +0000 No trip to Haikou is complete without a foray into the shops and markets to sample the many cultural and culinary treasures available in the “Coconut City”. Centuries of tradition are on display at Haikou’s handicraft shops, even as the city’s fresh food markets highlight China’s widest selection of fresh, locally-produced tropical fruit. Perhaps the most impressive venue for handicrafts and souvenirs is Qilou Old Street. Gastronomic tourists will be delighted with the nearby Qilou Snack Street,... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/2148464/cultural-and-culinary-treasures-make?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/2148464/cultural-and-culinary-treasures-make?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 07:25:20 +0000 With economic growth topping 6 per cent annually for more than 15 years, it’s no surprise that Vietnam’s cities are flourishing as never before. From Da Nang to Hai Phong, and from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, tourism is booming along with the country’s economic fortunes. In Da Nang, local tourism officials estimate that over five million people visited in the first nine months of this year, one-third of which were international guests. Growth in Hai Phong is up a stunning 40 per cent, while Hanoi... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120789/vietnams-tourism-industry-surges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120789/vietnams-tourism-industry-surges?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:19:58 +0000 Some of Vietnam’s emerging destinations, such as Hue and Phu Quoc Island, offer guests unique insights into the country. Hue hosts around 2.2 million visitors per year and remains an ideal destination to combine cultural exploration with exceptional beaches, according to Phan Trong Minh, general manager of La Residence Hotel and Spa – Hue, Vietnam. The city is popular with international travellers, notching more than one-third of the area’s total tourism. In higher-end hotels, such as La... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120788/vietnams-emerging-destinations-draw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/topics/go-asia-vietnam/article/2120788/vietnams-emerging-destinations-draw?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Nov 2017 01:15:15 +0000 Jiuzhaigou National Park is rightfully viewed as one of China’s natural treasures for its multihued lakes, tiered waterfalls and snowy peaks, so it’s no surprise that this Unesco World Heritage site attracted more than 5 million visitors in 2016. While Mother Nature has endowed the area with unrivalled beauty, the region suffered a setback in August when a major 7.0-magnitude earthquake rattled it in August. The tremor forced the park and neighbouring hotels to close for autumn and winter, but... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111600/natural-treasures-enhance-jiuzhaigou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111600/natural-treasures-enhance-jiuzhaigou?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 06:18:57 +0000 As a fast-growing western city with a host of major businesses and cultural attractions, it’s no surprise that Chengdu greets an estimated 100 million tourists each year. These staggering numbers explain why the city has almost 8,000 hotels, including many of the top international brands, according to Fredrik Genberg, general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Chengdu. For travellers, the great news is that the city’s unending parade of new hotel openings means that “average daily rates will drop... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111599/chengdus-popularity-sparks-increase-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2111599/chengdus-popularity-sparks-increase-new?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 06:01:38 +0000 Sanya is among the top global resort destinations with more than 16 million guests last year. Twenty million are expected next year. No wonder the area is set to become “the biggest international tourism city in South China” with destinations such as Haitang Bay bristling with world-class resorts, says Serge Zaalof, chief operating officer of Atlantis Resorts and Residences, which will open this year. Haitang Bay is poised to capture a significant portion of this because its location makes it... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102138/bay-watch-haitang-bays-resorts-rush-claim?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102138/bay-watch-haitang-bays-resorts-rush-claim?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 05:00:00 +0000 Business is booming for Yalong Bay’s luxury resorts. With a beachfront longer than 7km tucked up against rainforests and rolling mountains, the idyllic location has seen a surge in annual visitor numbers while “hotel occupancy continues to grow despite a number of new hotels”, says Stephan Stoss, Hilton area general manager of Hainan South Hotels. Stoss says hoteliers and guests both benefit. “Prices are stable or dropping, but the volume is offsetting the drop in rates to help hotels remain... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102130/boom-times-yalong-bays-luxury-resorts-cash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102130/boom-times-yalong-bays-luxury-resorts-cash?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 04:37:27 +0000 Nestled in Haitang Bay, Wuzhizhou Island is one of Hainan’s crown jewels. Reached by ferry, the 148-hectare island boasts more than 5km of secluded oceanfront as well as some of China’s best-protected coral reefs. The island is perfect for scuba diving, thanks to a placid ocean and clear waters that provide visibility of up to 27 metres, according to Yang Xiaohai, the vice-president of the Hainan Wuzhizhou Island Scenic Spot in Sanya. A wide variety of ocean sports such as water skiing,... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102128/island-charms-wuzhizhou-offers-sea-sports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102128/island-charms-wuzhizhou-offers-sea-sports?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 04:32:54 +0000 Hotels in Dadonghai Bay generally recorded an increase in visitors last year, helped by an increased interest in wellness travel and because of its convenient location – only about 4km from Sanya city centre. “As for this year so far, it feels like arrivals are up again, and up from Hong Kong as well,” says Julian Wong, multiproperty general manager of the Shanhaitian Resort Autograph Collection. Eric Kee, general manager of Mandarin Oriental, Sanya, says that part of the reason for the rise in... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102126/dadonghai-bay-hotels-sanya-welcome-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2102126/dadonghai-bay-hotels-sanya-welcome-more?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 04:30:16 +0000 When the Xiamen Metro officially debuts this September, the subway system will mark another step forward in the city’s relentless march to top-tier status. Initially approved in 2012, work by the Xiamen Urban Rail Transit Group is under way on three subway routes, with Line One slated to begin carrying passengers in September. The first phase of the 50 billion yuan (HK$57 billion) subway system encompasses three lines and more than 60 stops spread along 79km of track. The 24-stop Line One runs... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097067/xiamen-makes-tracks-top-tier-city-status?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097067/xiamen-makes-tracks-top-tier-city-status?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2017 03:54:04 +0000 When bikes moved from being a luxury item to a commuter staple, thousands of bicycles plied Xiamen’s streets every day. While the advent of the car dimmed China’s two-wheeled love affair, the relationship has bloomed anew with the rise of the shared-bike industry. “Back in the 1990s, people used bikes every day and now there are more bikes on the street again,” says Zoe Lai, a local resident of more than 20 years. She is referring to 300,000 public bikes from five companies that have flooded the... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097062/bike-share-companies-flood-xiamen-app?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097062/bike-share-companies-flood-xiamen-app?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2017 03:47:39 +0000 Xiamen’s art scene gained historical depth last month with the opening of the Kulangsu Gallery of Foreign Artefacts from the Palace Museum Collection. The gallery brings together a historical site on Gulangyu Island, a former colonial outpost, with the parent museum’s 1.8 million artefact collection, of which a mere 1 per cent are on display at any one time, according to Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum in Beijing. The Gulangyu gallery repurposes the former Hope Hospital and Nurses’... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097059/kulangsu-gallery-gulangyu-island-exhibits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097059/kulangsu-gallery-gulangyu-island-exhibits?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2017 03:42:21 +0000 The seemingly unstoppable growth in Xiamen’s upscale hotel market continues apace, with the city now counting 21 five-star hotels and more on the way in the second half of the year, according to local tourism bureau figures. “I remember when I was here from 2004 to 2008, Xiamen did not have that many international chain hotels,” recalls Richard Hng, general manager of the Shangri-La Hotel Xiamen. Times have changed and hotel guests in Xiamen have never had a wider selection of premium... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097056/xiamens-luxury-hotels-expand-services?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/business/topics/go-china/article/2097056/xiamens-luxury-hotels-expand-services?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2017 03:37:20 +0000 Xian earns its place on the global stage on the merits of its historical riches and its wealth of amenities for the modern traveller. Times are good, with the city notching 8.85 million tourists during the most recent National Day holiday, up 12 per cent year-on-year, according to Shirley Li director of sales and marketing, Wyndham Grand Xian South and the Wyndham Grand Xian Residence. That’s just a drop in the bucket of the 3.86 billion people who visited last year, says Markus Christ, general... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048981/xian-hotels-tailor-their-offerings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/news/china/topics/go-china-xian/article/2048981/xian-hotels-tailor-their-offerings?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Nov 2016 02:46:58 +0000 With 19 five-star hotels sprinkled across Xiamen and at least a score more on the way, this compact subtropical destination offers a broad range of upscale hotels catering to business and leisure travellers. While the number of annual guests edged up in the past year and luxury hotels did better than most, tourism revenue has been flat recently, according to local tourism officials. The majority of Xiamen’s international tourists come from Asia, but Europe and the Americas are both well... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994885/five-star-living-business-and-leisure-travellers-can-choose-wide-range?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994885/five-star-living-business-and-leisure-travellers-can-choose-wide-range?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2016 03:45:31 +0000 Times have never been better in Xiamen for anyone who loves great food, premium drinks and live music. The city’s once-sleepy culinary and nightlife scene is now far more varied and cosmopolitan. Xiamen offers music lovers a surprising array of live music. JJ Bar and Grill in Haiwan Park features a six-person band coupled with Texan barbecue and a VIP lounge. The city’s most talented musician, Peng Fei, performs an eclectic and captivating mix of Chinese and Western songs at Latitude 24 in Le... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994874/wine-and-dine-xiamen-city-offers-varied-cuisine-and-many-nightspots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1994874/wine-and-dine-xiamen-city-offers-varied-cuisine-and-many-nightspots?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Jul 2016 02:45:30 +0000 Once known as a winter retreat, Sanya has become a year-round destination, attracting families, business people and sports lovers from around the world. At least three-dozen five-star hotels now service Sanya’s 15 million annual visitors. The area’s premier hotels are responding to the changes with an expanded set of services and amenities. “The profile has changed, it used to be predominantly couples and friends coming in groups for meetings, and team members or customers to Sanya and Yalong... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988819/magnificent-year-round-destination-families-bring-children-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988819/magnificent-year-round-destination-families-bring-children-business?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:15:00 +0000 Long a staple in mainland China, group and tour packages remain popular for families and leisure travel to Sanya. Tour packages are designed to make a trip less stressful and tend to be favoured by families and newer travellers. “It’s a mix of families, couples and friends who book a package through an agent and families who book packages directly with us,” says Stephan Stoss, general manager of the Hilton Sanya Yalong Bay Resort and Spa and Hainan South Cluster general manager. Guests are... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988813/sanya-tour-packages-families-and-less-seasoned-travellers-show-faith?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988813/sanya-tour-packages-families-and-less-seasoned-travellers-show-faith?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:00:45 +0000 With abundant sunshine and more than a dozen top courses, it’s no wonder that Sanya is at the beating heart of golf in Asia. While a majority of golfers come from mainland China, others from Hong Kong and South Korea comprise the majority of foreign visitors, says Julian Wong, general manager of the Sanya Marriott Hotel Dadonghai Bay. “Opposite to Sheraton Sanya Resort, the Yalong Bay Golf Club is the leading 18-hole course,” says Ulf Pauschardt, general manager of the Sheraton Sanya Resort at... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988812/challenging-courses-place-sanya-heart-golf-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988812/challenging-courses-place-sanya-heart-golf-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 03:57:00 +0000 A romantic atmosphere and great weather have made Sanya a natural destination for weddings, and this travel sector is booming. Last year, “300,000 people came to Sanya for weddings and honeymoons, including 10,000 who took wedding photos and 1,500 who held wedding ceremonies in the hotels here”, says Timothy Bruce, general manager, Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort and Spa. With lovebirds eager to go on a spree, it’s no wonder that “the market is prosperous and we perceive it as one of our... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988808/wedding-bells-sanyas-honeymoon-sector-booms-lovebirds-flock-make-most?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988808/wedding-bells-sanyas-honeymoon-sector-booms-lovebirds-flock-make-most?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 03:45:00 +0000 In a market once dominated by meetings and incentive visitors, family travel has become the driving force of Sanya’s tourism industry. “The profile has changed, it used to be predominantly couples and friends coming in groups for meetings”, says Stephan Stoss, general manager of the Hilton Sanya Yalong Bay Resort and Spa and Hainan South Cluster general manager. “Now it’s more of a family destination,” Stoss says. It’s a trend noted by Julian Wong, general manager of the Sanya Marriott Hotel... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988805/perfect-families-sanyas-tourism-industry-adapts-rise-multigenerational?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1988805/perfect-families-sanyas-tourism-industry-adapts-rise-multigenerational?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Jul 2016 03:30:45 +0000 With more than 140 upscale international hotels and 45,000 luxury rooms, Shanghai boasts one of the densest concentrations of upscale lodgings anywhere. The market is expected to continue to grow as the city adds new attractions and events. “Because of the opening of the Shanghai Disney Resort and a number of other projects, we’re expecting an increase in guests and in revenue,” says Richard Greaves, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai and area vice-president. There’s been a steady... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1962594/shanghais-upscale-lodgings-market-expected-continue-impressive-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1962594/shanghais-upscale-lodgings-market-expected-continue-impressive-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jun 2016 08:13:41 +0000 The evolution of robot manufacturer UBTech is an updated Chinese version of the classic Silicon Valley story, says its co-founder and executive director, Goti Deng, The company identified mobile social robots as the next-generation tech field and raced to produce a working product while fighting for capital, mind share and distribution. It's not enough to be in a hot industry, Deng says. "You have to be good in order to get attention, help and resources," he says. The company spent years burning... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/hi-tech-shenzhen/article/1943977/home-help-tells-success-story?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/hi-tech-shenzhen/article/1943977/home-help-tells-success-story?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 May 2016 04:57:13 +0000 Salary increases and labour shortages are forcing Chinese companies to embrace automation throughout the manufacturing chain. For many companies, robots are the solution, with China accounting for slightly less than 25 per cent of global shipments for industrial robots last year, according to research firm HIS. Facing the inevitable, local and national authorities are encouraging the trend by providing support for the manufacture and purchase of robotics in mainland China. Guangdong alone plans... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/hi-tech-shenzhen/article/1943978/humans-control-technology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/hi-tech-shenzhen/article/1943978/humans-control-technology?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 May 2016 04:57:12 +0000 The party never stops in Zhengzhou, which is choc-a-bloc with bars, nightclubs and live music venues catering to adventurers of all stripes. The main bar street is Jingliu Road, home to dozens of large clubs and intimate bars. While trendy clubs come and go, the street is anchored by Target Pub, which is owned by Lao Wang and is quite popular with expats. To indulge in some quality brews, nip next door to Beer Factory, which boasts a vast selection of imported and local beers. The laidback chain... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931489/dance-night-away-trendy-jingliu-road?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931489/dance-night-away-trendy-jingliu-road?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2016 02:10:36 +0000 Zhengzhou's restaurant scene is flourishing in ways never before seen, thanks to China's rapidly growing leisure dollars and an infusion of new flavours and culinary concepts from overseas. Local food shops are ubiquitous, but there are many foreign and fusion restaurants catering to international guests and locals with a taste for adventure. One of the most popular foreign-oriented restaurants is Zax BBQ, which serves authentic dishes from the American south and is located on Guiren Jie in... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931491/eat-your-heart-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931491/eat-your-heart-out?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2016 02:10:36 +0000 Zhengzhou's range of premium hotels is broader and deeper than before, catering to a growing number of guests from all corners of the market. With provincial tourism revenue topping 500 billion yuan (HK$595.76 billion) for the first time in 2015, the city has benefited tremendously from its manufacturing prowess and from Henan's growth in tourism. At the high-end of the market, several five-star hotels have opened in recent years, outpacing the growth of the tourism market, notes Daisy Duan,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931492/restrictions-government-spending-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/news/china/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1931492/restrictions-government-spending-and?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Apr 2016 02:10:33 +0000 Now more than ever, Sanya is a tropical resort paradise, as more than 13 million visitors discovered last year, according to local tourism authorities. The vast majority of visitors come from the mainland, according to Nicholas Lacey, general manager of the Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort, although international guests are also on the upswing. The high end of the market is well represented, with "around 35 top five-star hotels in Sanya", says Hoss Vetry, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton... https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838375/distinctive-amenities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/business/topics/go-china-sanya/article/1838375/distinctive-amenities?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2015 02:21:14 +0000 Mainland cities routinely develop huge new airports, subway systems or train stations. Xiamen is different in that it is conducting all these massive projects at the same time. With a 40 billion yuan (HK$51 billion) airport, 50 billion yuan subway system, and new train stations, the city is being remapped.  The premise and promise of these projects are twofold: a short-term boost in investment and construction jobs, coupled with a long-term increase in efficiency and economy for residents and... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814462/massive-projects-are-transforming-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814462/massive-projects-are-transforming-city?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2015 02:52:14 +0000 The number of visitors to Xiamen increased more than 14 per cent last year to over 53 million. While the numbers are impressive and tourists spent more than 72 billion yuan (HK$91 billion) last year, local tourism officials say that guest satisfaction is equally important. Xiamen has ranked among the mainland's top cities on its tourism satisfaction index for the past five consecutive years. While the city's top attractions include Nanputuo Temple, Hulishan Fort and Zhongshan Road, tourism is... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814452/city-revs-visitor-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814452/city-revs-visitor-traffic?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2015 02:47:20 +0000 Nestled off the island of Xiamen is the two-square-kilometre Gulangyu islet, a lovely spot equally noted for what it has and for what it lacks. Buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century abound, as do beaches, museums and shops. Notably absent are cars, bicycles and the neon-heavy signs that are so common on the mainland. A former concession town during the pre-second-world-war era, and the home of an abundance of piano- and trade-loving Westerners, the islet was known through the turn... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814449/islet-values-its-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814449/islet-values-its-heritage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2015 02:47:07 +0000 Times have never been better for guests looking for high-end hotels in Xiamen, which notched record numbers of visitors last year. With 19 five-star hotels in the city and an average rate of under 650 yuan (HK$824), according to local tourism bureau figures, premium hotels are ubiquitous and reasonably priced. Local hotels are riding a tourism boom, with guests increasing by more than 14 per cent a year and spending a collective 72 billion yuan on their trips. Guests come for work, leisure and a... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814448/thriving-getaway-boom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814448/thriving-getaway-boom?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2015 02:46:57 +0000 Xiamen's Zhongshan Road is arguably the mainland's finest shopping street on account of its length, scale and historical importance.  The century-old road originally linked the city's ports and docks to its residential area. It was Xiamen's first asphalt road in the 1950s, was transformed into a lit pedestrian precinct in the 2000s, and remains one of the city's central shopping districts today. "I grew up in this area, and when I was a kid, it was a shopping street," says Steve Wu, owner of... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814437/street-full-teas-lacquers-and-pearls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-xiamen/article/1814437/street-full-teas-lacquers-and-pearls?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2015 02:45:45 +0000 Pulling a page from the playbook of previous years, China has instituted a series of Free Trade Zones to boost international investments and to serve as a test bed for economic reforms. The 100-square-kilometre-plus zones in Fujian, Guangdong and Tianjin are modelled on Shanghai’s free trade zone, which debuted in 2013. The Special Economic Zones of the past were designed “to encourage urbanisation and foreign direct investment, largely into sectors generating activity in China’s ballooning... https://www.scmp.com/native/topics/invest-china/article/1806783/china-pushes-ahead-plans-woo-international-investors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/topics/invest-china/article/1806783/china-pushes-ahead-plans-woo-international-investors?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2015 02:14:54 +0000 Rising in the outskirts of Zhengzhou is a 415-square-kilometre "aero-tropolis" - a city with an airport at its core. Still in its infancy, the Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone (ZAEZ) will be home to more than 2.5 million people whose lives and livelihoods will be supported by a five-runway airport primarily servicing the area's manufacturing and logistics industries. The aero-tropolis already boasts impressive numbers. Total fixed commercial real estate investment topped 40 billion yuan (HK$50.6... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802922/aero-tropolis-grows-near-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802922/aero-tropolis-grows-near-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:45 +0000 The unprecedented proliferation of top-flight hotels in Zhengzhou is transforming the local market and offering an array of upscale options.  "In the 20 years preceding 2011, no new international hotels were built," says Catherine Han, general manager of the Sheraton Zhengzhou. "In the past three years, six new hotels have opened, and another six are planned." Hotel occupancy has not risen at the same speed, with occupancy rates for five-star hotels at about 65 per cent, although that is... https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802886/brands-raise-their-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/topics/go-china-zhengzhou/article/1802886/brands-raise-their-game?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 02:45:30 +0000 China remains a magnet for international workers from near and far, but the daily lives, motivations and compensation packages of today’s expatriate workers are all in flux. A recent study of private moving company data by Unigroup Relocation implies that the number of expat workers are slipping, with the company handling twice the number of moves out of China as it did into it last year. Because moving companies handle only the higher end of transfers, the data seems to indicate a change in the... https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1775229/china-set-attract-younger-expats-looking-more-enjoyable-livelihoods?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1775229/china-set-attract-younger-expats-looking-more-enjoyable-livelihoods?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2015 02:00:45 +0000 China dominated the world last year in clean energy investment, with total spending of US$89.5 billion, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. That’s a 32 per cent increase over 2013. The spending boom represents the country’s attempt to simultaneously mitigate its environmental impact while meeting its growing energy demands. Spending is expected to further increase on the heels of last year’s climate deal with the US, in which China agreed to derive at least 20 per cent of its electricity... https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1716007/power-shift-china-boost-clean-energy-investment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1716007/power-shift-china-boost-clean-energy-investment?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2015 02:28:45 +0000 China’s efforts to create a more balanced economy built on sustainable growth are leading to changes that include allowing private investment in new sectors, experimenting with new policies in free-trade zones, easing investment through trade agreements and cutting red tape. “China has always been protective of what it labels as strategic centres [energy, telecommunications, utilities and finance] in the past”, says Albert Park, director of the Hong Kong University for Science and Technology,... https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1700195/chinas-economic-reforms-will-give-boost-private-sector?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1700195/chinas-economic-reforms-will-give-boost-private-sector?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2015 06:29:15 +0000 Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin helped cement Shenzhen’s reputation as an entrepreneurial hotbed when he noted earlier this summer at an investor forum that fully one third of China’s venture capital and private equity companies hail from his city. Smart money is chasing opportunity in Shenzhen, which has an entrepreneurial culture boosted by public and private support for emerging startups. It is no wonder the city has China’s highest ratio of business owners, coming in at 73.9 per 1,000 residents in... https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1668583/smart-money-pouring-shenzhen-city-becomes-hotbed-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1668583/smart-money-pouring-shenzhen-city-becomes-hotbed-innovation?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Dec 2014 01:15:30 +0000 When China’s State Council published its updated energy plans in mid-November, it targeted energy consumption growth to taper down to 3.5 per cent by 2020 even while non-fossil fuels rise to 15 percent of total energy, according to Xinhua. The plan further cements the emerging trend in China to use high technology and the knowledge gained via international partnerships to meet China’s growing energy demands while limiting carbon emissions, which are set to peak in 2030 per a recent agreement... https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1660307/international-cooperation-helps-fuel-energy-boom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/topics/invest-china/1660307/international-cooperation-helps-fuel-energy-boom?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2014 01:21:05 +0000 Immortalised in poetry and art for its bucolic and pastoral beauty, Hangzhou is riding a boom in tourism, as visitors flock to the city's scenic spots. Last year, the city played host to more than 70 million visitors, 3 million of whom were international, an increase of more than 10 per cent over 2010, according to Minnie Xu, general manager of Hangzhou's JW Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott. The boom may yet be in its early stages, as the city "hopes to grow annual guests to 100 million in the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1076942/tourism-explosion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1076942/tourism-explosion?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:44:16 +0000 Few man-made things are etched as deeply in the Chinese consciousness as the Grand Canal, a 1,776km system of locks, canals and rivers that historically linked Hangzhou to Beijing and Xian, and from there to the Silk Road. The canal in Hangzhou dates back more than 1,000 years and was built through back-breaking labour by millions of workers. It continues to be a dynamic part of the city's economic and cultural life. While it once primarily transported grain, its main cargo today is coal and... https://www.scmp.com/article/1076932/grand-canal-becomes-backdrop-city-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1076932/grand-canal-becomes-backdrop-city-life?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:26:40 +0000 Few products match the role of silk in Chinese culture. Once reserved for the imperial families, silk tied China to the world through the Silk Road, rooted in Hangzhou. Led by Hangzhou and Suzhou, China continues to be the world's largest silk exporter, owning 70 per cent of the production yield and 80 per cent of the global export trade, according to Frankie Kwok Yan-chi, assistant director of Tungtex Holdings, a Hong Kong-listed company with garment factories in Hangzhou and Guangdong. Silk... https://www.scmp.com/article/1076902/inextricable-link-silk-road?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1076902/inextricable-link-silk-road?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:04:52 +0000 As China has roared into position as the world's largest car market, Hangzhou's production and components markets have gone along for the ride. With light-vehicle sales on the mainland surging from 5.3 million in 2005 to 17.9 million last year, Hangzhou's car industry is more potent than ever, according to Tim Dunne, director of global automotive operations for market research company JD Power. Today, the region hosts a mix of local companies and joint ventures, with international names, such as... https://www.scmp.com/article/1076881/road-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1076881/road-success?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Nov 2012 03:50:41 +0000