How Christmas is celebrated in China – Part 1

Like every family that celebrates Christmas around the globe I am sure that those in China who celebrate Christmas each have their own special way of doing so. I spent a year living and teaching at a public elementary school in China. Christmas fell during the winter break and my students got to go home, which was a rare treat for them. We spent the week leading up to the winter break trying to do all the things “normal westerners” do for Christmas. My kitchen became a Gingerbread Man mass production unit, my microwave a state of the art hot coco heater and my tv and vcr played Frosty the Snowman and A Christmas Carol so many times the tapes nearly busted. These were all things they had seen done on reruns of dubbed 1980’s American television shows like Growing Pains and also of course on Mr. Bean The Christmas episode. These were not activities they had ever done before.

In fact, being one of of twelve Westerners living long term in my city of nearly two million people, I ushered in a lot of strange holiday firsts for that community. Artificial Christmas trees, though common in public places like cafes and shopping centers in big cities like Beijing were oddities for the everyday apartment in my city. My American co-teachers and I went to the local plant nursery and bought the closest thing we could find to a pine tree. It was about four and half feet tall with wispy leaves that slightly resembled needles. Planted in heavy clay in a stucco pot it weighed a considerable amount so we had it delivered to the house by bicycle cart. When we very clearly gave instructions in Chinese to have the tree carried into the house the delivery man would simply not believe we knew what we wanted. This was clearly an outside tree. It took a lot of pleading to have the tree brought into the living room. I am sure he still speaks of the foreigners and their crazy ways.

It snowed in our city all that winter and so we had snowball fights and built snowmen outside the kids dorms after hours so they would have a nice surprise in the morning. We went shopping at large mall-like shopping centers and spent way too much money on material goods. On Christmas day we met up with our friends and had a large meal and opened gifts from each other and packages sent from home.

Every family on a single, typical street in the middle of America has their own traditions. For me, my Christmas experience in China was like most others; full of all the ways we as humanity enjoy a winter holiday. The essentials were all there; rest, beauty, loved ones and good food.

Chinese Brands Seek Respect in the International Market

Now that the Olympics have ended everyone is talking about the “China” brand and how the Olympics will affect it worldwide. Many assume that Chinese brands that have been present at the event will have a great return in terms of brand awareness internationally. We partly agree with this statement, as certainly having broadcasted national brands to an audience of million people is a great branding exercise, but we still believe that the brands that are going to benefit the most are the one that have invested beforehand into brand building in face of international competitors.

In fact, there are still a few but very pressing problems Chinese brands have to deal with before being able to take full advantage of the positive influence the Olympics are bringing about.

It is no news to say that the “Made in China” label is often associated with brands of poor quality and low value. Even though the Olympics showed a highly developed China, this moniker still weights on the locally born brands. Just think about the recent product recalls that have brought consumers to become even more skeptical about buying products manufactured in China. Not to mention the influence the current milk powder crisis will have on the “China Brand” both at home and abroad. Tsingtao, for instance, have had almost a fatal blown when the barley grown in China was found to be heavily polluted with pesticides making it unsuitable for use. Consumers only started to gain trust in the brand after Tsingtao began to import its barley.

Secondly, Chinese brands seem to have been relegated to niche markets and have failed to expand. Looking again at Tsingtao we can see that the brand has been in the US market for thirty years but has been unable to break out of a niche of only 0.04% of the market.

The problem here is that Chinese brands tend to lack of a definite brand identity.
In an effort to expand to a larger consumer market Tsingtao went through a major redesigning process in 2007 aimed at supporting more effectively the brand positioning. The new design revolved around the bottle label, thought to be more contemporary while still maintaining the signature pagoda medallion and red and green color pallet thought to be representative of the “Asian cool,” or the fusion between time-honored traditions and the cool aspirational culture of the Western world.” Still, as the brand re-design have not been associated with a strong definition of what the brand stands for, Tsingtao still find itself stuck in a niche market.

Stressing the Chinese heritage cannot by itself differentiate the brand enough to make it successful in the long run. Furthermore, Tsingtao has very limited visibility outside of Chinese restaurants and grocery stores which make the search cost too high and reduces considerably the brand capacity of winning new brand loyalist. So what can make Tsingtao unique?

Tsingtao has something different than other Chinese beers: it was founded by a Germany company. Some suggest that the Chinese brewery could brand itself as a “Chinese German” beer thus borrowing from Germany’s strong reputation for beer. Though this may not be the be all and end all suggestion Tsingtao has to figure out what will differentiate itself from its competitors other than their Chinese heritage which so far has not proven to gain them a higher market share.

If Tsingtao doesn’t make enough of an example, look at Haier. By being associated with low quality refrigerators Haier is having difficulties breaking out of the low cost compact refrigerator segment targeted to college students. Haier has been selling low price and has not spent many efforts into building a strong international identity. Without brand recognition Haier is unable to enter the high end segment in America because it is all about brands in the upscale market. After all, it is just normal that those people buying a two-thousand dollar refrigerator would choose GE over the brand that makes low cost refrigerators. In a market where products look increasingly similar it is vital to have a strong brand to get your product off the shelves and into your customer’s homes. Haiers association of low quality products and their lack of strong marketing capabilities leave them a relegated market share.

As Chinese brands move from being low cost Original Equipment Manufactures (OEMs) to creating their own strong global brands they have realized the importance of brand building. However, creating strong, valuable brands will take a long time. Overcoming the association of cheap and poor quality can not be changed with the snap of fingers. Furthermore, as new companies or other countries start to capitalize on low production costs, Chinese brands realize that they can no longer use their low price advantage if they want long term success in the international market. After all there is more to a brand than just a cheap price tag.

“A product is something that is made in a factory; a brand is something that is bought by a customer” says Peter Schweitzer the president of J. Walter Thompson. China is used to manufacturing products for exports but as they start making more and more products for themselves they then can offer more than just a low price. A brand is not created by only using a low price advantage. The consumer who bases his purchasing decision only on the price is generally not loyal to the brand and most of the time does not even know the brand name.

The Road Ahead

Chinese companies have become successful by entering less developed markets first which helps gain brand awareness before entering mature markets. This allows companies to understand the international market in a less competitive environment and comprehend how their brand is perceived in different countries. Yin Tongyao, CEO of Chery, is very vigilant when going overseas. Tongyao’s philosophy is “We always start small. If this works, we’ll increase our investment. You always need a nurturing period if you want to take root in a local market, so I don’t expect exceptional sales in any country.” Building a brand is a very expensive and time consuming endeavor but it is vital for Chinese companies to invest.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics has been the opportunity for Chinese company’s to showcase their brands. For Instance, Beijing Urban Construction Group hopes for their 19 Olympic related facilities to have gained worldwide publicity causing foreign companies to come to them for new contracts.

Tsingtao has been the official domestic beer sponsor of the Olympics. This opportunity has gained Tsingtao tremendous awareness internationally but only time will tell if this will be enough for them to gain a stronger market share internationally. As Tsingtao’s brand campaign is heavily associated with Chinese culture they have planned that while watching the Olympics a bottle of Tsingtao was to be in hand. The Olympics have also marked their one hundred year old anniversary – lucky coincidence to make them able to display to the world their strong Chinese heritage and associate the brand with the Olympics values.

In the increasingly competitive global economy the role of the brand has never been greater. Chinese brands are learning how to position themselves internationally. By looking at Tsingtao, Chery, Haier, and the Beijing Urban Construction Group we see that these companies are successful by ensuring that their products sent overseas are of highest quality, starting small when entering markets overseas, creating brand designs that translate well over many different countries, and using their Chinese heritage in their brands image. It is no doubt that it will take Chinese companies time to gain brand recognition but by continuously managing and creating brands that are strongly differentiated, Chinese companies have a real good shot to become major players in the international market.

Understanding the different styles of Asian food and restaurants – Part 1

Asian Food = Tasty Food

As someone who lives right smack in the food capital of the world (Singapore), and has lived in Western countries (US, UK, France, Germany) for a significant part of my life, I think I am well qualified to make the distinctions.

THE GENERALIZATION

Unlike most Western dishes, Asian dishes tend to be full of flavour from spices (other than the most used spice throughout the world- the black pepper). The palate of an Asian encompasses a lot more flavours – from the sour & tangy to the sweet and the spicy. It is seldom heavy in creams and cheeses as with most Western foods. It also tends to be much more pungent.

THE BREAKDOWN (at least the ones I know) in alphabetical order:

Rice is the staple for all the cuisines mentioned here although the rice may not necessarily come in rice form. That is, the rice can come in the form of a dumpling skin, noodles, “cakes”, even soup.

(1) Chinese – There are distinctions in regions. The easiest distinction to make is North v South- where the South eats everything with rice and the North (Beijing region) prefers dumplings (made from wheat). From there, you start subdividing into regions and if you look at your map of China, you can tell very easily which regions (Hunan, Sichuan) will have spicy food. It will be the areas with little access to water and are prone to spoilage- thus the use of heavy spices to preserve as well as mask odours. Of course, technology (refrigeration) has made spice a less of a reason to use as a preservative and more of use due to its medicinal properties as well as flavour. For those areas near the sea (Fujian, Guangzhou, etc.) there’s a lot of seafood, hardly any spicy hot spices, and a very strong emphasis on freshness.

(2) Indian- Oh, where do I begin? Again, the easiest distinction to make is North v South. The Southern dishes tend to be a lot heavier in spices, mainly vegetarian, and come in small watery dishes. For the North, there are a lot more creams (yoghurt based), meats, grills, fried, less hot spices, more other beautiful spices. Most Westerners fall in love with Northern Indian food when they’ve tasted it.

(3) Japanese- Oishi! My all time favourite cuisine because it focuses on the natural flavours of the sea. I prefer their sashimi (raw fish) and sushi (fish & rice wrapped in seaweed) more than anything else. But Japanese are also known for their tempura (deep fried battered fish & veggies), teriyakis (grills), and tons of

Tea and weight loss: Fact or fiction?

In spite of the research that links Tea with loss of weight, I lost weight from drinking tea. It started during my visit to the People’s Republic of China in June and July of 2008. I had not tried pure tea since most of the tea in the United States of America had colouring and artificial flavours.

The tea in China is pure and original. When I arrived in Beijing and was a guest at the China People’s Palace located in the heart of this magnificent metropolitan city, I tried the tea in my room. The hotel room had a tea pot with tea bags and instructions on how to boil the tea. Of course, the tea pot was electrical and the person would pour the water into the pot and it would boil automatically.

I started to try the tea every night before going to bed and upon waking up. It was a relaxing experience drinking tea, watching a few minutes of CCTV [China Central Television] and listening to CRI English [China Radio International] on the radio and television. The tea made me feel like I was losing weight. The stress and pressure from an over-sized belly contributed to a sense of well being followed by a reduction in weight.

During my trip to Beijing and Qingdao in the People’s Republic of China, I would also drink a lot of tea in the restaurants after walking through the areas of Beijing [Great Wall of China, Forbidden Palace, Great Hall of the People, Tienanmen Square, Olympic Venues] and Qingdao [Tsingtao Beer Brewery, Haier Compound, Former German Governor's Palace, and the Beach]. It was the tea in combination with the exercise that was helpful in reducing my weight.

Before arriving in the People’s Republic of China, I was weighing 230 lbs and managed to reduce 30 pounds during my trip and afterwards by drinking tea, eating healthy, and doing an exercise regimen. One of the teas that is recommended for weight loss in my opinion is the Jasmine Tea.

In my opinion, Jasmine Tea reduces the cholesterol and triglycerides inside your body as well as contribute to a reduction of body fat and the weight. Jasmine Tea also has the calming effect which helps in weight and stress reduction. If there is any doubt about tea, forget using the research and try it. It should be remembered that this type of weight reduction worked for the author and may not work for everybody.

It is advisable to discuss weight reduction and tea consumption with your Physician before embarking on such a weight reduction programme of this nature.

Make sure you check out your Toothpaste

Everyone needs Isagenix._______________________________________________________________________I have written quite a number of articles regarding the danger of toxins. Toxins have long been recognized as one of the main causes of the obesity problem here in North America. However I read an interesting article from the BBC today, this shows Toxins are not only in the air we breathe , but are been placed in our foods and cosmetics. ………US checks toothpaste for toxins Toothpaste is the latest Chinese export to raise safety concernsHealth officials in the United States say they are checking all shipments of toothpaste imported from China for contamination with toxic chemicals. Panama and the Dominican Republic have reported finding diethylene glycol, a chemical used in engine coolants, in toothpaste from China. The toothpaste scare is the latest involving products from China. Earlier this year, contaminated pet food ingredients killed a number of cats and dogs in North America. The toxic chemical, melamine, was found in wheat gluten exports from China for use in pet food, prompting a recall of at least 100 pet food brands. The tainted wheat gluten was even thought to have made its way into livestock feed. Low-cost substitute Cough syrup containing diethylene glycol originating from China killed more than 50 people in Panama last year. The New York Times said a Chinese chemical maker had sold the industrial-grade chemical as glycerine, which is often used as a moistener in products from toothpaste to soap and cosmetics. CHINESE FOOD SCARES May 2007 China probes reports that contaminated toothpaste was sent to Central AmericaMarch 2007 Melamine is found in wheat gluten exports from China for use in pet food, prompting a recall of at least 100 pet food brands Nov 2006 A dye farmers fed to ducks to make their eggs look fresher is found to contain cancer-causing properties and 5,000 ducks are culled August 2006 About 40 people in Beijing contract meningitis after eating partially cooked snails at a chain of restaurantsDiethylene glycol is sometimes used as a low-cost substitute for glycerine and Chinese toothpaste makers have said small amounts of the chemical are harmless in toothpaste. “We are going to be sampling and testing all shipments of toothpaste that come from China,” said Doug Arbesfeld, a spokesman for the US Food and Drug Administration. The FDA says China is the second-largest exporter of toothpaste to the US after Canada. Food safety investigators in Panama said two brands of toothpaste were imported illegally from China through a free-trade zone. Chinese officials say they are investigating the claims. The Dominican Republic and Panama have pulled thousands of tubes of Chinese toothpaste brands Excel and Mr Cool from store shelves. Beijing recently pledged to clean up its tainted food and drug industry after the series of safety scares. The subject was raised by the US in bilateral trade talks this week. The former head of China’s State Food and Drug Administration is facing trial, accused of taking large bribes to approve untested medicines.End of article. Wow, some people will risk thousands and thousands of lives just for a few dollars, these sort of people should receive a very severe punishment. As this situation is with us, and continually grows, we need to make some arrangement to protect ourselves. These toxins are taking up residence in our bodies, I recall a quote from National Geographic…..”Death Begins in the Colon”These toxins and “dead” foods lead to poor digestion, constipation, toxic colon build-up, weight gain and low energy. These common symptoms are more than just an inconvenience – they can lead to long-term health problems and serious disease. The combination of environmental toxins, an unhealthy diet and parasites poses a grave danger to humans. “In fact, parasites have killed more humans than all the wars in history”, reported National Geographic in its award-winning documentary, The Body Snatchers.Many thousands of the population of North America have finally come to realize, these toxins cannot remain in our systems, they must be removed to ensure a healthy body. These toxins are one of the reasons we have so many obese people on this continent. It has been found, when we take a body cleanse the body in turn sheds fat. So, here we have, a body cleanse serviing two purposes, one, ridding our bodies of toxins, secondly reducing the extra weight we are carrying around.Once you have a cleanse the results are as follows.(A) An overall sense of Well-Being(B) Clearer thinking, Focus and Better Attitude.(C) Energy, Stamina, Endurance and Strength(D) Increase in Sexual Desire.E) A General Cleansing of the BodyF) Better SleepG) Decreased desire for sugars, carbohydrates, caffeine and nicotine.J) Potential, safe rapid weight lossISAGENIX is now considered a mega company, and are in real momentum right now. Details of their growth can be viewed at http://sixfiguremakers.com For your information Network Marketing is considered by such famous Billionaires as Donald Trump and Warren Buffet as the business to be employed in today. In their words, no other business allows you to gain knowledge, and build you own business while employed elsewhere. No other business has the potential of an individual earning a C.E.O earnings within a short period of time. No other business, for so little investment can with the right attitude completely change their lives for the better. Anyone with the right desire to be successful should grab this opportunity right now.We at ISAGENIX have the right vehicle, and the right training to take any person with the right desire to the top. Take time to watch this video at http://sixfiguremakers.com then email me at noviorbis@telus.net Please Visit http://thisisyourbusiness.net/isagenix.html for more information A message from Dr. Becky Natrajan……”TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH”At last there is a way click herehttp://tinyurl.com/28trqe

Flights London to Hong Kong

Just a little research time spent online, checking daily newspapers or your local travel agent will show you that finding flights from London to Hong Kong at a reasonable price is easy. China travel opportunities and cheap Flights are available from both the major London airports. Whether you want to fly from Gatwick or Heathrow, it is now easy to find flights from London to Hong Kong.

How and when you travel is largely reliant on your budget. If you want to go first-class during the month of August, or around Christmas time, then you need a high budget. However, there are flights from London or Hong Kong for even the tightest of budgets.

A direct flight from London to Hong Kong will take around 12 hours, flying direct. This is a long haul flight, and travellers should make sure that they take items with them that will make the journey as comfortable as possible. However, be sure to check the local hand luggage rules in force at the time that you intend to travel.

Once you arrive in Hong Kong, there are many things to see and do that will suit all tastes and purses. Hotels in Hong Kong range from expensive 5 star luxury in the heart of the city, to more moderate accommodation more suited to a smaller budget on the outskirts. At off peak times, many hotels offer substantial discounts, so check to see what is available at the time you book your flights from London to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the cities that never sleep, but if you find that the noise and hustle and bustle proves too much for you, there are other alternatives. When you book your flights from London to Hong Kong, look for excursions to some of the smaller islands around the city. Here you will find a quieter pace of life with time to unwind and enjoy the scenery. Finding cheap flights to Hong Kong is a simple process and you’ll have little difficulty finding a great deal.

A boat trip to the island territory of Lantau will show you a different part of China than the cosmopolitan Hong Kong. On this island you can see the very last surviving fishing village, complete with its aluminium stilt houses. Lantau is also the home of the famous bronze Buddha.

If you fancy a walking China holiday, then try the Lantau Peak trek, which is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong city. If the trek seems too much for you, then take a boat trip and go pink dolphin spotting. Or take in some culture in the New Territories with the traditional walled villages.

The majority of people book their flights from London to Hong Kong with a view to experiencing the fast pace of Hong Kong itself. The shopping is second to none, and although there may not be the rock bottom bargains of the past available, but there are still bargains to be had. Many people buy silk to bring home with them, to be made into luxurious garments.

The variety of food available in Hong Kong is vast. The Chinese believe that all food should not only satisfy your hunger, but should bring joy to all the senses. The food in Hong Kong is no different.

When eating in Hong Kong, it is possible to find most of the cuisines of the world in a single street. From the street side vendors to five star restaurants, there is sure to be something for everyone. Remember that lunchtime is one of the busiest times with literally hundreds of workers looking for somewhere to eat, so it is best to avoid eating at this time.

Booking flights from London to Hong Kong can provide a gateway to experiencing the rest of China. A China holiday with the Olympics being held in Beijing 2008 is perfect for any vacation, and you may want to combine the trip with some travel throughout the country. Or you may decide to use your flight to Hong Kong as an opportunity to take in some of the many tourist attractions that China has to offer.

The most well-known tourist attraction in China must be the Great Wall of China. However there are many other things to see in the vast country and many travellers have been delighted with what they find when they venture off the beaten track a little. If you intend to do this, then it is wise to make sure you have the relevant maps and information.

All of China has a deep spiritual element, with a variety of religions being practised. In Hong Kong, it is possible to step from a busy street into a quiet temple that seems like another world. Many travellers have sought sanctuary in the peace and quiet of such places.

Booking your flights from London to Hong Kong provides any traveller with a gateway to another land that will surprise and enthral them. It is worth considering this destination as a full day stop over when travelling even further abroad. Whatever your intentions, booking flights from London to Hong Kong has never been easier.

Travel Tips For First Time Social Or Business Visitor To China

Travel and Tour Tips for China

China is a large country at a size of 9,596,960 sq km. China was only partially open to the world from 1980 onwards and has been a communist country for many decades. Although there is much progress in the travel industry and infrastructure of China, there remain areas that need to be improved before it can match the level that most tourist would require.

However, much of the fun remain that it is different from the rest of the world. China will be the host nation for the Olympics in Year 2008. Travel facilities and infrastructure will be improving quickly as we approach Year 2008.

China is rich in culture and history. Visit the Great Wall of China in Beijing, sip Chinese tea in Xiamen, dance with ethnic tribes in Yunnan, check out 19th Century European buildings in Qingdao – there are just so much to do and see in China!

Below are some travel tips to make your travel in China easier:

Entry Visa

China require entry visa from most countries. Apply at the Chinese consulate or through your travel agent before travelling to China.

Climate

Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north. Be prepared with the right seasonal clothing.

Foreign Exchange

The unit of currency is known as Renmembi(RMB) or Yuan. Get some Chinese Yuan in your local country before travelling. When in China, exchange foreign currency for local currency in the banks or at the hotel. Banks tend to give slightly better rates than hotels. Take note that some banks close for a noon siesta between 12-2pm.

Payment facilities

Most better class hotels and shopping centres take Credit Card or Travellers cheques. Smaller hotels and shops take cash only. Once out of the bigger cities, credit card and ATM cards tend to be almost impossible to utilize. Cash is still king in Chinese business and trade.

Counterfeit notes are common in China. Check carefully before accepting change, especially if it consists mostly 100RMB notes. You can feel a texture difference where counterfeit notes is concerned.

Understanding of English

Most civil servants, custom officials, police, hotel staff and men in the street do not speak English or at best a smattering of English.

Most signboards and notices will carry both English and Chinese. However, be aware that some translations can be so notorious that one can hardly understand what was it’s original Chinese intention.

Do not expect hotels or shops to understand English. Only the very big hotels will have staff that will understand English.

Most young people can understand basic English if you speak slowly.

Social Security

China is generally a safe country. However, hang on tight to your wallet especially in crowded, popular tourist sites in tourist cities such as Beijing and Xian.

These tourist cities also has a lot of touts in the streets touting tourist from currency exchange to jewelleries to female companionships. Avoid at all cost!

Domestic Travel

Bus, train, ferries and domestic flights are quite well developed. Avoid the crowd at the stations and book your tickets through the hotel tour desk or the nearest tour agent. Prices are likely to be competitive and tickets will be delivered to your hotel room. Again, avoid ticket touts who approach you in the streets.

Local buses are cheap (US$0.10 or YS$0.20) and you may want to try out. Taxis are convenient and are available at all hours. Starting fares differ from each city and may be as cheap as US$0.70 in Weihai and US$1.50 in Shenzhen.

Avoid travel in China during peak holiday seasons or book tickets well ahead.

Local Hotels

There is a good choice of hotels in China ranging from one star to the most luxurious 6 stars. Most of the time, the rooms are safe and clean and in my opinion, cheap does not mean bad.

There are many websites selling China hotel rooms on the internet. You can also check out the travel counters which are available in most train, bus stations as well as airport.

Book ahead if travelling in peak seasons.

Peak Tourist Seasons

Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late January or early February.

May Day: First two weeks of May

China National Day: Middle two weeks of October

Avoid travelling during these period. Book rooms and travel modes way early if need to travel. Believe me, the crowds during these period of time will be scary. What do you expect when the entire Chinese nation of 8 billion people are on holiday as well!

Chinese Food

Local food is absolutely fabulous. Try as much Chinese food as your wallet or stomach can afford. Restaurants are available everywhere and open to late hours. Most restaurants will have a menu that include photographs of the various dishes. Better yet, simply point at the food that your next door table is having, especially if it looks delicious!

However, avoid street side stalls and drinking directly from the taps if you have delicate stomach.

Telecommunications

Mobile phone coverage in China is good in most locations. Global auto-roaming within China is not a problem.

Internet

There are cyber-cafes everywhere in China, especially in tourist areas. Most are patronised by young people playing online games but you still can check your Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail. Access may be a bit slow for international websites.

You will need to show your passport as China has tight regulations at Internet Cyber Cafes.

Toilet facilities

One of the worst experience many has with China is the atrocious toilet facilities. Things has improved very much but it may still be a good idea to empty your stomach or bladder at every opportunity in a hotel, restaurant or departmental store. Public toilets and toilets in small shops can be a nose hazard!

* Useful China travel tips *

Try to get a English speaking tour guide at every opportunity you can. China has a rich and wonderful history and culture and without a guide, somehow, the flavour and significance of most tour sites can be lost.

*Sneaky tip: Hang around a group that has a English speaking guide if you cannot afford one!

Always ask for a receipt from a taxi driver so that you can complain if you have been cheated or for tracing purposes if you happen to leave your camera behind in the taxi.

Try to take the namecard for each hotel that you are staying at as these cards will have a Chinese address and the map of your hotel location. This is useful if you need to seek assistance to find your way back as the English version or pronounciation of a hotel or a street name may be quite different from the Chinese version.

After a tiring day, check out Chinese foot reflexology or Chinese TuiNa (Chinese massage). Wonderful for the body after a hard day and very cheap to boot. Simply look out for shop signs that shows two feet! They are everywhere.

Make friends with the Chinese whenever you can. They love to meet foreigners and will make good tour guides. Just buy a small present as a small token of appreciation.

The Beijing Business Banquet

Coming to Beijing on Business? Read this first!
Whether dealing with associates from home or abroad, Beijing business people are well-known for their hospitality. If you find yourself visiting the capital on business, you will invariably be invited to attend the Beijing business banquet at some point during your stay. There are, however, a few local points of etiquette that you should be aware of.
Firstly, always wait to be seated. Seating arrangements can be complicated; theres a well-established hierarchy as to who should sit where. Secondly, theres no need to rush your meal. The waitresses will first produce a large selection of cold dishes. Then the main dishes will arrive. Youd be forgiven for thinking that the cold dishes alone comprise the whole shebang in fact its often joked that the menus at these banquets have more entrees than a Beijing business directory has entries! But if you dive into these, youll quickly fill up. Your host might be offended if you cant eat any of the main dishes.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be ready to drink! Beijing business men as well as those from all over the country, love to make toasts. You will be served some baijiu, a sickly-sweet kind of local rice-wine. Locals love it, but it is rocket fuel, so you might want to politely decline if you have a busy afternoon ahead. Beer or fruit juice make perfectly good substitutes. The toasting will start off slowly, and, like the seating, there is a hierarchy involved. However, the order is easier to work out than the seating arrangements, and after a few rounds, it goes out the window anyway.
For more Beijing business tips and information, please see our detailed section on Doing Business in Beijing.
www.echinacities.com

Giant Panda in China

Before you come to China, you may hear of China’s national treasure: Giant Panda. Visitors to China can see this endangered animal in the zoos of the big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing, etc. If you want to have a very close look at the plump and lovely animal, you should better go to the Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base in Chengdu. Here you will view them eating, sleeping or playing which bring you great pleasure and delights.

Giant Pandas look like bear and have thick black and white fur with short tail. Their ears, legs, shoulders and fur around their eyes are black. The rest of the fur on their body is white.

Giant Pandas have good eyesight. They have strong jaws and teeth for chewing tough food. They have special bones like thumbs to help them holding their food.

Where do they live?

Giant Pandas only live in six small areas in China. They live in the mountain areas around the center and southwest of the country. They live high up in the mountains, in cool forests full of bamboo plants. The famous Chengdu Breeding Giant Panda Research is located on the mountain of Fu Tou. There are clouds, rain and mist throughout the year.

What do they eat?

Giant pandas are considered carnivores, but 99% of their food consists of bamboo. They prefer bamboo shoots. Since bamboo is low in nutrition, Giant Panda has to eat for 10 to 16 hours a day to stay fit and healthy.

Giant Panda’s Life Span

Giant Pandas are very shy and like to live alone. The males and females only meet in late spring or early summer to mate. Three to five months later the female may give birth to one or two babies, called cubs, in a den in the ground. Usually only one of the cubs will live to become fully grown.
When giant panda cubs are born, they are very small and helpless. They cannot see and have little fur. The cubs drink their mother’s milk for about six months. The cubs grow quite slowly. They can move around after three months. After about a year, they will go to live on their own. Giant Pandas live between 17 and 20 years in the wild.

How many wild giant pandas live now?

One hundred years ago there were large numbers of giant pandas in China. Now there are less than 700 of them in the wild, even though they were protected by law. Nowadays the giant pandas in China live mainly in 13 special protected areas, called reserves. The pandas can live safely in the reserves because people cannot hunt them.

Why the Giant Panda are in danger?

Giant pandas are in danger because their habitat is being destroyed. Forest areas are being cut down to make room for homes and factories. The trees are sold as wood for building and furniture.
Sometimes the bamboo plants come into flower which means that the pandas don’t have food and they have to move out of their home to find food instead of starving.

Best Asian destinations for the US dollar – Part 5

There is more to Asia than just being 6,000 miles away. Encompassing over 1/3 of the Earth’s population along with a variety of different cultures, foods, and lifestyles, any experienced traveler will tell you that Asia is worth every penny.

China, the biggest country on the eastern shore of Asia, has one of the liveliest and oldest cultures out there. With over two thousand years of colorful history, it’s no surprise that each city within has something different to offer – a treat that all travelers can experience with the purchase of a train ticket.

Beijing (Peking) houses wonders such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden Kingdom, and the Emperor’s Summer Palace, as well as countless of other mountains, rivers, and other natural wonders. What makes it so fun is that each of the points of interest mentioned above are well within the city, providing an interesting look at the mesh between old and new, as Beijing becomes one of the biggest growing cities in the world.

In addition to the places of interest for tourists to visit, Beijing offers a lot of other attractions such as massages, street vendors, and night markets. Selling things ranging from key chains to jade bracelets to mp3 players and cell phones, the city is a hustle and bustle atmosphere in which tourists can always find something to do.

More bang for your buck? The current currency of the Chinese government is the renminbi (RMB). The rate is a whopping 6.9 RMB: 1 USD, meaning that for every dollar you have, you have about 7 RMB. Meanwhile, the cost of a good meal, massage, and a night on the town will cost an average of 200-300 RMB, which converts to about $30-$40.

Moving away from the capital city, there’s a plethora of other places to enjoy, including Shanghai, Dalian, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Taiyuan, and many, many more. Each has its own unique flavor to it, and every city is only a train ride apart! The mainland not for you?

How about Macau or Hong Kong? Both cities, after being exposed to large amounts of Western culture, prove to be largely suited to American tastes. For one, most everyone in each of these two “special administrative regions” speaks English. A great sigh of relief for many tourists, as plenty of people struggle every year to communicate in a foreign country. Second, with tall skyscrapers and glassy high-rises around every corner, each of these places stands to be atop the global market with innovation, business, and new technological wonders. Once again,

« Previous Page — Next Page »